[Updated April 1, 2023] A complete list of things to do in Geneva, NY must include sampling craft beverages at local breweries and wineries. And then, when you’re ready to take a break from imbibing, be sure to thoroughly explore Geneva’s historical sites, extraordinary restaurants, and outdoor recreation.
Geneva is located in the Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York. The town is nestled into the northern end of Seneca Lake and for a small town, it is surprisingly packed with fun things to do and charming places to stay. Whether you’re in town for a day or a longer stay, I hope this article gives you ideas on the many great things to do in Geneva, NY.
1. War Horse Brewing Company
The breweries in Geneva, NY all offer something unique but they are united in their quest to produce good craft beer served in a fun and friendly environment. When in Geneva, sampling craft beers at Seneca Lake breweries is a must! One of the most interesting breweries is War Horse.
Someone I spoke to described War Horse Brewing Company as “the Disneyland of breweries.”
I understood the comparison the moment I stepped onto the sprawling property and saw the consistent, constant branding. The World War II theme is achieved with posters and war memorabilia everywhere you look. Rosie the Riveter flexes her muscle around the room, and the beers are named after politicians and military persons, both real and fictional.
I liked War Horse, even though it’s very commercialized and yes, kind of like a theme park. There’s a kiosk dedicated to wine slushies and very distinctive party vibe, appearing to be popular with the wine limo and bachelorette crowds.
War Horse, along with three wineries on the property make up Three Brothers Wineries & Estates. There’s also a gift shop and a café that serves lunch, snacks, and dessert (menu is limited December – March), so it’s a one-stop destination where you can spend a good couple of hours.
Whether the comparison to Disney is good or bad depends on how you feel about theme parks but I would say, of all the Seneca Lake breweries, War Horse has something to appeal to everyone.
623 Lerch Road, Geneva
Ph: 315-585-4432
2. Bottomless Brewing
It seems that many tap rooms at the breweries on Seneca Lake are located inside the coolest rustic buildings that really a layer of mood to the beer tasting experience.
That’s true at Bottomless Brewing, which is inside a former rambling old dairy barn that’s been renovated into a stunning space. The entryway gives a glimpse into the barn’s past life, with a display of artifacts left over from its barn days—a rusty bucket, an old ice skate, a flattened can of motor oil—these items don’t sound terribly interesting but assembled together, they really do tell a story of what formerly existed in this space.
A small, cozy bar on the first floor is in contrast to the massive open space on the second floor that holds another bar, a small gift shop, comfortable corner seating areas, games, and a deck with farm and vineyard views. The massive stainless steel brewing tanks are in the middle of it all.
3543 East Lake Road, Geneva
Ph: 315-325-4380
3. Lake Drum Brewing
An intimate and immediately friendly vibe greets customers at this downtown Geneva, NY brewery. Owners Jenna LaVita and Victor Pultinas create small batch hard ciders with ingredients that come exclusively from New York State growers. In the way of beer, they specialize in pale ales, stouts, lagers, and IPAs. Be sure to keep an eye on their Facebook page for announcements, updated hours, and special events.
16 East Castle Street, Geneva
Ph: 315-789-1200
4. Twisted Rail Brewing Company
Twisted Rail has four breweries in the Finger Lakes, one of which is conveniently in downtown Geneva. Twisted Rail typically has 16 craft beers on tap. Offerings may rotate but you can check the website to get an idea of recent brews. An extensive dining menu is available with comfort dishes like wings, burgers, sandwiches, and pizza.
499 Exchange Street, Geneva
Ph: 315-325-6995
5. WeBe Brewing
Colleen and Dan Lieberg opened WeBe Brewing (pronounced wee-bee) in 2018 and continue to run a friendly and welcoming establishment in a building that holds its own charm. The property was once a car garage and in renovating it, they maintained a cool industrial aesthetic, with rolling garage doors made of glass in order to allow a view into the brewing room.
Beers on tap are made with ingredients that come from local farmers and may include Porter, IPA, Pilsner, and Hefeweizen. They also serve local wines, ciders, and sodas. The bar area is spacious enough for plenty of seating and occasional live bands. It’s a nice, relaxing place that welcomes dogs and is perfect for passing an afternoon.
796 Pre Emption Road, Geneva
Ph: 315-325-4834
6. Climbing Bines Hop Farm & Brewery
Located about 15 miles south of Geneva, Climbing Bines is one of the most scenic breweries on Seneca Lake. It was one of the first farm breweries in New York state. A brewery is classified as a farm brewery if its products are made from mostly local ingredients. For Climbing Bines, that meant creating their own 1.5-acre Hop Farm, located just down the road from the brewery. The hops goes into their own concoctions and they use locally harvested barley, too.
In addition to serving and supporting the local community, the folks pouring pints and flights are super friendly and happy to talk about their operation.
During warm weather, they bring in live music and food trucks, and they’re located on a beautiful estate with gorgeous views of Seneca Lake.
511 Hansen Point Road, Penn Yan
315-484-1397
Looking for more breweries to visit? Read here about more local breweries, located closer to Watkins Glen.
