The One New York Town Everyone Should Visit At Least Once
Hammondsport is a quaint town in the Finger Lakes region in New York, but its effect on the area's allure is outsized. Before expanding on this ideal travel destination, let's first discover what makes the Finger Lakes such a desirable location. Wine tasting, outdoor adventure, and cultural experiences are just a few of the treasures waiting for visitors. And Hammondsport offers all those and more. Being within the Finger Lakes Region, an area of 11 narrow glacial lakes resembling fingers and surrounded by gorges, waterfalls, vineyards, and rolling hills, Hammondsport is the one New York town everyone should visit at least once.
Vibrant Vinos
For oenophiles traveling to Hammondsport for its burgeoning wine region, be sure to check out Weis Vineyards. This three-time New York State Winery of the Year winner is sure to razzle your taste buds with its finely curated German-inspired wines. Enjoy a wine tasting by sampling five of their wines while overlooking Keuka Lake. Or truly take in the full experience in The Zell Room by participating in a food and wine pairing. Four highlighted wines, coupled with just as many in-home, crafted seasonal small plates, are sure to create a truly memorable dining experience.
The wineries offer more than just unique and palatable flavors, but also idyllic views. Nestled on Keuka Lake for the past four generations, the Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery produces the oldest Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir vines in the Eastern U.S. Traditional vinification methods produce sparkling wines with crisp, aromatic flavors. Enjoy the view, vineyards, and vino in Eugenia’s Garden with a glass, flight, or bottle of their finest wines. Keuka Lake offers immaculate views, which pair well with wine, and why there are so many vineyards located along the shores. Bully Hill Vineyards can be found on the south end of the lake, for guests to enjoy one of its over 40 types of wines on the grand deck overlooking the waters. Dine on the house special, Maryland-style crab cakes topped with pan-seared scallops, at the Finger Lakes region’s most popular estate winery.
Outdoor Adventure
Another prominent aspect of Hammondsport is its abundance of outdoor activities and scenery. Hammondsport can be found at the tip of Keuka Lake, one of the 11 lakes included in the Finger Lakes, and one of the more unique ones due to its shape and flow. The Y-shaped lake is formed differently from the ten other lakes, and because of it, scenic, panoramic views can be seen from nearly every angle. Access the lake from Depot Park in the downtown area. The head of the lake offers swimming, boating, and other water sports to enjoy a beautiful day on the water.
Another way to take advantage of the tranquil views of upstate New York is to hike the Finger Lakes Trail. The trail is over 1,000 miles, running from Pennsylvania to New York, and has branch trails that take hikers to Niagara Falls, the Genesee River valley, the Great Eastern Trail south of Corning, the central Finger Lakes, and the Syracuse region. Although only a small section passes through the Finger Lakes, it is not an opportunity that should be missed for anyone wanting to catch a glimpse of some of the most scenic landscapes New York has to offer.
Additionally, enjoy views of the lake while learning about its history and the history of vessels at the Finger Lakes Boating Museum. Located on Keuka Lake, the museum features an exhibit of steamboats, motorboats, canoes, and rowing simulators, as well as a boat restoration shop and more. The museum also offers guests the opportunity to take historical boat tours on the lake. Board the Pat II, and be part of over 100 years of Finger Lakes boating history on this refurbished vessel.
Awe-Inspiring Architecture
Another desirable attribute that draws visitors to the Finger Lakes Region is its quaint, charming downtown areas. Hammondsport’s downtown is centered around Pulteney Square. Pulteney Square Historic District, a landmark on the National Register of Historic Places, comprises 15 buildings, one structure, three secondary buildings, and a village green, all of which date from the 1820s to the 1920s. Near the Pulteney Square Marker, there are also other historical structures worth visiting. One of those sites is the Mallory Mill. Erected in 1835, it is one of the most prominent landmarks in the village. Four stories and three overshot water wheels comprised the massive stone mill. At the time of its completion, it was the second-largest free-standing stone building in the state of New York. Today, guests are encouraged to visit and view the uninhabited building to appreciate the masonry of many years ago.
Another monument worth visiting as part of the historic district is the Town of Urbana Civil War Monument. The memorial is dedicated to Urbana veterans who fought to establish the Union, and is located in Liberty Park.
Nearby Towns
Just outside Hammondsport, still within the Finger Lakes region, wine connoisseurs can pop over to Penn Yan and visit Keuka Spring Vineyard. Founded on Keuka Lake, the winery offers picturesque views in addition to its award-winning wine and original food items to complement the wines. Continue sampling wines in the Finger Lakes region at the Inspire Moore Winery in Naples. Built in the carriage house of a historic farmhouse from the 1860s, the renovated space is now a great room for visitors to enjoy live music while tasting premium vineyard-inspired Finger Lakes wines. Venture outside Hammondsport to more local attractions involving outdoor adventure in Watkins Glen at Watkins Glen State Park. The most famous state park in the region will wow its visitors with its 19 waterfalls that visitors can weave over and under through a series of gorge paths, while side trails will take adventurists to overlooks of the gorge.
With a current population of under 600 residents, Hammondsport is a quiet, charming town with endless tranquility and vibes. Come see for yourself why this is such a desirable destination. Immerse yourself in the woodlands, enjoy the foliage, taste the fine wines, and find yourself back in time in the historical downtown. The “Winery Capital of New York” is sure to entice your senses with good drink, food, views, and entertainment. Come for the day or stay for a weekend, just make sure to add this one New York town everyone should visit at least once to your bucket list.
