Summer Destinations: Finger Lakes
Auburn Public Theater (APT) is a non-profit, multi-venue performing arts center that celebrates diverse voices and artistic expression. APT enriches the social, cultural, and economic growth of central New York by bringing people together through affordable access to live music, comedy and theater, as well as cinema, arts education, and community events. The venue features a 199-seat main stage theater, as well as 75 seats Stage Right. This summer, explore Cafe 108, APT’s new café featuring healthy, local fare and whose profits directly benefit the theater. By providing a top-notch, intimate venue for artists and audiences, the theater makes worldly performance art a common local experience and offers something for everyone in a space where all are welcome.
The CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival
The CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival (RIJF) is one of the world’s leading jazz festivals, presenting legendary performers, familiar favorites, rising stars, and new discoveries from around the world.
RIJF is synonymous with Jazz in June when the joy of music brings the world to Rochester, New York. The multi-dimensional nine-day festival presents more than 1750 artists annually from around the world in 326 shows at 20 venues.
The 2024 edition runs June 21-29 and a complete list of performances and venues is available at www.rochesterjazz.com.
The Cayuga Museum engages the public with the phenomenal cultures, innovators, and creators who shaped the history of Cayuga County and the nation. The Museum operates in three historic sites, each with a distinct focus: the Willard-Case Mansion, where the collection and stories of the past are shared through exhibits, the Case Research Lab, where sound film was introduced to the world, and the Carriage House Theater, a multi-use performance space and one of the earliest recording sites for sound film.
Started in Skaneateles, Doug's Fish Fry has been serving since 1982. Their seafood is delivered by truck on crushed ice five days per week. The menu offers seafood, chicken, grilled items, steamed clams and lobsters, beer, wine and ice cream. Doug's Dipping Sauce is also available in a convenient take-home size at the Skaneateles or Cortland locations, at The Great New York State Fair, and online.
The NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center is the official welcome center for the City of Auburn, NY. It serves to shine a light on New York’s equal rights heritage, as well as, the historical, cultural, and entertainment assets the City of Auburn has to offer in a welcoming and educational manner. It features an “I Love NY” exhibition titled "Seeing Equal Rights in NYS" where New York State's progressive history supporting equality comes to life through digital displays. This tourism hub also offers free Wi-Fi, public restrooms, “I Love NY” trip-planning kiosks and regionally sourced products in the Taste NY Market. Guests can relax on the green space or admire the bronze statue of Harriet Tubman in the courtyard. Join us this summer for the Downtown Auburn Saturday Market from June 29 through August 31, featuring live music, children’s activities and entertainment, food and beverage producers, artisans, crafters, and more. Programs are free and open to the public.
The Finger Lakes Land Trust was founded in 1989 to protect the region’s forests, farmlands, gorges, and shorelines. The Land Trust has saved over 29,000 acres of land by creating public nature preserves and helping landowners conserve their beloved properties. Their conservation work is designed to benefit everyone who lives or travels to the region. 45 nature preserves are open to the public, free of charge for anyone who wants to explore, attend events, and help build more trails this summer.
Steeped in history, Fort Hill Cemetery is a must for history buffs and Underground Railroad enthusiasts. The cemetery is the final resting place for Harriet Tubman, William Henry Seward, Theodore Case, Martha Coffin Wright and other notable historical figures. Fort Hill was used by the local Indians in the 16th century as a fortified hill, and is regarded as one of the best-preserved fortified villages of the ancient Cayuga Indians. The cemetery is also home to the iconic Chief Logan Monument. Open year-round from dawn till dusk, Fort Hill is easy to navigate by car or foot. Spend a day or just a few hours exploring this bucolic cemetery located in the heart of the City of Auburn.
Geneva Light presents live performances of Lehár's beloved operetta "The Merry Widow" at the Smith Opera House in Geneva, New York, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, and at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, July 27 and 28. Featured will be Metropolitan Opera Audition winner soprano Alexis Olinyk and international prize-winning baritone Bryan Murray leading a cast of outstanding singers and dancers, with a chamber orchestra conducted by Eric Mahl and projected supertitles. Tickets ranging from $20 to $150 are available on the website (www.genevalightopera.org) and will also be available at the door.
