Discover Luxury and Wellness in
New York’s Finger Lakes Region
By Meg Vanek
The Finger Lakes Region offers the best in luxury travel: Intimate experiences, personalized services, inspired dining options, and breathtaking surroundings that promise a memorable and relaxing getaway.
Whether you are looking for a glass of award-winning wine paired with a local artisanal cheese, a king bedroom outfitted with Frette linens and a marble bathroom, or a luxurious spa overlooking the lake, whatever conjures the word ‘luxury’ in your mind is available in the Finger Lakes Region.
The Finger Lakes Region is home to over 150 wineries producing a wide variety of wines. Riesling is the region’s signature wine, but you will also find excellent chardonnay, pinot gris, and cabernet sauvignon. Elevate your wine-tasting experience with a wine-tasting tour by boat, a wine and chocolate pairing, or a vineyard tour. Finger Lakes wineries are intimate and friendly. The owners and staff take great pleasure in sharing their passion for winemaking with visitors. If wine isn’t your beverage of choice, the Aurora Brewing Company features a wide variety of craft beers that you can enjoy while overlooking Cayuga Lake.
Every luxury vacationer deserves a spa experience, and the Spa at the Inns of Aurora, with its stunning views of Cayuga Lake, is committed to offering their guests the ultimate in personalized wellness. The total experience for spa guests, in addition to their treatment of choice, includes a complimentary grazing table at The Spa Cafe, indoor and outdoor hydrotherapy pools, and saunas in a sleek and cozy farmhouse. The Spa is the first ever spa in the United States to achieve WELL certification at the gold level for delivering thoughtful spaces that enhance health and well-being in the categories of air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, and community.
Follow the red brick road off State Route NY-90 just north of Aurora to MacKenzie-Childs headquarters and store, and you will feel like Alice entering Wonderland. The company’s creative pieces include furniture, kitchenware, lighting, and decor accents that are full of playful details inspired by the magic of the Finger Lakes. Situated on a Victorian farm overlooking Cayuga Lake, take time to explore the gardens, visit the retail store, and enhance your experience by booking a production tour or a visit to the farmhouse for MacKenzie-Childs themed design inspiration.
A short ride from Aurora is historic Auburn, NY, known as “History’s Hometown” for its amazing historic and cultural scene that will satisfy any culture vulture’s appetite. Start at the Equal Rights Heritage Center and enjoy the interactive displays, then plan your visits to the
Harriet Tubman National Park
Seymour Library
Cayuga Museum of History & Art
Seward House Museum
Fort Hill Cemetery
Schweinfurth Art Center
Auburn Public Theater, and Willard Memorial Chapel. Along the way, visit the Howland Stone Store Museum, which includes the Stone Store and Opendore, honoring the equal rights heritage of the community of Sherwood.
Highlights
- Wineries & Craft Beer
- Spa at the Inns of Aurora
- MacKenzie-Childs
- Historic Auburn, NY
- Howland Stone Store Museum
Places to Stay…The Inns of Aurora
Set in the picturesque historic town of Aurora overlooking Cayuga Lake, the Inns of Aurora are a collection of six meticulously restored buildings each with its own distinctive style. Designer finishes and original contemporary art are found throughout the properties. Imagine strolling to your room and seeing an original Wolf Kahn, Paul Klee, David Hockney, or Alberto Giacometti up close and personal! The Inns keep a year-round robust activities schedule for guests that includes everything from yoga to archery to the basics of fly casting. A complimentary winery shuttle is also available.
Places to Eat and Drink
Aurora Cooks!
Part of the Inns of Aurora family is a demonstration kitchen holding dinners, tastings, and cooking demos.
Located in the Aurora Inn, strives to make (almost) everything from scratch using local purveyors and responsible harvesters.
Fargo Bar & Grill
Located across from the Aurora Inn, features casual pub fare and local brews.
Owner/chef Ed Moro landed in the Finger Lakes after stints in Napa and Oregon wine country and prides himself in finding the freshest and finest local ingredients for his creative menu offerings.
Located in downtown Auburn NY, Osteria specializes in Traditional Sicilian and Wood Fired Cuisine. . The chef-driven menu highlights seasonal ingredients in simple, handcrafted dishes served straight from our kitchen. Add even more to your experience with a selection from our bar, and trust us—save room for dessert.
Prison City Brewing
Located in downtown Auburn NY, Prison City is a gathering place for people who enjoy locally made beer and farm-to table cuisine. Come in and enjoy a laid back, high quality, industrial/rustic establishment where everything is being made before your eyes.
Bonus
- NY Kitchen Tasting Room in Canandaigua features 60 New York State wines, as well as 10 taps highlighting seasonal craft beers, ciders, distilled spirits and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Smith Opera House in Geneva hosts year-round entertainment, including live music, dance and theater.
- CMAC – this state-of-the-art facility is the ultimate venue for music and entertainment, featuring past top performers such as Dave Matthews and Kenny Chesney. They are proud to partner with Planet Reimagined and Zero Waste Solutions, championing sustainability.