The Finger Lakes of New York
Castles, Lakes & Grapes
4 Days | Spring | Summer | Fall
Starting At $Flexible Pricing
Canandaigua, NY is known as “The Chosen Spot,” a Native American translation that holds true today. Nestled on the north end of Canandaigua Lake, the town is historic and scenic with a variety of locally owned shops, galleries, restaurants, and places to stay. Your group will not only love Canandaigua they will love the scenery throughout the Finger Lakes.
Highlights
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We are happy to accommodate Groups who want to add a night or two, or further customize their trip.
StarrGroups Flexible Pricing:
- Customizable Comps
- Net Rates
- Luxury or First Class Hotels & Meals
- Starr Tours Motorcoach Transportation & Professional Tour Managers are available
Whatever you want, StarrGroups will be happy to structure tour prices to match your needs. Just let us know!
Itinerary
Day 1 – Canandaigua, NY
Travel today to Canandaigua, NY and check into your local hotel for a three night stay. Dinner is included tonight at a local restaurant. (D)
Day 2 – Sonnenberg Gardens – New York Kitchen Lunch & Wine – Shopping in Downtown Canandaigua – Canandaigua Lady Dinner Cruise
After breakfast, visit Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park, one of the nation’s most extensively preserved country estates from the Victorian era. This 50 acre site features beautiful formal and informal gardens, a historic mansion, the Lord & Burnham greenhouse complex and beautiful views of Canandaigua Lake. The former summer home of Frederick Ferris and Mary Clark Thompson, was built in 1887. The surrounding gardens were developed between 1902 and 1920 and reflect a variety of styles, including Victorian, Italian, Colonial, and Japanese influences.
Next, enjoy Lunch and Wine at the New York Kitchen. Enjoy vintage wines from across New York paired with a delightful and local lunch in a charming setting overlooking Canandaigua Lake. A Culinary demonstration or hands-on lessons can also be added to your visit to the New York Kitchen.
The afternoon also includes some free time for shopping in Downtown Canandaigua. Arts and crafts, memorabilia and hand made products are just a few of the things you’ll find in Canandaigua. Explore one of a kind niche stores that are just as unique as the merchant themselves.
This evening enjoy a Dinner Cruise on the Canandaigua Lady. This vessel is an 19th century steamboat replica and an authentic double-decker paddle wheeler operating on Canandaigua Lake. Enjoy your dinner cruise and relax while listening to a captivating narration on this sixty-five ton Mississippi style paddle wheel boat. (B,L,D)
Day 3 – Letchworth State Park – Shopping at Artizanns – Arbor Hill Grapery Tour & Tasting – Dinner at Belhurst Castle
This morning head to Letchworth State Park known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” This 14,350-acre scenic park along the Genesee River which features three large waterfalls, dubbed the Lower, Middle, and Upper Falls.
While at the Park, visit the William Pryor Letchworth Museum. It tells the story of Letchworth State Park from the prehistoric era to modern times. It houses its benefactor William Pryor Letchworth’s personal collections, including Native American and pioneer artifacts as well as Civilian Conservation Corps materials.
Next, stop in Naples, NY to visit Artizanns: Gifts from the Finger Lakes for a little shopping. Over 200 Finger Lakes Artisans present everything from pottery, hand-blown glass, wood works, sculptures, metal, paintings, photography, jewelry, fabric art, all natural candles, soaps and sundries, local musicians and literary artists’ works, plus a pantry full of wonderful food confections produced locally.
Then visit the Arbor Hill Grapery for a tour and tasting. Established in 1987, Arbor Hill occupies a complex of vintage buildings in a wonderful warm New England country setting. One of the region’s premier wineries, they were the first to produce the award-winning Traminette, a spicy, semi-sweet hybrid of Gewurztraminer. Enjoy a tour and tasting at the Grapery and don’t miss the famous Naples grape pie.
End the day in nearby Geneva, NY for dinner at Belhurst Castle. Overlooking spectacular Seneca Lake in the heart of the Finger Lakes Wine Region, Belhurst is a perfect spot for a delicious meal in a beautiful and truly unique dining atmosphere. (B,D)
Day 4 – Red Jacket Orchards – Depart for Home
This morning, visit the Red Jacket Orchards. This farm store sells the freshest and ripest fruits from Red Jacket’s 500 acres of orchards around Seneca Lake, from strawberries, apricots and plums to peaches and apples. The family-owned operation is also famous for its fresh 100 percent fruit juices. Be sure to look for other locally grown and produced foods, including many Mennonite goodies.
After your visit, depart for home. (B)