Travel & Things to Do
Syracuse Hancock International Airport
1-hour to Inns of Aurora
30 min to Auburn & Skaneateles
Ithaca Tompkins International Airport
30 min to Inns of Aurora
45-50 min to Auburn & Skaneateles
Heads up! Ridesharing services may be available from Syracuse and Ithaca to the venue or your hotel, but they are very limited to unavailable for transportation to-and-from wedding festivities in Aurora, Auburn, and Skaneateles. We recommend driving to the welcome party and using our wedding shuttles from Auburn and Skaneateles for the day-of festivities.
We will have shuttles looping between the Holiday Inn and Hilton in Auburn & Mirbeau in Skaneateles for those staying in either town. The shuttles will run to-and-from Aurora for the ceremony and after-party. Departure times TBD.
*Again, DO NOT rely on Uber, etc.
VILLAGE OF AURORA
It's the home of Wells College founded by Henry Wells, the founder of Wells Fargo and American Express. The Aurora Inn was once a stagecoach stop for the Wells Fargo Express. Travelers going by stagecoach would often overnight at this Federal-style, columned building built in 1838. Notably, the American Girl creator Pleasant Rowland attended Wells College and actually invented the American girl doll in her dorm room (now Wallcourt Hall). She wanted to reinvigorate her beloved college town, transforming Aurora into a thriving tourist destination with beautifully revitalized estates.
Inns of Aurora 391 Main St, Aurora, NY
If you’re staying at IOA, check out a complimentary bicycle for a fun outing, or take a hike on our 3.5-mile nature trail. Sign up for a complimentary yoga class or wine tour on our activities calendar. Spend time lakeside at our waterfront with complimentary kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards, or simply relax with a casual game of Bocce or giant Jenga.
The Spa at Inns of Aurora 700 Sherwood Rd, Aurora, NY
I’m not sure if we were sold by the venue or the spa. If you love spas, then you must check out this one! The luxury barn sits overlooking the lake and includes 10 treatment rooms, a cafe, a courtyard, a sauna, two indoor pools, and four heated outdoor pools overlooking the lake.
Mackenzie-Childs 3260 NY-90, Aurora, NY
Less than 5 minutes from Inns of Aurora is the famous MacKenzie-Childs! For those that don't know, MC is "that" famous checkered print pattern you see on ceramics everywhere. Check out the eclectic barn-house production studio, purchase some pottery, or just enjoy the farm's eclectic mix of animals (esp if you're an Alpaca lover!).
Outdoor activities-
Finger Lakes Wine Tours & Cayuga Lake Boat Cruises
Departing from the Aurora Inn dock 4x daily, head out on the water for a cruise of your choice, like wineries by the water, history on the lake, or a sunset cruise.
Long Point State Park 2063 Lake Rd, Aurora, NY
Canoes and kayaks are available to rent. It's located south of Wells College, off Route 90. Find neat rocks, too.
King Ferry Golf Club 1309 Clearview Rd, King Ferry, NY (10 mins to Aurora)
A picturesque nine-hole course overlooking the east shore of Cayuga Lake. A Scottish-links style with tall, wispy, wild fescue defining the off-fairway areas. The course has a driving range along with chipping and putting greens. Pull and power carts are available.
Food & Drinks-
1833 Kitchen 391 Main Street Aurora
Real farm-to-table dining (everything sourced from local farmers) overlooking Cayuga Lake at the Aurora Inn. The food it great and the view is equally so. Try the Caesar salad- per Steve!
Fargo Bar 384 Main Street, Aurora, NY
Best burger in the finger lakes? They say so! Head there (across from our venue) for a chill day leading up to the wedding festivities for bar food,beers, and a game of pool.
Village Market Main Street, Aurora
Offers visitors a selection of gifts, pantry staples, freshly brewed organic coffee, morning pastries and desserts, and a growing selection of craft beer. This quaint market also features take-home meals, soups, chili and chowders — all prepared fresh daily by chefs at the Aurora Inn.
Aurora Brewing Co 1897 NY-90, King Ferry, NY (5 mins to Aurora)
brewery perched on a hilltop overlooking Cayuga Lake just south of the village of Aurora
Long Point Winery 1485 Lake Road, Aurora, NY 13026 (3 mins to Aurora)
Long Point Winery is located on the east side of Cayuga Lake on scenic Route 90 in Aurora, New York. The winery sits on 72 acres of land overlooking beautiful Cayuga Lake.
