The Village
In the summer, the Village of Hammondsport is bustling with lake house residents and vacationers who enjoy the village’s small-town feel and welcoming community. There is live music and art shows in the park, as well as boat shows and other festivities to engage locals and visitors alike. Depot Park is a popular hangout spot for beachgoers and boaters and a beautiful place to take in the sunsets.
In the winter, the village is a bit quieter and still, and reminiscent of those beloved holiday movies, with sweet twinkling lights and cute shops and decor.
This charming downtown also offers independently- and locally-owned shops and restaurants surrounding the picturesque Pulteney Square and gazebo. Just a few steps away are the shores of Keuka Lake at Depot Park. Stop into local favorites like Crooked Lake Ice Cream for more than ice cream; come for a light breakfast, espresso drinks, or lunch sandwiches and salads. Want something a bit more upscale? Make a reservation at The Park Inn restaurant for seasonal farm-to-table dishes and book a stay in any one of the romantic and cozy rooms upstairs. Other great spots to check out in the village is the Irish Maloney’s Pub, a casual community hangout for drinks and meet-ups, and Vern’s Bakery for fresh-baked goods and some of the biggest croissants you will ever see!
Antiquing
Antique lovers will find a lot of cute shops for treasure hunting. Right in the village are Patina and Opera House Antiques. A short drive away, just on the edge of the village, is Crooked Lake Antiques. Further up off West Lake Road are Stone View Barn and Wild Goose Chase Antiques in Pulteney. Kelley’s Korner Antiques and Collectibles is further up NY-54 on the East side of Keuka Lake.
Museums
Learn the history of the pioneer aviator, “Father of Naval Aviation,” and the “Fastest Man on Earth” while exploring the priceless collection of artifacts at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum. The museum covers early aviation as well as the inventions of Glenn H. Curtiss, including motorcycles, bicycles, boats, and different aircrafts.
Learn about the Finger Lakes region’s boat-building heritage at the unique Finger Lakes Boating Museum. The museum offers a collection of over 200 antique boats, preserving the vintage art and craftsmanship behind boat building.
Wineries and Craft Beverage Producers
Hammondsport is home to wineries that pair delicious wine with amazing views of Keuka Lake; Ravines Wine Cellars, Weis Vineyard, Point of The Bluff, Domaine LeSeurre, Keuka Springs, McGregor Vineyards, Hunt Country, and Heron Hill Winery are just a few.
If you want to kick off your wine experience with a bit of history about the evolution of wine in our region, make sure to visit Dr. Konstantin Frank. This winery, located near Hammondsport, was responsible for revolutionizing winemaking in the United States when Dr. Konstantin Frank, a Ukrainian immigrant, successfully developed a method for growing Vinifera, or European wine grapes, in Upstate New York. After 300 years of failed attempts to introduce Vinifera to colder climates, Dr. Frank revolutionized the winemaking landscape the region is known for today. Still, we highly recommend checking out the list on the Keuka Lake Wine Trail website and exploring the Craft Beverage Trail.
Pleasant Valley Wine Company
Visit the oldest winery in the Finger Lakes, located just outside the Village of Hammondsport. It offers historic tours of its property dating back to 1860. Pleasant Valley Wine Company, known for its Great Western Champagne brand, survived the prohibition years by selling sacramental and medicinal wine while sitting on an inventory of 70,000 cases that couldn’t be sold.