Situated in the southern tip of Keuka Lake, Hammondsport offers a great mix of outdoor activities and beautiful scenery. Vineyards will engulf you as you take in the scenic views of the lake. While it’s a small town destination that offers a respite from large crowds, it has no shortage of fun-filled and relaxing activities. From kayaking, jet skiing, and fishing to visiting museums and wine-tasting, this quaint little village in New York has something in store for every kind of traveler. No wonder it’s hailed as one of America’s Coolest Small Town. Heading to Hammondsport soon? Here are the top 10 things to do in Hammondsport, NY.
1. Spot the vintage vehicles at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum (from USD 13.0)
Make your way through an incredible collection of historic planes and automobiles, as well as vintage boats, bicycles, and other modes of transportation at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum. When you get this tour with Viator, you can skip the line at the ticket booth and go straight inside.
Glenn H Curtiss Museum Admission Ticket
Duration 2 hours
2. Rent a boat from Keuka Watersports
Hammondsport is located on the southern banks of the long Keuka Lake, so while you’re in town, don’t miss the opportunity to go sailing in its cool waters. If you don’t have a water vehicle, you can easily rent one from Keuka Watersports. They offer boats, jet skis, kayaks, and paddleboards. You can even purchase water sports equipment here.
Keuka Watersports
Address: 7 Water Street, Hammondsport, NY
Website: Keuka Watersports
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
3. Go fishing with Keuka Bigfoot Charters
Keuka Lake is a great place to introduce your kids to the world of fishing. They’ll pick up life skills, most importantly patience and the moral lesson that when you wait just long enough, you will be rewarded. We highly recommend going on a fishing trip with Keuka Bigfoot Charters– they specialize in bringing kids out to fish! And while you’re in Hammondsport, it always helps to support local establishments like Keuka Bigfoot Charters.
Keuka Bigfoot Charters
Address: Keuka Lake, Hammondsport, NY
Website: Keuka Bigfoot Charters
Price: 300 USD per trip (up to 6 passengers)
4. Visit the old vineyards of Pleasant Valley Wine Company
When you’re in the Finger Lakes region, be sure to drop by Pleasant Valley Wine Company, especially if you’re an oenophile. This is the oldest winery in the region, dating back to 1860. The vineyards and the cellars aren’t the only places to check out. Pleasant Valley Wine Company has eight historic stone buildings, all included in the United States’ National Register of Historic Places. Guided tours are only available from Memorial Day to mid-November, weather permitting, so plan your trip ahead.
Pleasant Valley Wine Company
Address: 8260 Pleasant Valley Road, Hammondsport, NY
Website: Pleasant Valley Wine Company
Opening hours: Jan - Mar: Tue - Sat: 10am - 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon); Apr - Dec: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun)
Price: 5 USD
5. Taste local brews at Steuben Brewing Company
Hammondsport has been voted America’s coolest small town by the readers of ‘Budget Travel’ because of plenty of reasons. One of those is the great local brews courtesy of Steuben Brewing Company. This family-operated farm and brewery produce excellent beer, which you can sample directly from the tap then take home with you when you purchase a couple of cans. Favorites include the Steuben Club IPA and the NY PILS.
Steuben Brewing Company
Address: 10286 Judson Road, Hammondsport, NY
Website: Steuben Brewing Company
Opening hours: Wed: 12pm - 6pm; Thu: 12pm - 7pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 8pm; Sun: 12pm - 7pm (closed on Mon & Tues)
6. Enjoy outdoor activities with your family at HA Funland
Bring the entire family to HA Funland, where there is plenty of fun activities for the young and the young at heart. Beat each other’s high scores at the arcade. Try your hand at the escape room and see if your family can survive. Explore the nature trail. And when the hunger is no longer avoidable, fire up the wood oven and bring the entire group around to make some fresh pizza.
HA Funland
Address: 8383 Gallagher Road, Hammondsport, NY
Website: HA Funland
Opening hours: Jun - Oct: Sat: 12pm - 7pm (closed from Sun - Fri)
Price: 1 USD onwards
7. Get an aerial view with Finger Lakes Seaplanes
Now that you’ve explored the streets of Hammondsport and even experienced the cold waters of Keuka Lake, it’s time to take your adventure to the skies on a seaplane! Go on a seaplane tour of Hammondsport and the surrounding areas. Watch the landscape turn from populated town centers to rolling vineyards. When it comes to seaplane tours, the most trusted local outfitter is Finger Lakes Seaplanes.
Finger Lakes Seaplanes
Address: 13760 W Lake Road, Hammondsport, NY
Website: Finger Lakes Seaplanes
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 225 USD onwards
8. Watch local performances at Keuka Lake Players
Hammondsport locals have a penchant for the theater arts. This is most evident with Keuka Lake Players, a local non-profit where Steuben County residents can live out their theater dreams and perform in front of the people. It was founded in 1986, making it the oldest organization of its kind in the Finger Lakes region as well. They regularly hold summer, fall, and winter productions – just check their official website for upcoming productions and events.
Keuka Lake Players
Website: Keuka Lake Players
Price: 5 USD onwards
9. Gaze at fine artworks at Twig & Hollow Gallery
Want to check out some local art and photography? Head to Twig & Hollow Gallery, where the walls are displayed with various fine art and photographs from Hammondsport’s artists. If you love art or have children taking an interest in it, this is perhaps a must-do activity when in Hammondsport.
Twig & Hollow Gallery
Address: 65-67 Shethar Street, Hammondsport, NY
Website: Twig & Hollow Gallery
Opening hours: Wed: 2pm - 7pm; Fri - Sun: 2pm - 7pm (closed on Mon, Tue & Thu)
10. Hunt for vintage finds at Crooked Lake Antiques
Want some retail therapy while you’re in Hammondsport? Why not head to Crooked Lake Antiques and hunt for unique and vintage finds? Crooked Lake Antiques has everything, from beautiful and restored vintage furniture to heirlooms and a wide variety of one-of-a-kind collectibles. We recommend you make this your last stop before heading out of Hammondsport so you can get souvenirs and gifts for friends and loved ones who couldn’t make it with you to this town.
