7 Main Streets Where The Finger Lakes Comes Alive

The Finger Lakes region of central New York, a series of 11 long glacial lakes carved into the landscape like ancient claw marks, flaunts many towns with breathtaking main streets. Towns like Watkins Glen are home to popular stops like Seneca Harbor Wine Center, while in Hammondsport, you can step into Crooked Lake Ice Cream Company, and in Geneva, you can't miss the Smith Opera House. While the water is always the star attraction in the Finger Lakes, these small towns feature main streets that are essential to any visit to the region.

Geneva

The long, narrow Finger Lakes served as local highways before the railroads and automobiles arrived, so several lakes have noteworthy towns at both the southern and northern tips. Geneva sits at the northern tip of Seneca Lake, with Main Street having served as its commercial corridor for generations. Get an entertaining local history lesson at the Geneva History Museum, then head toward the water and enjoy the scenery along the Geneva Lakefront Trail. Grab a bite at a local spot like Water St. Cafe as you walk back toward Main Street. Of the many historic structures that will catch your eye, the red brick Smith Opera House stands out as one of the most striking buildings in the downtown core. Try catching a show there to complete your visit.

Skaneateles

Genesee Street emerged as Skaneateles’ commercial backbone in the early 1800s, when stagecoach traffic and lake trade converged at the head of Skaneateles Lake. Today, the street is lined with local shops such as DROOZ and Company, which offers a refined mix of books, gifts, and home décor. Especially if you are out in the morning, Skaneateles Bakery keeps the sidewalks lively with coffee, pastries, and a steady local crowd. Consider booking a stay, or at least a meal, at The Sherwood Inn, whose long history and prominent location give it a commanding presence on Genesee Street. Right across the street is Clift Park, where the docks, park benches, and uninterrupted lake views draw both locals and visitors alike.

Watkins Glen

Franklin Street has been the main road into Watkins Glen, which sits on the southern shore of Seneca Lake. After you pass the chain hotels and fast food joints to the south of downtown, Franklin Street reveals its historic beauty as a former meeting point for rail and boat lines. Start your stroll near the lake with a coffee and pastry at Central Sip, taking some time to enjoy the waterfront views. Stop to sample local vintages at Seneca Harbor Wine Center, housed in a historic red-brick machine shop. Just a 5-minute walk leads to the entrance to Watkins Glen State Park and its famous gorge, where stone bridges and waterfalls quickly replace the commercial setting. After exploring the dramatic gorge scenery, grab a cool treat and perhaps a room for the night at the Colonial Inn and Creamery.

Hammondsport

Hammondsport grew as a hub for Keuka Lake shipping, vineyards, and even early aviation, with its compact downtown extending out from Pulteney Square, especially along Shethar Street. Crooked Lake Ice Cream Company, right off the square, is a relaxed place to begin your tour with hearty diner fare or a sweet treat. From there, enjoy some shopping at local favorites like Patina, home to more than a dozen vendors. At the water’s edge, Depot Park gives you docks, open views, and easy access to the Keuka Lake shoreline. After exploring downtown, make the short drive to the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum to see the exhibits and vintage aircraft displays dedicated to the aviation pioneer and Hammondsport native.

Canandaigua

Canandaigua’s Main Street runs straight as an arrow to the northern shore of Canandaigua Lake. The street is extra wide with a landscaped center divider, denoting its importance as a trade route and making a stroll through the Canandaigua Historic District even more picturesque. Before walking to the lake, stop at the Ontario County Historical Society for exhibits that will deepen your understanding of the town and the surrounding area. Right along your route, Simply Crepes Craft Kitchen Canandaigua offers a leisurely meal inside a historic structure. Kershaw Park, at the base of Main Street, opens onto Canandaigua Lake with a beach, boat launches, and wide water views.

Penn Yan

Originally laid out to support commerce on Keuka Lake and the canal that connected it to Seneca Lake, Penn Yan’s Main Street remains a walkable and functional corridor. A good place to start is Amity Coffee Co., where fresh coffee and pastries give the day an easy opening. Just steps away, the World’s Largest Pancake Griddle is a quirky photo opportunity that honors the town’s tradition of buckwheat flour milling. Beautiful scenery and canal-era history intersect on the Keuka Outlet Trail. You can take the short walk to the Keuka Lake shoreline or make the 6-mile hike to Seneca Lake. Downtown Penn Yan is also the starting point for the Keuka Lake Wine Trail, which includes stops at 6 local wineries.

Aurora

Aurora’s Main Street runs parallel to the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake and was designed to connect local farms, wineries, lake commerce, and the former campus of Wells College. One of the most popular destination stops is MacKenzie-Childs, where the flagship store showcases home design in a historic farmhouse. Back in the heart of downtown, Aurora Cooks continues the town’s upscale feel with five-course prix fixe meals in single evening seatings (pre-registration required). For a more low-key dining experience, head to Fargo Bar & Grill. A short drive brings you to Long Point State Park, where picnic areas and Cayuga Lake views complement Aurora’s waterfront village serenity.

Main Streets in New York

Canandaigua, Geneva, and Watkins Glen are just a few of the small towns with the best main streets in the Finger Lakes region. You are never far from docks, shoreline parks, boat traffic, or long water views, even when you are standing among bookstores, cafés, and historic storefronts. Yet each downtown also feels unique, from the commercial energy of Skaneateles and Penn Yan to the quieter pace of Aurora. This variety makes the Finger Lakes region a delight to revisit time and again, with new discoveries awaiting every new exploration.