If you’re dreaming of a lake trip with jaw-dropping views, charming small towns, and the perfect mix of chill time and adventure, Canandaigua Lake totally delivers.
This road trip is packed with cool stops including hiking to waterfalls, sipping wine with lake views, exploring historic spots, and even swinging through the treetops.
Whether you’re in it for the food, the photos, or just some fresh air and fun, this itinerary has something you’re gonna love… and maybe a few surprises too.
Let’s hit the road!
1. Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park
This 50-acre estate comes complete with a 40-room mansion and nine themed gardens, including a Japanese garden with a red torii gate and a rose garden packed with over 2,000 roses.
You can stroll through the greenhouse complex (it’s from the early 1900s), check out the fountain-filled Italian garden, or even take a peek inside the mansion’s historic interior rooms open to the public
It’s just a few minutes from downtown Canandaigua and totally feels like stepping into a fancy turn-of-the-century postcard but with way more flowers.
2. Canandaigua
Downtown Canandaigua is full of charm, with cute shops, local cafés, and old brick buildings that make it perfect for a slow stroll and a good coffee break.
Just down the road, the Canandaigua City Pier is lined with colorful 100-year-old boathouses that look like something out of a storybook so don’t forget your camera.
Right next to the pier, Kershaw Park stretches along the lake with a sandy beach, walking paths, picnic spots, and a playground for the kiddos.
It’s the kind of place where you can grab an ice cream, kick off your shoes, and watch the sailboats float by without a care in the world.
3. Onanda Park
Onanda Park is a total hidden gem right on the west side of Canandaigua Lake, with 80 acres of woods, hiking trails, and a peaceful little beach for swimming.
If you’re up for a short but scenic adventure, the upland trails lead to a waterfall tucked in the trees and some sweet lake views along the way.
There’s also a grassy lakeside picnic area and even rustic cabins you can rent if you’re not ready to leave when the sun sets.
4. Heron Hill Tasting Room at Canandaigua Lake
Heron Hill Tasting Room at Canandaigua Lake is where you go when you’re craving wine with a view.
Think rolling hills, grapevines, and a big open patio that looks right out over the water.
You can sip award-winning Rieslings, snack on local cheese plates, and pretend you’re way fancier than you actually are (no judgment, we do it too).
It’s laid-back, super scenic, and just a few minutes from the lake, making it the perfect stop to chill after a morning of exploring.
5. Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventures
Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventures is the place to unleash your inner ninja, with zip lines, rope bridges, and crazy fun obstacle course suspended high up in the trees.
There are 7 different challenge courses with over 125 elements, so whether you’re a total beginner or basically part squirrel, there’s something for you.
It’s just 20 minutes from Canandaigua and a guaranteed adrenaline boost if your road trip needs a little extra kick.
6. Inspire Moore Winery
Inspire Moore Winery in Naples is bold, colorful, and just plain fun as each wine has a name like “Joy,” “Love,” or “Wisdom,” and the bottles are just as vibrant as the flavors inside.
The tasting room feels more like an art studio than a fancy winery, and there’s often live music playing on the outdoor patio surrounded by wildflowers and vineyard views.
It’s a totally different vibe from your typical wine stop, and only about 30 minutes south of Canandaigua, so it’s an easy (and tasty) detour.
7. Grimes Glen Park
Grimes Glen Park in Naples is where the road trip ends with a splash—literally.
You’ll hike a short 1-mile trail that crisscrosses the creek and leads to two gorgeous waterfalls, the tallest one crashing down from about 62 feet.
Bring water shoes and a sense of adventure, because walking through the stream and standing under a waterfall is pretty much the coolest way to wrap up your Canandaigua Lake trip.
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