How to Make the Most of the Fleeting Fall Weather
The air is turning crisp and the leaves are turning shades of red and gold, which means another perfect Finger Lakes fall has arrived. The Lake House offers the perfect cozy getaway, and puts you in easy reach of quintessential autumn activities like apple picking, pumpkin patch visits, and cider tastings.
Here’s some of our favorite local stops and things to do during fall in Canandaigua before coming back to The Lake House to curl up in front of the fire or relax with a treatment at Willowbrook Spa.
Take a Fall Foliage Cruise
Our summer cruises were such a hit, we’re continuing them into the fall for a colorful ride around Canandaigua Lake. Sit back and relax as you take in the tree-covered hills from the lake for a different view and memorable experience.
Pick Apples and Sip Cider
One of our favorite local orchards, The Victor Apple Farm, offers the classic experience of heading into the trees to pick your own crisp varieties like Macoun and McIntosh. While you’re there, you can also stock up on their fresh apple cider, pressed right in front of your eyes and best enjoyed with one of their golden, hot apple cider doughnuts. Swing by the gift shop to stock up on other locally-harvested products like rich maple syrup and honey from Rex’s Apiary.
If you take the scenic route in the other direction, Wager’s Cider Mill in Penn Yan is perched on the north end of neighboring Keuka Lake and also offers idyllic apple picking and refreshing jugs of cider. Make sure to try their unique fresh grape juice, pressed from local Concord and Niagara grapes, which are more typically made into wines. Their doughnut offerings also go beyond the usual cinnamon sugar and include fun fall flavors like cinnamon, pumpkin, and maple as well.
Spend Time Around the Bonfire
Yes, the temperatures are starting to drop, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of the outdoors every evening at The Lake House. As the autumnal sun sets, our grounds light up with communal fire pits. Stop by the front desk to pick up complimentary s’mores kits, complete with homemade marshmallows, to toast around the fire.
Get Lost in a Corn Maze
No visit to Long Acre Farms would be complete without testing your skills in their Amazing Maize Maze, a local October tradition for many — it’s the longest-running maze in New York State — and an essential stop if you’re traveling with kids. Open weekends until Halloween, the extensive maze also opens on certain evenings for spooky moonlight trips that can be made even more special with the rental of your own private fire pit with room for up to 10 guests. Keep an eye on their events calendar for special happenings like cookie decorating for kids and an autumnal murder mystery dinner in early November.
Savor the Flavors of Fall
Upstate New York is known for its natural bounty and the Finger Lakes region is home to countless farms, dairies, wineries, and breweries that make the most of local and seasonal ingredients. Autumn’s harvest season brings even more thrilling flavors that are best enjoyed during a fall getaway at The Lake House. Book our Fall Foodie package to appreciate the best of the region thanks to our Executive Chef Steve’s seasonal cuisine, including a picnic basket for two, filled with autumn beet and apple salad, harvest chicken salad on freshly baked brioche, stracciatella cheese, and more, plus wine tasting recommendations, and credits towards The Lake House’s dining venues — Rose Tavern, Sand Bar, and the Library Bar.
Make Your Own Jack-o-Lantern
Just a 15-minute drive from The Lake House, the sprawling pumpkin patches of Pick’n’Patch offer tons of varieties for you to choose from. This family-friendly spot also offers play attractions like slides, a tiny train, and a smaller corn maze that’s perfect for little ones with shorter attention spans. Don’t leave without stopping by the petting zoo, where kids can get up close with sheep, goats, and cows. It’s the perfect place for a day of rustic all-ages fun — served with a side of salty-sweet kettle corn.
Soak in the Scenery from a Bird’s Eye View
Of course, it’s easy to enjoy the brilliant changing colors of the region’s fall foliage all around, whether you’re looking out over Canandaigua Lake or driving to your next destination. Those wanting a heightened experience, however, can take to the skies with a picturesque Fall Sky Ride aboard the chairlift at nearby Bristol Mountain. Running on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the fall, we think the rides are best enjoyed when paired with a curated weekend getaway.