Simply put, Canandaigua is just a great place to live. We have excellent schools, award winning health care, beautiful homes, and a variety of jobs and shopping options. Add to those things the lake, the magnificent views, the lush farmland, the historic downtown, the tended neighborhoods, the proud public buildings—who could ask for much more! Canandaigua—the “Chosen Spot” to live, work, and play!

Canandaigua is host to many attractions including

Sonnenberg Gardens

Sonnenberg Gardens, Granger Homestead which was the home of the first Postmaster of the United States, Roseland Water Park, numerous bed and breakfasts, camps, and cottages along a pristine 16-mile long lake.

Our History

Canandaigua officially became a town in 1791. The first town meeting was held in April of that year and presided over by the first supervisor, Israel Chapin. Initially, there was no distinction made between the village and the town of Canandaigua. Then, in 1815, the village was officially established and in 1913 it became a city, thus creating two separate entities, the City and the Town of Canandaigua. The original Town of Canandaigua also included Cheshire Centerfield and Academy, which still remain within its borders. Cheshire Academy, and a long gone hamlet by the name of Padelford Station had post offices, and as such were called “Postal Villages” even though they were not incorporated villages. Padelford Station was on County Road 8 near the Farmington Town Line where the Auburn Line (NYCRR) and the Electric Trolley (R&ERR) crossed County Rd. 8 (Padelford Rd.) It was an important stop for supplying wood for the steam engines and had a passenger station.  More History

Parks, Restaurants and Attractions

Main Street

Canandaigua’s Main Street was originally built to accommodate the turning of double teams of horses but now boosts a vibrant shopping area of specialty stores, boutiques, and restaurants all housed in beautiful historical buildings. Main Street is also lined with restored Queen Anne and Victorian homes, many of which were previously owned by the Town’s founding families and all of which help to document the rich history of Canandaigua. Some homes have very interesting histories attached, especially one that keeps a lamp burning to light home the way of a local soldier killed in World War 1. Additionally, new shops, restaurants, and housing are under construction across from the waterfront as part of a major new project, the North Shore Development.

Kershaw Park, a beautiful area bordering the lake, offers a gazebo perfect for outdoor weddings, a winding trail for relaxing walks and, a vintage style steam boat,

Canandaigua Lady

‘The Canandaigua Lady’ that travels Canandaigua Lake twice daily during the spring and summer seasons.

The lake attracts a very lively duck and Canadian geese population and winter visitors of Artic Snow geese.  The birds enjoy visitors with bread to share!

Most winters, the lake freezes over and becomes dotted with ice fishing huts.  In warmer weather, art shows and craft fairs line the park and streets in addition to wine walks that showcase the various Finger Lake Wineries.

Canandaigua’s New York Wine & Culinary Center is designed to educate, engage, and excite people in a celebration of New York’s incredible beverage, agriculture, and culinary industries. Through partnerships with area farmers, wineries, breweries, distilleries, artisans, and entrepreneurs, the Center offers an array of inviting experiences which proudly highlight and promote the natural beauty, rich history, and agricultural bounty of New York State. The Center brings you the best of New York, all in one beautiful and scenic spot on the northern shore of Canandaigua Lake. The area offers many other delightful restaurants and cafes to tempt your palate or accompany your wine or microbrewery selection.

Canandaigua Lake

The Seneca Tribe, the Guardians of the Western Gate, named the area Canandaigua, which means “The Chosen Spot”. We are the home of the longest held Treaty between the Seneca Tribe and the government of the United States – an event remembered annually on November 11th.

Every Labor Day weekend, the advent of the Harvest is celebrated by ringing the Lake with flares with the Genundowa Festival of Lights. The signal to light the flares comes from Bare Mountain where the Seneca Tribe holds their Harvest Ceremony. The lighting of their great bonfire is the signal for all the flares to be lit. A memorable event not to be missed!

Bristol Mountain Resort offers year-round activities including Skiing, zip-lines, fall foliage viewing, and more.

Canandaigua City School District

Canandaigua City School District is ranked number 14 out of 67 ranked schools in the Rochester area by Rochester’s Business Journal Business First. In Canandaigua, the NYS Common Core curriculum is systematically modified to ensure it meets the developing needs of our specific pupils. The Character Education principles are embedded into the curriculum at each grade level. The educational program includes extensive technology use, both for access to resources and for classroom instructional delivery. The District’s technology backbone is at industry standard and provides full wireless capability for all buildings. There is also a wide range of technology course offerings, particularly at Canandaigua Academy (High School).

The Academy’s resource-rich library website is an “International Best of the Web” site for large high schools. Each building’s library can be accessed by our students from their homes via the District web site, a NYSPRA “Award of Excellence”  site.

Health Care Facilities

The Canandaigua VA Medical Center, part of VA Health Care Upstate New York, provides inpatient and outpatient care to veterans living in upstate New York since 1933. The Medical Center has been designated as a VA Center of Excellence for research and education of mental health issues. The national VA Suicide/Crisis Hotline call center is also located on the Canandaigua campus.

F. F. Thompson Hospital, a division of the acclaimed University of Rochester Medical Center , is a busy and respected hospital taking care of the health needs of our residents. We have first class doctors and dentists to help manage your health!

Visit us…our lake…our town…and be welcome!