Crooked Lake Antiques
Address: 8428 NY-54, Hammondsport, NY
Website: Crooked Lake Antiques
Opening hours: Apr - Dec: 10am - 5pm (daily); Jan - Mar: Sat - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed from Mon - Fri)
11. Savor delicious ice creams at Crooked Lake Ice Cream Company
Winter, spring, summer or, fall– it doesn’t matter when you head to Hammondsport so long as you drop by Crooked Lake Ice Cream Company to sample the goods. In fact, Crooked Lake Ice Cream Company has been a destination in its own right for 30 years. It’s not just the big scoops, the sundaes, the milkshakes, and the coolers that keep people coming back. It’s the warm and friendly atmosphere as well.
Crooked Lake Ice Cream Company
Address: 35 Shether Street, Hammondsport, NY
Website: Crooked Lake Ice Cream Company
Opening hours: 7am - 9pm (daily)
12. Go kayaking with Keuka Seneca Kayak Rentals
Editor’s note: establishment is permanently closed
We already mentioned a couple of group activities you can enjoy on Keuka Lake, but this time around, let’s focus on you. You deserve some “me” time. Keuka Seneca Kayak Rentals, one of the local outfitters in the area, has a wide selection of kayaks for rent so you can go out, paddle, and enjoy some peace and solitude in the lake. We recommend going out in the early morning for a tranquil sunrise. It will set the day’s tone, trust us!
Keuka Seneca Kayak Rentals
Address: 59-67 Shethar Street, Hammondsport, NY
Website: Keuka Seneca Kayak Rentals
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 7am - 9pm
13. Have a picnic at Champlin Beach Park
If you’re not in the mood to do anything in particular and just want to enjoy the day outside, why not go on a picnic at Champlin Beach Park? Pack a couple of sandwiches and your preferred drinks, maybe even bring your favorite book with you, or invite the rest of the group to soak up the sun at Champlin Beach Park. From here, you can also easily go kayaking on Keuka Lake.
Champlin Beach Park
Address: NY-54, Hammondsport, NY
Website: Champlin Beach Park
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 7am - 6pm; Fri - Sun: 10am - 6pm
14. Walk down the Pulteney Square Historic District
Listed as part of the United States’ National Register of Historic Places in 1999, the Pulteney Square Historic District is a must-stop if you’re making your way through a historic tour of Hammondsport. There are a total of 15 buildings in the district, as well as a couple of notable Hammondsport sites like the village green and the Pulteney Square Bandstand. The entire historic district is estimated to date back between the 1800s and 1900s.
Pulteney Square Historic District
Address: Pulteney Square Historic District, Hammondsport, NY
Price: Free
15. Indulge in the best burgers at Burgers & Beer of Hammondsport
Look at that photo of one of the burgers served at Burgers & Beer of Hammondsport and tell us your mouth is not watering. Wow, all of a sudden we’re craving for the best burger we can find! But back to the topic, there is only place to find the most scrumptious burgers in Hammondsport and that’s Burgers & Beer of Hammondsport. Include this in your itinerary especially if you’re going on a food-and-drink trip in the Finger Lakes region.
Burgers & Beer of Hammondsport
Address: 41 Shethar Street, Hammondsport, NY
Website: Burgers & Beer of Hammondsport
Opening hours: 7:30am - 10:10pm (daily)
16. Try some classic Italian cuisine at Union Block Italian Bistro
We’re not sure if you noticed, but Shether Street is home to some of Hammondsport’s finest food and drink establishments. Take Union Block, for example. This is the best Italian restaurant in town, well-known for their take on Italian cuisine, which strikes the perfect balance between authentic and inventive. If you’re in the mood for some live music, head downstairs to the “grotto” for a good time.
Union Block Italian Bistro
Address: 31 Shether Street, Hammondsport, NY
Website: Union Block Italian Bistro
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 5pm - 9pm; Sat: 4pm - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 3pm
17. Visit The Cinnamon Stick
Down in Mechanic Street, you’ll find a cozy little gift shop called The Cinnamon Stick. Inside, a wealth of interesting curios abound, from unique collectibles to even gourmet goods. As the proprietors of The Cinnamon Stick say, “why go to the mall when we have it all?” Why, indeed!
The Cinnamon Stick
Address: 26 Mechanic Street, Hammondsport, NY
Website: The Cinnamon Stick
Opening hours: Mon: 4pm - 9pm; Tue - Wed: 9am - 9pm; Thu: 4pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 10pm; Sun: 12pm - 9pm
18. Dig in to a delish meal at Wiseguys Pizzeria & Subs
Should you ever find yourself craving for greasy good food in the middle of the night while you’re in Hammondsport, there is only one thing to do: go to Wiseguys Pizzeria & Subs and treat yourself. It’s a no-frills establishment that serves only the best pizzas and calzone in this side of Keuka Lake. And if you don’t want to get out of bed, call to have some of that goodness delivered to your hotel or vacation rental.
Wiseguys Pizzeria & Subs
Address: 90 Pulteney Street, Hammondsport, NY
Website: Wiseguys Pizzeria & Subs
Opening hours:Sun - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm
Welcome to Hammondsport
Hammondsport may be a small town, but now you know it’s packed with activities to do and restaurants to try. The moniker bestowed on Hammondsport is truly well-deserved. Sound off below if you agree and don’t forget to check out our website if you’d like to learn more about Hammondsport and the Finger Lakes region.