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Carolabarb Park, South Bristol

Colors Of The Season

Late September through mid-October enjoy the spectacular show of glorious reds, yellows, oranges, and greens framing each of the Finger Lakes!

Itinerary Length: 3 Days

Jump to:

Day One:

Visit Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park, one of America's longest surviving estates from the Victorian Era. Stroll through nine formal gardens, several greenhouses and finish with a visit to The Finger Lakes Wine Center featuring wines from more than 40 partner wineries.

Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park
151 Charlotte St.
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 394-4922
sonnenberg.org
Suggested Duration: 2 hours

Continue to embrace Canandaigua’s history with a visit to western New York’s largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles. You will travel back in time on this scenic property built for Gideon Granger, Postmaster General for Presidents Jefferson, and Madison.

Granger Homestead & Carriage Museum 
95 North Main Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 394-1472
grangerhomestead.orgCheck into your hotel, freshen up, and head out for a delightful evening.  A variety of local restaurants offer creative menus for any taste. From French to Mexican to regional farm-to-table there is something for everyone. After dinner it is back to the hotel to rest up for the next day of fun. 

Day Two:

 Travel the scenic route along Rt. 21 to Naples, NY where you must stop at Monica’s Pies and pick up the famous Grape Pie featured on The Food Network. After stocking up on pies at Monica’s, take the short drive into charming downtown Naples and stop at Artizanns, featuring the work of over 200 Finger Lakes artists.  From pottery to hand-blown glass to woodworking, you will be sure to find the perfect Finger Lakes gift to bring back home.

Monica's Pies
7599 Route 21
Naples, NY 14512
(585) 374-2139
monicaspies.com

Artizanns
118 North Main Street
Naples, NY 14512
(585) 374-6740
artizanns.com

Photo opportunities abound in Ontario County but Carolabarb Park’s scenic overlook is a favorite of both visitors and locals.The view of Canandaigua Lake is simply breathtaking and there are two viewfinders available for an up- close look at the incredible scenery.

By now you are probably working up a thirst and an appetite. Arbor Hill Grapery is the perfect stop to tour, sample wines, shop for wine-themed gifts and enjoy lunch at Brew and Brats, featuring craft beers and locally made sausages.

Arbor Hill Grapery / Brews and Brats
6461 State Route 64
Naples, NY 14512
(585) 374-2870 / (800) 554-2406
thegrapery.com
Suggestion Duration: 2 hours

After lunch, tour and meet more than 90 alpacas on a 180-acre farm with unique landscapes, beautiful gardens and a gift shop stocked full of unique, high quality alpaca items. 

Lazy Acre Alpacas
8830 Baker Road
Bloomfield, NY 14469
(585) 455-1203
lazyacrealpacas.com
Suggestion Duration: 2 hours

Explore and shop at the Wizard of Clay near Honeoye where creativity has no limit. The unique pottery and shop housed in geodesic domes is full of custom made fun and functional pieces to decorate every room in your house.

Wizard of Clay
7851 Rt. 20A
Bristol, NY 14469
(585) 229-2980
wizardofclay.com
Suggested Duration: 1 hour

 Arrive back at your hotel to freshen up before heading off to dinner at the New York Kitchen where all things New York are featured.  Enjoy a culinary demonstration, hands on lessons, wine tasting, shopping, and a memorable farm-to-table dinner.

New York Kitchen
800 South Main St.
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585)394-7070
nykitchen.com
Suggested Duration: 2 hours

Another dining option is to spend the evening on the water aboard the Canandaigua Lady while you enjoy dinner and a cruise around the lake on a lovely 19th century steamboat replica and an authentic double-decker paddle wheeler.

Canandaigua Lady
205 Lakeshore Dr
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 396-7350
cdgaboatcruises.com
Cruise Duration: 2.5 hours

Day Three

Check out and depart from Canandaigua for a scenic leaf-peeping drive as you head west to Letchworth State Park, known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” Stand in awe as you take in over 1700 thousand acres of colorful fall foliage, like no other. 

Letchworth State Park
One Letchworth
Castile, NY 14427
parks.ny.gov/
Suggested Duration: Between 1.5 and 2.5 hours

Alternatively, head east for a unique Finger Lakes experience at Belhurst Castle. Taste award-winning wines in the Belhurst Winery tasting room followed by lunch at Edgar’s restaurant in the unmatched beauty of a century old castle overlooking Seneca Lake.

Belhurst
4069 West Lake Road
Geneva, NY 14456
(315) 781-0201
belhurst.com
Suggested Duration: 1 hour

This itinerary is suitable for individual travelers as well as groups. For assistance with a customized group itinerary and other services visit our groups section.