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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Fields of Honeoye Lake & the Western Finger Lakes, New York
Aurora Lavender Farm opens for u-pick on summer weekends above Honeoye Lake; add hilltop overlooks, Naples' Grimes Glen and Keuka Lake wine.
4 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Honeoye is one of the small western Finger Lakes, set between wooded hills south of Rochester. Aurora Lavender Farm, on East Lake Road above the lake, is a small family farm that grows lavender and keeps bees and taps maple trees; its farm store and u-pick lavender open on Saturdays and Sundays from late June to early August. It is named for Aurora, the owners' French bulldog.
The hills around the lake rise above 2,000 feet, so the views are the draw: Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area looks down the length of Honeoye Lake, and Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill sits at 2,246 feet. Hemlock and Canadice lakes, surrounded by state forest, are just west, and Naples' Grimes Glen and Canandaigua's Sonnenberg Gardens are within half an hour. Come in July for the lavender, or from late September for fall color on the hills.
The lavender farms
- Aurora Lavender FarmLavender farm · Honeoye
Open to the public on summer weekends for u-pick lavender and the farm store (2026: Saturdays and Sundays, 11 AM to 3 PM, June 27 to August 2), plus occasional events such as an October sale day.
Best time to visit
Aurora Lavender Farm's 2026 season ran Saturdays and Sundays, June 27–August 2, 11 am–3 pm, for u-pick lavender and the farm store (closed Sunday, July 19), and it holds a fall 'Lavender and Lore' sale on October 24, 2026. Sonnenberg Gardens is open May 1–October 31, and Ganondagan's bark longhouse is open May 1–October 31. Harriet Hollister Spencer's seasonal Overlook Road, with its view of Honeoye Lake, is open May 1 to late October. Gro-Moore Farms' u-pick strawberry, blueberry and blackberry fields north of Honeoye are closed until the 2027 season. In winter, Harriet Hollister Spencer's trails, above 2,000 feet, often hold snow for cross-country skiing when the valleys have none.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Harriet Hollister Spencer Memorial State Recreation Area🌳 State park · Springwater · about 6 mi, 20 min drive
Overlook Road passes a view down the whole length of Honeoye Lake, and on clear days north to Rochester and Lake Ontario; about 23 miles of trails serve hikers and mountain bikers, then skiers and snowshoers in winter. Leashed dogs are allowed.
Sunrise to sunset year-round; Overlook Road open May 1 to late October
- Hemlock-Canadice State Forest🌲 Preserve · Springwater · about 6 mi, 15 min drive
A 6,849-acre state forest around Hemlock and Canadice lakes, with about 14 miles of marked hiking trails; small boats only (motors 10 hp or less), and dogs must be leashed and kept out of the water.
Open year-round
Free
- Cumming Nature Center🌲 Preserve · Naples · about 8 mi, 20 min drive
A nature center of the Rochester Museum & Science Center on Gulick Road, with miles of hiking trails that become ski trails in winter.
- Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill🏞️ Park · Naples · about 7 mi, 20 min drive
At 2,246 feet in the Bristol Hills, the park's Jumpoff gives wide views to the east; 410 acres of woods with trails, a fishing pond, cabins and campsites. It is a carry-in, carry-out park.
Daily 9 am–9 pm year-round; camping Mother's Day to Columbus Day
Campsites from $20, cabins $40–$50 (2026 rates)
- Grimes Glen Park💧 Waterfall · Naples · about 14 mi, 25 min drive
A wooded glen at the edge of Naples village known for its waterfalls; parking at the glen is limited, so use the municipal lot on Mill Street.
Daily dawn to dusk, year-round; restrooms early May to October
- Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park🌷 Garden · Canandaigua · about 18 mi, 30 min drive
A 50-acre estate a few blocks from downtown Canandaigua, with a mansion, flower gardens and greenhouses; October brings 'Mansion Mysteries' evenings and a Haunted Stroll (October 25, 2026).
May 1–October 31, Thursday–Monday 9:30 am–4:30 pm (last admission 4 pm)
- Granger Homestead & Carriage Museum🏛️ Museum · Canandaigua · about 19 mi, 30 min drive
The home of four generations of the Granger family on North Main Street, on more than 12 acres, with a carriage museum; seen on guided tours.
