Geneva Travel Guide

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Nestled in the heart of the Finger Lakes region of New York, the charming town of Geneva welcomes visitors with its picturesque landscapes and rich history. Located on the northern tip of Seneca Lake, Geneva offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and outdoor adventures.

For nature enthusiasts, Seneca Lake provides the perfect backdrop for a variety of activities. Explore the lake's crystal-clear waters by renting a kayak or paddleboard, or embark on a scenic boat tour to admire the surrounding vineyards and rolling hills. Fishing enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities to cast their lines and try their luck at catching trout or bass.

History buffs will be delighted by Geneva's rich heritage, which can be explored through its historic landmarks and museums. Take a stroll through the Geneva Historic District, lined with beautifully preserved 19th-century homes and buildings. Visit the Smith Opera House, a grand theater dating back to 1894, which still hosts a variety of performances. The Geneva History Museum offers a deeper insight into the town's past, showcasing artifacts and exhibits that highlight the area's Native American roots and its role in the abolitionist movement.

Food and wine lovers will find themselves in paradise in Geneva. The region is renowned for its wineries and vineyards, where visitors can embark on wine tastings and tours to sample the award-winning wines produced here. Pair your favorite vintage with a farm-to-table meal at one of the town's charming restaurants, which showcase the region's bountiful produce and culinary expertise.

Geneva also boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene. The Smith Center for the Arts hosts a diverse range of performances, including concerts, theater productions, and art exhibitions. The town's numerous art galleries and studios provide opportunities to discover and support local talent.

Alternative names: Population: 13.1 thous.Area: 19.1 mi²Elevation: 466 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 42°52'1"N, 76°59'1"W

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Geneva Top Attractions

Geneva Attractions - What to See and Explore

Geneva offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Rose Hill Mansion, Belhurst Castle, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Smith's Opera House. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Museum • History museum • Greek Revival architecture
Rose Hill Mansion
Rose Hill Mansion is a historic house museum on New York State Route 96A in Fayette, New York. Built in 1837 on a site overlooking Seneca Lake, it is one of the nation's finest examples of monumental residential Greek Revival architecture.
Winery • Resort • Spa
Belhurst Castle
Belhurst Castle is a former private residence on the shores of Seneca Lake in Geneva, New York. It was designed by architects Fuller & Wheeler and built between 1885 and 1889. The three-story, nine bay wide Romanesque Revival style mansion is constructed of Medina sandstone.
Church
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
The original St. Peter's began as an Episcopal mission established in 1853. Bishop William H. DeLancey appointed Dr. James Rankine, who conducted services in a small wooden chapel in 1861. He served as first rector of the new St.

Concerts and shows • Concert hall • Opera
Smith's Opera House
Smith Opera House, also known as the Geneva Theater, the Smith, and Smith's Opera House, is a historic theater building located at Geneva in Ontario County, New York. It was constructed in 1894 and is a 3+1⁄2-story, detached brick-and-stone building. It was built by one of Geneva's most respected citizens, William Smith.
Cemetery
Washington Street Cemetery
Washington Street Cemetery is a historic cemetery located at Geneva in Ontario County, New York. The cemetery was laid out in 1832 and the entry is distinguished by a handsome cast iron arch dating from the 1840s / 1850s.
Church • Romanesque architecture
First Baptist Church
First Baptist Church is a historic Baptist church located at Geneva in Ontario County, New York. The church was constructed in 1893-1894 and is an example of Romanesque Revival style.
Romanesque architecture • Greek Revival architecture
Geneva Downtown Commercial Historic District
Geneva Downtown Commercial Historic District is a national historic district located at Geneva, Ontario County, New York. It encompasses 83 contributing buildings in the central business district of Geneva.
42°51'32"N • 76°58'54"W
Durfee House
The Durfee House is a historic building that now serves as student housing for Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York.
42°51'30"N • 76°58'56"W
Geneva Hall and Trinity Hall
Geneva Hall and Trinity Hall are historic dormitory buildings located at Hobart & William Smith College in Geneva, Ontario County, New York.
Observatories and planetariums
Smith Observatory and Dr. William R. Brooks House
Smith Observatory and Dr. William R. Brooks House is a historic home and observatory located at Geneva in Ontario County, New York. Both structures were built in 1888. The observatory is a small frame building consisting of a two-story tower flanked by two small wings.
42°52'3"N • 76°59'2"W
Farmers and Merchants Bank
Farmers and Merchants Bank, also known as Geneva Savings Bank, is a historic bank building located at Geneva in Ontario County, New York. It was constructed in 1914–1915 and is a 2+1⁄2-story, three-bay brick building with a cast stone facade.
42°52'3"N • 76°59'7"W
United States Post Office
US Post Office—Geneva is a historic post office building located at Geneva in Ontario County, New York. It is a symmetrically massed one story structure faced with red brick and trimmed in limestone. It was constructed in 1905-1906 and is the first post office constructed in New York state in the Colonial Revival style.
42°52'1"N • 76°59'7"W
Geneva Armory
Geneva Armory is a historic National Guard armory building located at Geneva in Ontario County, New York. The armory consists of a long, shallow, rectangular, five-story, hip-roofed administration building with an attached 1 ¹⁄₂-story, rectangular gable-roofed drill shed.

Day trips

Geneva – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Geneva, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Memorial Art Gallery (Rochester), Sciencenter (Ithaca), Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art (Ithaca).

37 milesNW
Museum, Art museum, Art gallery
Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester
Nestled in the cultural heart of Rochester, New York, the Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) stands as a beacon of art and history in the upstate region. This museum, an affiliate of the University of Rochester, is renowned for its comprehensive collection that spans over...
38 milesSE
Carl Sagan, Museum, Science museum
Sciencenter, Ithaca
Sciencenter is a hands-on science museum in Ithaca, New York. It was founded on February 28, 1983 as a 501 not-for-profit educational organization. The Sciencenter grew out of the volunteer-run hands-on science program run for 15 years at several elementary schools in the Ithaca City School District.
38 milesSE
Museum, Art museum, Art gallery
Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Ithaca
Perched atop the slope of Libe Slope on the Cornell University campus, the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art is a cultural gem in the heart of Ithaca, New York. This striking museum, designed by the renowned architect I.M.
36 milesSE
Museum, Science museum, Natural history museum
Museum of the Earth, Ithaca
Nestled in the scenic northwest region of Ithaca, New York, the Museum of the Earth offers a unique window into the natural history of our planet. This museum, dedicated to fostering an understanding of the Earth and its life past and present, is an educational gem for...
48 milesNE
Racetrack, Sport venue, Sport
Oswego Speedway, Oswego
Oswego Speedway, a pulse-pounding hub of car racing in the city of Oswego, New York, is a must-visit destination for motorsport enthusiasts. Known as the "Indy of the East," this historic track has been thrilling fans with high-speed action since its opening in 1951.