GETAWAYS
Canandaigua: “the chosen place” Close enough for a day trip—or longer STORY AND PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE SMYCZYNSKI
Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion Historic State Park
O
ne of my favorite places for an overnight getaway—or even a day trip—is Canandaigua, just under 100 miles east of Buffalo. Close to home, this Finger Lakes destination feels far away as you enjoy the city’s offerings and enjoy water sports, swimming, and fishing on the sixteen-mile Canandaigua Lake.
The name Canandaigua comes from the Native American word, Kanandarque, which means “chosen place.” A major Seneca village was located here, and it was also the site of the signing of the 1794 Canandaigua Treaty between the United States
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government and the six Iroquois Nations. My husband and I spent a few days in Canandaigua last summer to celebrate his retirement. We arrived around lunchtime and headed to Neno’s Gourmet Mexican Kitchen,
www.foreveryoungwny.com | August 2022
located at Star Cider (starcidery.com). We enjoyed tacos, along with a flight of hard ciders ranging from dry to sweet; our favorite was the rye. Afterwards, we headed to the lakefront to stroll along the city pier. Local artists and photographers love
to capture the picturesque 1903 boathouses near the end of it. We lingered on a bench to soak in the waterfront view. We enjoyed complimentary checkin wine before heading to our room at the new Lake House on Canandaigua
