Go Beyond Sustainably

Day One

Start your visit at Montezuma Heritage Park, right off the Thruway (I-90). Designated on the National Register of Historic Places, you will see the original towpaths from the historic remains of the Erie Canal. Admire nature’s beauty as you hike or bike along one of 11 natural trails or paddle your way through the water, alongside the Richmond Aqueduct, the second largest aqueduct on the Canal.  

Just down the road is Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, where over 9,800 acres of land provides refuge for waterfowl and other migratory birds. Be sure to bring your binoculars to catch sight of the 300 birds and wildlife that rest, nest and feed at Montezuma – located within one of the most active flight paths for migrating birds.   

Relax at Prison City’s North Street Brewery & Taproom in Auburn, N.Y. with a bite and a cold drink. This urban farm brewery has a large courtyard where you can sit and soak in the outdoors while sipping freshly brewed craft beer. A seasonal food truck has small plates, hot sandwiches and artisan pizzas that serve a variety of dietary preferences.  

If timing aligns with class offerings, stop into Zen Den Studios, whose practices are built upon health, healing and sustainability. Participate in a yoga close or meditation session, all of which are centered around inclusion and social consciousness. Attached is 3 Leaf Tea (days and times vary), a café serving matcha tea imported directly from reputable growers in Japan. Owner Luciana Torous discovered life-changing benefits from drinking matcha and now hopes to share her story with others.  

The perfect place to end your day is Elderberry Pond, overlooking the orchards, vineyards and seasonal vegetable plantings of this certified organic farm. Its 36 acres produces a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs – many of which make their way onto the menu, along with pasture raised meats from the farm. 

Spend your night in one of the lodging options around Auburn. You will find familiar chains like including Hilton Garden Inn and Holiday Inn, intimate accommodations like The Auburn Inn, Skaneateles Inn on 20 and Sleepy Hollow Motel, or historic properties, such as Springside Inn. 

Day Two

Enjoy a fresh start to your morning with breakfast from Café 108, open Mondays through Saturdays. This community gathering spot sells healthy, sustainably grown food wrapped in eco-friendly packaging. Not only does the café nourish the community, it offers “affordable access to the arts” by donating all of its profits to the Auburn Public Theater. 

Stroll through Fort Hill Cemetery, where you can pay respects to some of Cayuga County’s most notable residents – including Harriet Tubman, William H. Seward, Martha Coffin Wright and Indian orator Chief Logan. You may even catch a guided arbor tour to learn about the various trees found around the cemetery grounds.  

Get out on Owasco Lake at Owasco Paddles, where you can rent a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard. If you’d prefer to stay on land, walk along the water at Emerson Park with one mile of lake front and two miles of river front. Or pick up a frisbee and try your hand at disc golf at Emerson Park along the 18-hole course, free to the public.  

Taste the time, dedication and respect that goes into each bottle of wine at Heart & Hands Wine Company in Union Springs, N.Y. Husband and wife team, Tom and Susan Higgins, create high-quality products by preserving the beauty of their grapes. The estate vineyard is sustainably farmed without using insecticides or herbicides, and grapes are harvested and sorted by hand to select only the best berries for consumption.  

Admire the view of Cayuga Lake as you drive along the shoreline to Aurora, N.Y. for dinner. Choose from the delicious dining options that serve up seasonal flavors no matter the month. 1833 Kitchen & Bar makes the majority of its menu from scratch, sourcing ingredients from local producers and responsible harvesters. Or sit back and relax at Aurora Cooks! demonstration kitchen, where you will learn cooking secrets from expert chef. The multi-course meals will give you a glimpse inside a chef’s kitchen while tasting the area’s agricultural goodness. 

Stay overnight at one of the historic properties associated with the Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa. Its commitment to sustainability includes utilizing geothermal systems to heat and cool the resort, focusing on responsible water management and minimizing light pollution. 

Day Three

Less than a 10-minute drive will bring you to Dugan’s Country Grill. More than a restaurant, Dugan’s is a community centered around comfort food made with the freshest and heartiest ingredients sourced from local farms. The down-home atmosphere is made even more cozy with the art along the walls that showcase the area’s farms and vineyards.  

As a guest of the Inns of Aurora, you can sign up for a variety of outdoor experiences – from archery and bicycling to birdwatching and stargazing. Spend time with the Inns’ dedicated outdoorsman on a guided hike (complete with s’mores) or outdoor survival skills workshop to learn how to leave no trace while enjoying the scenic beauty of the Finger Lakes.   

Learn about the evolving trends of agriculture in Cayuga County at Howland Farm Museum, just down the road from the Inns. Tour the original homestead grounds of Augustus and Phebe Jane Howland, who lived there from 1832 to 1887, by appointment. Or participate in one of the community events throughout the year – such as nature yoga, music at the museum, Earth Day clean up and more. 

On your way out of the county, stop at Little Yard Farm in Moravia, N.Y. The female driven homestead supplies health remedies, beauty products and meals grown largely on the farm. On select dates, you’re welcome to “pop in and pick up” eggs, homemade bread, herbals and more from the farmstand. Watch the website for information on upcoming events; Winnie & Evie’s Greenhouse Gatherings are place-based 5-course meals inside the bohemian-chic greenhouse.