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park: A Partnership Park
Harriet Tubman was guided by deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family from slavery, Tubman moved them to Auburn/Fleming in 1860. Central NY was a hub for progressive thought, abolition, and women's suffrage where Tubman continued to fight for human rights and dignity during her 54 years in freedom. Ranger-led programs are available at the Thompson Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church — open Fridays and Saturdays after June 22, 2024.
The National Park Service works in partnership with the Harriet Tubman Home, Inc. an independent non-profit established by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The Harriet Tubman Visitor Center, the Tubman Home for Aged and Infirm Negroes, and the Harriet Tubman Residence are operated by the Harriet Tubman Home, Inc. The National Park Service preserves the Thompson Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, where Tubman attended service for 22 years and was buried from.
Headquartered in Auburn, NY, The REV Theatre Company is an award-winning arts organization committed to creating theatrical experiences at the highest levels of artistic integrity. Since its inception in 1958, The REV has leveraged the power of the arts as a tool for entertainment, education, social awareness and cultural development in our community and in the Finger Lakes region. The REV presents large-scale Broadway spectacles with high-caliber talent from Broadway and across the country at its main stage, the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, and is one of the nation's leaders in in-school arts integration with The REV On Tour.
Visit the historic home of William Henry Seward and his family. Serving as a State Senator, Governor of New York, US Senator, and Secretary of State during the Lincoln and Johnson administrations, Seward was one of the foremost politicians of 19th century America. The Museum provides guided tours to help visitors navigate the many fascinating aspects of this beautifully preserved home, which also houses one of the largest original collections in the United States. Learn more at: sewardhouse.org.
Since 1903, Seymour Library has been housed in the historic Case Memorial Building. On the National Register of Historic Places, this monumental stone building was designed by the New York City firm, Carrere and Hastings, designers of the New York Public Library. Today, the library serves as the community’s hub of learning and discovery. Explore new interests with a range of resources and programs for all ages. The library’s History Discovery Center provides research assistance to those seeking local history and genealogical information. Programs are free and open to the public.
Skaneateles Chamber of Commerce
Skaneateles is hosting an array of unique events throughout the summer season, including the Skaneateles Library annual library book sale July 11-14, and the Curbstone Festival and sidewalk sales with outdoor shopping, great bargains and balloon art, July 11 through 13. More information is available online.
Skaneateles Festival | World Class Music By The Lake
The Skaneateles Festival is a dynamic 4-week summer music festival providing intimate access to the world’s best music in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region. For 45 years, the Festival has brought some of the world’s most talented musicians to perform on their stage, with the hope of building community and enduring friendships through music. The Skaneateles Festival presents live classical, jazz, opera, and bluegrass music.
The 2024 season features Rhiannon Giddens, Chris Thile, The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, violinist James Ehnes, and more! What started as small chamber concerts in the Skaneateles Library soon moved to community members' homes and backyards due to its growing popularity and community involvement. Today, the Festival has expanded and built the Robinson Pavilion at Anyela's Vineyards which holds up to 1500 patrons for Saturday night concerts. Thursday and Friday night concerts are held at the First Presbyterian Church in the village of Skaneateles. Come Experience Brilliance with a night at the Festival — in the vineyard, under the stars, by the lake, or in the warm glow of the sanctuary.
The 46th Antique & Classic Boat Show hosted by the Skaneateles Foundation and the Finger Lakes Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boating Society is scheduled for July 26-28. The Boat Show features water and land displays along with three concerts, a boat parade (3:15 p.m. Saturday), an aerial photoshoot and spectator cruise (10 a.m. Sunday aboard the Judge Ben Wiles), demos, shopping, raffles, and more. The Skaneateles Foundation looks forward to bringing back activities for families this year. More information is available online.
Labeled as the "Tiffany Treasure of the Finger Lakes,” Willard Memorial Chapel is the only complete and unaltered Tiffany chapel known to exist in the world in its original location. Built in 1892-1894, the interior of the chapel was designed and handcrafted entirely by the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company of New York City for the Auburn Theological Seminary. Visit the Total Tiffany chapel for hourly tours Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this summer. The chapel is also a National Historic Landmark used for weddings, concerts and special events.
