Discover Ontario County: Nature, Gardens and Culture

Ontario County offers a wide range of experiences: hiking and cycling trails, waterfalls and lake views sit alongside historic gardens and exhibitions. Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill offers hiking and cycling trails, providing a specific point to consider when planning your trip.

Nature, Trails and Views

Ontario Pathways offers hiking, cycling, walking, jogging and horseback riding, as well as birdwatching, geocaching, letterboxing and botanical walks. In winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are also available. The range thus extends from active pursuits to nature observation and botanical walks.

At Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area, a viewpoint along Honeoye Lake offers views across the lake; on clear days, the view extends toward Rochester and Lake Ontario. Grimes Glen is known for its waterfalls. Stid Hill Wildlife Management Area covers 847 acres in Bristol and South Bristol in Ontario County and is used for wildlife-related recreation. These places offer different highlights: views, waterfalls and recreation connected with wildlife.

Cumming Nature Center offers year-round activities and events, as well as trails for hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Both Ontario Pathways and Cumming Nature Center list snowshoeing and cross-country skiing; Ontario Pathways also offers a wider range of activities, from cycling to birdwatching.

Gardens, History and Exhibitions

Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park spans 50 acres and features formal and informal gardens, a historic mansion, the Lord & Burnham greenhouse complex, and views of Canandaigua Lake. Sonnenberg preserves a living collection of nine historic gardens. The mansion was built in 1887 in the Queen Anne style. A visit therefore combines gardens and a greenhouse complex with a specific architectural and historical connection.

During the garden season, visitors can take part in tasting tours at the Finger Lakes Wine Center in Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park. Because this is a seasonal offering, it is advisable to check the current garden-season schedule before your trip. Separately, the 41-mile Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail features wineries, restaurants, gourmet shops and picnic areas. Check the relevant details in advance if needed.

In Canandaigua, the Ontario County Historical Society is housed in a Georgian Revival-style building that contains collections, archives, exhibition spaces and galleries. The museum and research center is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The galleries feature an annual exhibition produced by the Ontario County Historical Society, quarterly exhibitions by the Ontario County Arts Council, and the Open Hearth Kitchen exhibition.

The Seneca Art & Culture Center is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Note also that it closes seasonally for holidays and winter maintenance. These two institutions offer specific visiting hours to help you plan different cultural stops; their days and hours of operation differ.

Activities by Season and Interest

Aerial Adventure Park at Bristol Mountain is a self-guided treetop experience with bridges, rope bridges, zip lines and other obstacles in the canopy. Seven courses cover different difficulty levels, from beginner to advanced. The listed course levels offer a specific guide when choosing an experience, without requiring a guided route.

Deep Run Beach is available for picnicking and swimming from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This clearly defined period is relevant when choosing your travel dates if swimming or a beach picnic is on your agenda. If you are planning a stay outside this season, the activities described also include trails, gardens, exhibitions and nature experiences with other focuses.

If you are planning to visit gardens and exhibitions, Sonnenberg’s historic gardens and the galleries of the Ontario County Historical Society are specific points of interest. For a trip focused more on nature, the trails mentioned, the views at Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area and the waterfalls at Grimes Glen offer different ideas. Also take the stated opening hours and seasonal dates into account when planning.

Discover more destinations: Victor, Canandaigua, Shortsville, Phelps, Chemung, Steuben, Orleans County, Seneca County.

For the broader travel overview: New York.