Heart & Hands Winery 4162 State Route 90 Union Springs, NY 13160 (5 mins to Aurora)
Heart & Hands Wine Company is located in a serene setting overlooking the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake.
Quarry Ridge Winery 4242 NY-90, Union Springs, NY 13160 (6 mins to Aurora)
Nestled on the limestone and shale slopes on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake, Quarry Ridge Winery is a family-owned and operated winery focused on the quality and beauty of the Fingerlakes wine region.
Auburn is a city in Cayuga County, New York, located at the north end of Owasco Lake, one of the Finger Lakes, in Central New York. There is a little town with restaurants across the street from our wedding hotels for quick bites and beers. It’s also a short drive to Aurora, Skaneateles, and lakeside attractions.
Prison City Pub & Brewery 28 State St, Auburn, NY
Right across from the hotels in Auburn!
SKANEATELES
Skaneateles Lake is one of the Finger Lakes in central New York. A nickname for the lake is The Roof Garden of the Lakes because it is higher in altitude than the other Finger Lakes surrounding it. The village sits perched at the northernmost point of the lake. Biking and boating are two of the top activities at the lake. A 32-mile road loop runs along the banks of the lake.
Genesee Street
The main drag of Skaneateles, Genesee Street is the heart of the action Here, you will find the many adorable boutiques, like Cate & Sally, which sells elegant and upscale staples. You can also visit Skaneateles 300 for shoes, Emma James Boutique, or Roland’s. If you want to get a headstart of Christmas gifts, pop into The White Sleigh for all Christmas everything! There are also plenty of places for quick bites & coffee. See below :)
Food & Drinks-
Blue Water Grill 11 W Genesee St, Skaneateles, NY
Seafood/American food! Good Bloody Mary’s and a great choice for a lakefront brunch & lunch.
Gilda’s 12 W. Genesee St. Skaneateles, NY
Amazing Italian, small plates and pizza. Overlooks the lake!
Rosalie's 841 W Genesee Street Rd, Skaneateles, NY
Another good one if you like Italian.
Elephant & Dove 9 E Genesee St, Skaneateles, NY
Doug’s Fish Fry 8 Jordan St, Skaneateles, NY
Want seafood? Check out this authentic fish fry and fountain shop.
Skaneateles Bakery 19 Jordan St, Skaneateles, NY
Bakery/cafe
Patisserie 4 Hannum St. Skaneateles, NY
Cakes, cookies, croissants, coffee etc.
Beer-
Lakehouse Pub 6 W Genesee St, Skaneateles, NY
Finger Lakes on Tap 35 Fennell St, Skaneateles, NY
Skaneateles Brewery 4022 Mill Rd, Skaneateles, NY 13152
If you're interested in the art scene, check out-
John D. Barrow Art Gallery 49 E Genesee St, Skaneateles, NY 13152
Gallery 54 54 E Genesee St, Skaneateles, NY 13152
Outdoor activities-
Carpenter Falls & Bahar Preserve
This mile-long loop trail is a fan favorite among local hikers and visitors. It's moderate in level, meaning you'll get a decent workout but you don't have to be an experienced hiker to have fun. The main draws of the trail are the three waterfalls that you pass along the way.
Skaneateles Boat Tours
Mid-Lake Navigation runs sightseeing tours on the lake and offers visitors sweeping views of the lake, as well as the Erie Canal.
“Ithaca is Gorges”
The finger lakes are home to tons of waterfalls and gorges, perfect for those who love to hike.
Buttermilk Falls (40 mins to Aurora)
For those traveling through Ithaca, check out Buttermilk Falls - Erin’s personal fav! It’s one of the shorter trails (the Gorge Trail is a 1.5-mile loop) and overall just really beautiful and accessible.
Watkins Glen State Park (60 mins to Aurora)
One of the most popular in the area, the park features 19 waterfalls and plenty of stunning Finger Lakes gorges.
Taughannock Falls State Park (50 mins to Aurora)
West of Cayuga Lake, this park features the biggest gorge in Ithaca, NY. The vertical drop beats Niagara Falls- pretty impressive!
Robert H. Treman State Park (45 mins to Aurora)
Winding trails follow the gorge past 12 waterfalls, including the 115-foot Lucifer Falls, to where visitors can see a mile-and-a-half down the wooded gorge as it winds its way to the lower park.
More trails here-