Town

    Where to Stay in Canandaigua

    Canandaigua sits at the north end of Canandaigua Lake, one of the western Finger Lakes, and its downtown runs down to the water. Kershaw Park's beach is at the foot of Main Street, with a boardwalk and marina beyond. It is busy in summer but stays lively year-round. Sonnenberg Gardens, an 1887 estate with nine formal gardens on 50 acres, is on the edge of town, and the New York Wine & Culinary Center downtown offers tastings and classes on Finger Lakes wine and food. Lake House on Canandaigua has 124 rooms on the lake, with a spa and a heated lakefront pool, and Rochester is about 35 minutes north.

    The Chalet of Canandaigua

    The Chalet of Canandaigua

    Canandaigua · Lodge

    Three suites on a wooded property near Canandaigua Lake, with a private pond and walking trails. Each suite has a soaking tub, fireplace and private bath, and a three-course breakfast and evening desserts are included. A Select Registry member, and ranked in TripAdvisor's top 25 US B&Bs for six consecutive years.

    Family-friendlyRustic
    $$View lodge →
    Lake House on Canandaigua

    Lake House on Canandaigua

    Canandaigua · Hotel

    A 124-room hotel on the north shore of Canandaigua Lake, 26 miles southeast of Rochester and a few minutes from downtown Canandaigua. Rose Tavern and the Sand Bar serve food and drinks, and the Library is a coffee shop and cocktail lounge. The Willowbrook Spa has cedar barrel saunas facing the lake, and there is a heated lakefront pool and hot tub. Boat rentals, captained cruises, kayaks and paddleboards are available.

    UpscaleWaterfrontDesign-forward
    $$$$View lodge →

    Why Stay in Canandaigua

    • •The city lakefront is walkable and active — public beach at the foot of Main Street, marina, kayak and paddleboard rentals in summer.
    • •Sonnenberg Gardens has 50 acres of Victorian gardens on an 1887 estate, open late May through mid-October.
    • •Canandaigua is convenient for a trip that includes Rochester, about 35 minutes north, or Buffalo.

    What Makes This Area Interesting

    • •Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion: 50 acres of Victorian estate gardens on Route 21; open late May through mid-October.
    • •Kershaw Park: the public beach at the north end of the lake, with swimming and picnic areas.
    • •New York Wine and Culinary Center: downtown Canandaigua; wine education and local culinary programming.
    • •Bristol Mountain Winter Resort: about 12 miles south; skiing with a 1,200-foot vertical drop.

    Explore Nearby Towns

    GenevaSkaneateles
    Boutique Hotels in the Finger LakesFamily-Friendly Finger Lakes Hotels

    Frequently Asked

    Summer for the lake — the public beach and marina are the town's primary draws from June through September. Fall is good for wine trail visits and Sonnenberg Gardens through mid-October. Bristol Mountain makes winter viable for skiers.

    About 5 hours from the George Washington Bridge via I-87 to I-90 West (New York State Thruway) to Exit 44 (Canandaigua). Rochester is 30 minutes north of Canandaigua.

    Yes. The public beach, easy access to the water and a walkable downtown with restaurants make Canandaigua an easy lake town for families, and lodging ranges from small inns to Lake House on Canandaigua's 124 rooms.
    ← All The Finger Lakes lodges