Canandaigua Lake, the region’s fourth-largest lake, serves as a popular destination because of its proximity 90 miles south of Rochester, New York. On the shores of Canandaigua Lake sits the town of Canandaigua. Its charming main street is lined with boutiques and restaurants that offer a leisurely afternoon of shopping.
Groups that stay at the Inn on the Lake can walk to the New York Wine and Culinary Center for classes or partake in a meal paired with New York labels. The center’s soaring entryway is constructed with reinforced wood beams from former wineries and local barns. State-of-the-art culinary classrooms promise tantalizing menus. In the tasting room, groups can learn about New York’s grape varietals and growing regions as they sip and savor different flights.
Native American Roots
Southeast of Rochester in the town of Victor lies historic Ganondagan. In the 17th century, thousands of Seneca lived in this flourishing community. Their traditions had an impact on the nation and their democratic ideals served as inspiration for the U.S. Constitution.
In July 2015, Ganondagan will open the 17,300-square-foot Seneca Art and Culture Center. Rotating exhibits of artistic, cultural, and historical artifacts will span five centuries and present the story of the Seneca and Haudenosaunee inhabitants. Groups can also tour a replicated bark longhouse; walk miles of self-guided, ethnobotanical trails on the 600 plus acres; and explore a palisaded granary that stored hundreds of thousands of bushels of corn.
“One of the goals of the center is to showcase this living Native American culture that’s integrated within the Finger Lakes today through their arts, crafts and food,” said Valerie Knoblauch, president and CEO of the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection. “They believed and lived out sustainability for thousands of years.”
Another aspect of the historic community can be seen through the Iroquois White Corn Project. White corn was grown in abundance at Ganondagan, and it sustained the 4,500 inhabitants. In 1687, the community and its 500,000 bushels of corn were destroyed. However, that heirloom white corn seed has recently been used to bring the crop back into production.
Corning Museum of Glass
The Corning Museum of Glass remains one of New York State’s top attractions. It’s the largest glass museum in the world, and the 2015 expansion will nearly double its size. The $64 million North Wing addition will open in March. Daylight-filled galleries of the 26,000-square-foot expansion will allow visitors to see large-scale sculptures and installations in a new light.
“The entire roof is made up of skylights, so the glass will be top lit,” said senior manager of communications Yvette Sterbenk. “Depending on the time of day and the season, the artwork will actually look different.”
The addition will also house one of the world’s largest facilities for glassblowing demonstrations and live glass design sessions. The new Hot Glass Show space will accommodate 500 people and feature a gallery-level balcony that offers 360-degree views of the glassmaking below. Additional shows might demonstrate how a piece is made or highlight a guest artist.