Tours Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am–4 pm
- Ganondagan State Historic Site🏛️ Historic site · Victor · about 19 mi, 30 min drive
A Seneca site with a full-size bark longhouse furnished as in the late 1600s, the Seneca Art & Culture Center, and three interpretive trails including one to Fort Hill.
Art & Culture Center Wednesday–Saturday 9 am–4 pm; longhouse May 1–October 31, Wednesday–Saturday 10 am–4 pm
Adults $8, seniors and students $4, children 5–11 $2 (May–October)
- Genesee Country Village & Museum🏛️ Museum · Mumford · about 32 mi, 50 min drive
A 19th-century village museum with early settlement, center village and gaslight districts, a sporting and wildlife art gallery, a costume collection and a nature center with a sugar house; October brings evening 'Spirits After Dark' walks.
General admission Friday–Sunday, 10 am–3 pm
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Rooster Hill VineyardsWinery or vineyard (21+) · Penn Yan
Rooster Hill Vineyards looks over the northeast side of Keuka Lake from its terrace; tastings of six wines, ciders or port daily 11 am–6 pm, with light refreshments and pets welcome.
- Sheldrake Point WineryWinery or vineyard (21+) · Ovid
A 60-acre estate vineyard on Cayuga Lake's western shore with a bistro serving lunch, and dinner Friday through Sunday, worth the longer drive east.
- Standing Stone VineyardsWinery or vineyard (21+) · Hector
An east Seneca Lake winery where you build your own tasting, with no reservations needed and local cheese, meat and olives for a charcuterie board; open Thursday through Monday.
- Gro-Moore FarmsU-pick farm · Rush
U-pick strawberries in Rush and blueberries and blackberries in Henrietta, about 30 minutes north; the fields are closed until the 2027 season.
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMHarriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area
Start at the Overlook Road viewpoint over Honeoye Lake and take a short trail walk; about 45 minutes.
- 11:05 AMAurora Lavender Farm · about 20 min drive
About 20 minutes around the south end of the lake to East Lake Road. Cut your own lavender and shop the farm store (summer weekends, 11 am–3 pm); about an hour.
- 12:25 PMOntario County Park at Gannett Hill · about 20 min drive
About 20 minutes up into the Bristol Hills for the view from the Jumpoff; about 30 minutes.
- 1:10 PMGrimes Glen Park · about 15 min drive
About 15 minutes down to Naples. Park on Mill Street and walk into the glen to the falls; about 45 minutes.
- 2:30 PMRooster Hill Vineyards · about 35 min drive
About 35 minutes east to Keuka Lake for a late, light lunch from the refreshments on the terrace and a six-pour tasting; about 75 minutes. Plan a designated driver.
- 4:30 PMSheldrake Point Winery · about 45 min drive
About 45 minutes east to Cayuga Lake. Walk the lakeshore estate and stay for dinner at the bistro (Friday–Sunday from 5 pm).
Tips
- Aurora Lavender Farm is open only on Saturdays and Sundays from late June to early August, 11 am to 3 pm; in 2026 it closed on Sunday, July 19, for a private event.
- Harriet Hollister Spencer's Overlook Road closes in late October; the trails stay open year-round.
- Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill is carry-in, carry-out, so bring a bag for your trash.
- Grimes Glen has very little parking at the glen itself and no room for large RVs or trailers; use the Mill Street lot in Naples.
- Hemlock and Canadice lakes have boat limits: vessels 17 feet or shorter and motors of 10 hp or less.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When can I pick lavender near Honeoye Lake?
At Aurora Lavender Farm on summer weekends: in 2026, Saturdays and Sundays from June 27 to August 2, 11 am to 3 pm (closed July 19).
What else does Aurora Lavender Farm sell?
Its own honey, beeswax candles and bars, New York maple syrup, culinary lavender, lavender tea and syrups, and body care made with lavender.
Where is the best view of Honeoye Lake?
From Overlook Road in Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area, about 20 minutes from the lavender farm; the road is open May 1 to late October.
Are dogs allowed on the nearby trails?
Yes at Harriet Hollister Spencer (leashed, up to two pets) and in Hemlock-Canadice State Forest, where dogs must be leashed and kept out of the water.
🪪 Collect a stamp at every stop
The free Lavender Passport keeps a stamp for each farm and stop you visit, in real life and in the Lavender Farm Simulator. At the farm, play Field Quest to collect plant varieties as you walk, climb the leaderboards and unlock sponsor rewards.
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