Cities, Towns & Villages

Auburn

Cayuga's county seat, and its largest community, boasts first-rate historical attractions such as the Harriet Tubman Home and William Seward House, park access to Owasco Lake, professional theater and baseball, New York's only Bass Pro Shops, and a wide variety of other attractions, fine dining and accommodation options. Read more

Aurora/Sherwood

Settled in 1799, the tranquil village of Aurora is situated on the east side of Cayuga Lake. To the north, it is home to the renowned home accessories company, MacKenzie-Childs, Ltd. and to the south is Wells College, established in 1868 by Henry Wells. Places like the Aurora Inn, Dories, Jane Morgan's Little House, E.B. Morgan House and The Fargo are wonderful places to shop, dine and spend the night, as featured in Country Living's June '06 issue! Read more.

Come see the Howland Stone Store Museum in Sherwood, former family business of Quaker abolitionist Emily Howland. On view are historic items and memorabilia from her accomplishments and world-wide travels. Cleveland's Antiques, with tons of treasures, is right next door. Read more.

Cato

Geographically, Cato is surrounded by some of the best formed drumlins in the world, with water paths moving north to Lake Ontario and south to the Seneca River. This pattern accounts for its beautiful small lakes and ponds, and recreational opportunities abound! These include the Cato-Meridian Recreational Center, North Trail, Cato Golf Club and Cross Lake. Read more.

Cayuga/Montezuma

The village of Cayuga, incorporated in 1857, is located on the northeast end of Cayuga Lake . It derives its name from the lake, which is the longest of the six major Finger Lakes at 40 miles. The northern end of the lake extends into the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, 7,000 acres of wetland that provide habitat for over 300 species of birds and wildlife. Read more.

Fair Haven/Sterling

Located on the southern shore of Lake Ontario this area has changed from a shipping port to a resort community and features some of the best fishing, swimming, boating and camping in New York State. Unique attractions include the Sterling Renaissance Festival, Fair Haven Beach State Park, Sterling Lake Shore Park & Nature Center and the Little Red School House Museum. Read more.

King Ferry/Genoa

Just south of Aurora, King Ferry and Genoa form the agricultural heart of Cayuga County; their attractions include Rural Life Museum and award-winning King Ferry Winery. Read more.

Locke

Locke, which was formed in 1802, is another peaceful agrarian community with beautiful farmland, historical cemeteries and Grisamore Farms, a busy family-run fruit and vegetable u-pick, with a picnic area, petting zoo and tours. Read more.

Moravia/New Hope

Millard Fillmore, 13th President of the United States, was born five miles east of the village of Moravia. A replica of his log cabin birthplace is in Fillmore Glen State Park, with a deep limestone and shale glen with five waterfalls, a stone-walled swimming pool, campground, pavilion, and picnic areas. Nearby New Hope Mills has a water-powered grist mill and is famous for its pancake flour available in its country store. Read more.

Port Byron/Mentz

The Village was incorporated in 1837, and is situated on the Owasco Lake Outlet and former Erie Canal, near the center of the Town of Mentz. The completion of the Erie Canal, in 1825, gave a new impetus to the businesses of the village, rapidly increased its population, and soon made it one of the principal grain markets in western New York. Read more...

www.co.cayuga.ny.us/portbyron &
www.co.cayuga.ny.us/mentz

Union Springs

Union Springs is located on a bay of the east shore of Cayuga Lake, with Frontenac Park offering visitor amenities and lake access. As might be expected, the town's name is derived from the many springs within its boundaries. Two of the largest, dammed to form ponds, were the source of power for the earliest industries. Other springs have a strong taste of sulfur and contain various minerals of interest to the geologist. The extensive and valuable minerals, gypsum and limestone played an important part in the industrial development of the town, as well as its draw as a health resort. Read more.

Weedsport

Weedsport, formally known as "Weeds Basin" was incorporated in 1831 was the site for early development of the Erie Canal starting in 1818. There are still remnants of the Centerport Aqueduct, providing a good example of Erie Canal stone work. Currently, Weedsport is known for the Cayuga County Fair Speedway and the DIRT Hall of Fame and Classic Car Museum. Read more.