And yes, Geneva breweries are awesome but sometimes you need little vino to change things up. Wineries in Geneva typically offer outstanding lake views to pair with your wine samples, a combination that will make you want to return again and again.
Read on for some local wineries to try. And if you’re interested in visiting additional wineries that are located on Seneca Lake, please read more about the Finger Lakes wine trails.
7. Billsboro Winery
The tasting room is set inside a beautiful 100-year old barn, a setting that is so much a part of the winery’s identity that they’ve named their wine club Fienile—Italian for barn. Owners Vinni and Kim Aliperti produce small batch wines. Visitors can expect to sample Riesling, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, and much more. Billsboro Winery sits on 60 serene acres overlooking Seneca Lake.
4760 West Lake Road, Geneva
Ph: 315-789-9538
8. Belhurst Castle and Winery
It’s probably no surprise that a property combining an 1880’s-era castle and a winery is a top attraction in Geneva. In addition to that alluring combination, Belhurst also offers overnight lodging, two onsite restaurants, and a full-service spa. Their winery offers a collection of their Bellhurst Estate wines which include Dry Rose, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and more. They also make their own craft beer and hard cider under a label called Mabel’s Oat Soda Co. The tasting room has views of Seneca Lake.
4069 West Lake Road, Geneva
Ph: 315-781-0201
9. Ravines Winery and Tasting Room
Sample dry Rieslings crafted by winemakers who made that signature grape variety of the Finger Lakes. Owners Morten and Lisa Hallgren combined their backgrounds—he’s an oenologist trained in Europe and she’s chef—to found Ravines Winery in 2001. The tasting room is inside a restored historic barn that looks out onto the vineyard. The couple also have another tasting room on Keuka Lake. Ravines offers periodic food pairing events throughout the year.
400 Barracks Road, Geneva
Ph: 315-781-7007
10. Ventosa Vineyards
Ventosa stands out among the crowd for its architectural style that makes visitors feel more like they’re in the Tuscan hills of Italy instead of on the shores of Seneca Lake. They also stand out as producers of a white Italian varietal called Tocai Friulano. Set on 23 acres and offering lake views, Ventosa is a must-stop if you’re seeking something unique on your wine-tasting excursion. Dinner is served on Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. and local bands perform weekly live music.
3440 Route 96A , Geneva
Ph: 315-719-0000
11. Zugibe Vineyards
The Zugibe family established this 40-acre winery on the banks of Seneca Lake and has been producing innovative wines ever since. Wine samples are available in the tasting room. They also serve locally-made beer and cider, and mimosas made made with Red Jacket juices. The Phoenician Bistro serves Mediterranean-style meals dishes every Thursday – Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
4248 East Lake Road, Geneva
Ph: 315-585-6402
Certainly for me, when I think of Geneva, NY, things to do often relate to sipping samples of handcrafted beer and wine. But the town also carries behind it a long and fascinating history. Diving into that history may provide a nice round context for your trip.
The Geneva Historical Society underwent a rebranding in 2021 and is now known as Historic Geneva, an organization that continues to educate and inform audiences on the history of Geneva, NY. Historic Geneva oversees the three sites below.
Please note that each site is open seasonally and hours vary.
Like this post? Pin and save for future reference!
12. Geneva History Museum
The Geneva History Museum features period rooms and exhibits that tell the stories of the people and places that have made Geneva the destination it is today. Items to inspect include letters, textiles, paintings, journals, and much more, dating back to the 1700s.
Admission: $5 suggested donation. Tours are self-guided.
543 South Main Street, Geneva
Ph: 315-789-515
13. Rose Hill Mansion
The land on which this mansion sits was originally purchased in 1803 by a Virginia farmer named Robert Rose. He transported his family and his dozens of enslaved people up north and began running a very profitable wheat farm.
The mansion, named Rose Hill Mansion was built in 1843. It is in the Greek Revival style and seasonal guided tours are available. (Self-guided tours are not allowed). On the tour, you’ll hear the story of the Swan family, who lived in the home from 1850-1890. You’ll also see the rich fabrics, heavy-wood carved furnishings, and elegant glassware that makes up the mansion’s decor.
Admission: Adults: $12. Seniors + Military: $10. Youth: (10-18): $6. Student (with ID): $8. Children under 9: FREE. Family: $30.
3373 Route 96A, Geneva
Ph: 315-789-3848
14. Johnston House
Scottish immigrant John Johnston built his home in 1822 and lived here with his family until 1877. Visitors can explore the home as it was when the family resided here. Johnston contributed to advanced farming techniques with his agricultural drain tiles. Visitors can learn more about this at the Mike Weaver Drain Tile Museum, located on the same site as the Johnston home, which is also part of the Rose Hill Mansion complex.
Admission: $3 suggested donation.
3523 East Lake Road at Route 96A, Geneva
Ph: 315-789-3848
15. Seneca Lake State Park
A sandy beach on cool clear Seneca Lake is the perfect warm-weather setting for a day of swimming or lounging around and catching up on your summer reading. The kids can play on one of three playgrounds, one of which is dubbed a Sprayground for the water jets play area that continuously sprays water out and keeps them cool.
