The Inns of Aurora is a Finger Lakes resort made up of five historic inns and set in an idyllic town that’s perfect for a romantic getaway, friends weekend, or even a mother-daughter trip, which is what brought me to Aurora. There’s also a luxury spa complex that offers massage therapies, indoor and outdoor heated pools, saunas, and steam rooms.
Aurora is a small village on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake, almost halfway between Seneca Falls and Ithaca. There’s a rich history behind Aurora and knowing it is helpful in understanding its unique and somewhat quirky culture.
Originally a Native American village named Chonodote, the American army nicknamed it Peachtown because of its proliferation of peach trees. Chonodote was destroyed during the Revolutionary War and the town’s native settlers were denied their land when the war was over. The American settlement developed after the war.
The growth of 19th century Aurora was largely due to people like Henry Wells, co-founder of American Express and Wells Fargo & Company; and Edwin B. Morgan, an entrepreneur and politician who was an original shareholder of the New York Times.
Both men invested piles of money into the town and built many of the structures that are still standing today.
Modern Day Aurora
A woman named Pleasant T. Rowland has impacted the modern development of Aurora. Rowland graduated from local Wells College in 1962 and went on to create the American Girl Doll Company. She later sold the company to Mattel for $700 million.
Though she moved back home to Wisconsin after college, Rowland always spoke fondly of Aurora and when she returned years later, she was distressed by the number of historic old buildings that had fallen into disrepair. As a result, she embarked on a massive village makeover, purchasing and repurposing dilapidated buildings. Since 2001, she has restored more than ten local buildings.
Five of the renovated properties make up the Inns of Aurora, now considered one of the most popular resorts in the Finger Lakes.
Rowland’s contributions to Aurora were not without controversy. She was criticized for being an outsider who, other than her years at Wells College, never actually lived in the village. Residents also complained that such major renovations would damage the history the old buildings held.
I don’t know what Aurora looked like before Rowland’s renovations but today, it’s a postcard-perfect village. My mom and I visited the week before Christmas so not only was it nearly empty of other tourists but a light, powdery snow fell for two days, making it look exactly like a village set inside a snow globe and placed on the set of a Hallmark movie.
The Inns of Aurora
With five gorgeously restored inns to choose from, how do you pick one? Each inn has its own story and and place in history. And though they are all gorgeously restored and expensively furnished and decorated, each has its own personality.
Geographically, three inns sit on the shores of Cayuga Lake. Those are Aurora Inn, E.B. Morgan House, and Rowland House. The other two, Wallcourt Hall and Zabriskie House are across the street, so do not have direct lake views. But no matter which of the five properties you stay in, you’ll have access to the many events and long list of amenities offered by the Inns of Aurora.
Guest room rates vary among the five inns and are determined by the time of year. Children under the age of 14 are not allowed as overnight guests, unless the entire property is being rented by the same party, for example, for a wedding.
Below is a brief description of each inn. If price were no concern, I would probably book a room with a lake view at either E.B. Morgan House or Rowland House. However, my mom and I had a wonderful stay at Zabriskie House–it’s only downfall being that it doesn’t sit directly on the lakeshore.
Aurora Inn
This lakefront property was built in 1833 and functioned as an inn that accommodated travelers, many of whom were passing through on the Erie Canal. Aurora Inn was renovated in 2003, establishing the first of the Inns of Aurora. The six guest rooms are elegantly decorated with amenities that may include, depending on the room, lake views, a private balcony, and a gas fireplace.
The opulent parlor on the ground floor is furnished with plush chairs and sofas where guests can relax by the fire. 1833 Kitchen & Bar is on the first floor. Current room rates start around $375 per night.
E.B. Morgan House
This stone mansion was built in 1858 and served as the family home for E.B. Morgan. Renovated in 2005, the inn offers seven guest rooms, some of which come with lake views and gas fireplaces. Modern art decorates the rooms and common areas. Guests are invited to relax in the parlor and library, as well as around the outdoor fire pit. Current room rates start around $375 per night.
Rowland House
What sets Rowland House apart are the third-floor guest rooms, which are decorated in the sometimes dizzying patterns of Mackenzie-Childs, the decor company known for their whimsical flair. The room named Whimsy Deluxe, for example, is decked out in the signature Mackenzie-Childs checkered pattern, covering completely the room’s walls and ceiling.
All ten guest rooms at Rowland House are decorated in bold, fun colors in keeping with the inn’s modern aesthetic. Five rooms offer expansive lake views. The building was originally a home, built in 1903 and renovated in 2014. Current room rates start around $345 per night.
Wallcourt Hall
Located across the street from the first three inns, Wallcourt Hall was built in 1909 as Miss Goldsmith’s School for girls. After the prep school closed in 1928, Wells College used it as a dormitory. Now, Wallcourt Hall offers 16 guest rooms, decorated in modern vibrant colors. Guests are welcome to lounge in the rocking chairs on the front porch and watch daily life in the village pass by. Current room rates start around $255 per night.
