Not only the best beer in Auburn (although there are other spots definitely worth stopping, like our fav bottle shop Thirsty Pug), but some of the best beer in the country. And that's according to experts, and not just us (even though we are clearly the most expert of all). Brewer Ben's sours are second to none, his IPAs have literally been named best in the country, and basically he does nothing that's not awesome. The food and beer list at the Pub and their sister restaurant, The Copper Pig, are a must see. And we are not just saying that as investors, we swear.
Treman has some of the more intense hikes in Ithaca, but also with the most payoff. Be ready for a lot of stairs, but also a lot of incredible things to see. This was one of our first hikes together, and luckily Heather's excessive out of breath sweating didn't scare Tom off. Upper Treman is always of the must see list when we have visitors, and became even more special to us when Tom chose our favorite spot in the park as the place to propose to Heather.
The tallest falls in the state - higher than Niagara! There's a viewing platform above the falls, or you can take a very easy and flat hike to the base of the falls. This park has always been special to us since days hiking with the Burts, but became even more special to us after spending an afternoon creek walking (aka falling for some of us) with the Friend family last summer. Ask Kaiden and Allison who got the most wet on the hike!
Another example of Ithaca's love for stairs (it actually stems from the days of the Civilian Conservation Corps, who built many of New York's Sate Parks)... Buttermilk, along with Treman and Fillmore, have swimming areas made from damming off the waterfall at the base of the park. You just have to be a child, or have had several winery or brewery stops to have the courage to get in the frigid stream water. Allegedly, Greg and I cliff jumped in the park with the Gosselinks as kids. Tom and I have stuck to cliff sitting picnics here throughout our relationship. There is also an upper park that has some secret swimming holes that were favorite escapes for us in the early days.
History's Hometown! There are tons of cool museums in Auburn because of its incredible history. Harriet Tubman and William Seward both lived here, and both museums are worth a stop. There's also a Farming museum, art music, and plenty o f other cultural stops. And the original electric chair is in a bar. Our max security prison executed the first inmate in the country, so why not check out the lovely artifact?
Emerson Park is at the north end of what has become "our lake," and is home to the Finger Lakes Musical Theater Festival's Merry-Go-Round Theater (an awesome evening if you have the time - seriously impressive off-broadway shows), a large playground and lake access, and the Great Race (the country's largest team triathlon that you should all return for). It's also where we keep our floating living room, Nice Driveway (ask Greg.) We have loved spending many a sunsets on the lake with friends and family. Stories of "pee cove" shenanigans can be told by many of our guests, so just ask around...
Order a Dirty Butt, enjoy some popcorn, and enjoy one of our favorite views in the Finger Lakes.
There's nothing here that's not delicious to drink. And we are sort of legendary from a visit where cousin Dan sang and danced with a cat named Daryl Hall (RIP).
One of the busiest parks in the area, but also one of the coolest. There are tons of cool spots in Watkins Glen, and also the famous International Speedway, where Holly and Brad allegedly witnessed a bus burning riot in their glory days. Feel free to ask them about it, if you have a few hours, or ask us for recommendations if you plan to visit Watkins Glen.
Geneva is home to Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where Brad, Heather and Greg all invested a lot of time and money (I suppose that means that Holly did too...). Nowadays it's become a super cool place with an epic restaurant and bar scene. Subsequently, Tom and Heather have now invested a lot of time and money in Geneva's bike shop, restaurants, cocktail bars, breweries, wineries, and cheap hotels. If you can stay a night, or even stop through, let us know and we will chat options! There is also a great state park right on the water, with a splash park and tons of trails and playgrounds - worth a stop for our smaller guests too:)
The most expensive lakefront property in the country exists in Canandaigua. Which is why we have no lakefront recommendations for this town. That being said, there are super cool people, a great strip of downtown shops, some great breweries, and an an epic Mexican restaurant, where we spent Valentine's Day this past year. If you're in the area for a while, our favorite concert venue, Lakeview Amphitheater, provides great acoustics while watching the sun set over the lake.
We spent a lot of time in and around Naples early in our relationship while on our quest to see all of the waterfalls in the finger lakes. We realized we could never see them all, but heading to Naples means you can cross off some really cool ones following great hikes. If you want something more off the beaten path, this would be an epic side trip (perhaps continuing on to Letchworth State Park!). Let us know if it's something you want to explore!
There are some really cool views driving around Keuka Lake. It's very easy to do a road trip around the lake, including visiting Hammondsport to the south, and you can even check out the only church we ever considered possibly getting married at high up on the lake's bluff. Clearly we had already visited several of the area's awesome wineries when we had that thought...
Take the loop drive down to the lake and see our dream property right at the base. It will be very clear which property it is. If you want an adventure, ask Greg for gorge hiking advice around Glenora.
This was has one of the best sunset views in the finger lakes, and has been the location of many special times for us - Including the first time Linda and Heather met in Ithaca! There are tons of other great sports to eat and drink in this stretch.
Yes, many of the places we've singled out are in Hector, but there are so many other great ones that we love along this stretch of the lake. It's just super cool, and has been part of some of our favorite memories together, and with our family and friends. If you go, we want in, and if you see land for sale, let us know.
This is a favorite private land waterfall and swimming hole between Aurora and the Davidson's House. Easy way to creek walk and swim in a waterfall, and cans are welcome as long s you carry in and carry out. There are some great stories of Great Gully hikes, especially Thanksgiving Day cousin trips...
Skan is one of the most idyllic towns in the Finger Lakes, almost always on the list of the best small towns in America. Super cute shops, some nice places to eat, a great pier to walk on... For us, it's most special because of special people that we love that call it home. That being said, you won't be disappointed stopping by for some famous Doug's Fish Fry downtown (Grandpa Chuck approves) and lake views from Anyela's Vineyards. Or come back around Christmas for their fun Dickens Festival. If you're heading east from Skan, make sure you stop at 1911 or continue on to Caz for the Empire Farm Brewery. No matter what, do not leave our wedding until you can properly spell and pronounce Skaneateles. You never know when it will be a question 11 on HQ, and you will be surrounded by at least a few people that can help you at the wedding!
Holly attended Aurora's Wells College a couple of years ago, & actually met Brad in the former basement bar of the Inn - all of the Hobart Frat hoodlums (including Uncle Paul) would head to Aurora to try & hook up with the ladies of the then all-girls school. Fast forward to '07 when Heather began working at what is now the Inns of Aurora (owned by Pleasant Rowland, Wells Alumna & founder of American Girl Dolls). The mktg dept loves that their Dir of Events is planning weddings where her parents met... They will really love that we are getting married there too! In all seriousness, Aurora means alot to us, as it's been Heather's home away from home and second family for over a decade now. It's called the Village of Constant Dawn, and has some seriously amazing history. Many incredible people have had their start in the 13026, and we are honored and excited to be able to start our next chapter there. Do yourself a service and read up on the many histories in Aurora. Tours available!