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Mural of Harriet Tubman on side on a building in Historic Auburn NY

#LiveLikeHarriet: Summertime in Harriet Tubman’s Chosen Hometown

You may be familiar with Harriet Tubman’s work as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, but in her chosen home of Cayuga County, she was much more than that. For over 50 years, Tubman was a landowner, a freedom seeker, a community leader, and a woman deeply connected to the land. This summer, you can explore the places she loved, the causes she fought for, and the institutions that carry her legacy on today. 

Follow in Her Footsteps

Begin your journey at the Harriet Tubman Home, a peaceful property where she once lived, worked in her garden, and cared for others. Catch one of their daily tours (offered Tuesdays through Saturdays) or enjoy a self-guided stroll of the grounds. For the most up-to-date tour offerings, visit harriettubmanhome.com.

A group of people stand on the walkway of a Harriet Tubman site.

Continue your day at the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, where the Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church tells the story of Harriet’s faith, community, and final farewell. In 2024, efforts to restore the church to its 1913 appearance were completed, and it is now open to the public on summer Friday & Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Ranger programs held at 11:30 &  3p.m. Later, reflect on her life at Fort Hill Cemetery, where she was laid to rest in 1913 beneath a pine tree planted by her family.

Ranger Brittany and visitor standing in front of the AME Zion Church, the church that Harriet Tubman attended and where her funeral was held

Want to deepen your understanding of Harriet Tubman’s time in Auburn? Tune into Walk in Her Footsteps: Harriet Tubman’s Life in Auburn, NY, a four-part podcast series created in partnership with Whetstone Magazine. Hosted by Tourism Ambassador Beonca Louis and featuring historians, academics, and descendants of Tubman, the series explores her life work, her impact on American history, and her lasting influence on the people of her chosen hometown.

Embrace Nature, Tubman Style

Tubman’s deep connection to the land was both spiritual and practical, and Cayuga County continues to offer experiences that help visitors connect with nature, history, and the stars above.

Guests staying at the Inns of Aurora can enjoy curated outdoor adventures like nature journaling, birdwatching, archery, or a guided sunset hike, complete with a cozy campfire and stargazing from an elevated overlook. If meditation is more your speed, the Inns of Aurora also offers forest bathing and yoga opportunities. 

For an unplugged experience, Sterling Nature Center at Cayuga County’s northern edge offers two miles of pristine Lake Ontario shoreline. With minimal light pollution, it’s ideal for stargazing and is known for hosting Full Moon Walks, comet viewings, and night photography hikes throughout the summer.

Dine from the Land She Cherished

Harriet Tubman farmed her land, and you can taste the region’s bounty at spots that share her love of sustainability and community.

At Elderberry Pond, an organic farm and fine dining restaurant, you’ll enjoy views of orchards and vineyards while savoring just-picked produce and pasture-raised meats. For something casual and community-centric, stop by Cafe 108, where your meal helps fund the local arts scene.

Find Inspiration Around Every Corner

Don’t miss the New York Equal Rights Heritage Center, where the interactive “Seeing Equal Rights in NYS” exhibit celebrates New York’s historic and modern trailblazers, including Harriet herself. Snap a selfie with her bronze statue in the courtyard, then check out the Harriet Tubman Memorial Mosaic just steps away.

History buffs will also love the Seward House Museum, where abolitionist and U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward and his wife Frances Seward once welcomed Harriet to Auburn and helped her purchase her first home. Also in the basement is the “Forged in Freedom: The Bond of the Seward Tubman Families” exhibit that demonstrates the relationship between the two families.

Picture of three women in period dress standing on the steps of the Seward House Museum. These women represent, Frances Seward and Harriet Tubman, famous Underground Railroad Conductor
#LiveLikeHarriet: Summertime in Harriet Tubman’s Chosen Hometown
Harriet Tubman's Gravestone in the summer

Want to explore at your own pace? Download the Tubman’s UGRR – Cayuga County mobile app and take a self-guided tour featuring dozens of historic and powerful stops throughout Auburn and the county.

There’s something special about summer in Harriet Tubman’s hometown. Maybe it’s the way the sun falls through the pines at Fort Hill Cemetery. Or the sense of purpose you feel walking the same streets she did. Or, maybe it’s just the summer breeze and fresh perspective.

Either way, Cayuga County is the perfect place to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with one of America’s most inspiring figures. Let her story shape your summer, and #LiveLikeHarriet.