Zabriskie House
Zabriskie House joined the Inns of Aurora in 2019. Originally built in 1904 as a family home, it’s done in the Georgian Revival style. The inn’s most striking features include a double parlor with cozy fireplaces and a grand three-story staircase.
The décor is modern with an inviting blue and green palette, offset by lots of splashes of color. The effect is something of an upscale beach house mixed with an elegant Finger Lakes resort. Current room rates start at around $330 per night.
My mom and I visited in 2019, shortly after Zabriskie House opened for business. We had such a good experience with them that it seems relevant to describe that here.
Upon check-in, our innkeeper Margie informed us that the room we’d booked was undergoing some unexpected repairs. Since we were the only guests staying at Zabriskie House that week, Margie gave us our pick of any room we wanted.
The room we had originally booked was the only one at the inn with two beds, so Margie suggested that my mom and I each pick our own room. She then gave us a tour to each room so we could make an informed decision. I ended up having my own room with a king-size bed and fireplace, not to mention the heated marble bathroom floor that’s in every guest room.
For the next two days, with no other guests staying there, it was like the house was our own. Margie put out hot coffee and homemade granola bars each morning and gave us tips and advice on how to spend our days. By the time we left, we felt like we’d been very well taken care of.
Inns of Aurora Amenities & Events
The Inns of Aurora offers so many things to do. Some activities are complimentary while others come with a fee. At no extra cost, guests can borrow bicycles and helmets, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, binoculars for bird-watching, a picnic cooler and blanket, and much more.
Each guest also receives a ticket for a complimentary glass of wine every afternoon of their stay. The ticket can be redeemed at 1833 Kitchen & Bar. Free yoga classes, hikes, and other activities are also offered. Check the events calendar for a full listing.
During our stay, we took a free walking tour of the village and the inns. It gave us the opportunity to have a look inside each inn and learn more about the history of Aurora.
The Inns of Aurora also offers experiences that come with an additional fee, such as cooking demonstrations, lectures, and classes. My mom and I also did a Mini Escape Painting Class which was led by an art expert and allowed us to create our own mini-masterpieces that are now souvenirs of our trip to Aurora.
Where to Eat in Aurora
There are two restaurants in Aurora and we enjoyed our meals at both.
- 1833 Kitchen & Bar is located inside the Aurora Inn and has scenic, lakeside seating. This is an upscale dining option, with dishes like New York Strip and Seared Scallops on the menu. They serve breakfast and dinner daily, and weekend brunch. The food is locally sourced from the many farms, dairies, and wineries throughout the region. Reservations are required.
- Fargo Bar & Grill is located in a building that was constructed in 1834 and was used as an office for E.B. Morgan. The restaurant serves pub-style comfort food in a historic, friendly environment.
A casual food option is Village Market, located next to Aurora Inn. The market sells snacks, pastries, hot breakfast sandwiches, organic coffee, beer, and pre-made take-home meals made by the chefs at Aurora Inn.
Things to do Near Aurora
Though the region is tied together by wine trails and beer trails, historic homes, and amazing farm-to-table restaurants, each town has a different feeling, which is what I’ve come to love about the Finger Lakes. Interesting small towns are scattered throughout the region. Perhaps Aurora is just one stop on your itinerary. If so, there’s a lot more to see.
Aurora’s bucolic setting looks nothing like Seneca Falls, the former mill town now known for its role in the women’s suffrage movement. Nor does it resemble Ithaca’s downtown pedestrian plaza and collection of hotels, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants. And it may be interesting to check out Trumansburg, a small village on the west side of Cayuga Lake with an entirely different feel than Aurora.
On Seneca Lake–the lake to the west–Geneva is packed with excellent restaurants and breweries. South of Geneva, Watkins Glen is a popular hiking destination with a rocky, dream-like landscape.
And of course, you’re in wine country so you may want to plan some stops along the wine trails. For a really special wine tasting experience, check out Bianconi Tours, a boat tour that departs from Aurora and takes passengers to local wineries.
Tour the MacKenzie-Childs Headquarters
The headquarters for MacKenzie-Childs, the home decor company known for their eye-popping colors and patterns, is just two miles up the road from Aurora. I highly recommend a visit, even if you don’t consider yourself an interior design aficionado (which I am not).
The grounds include a huge MacKenzie-Childs store, an artisan studio where the products are made, and a farmhouse that shows off their signature furniture, appliances, and ceramic pieces. Mackenzie-Childs Farmhouse tours are available, during which visitors can see room after room decorated in their signature fascinating clutter of colors and patterns.
A knowledgeable tour guide took us through the farmhouse, describing the history of MacKenzie-Childs, including its connection to Pleasant Rowland, who owned the company at one point in the past.
Visit Nearby Wineries
Most wineries on Cayuga Lake are located on the western shore, on the opposite side of Aurora. However, Heart & Hands Wine Company and Long Point Winery are two wineries near Aurora which are incredibly scenic and serene wineries to pass some time and sample local wine.
Relax at Long Point State Park
A beautiful park on the shores of Cayuga Lake, Long Point State Park is open year-round. Swimming, boating, camping, and hiking are among the many possible warm weather activities.