Geneva is a gorgeous city on the shore of Seneca Lake near rolling hills full of wineries. Its skyline is delightful at dusk, when city lights generate a romantic mood reflecting over the lake’s waters. The community has numerous historic mansions, nearby wine estates and an arts centre. Make a tasting trip to several wineries to sample the output from the largest wine-producing region in the state of New York.
Enjoy the area’s long, hot summers. Winters are fairly mild relative to the rest of the state due to the warming effects of the Finger Lakes. This is great for year-round outdoor activities and also creates ideal conditions for wine cultivating.
Visit some of the best wineries in the state during your Geneva stay by following the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. Engage a designated driver to transport you along either side of the 38-mile (61-kilometre) length of the lake so you can stop for tastings as often as you wish. Many of the wineries have tours, gift shops and views of farmland and lakes. Purchase your favourite wines to bring home.
Join a seasonal trail event the wineries offer pairings of pasta, chocolate, cheese, barbecued treats or holiday wreaths. On many weekends you’ll be able to enjoy live music or see winery weddings.
To explore the town’s affluent background, tour Rose Hill Mansion. The house was built on a farm in 1839. Admire its sophisticated Greek Revival design with grand white columns and symmetrical windows.
Present-day culture is on display at the Hobart and William Smith Colleges and the Smith Centre for the Arts.
Find Geneva at the northern tip of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region in western New York State. The nearest large cities are Rochester and Syracuse, each about a 1-hour drive from Geneva. New York City is about 270 miles (435 kilometres) southeast of Geneva.
Like its Swiss counterpart, Geneva is a charming city with spectacular lakeside views.