Seneca Lake State Park also has picnic tables and grills for public use, as well as bathrooms, showers, and changing areas. A marina is available for boaters. Camping is not allowed at Seneca Lake State Park. Two leashed pets per party are permitted. Spend the day here and you’ll discover one of the more relaxing things to do in Geneva, NY.
1 Lakefront Drive, Geneva
Ph: 315-789-2331
Read about more opportunities for swimming and kayaking on Seneca Lake!
16. Smith Opera House
See arthouse movies, plays, concerts, and more under the roof of a grand Romanesque Revival-style building. Smith Opera House debuted its first performance—The Count of Monte Cristo—in 1894 and has been entertaining audiences now for more than 125 years.
The opera house is a beloved fixture in downtown Geneva. Tours of the theater are occasionally available if you’re not able to see a performance. Tours are free though donations are accepted.
82 Seneca Street, Geneva
315-781-5483
17. Shop for Gifts and Souvenirs
Red Jacket Farm Store has been in business since the 1950s, so I’m not entirely sure how I grew up in New York state unaware of their crisp, thirst-quenching cold pressed juices. William Smith Inn (mentioned below) served it and suddenly I became a juice aficionado where I never was one before. On their orchard they grow apples, berries, cherries, peaches, plums, and apricots, and press them all into simple, natural juices.
The Red Jacket brand is available everywhere there’s juice so I’m sure I’m just way behind the game here. But enough about juice. If you want Finger Lakes souvenirs—T-shirts, mugs, handmade soaps and jewelry, lotions, quirky kitchen utensils—you name it, stop at their farm store in Geneva.
For a more extensive shopping trip, the Waterloo Premium Outlets are located about 10 miles north of Geneva.
18. Stay at a Historical Bed-and-Breakfast
Our favorite overnight accommodation was at the William Smith Inn, a bed- and-breakfast in Geneva that’s been restored to its original 19th century elegance. The rooms are named after local historical figures–Smith was a philanthropist and women’s rights activist. We stayed in the The Blackwell Room, named after Elizabeth Blackwell, the first female medical degree recipient in the U.S.
In addition to the fascinating history, we loved the hearty, fresh breakfast we were served each morning.
19. Dine at Cafes and Restaurants in Geneva, NY
As a foodie destination, I’d happily compare Geneva to Ithaca, located the the southeast of Geneva on Cayuga Lake. Even though Ithaca is nearly double the size in population, both places offer restaurants that are good enough to lure visitors back again and again.
In downtown Geneva, don’t miss Linden Street, a narrow brick lane illuminated by rows of hanging string lights and lined with outdoor café tables in warm weather. The bar and restaurant scene is popular here—many establishments pride themselves on serving dishes with locally-sourced ingredients.
Highly rated downtown Geneva restaurants include Beef and Brew and F.L.X. Table.
My absolutely favorite meal in Geneva was a couple of miles west of downtown. Kindred Fare is a cozy place with exposed brick walls and freshly baked bread. Their menu changes with the seasons and their cocktails are eccentric and go down easy. The menu is just the right balance of chic and basic—a house made honey hot sauce comes with the buttermilk fried chicken, the ground beef burger is served on a sesame seed brioche, poutine is topped with bone marrow beef gravy.
Our go-to coffee spots in Geneva is Monaco’s, a comfortable café to camp out in for a few hours with a laptop if you need a work space.
Fun Things to do Near Geneva, NY
History buffs should head to Seneca Falls, about 10 miles east of Geneva and home to several 19th century women’s suffrage sites. Anyone interested in scenic hikes on gorge trails that lead to gushing waterfalls should plan at least a day each in Ithaca, Trumansburg, and Watkins Glen.
How to Get to Geneva, NY
The most convenient way to travel to Geneva and to get around the area is by car. Approximate driving distance and driving time from major cities:
- Rochester: 50 miles (80 km); 1 hour
- Ithaca: 50 miles (80 km); 1 hour
- Syracuse: 55 miles (88 km); 1 hour
- Albany: 195 miles (313 km); 3 hours
- Toronto: 200 miles (321 km); 3.5 hours
- New York City: 270 miles (450 km); 5 hours
Other modes of transportation:
- By train: The closest Amtrak stations are in Rochester, Ithaca, and Syracuse.
- By bus: Greyhound and Trailways buses stop in Geneva.
- By air: The closest airports are in Rochester and Syracuse.
Final Thoughts on Things to do in Geneva, NY
Geneva is well worth a weekend trip, or more, especially if you’re beer and wine aficionados! This Finger Lakes destination is quintessential small-town America, complete with fresh food, friendly people, and a unique and interesting past. There are also opportunities for shopping, lounging at the beach, and getting tickets to the opera. Geneva is also close to other popular Finger Lakes destinations, so you’ll have plenty to explore on your visit!
This makes it really easy to plan a weekend. Thank you!