This Charming Lakeside Town In New York Is Great For A Romantic Getaway With Scenic Views

Planning a romantic getaway? We've got you covered. Located in Upstate New York, about five hours northwest of New York City and a bit more than 2.5 hours southeast of Buffalo, Hammondsport, New York is a charming village on the southern shore of Keuka Lake. Settled in the late-18th century and incorporated in 1856, Hammondsport today is a hamlet in the town of Urbana. The idyllic village could easily be the setting for a Hallmark Christmas movie. (New York is already home to at least two Hallmark Christmas filming locations you can actually visit.)

It's a foodie's delight, with dining options ranging from sandwich shops and breakfast joints to friendly pubs and cozy bistros. It's also smack-dab in the heart of New York's Finger Lakes wine region — the best wine-tasting vacation destination on the east coast — and is widely acknowledged as the birthplace of the Finger Lakes viticulture industry. Unique shops and boutiques line the village streets, and the surrounding area is chock full of romantic lodging options ranging from historic inns to rustic cabins and cozy yurts.

Hammondsport's role in the genesis of the Finger Lakes wine industry took root in 1829 when Rev. William Bostwick planted cuttings from Catawba and Isabella grape vines. Bostwick procured the cuttings from established Hudson Valley vineyards. By some accounts, both the Catawba and Isabella cultivars emerged as hybrid crosses of imported European and indigenous American grapes. Whatever their provenance, both flourished in Bostwick's vineyard on the southern tip of Keuka Lake. An influx of French winegrowers in the mid-1800s jumpstarted the burgeoning wine industry and, a century later in 1958, Dr. Konstantin Frank successfully grafted European Riesling and Chardonnay vines. taking the quality of Finger Lakes wines to a whole new level. In 1982, Finger Lakes became an official American Viticultural Area.

Hammondsport is home to plenty of wineries — it's one of the top east coast destinations for the ultimate bachelorette winery weekend — including a few that stand out for their romantic ambience. One of the best is also one of the originals. Spread across a hillside overlooking Keuka Lake, Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery is the 21st-century incarnation of the experimental vinifera winery where Frank successfully established European vines in 1958. Wine-tastings curated by a wine educator take place in a tasting room against a backdrop of expansive views of the surrounding vineyards and the lake. Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery's 1886 Wine Experience is an intimate tasting comprising a viticultural component followed by a wine-flight tasting accompanied by light bites, and Eugenia's Table offers seasonal al fresco tastings in a garden setting.

Another oldie but goodie, Weis Vineyards dates to 1929 and Rev. William Bostwick's original cuttings. Offering expansive views of Keuka Lake, the winery specializes in German-style dry wines, but is also well-known for its Riesling Ice. The Hammondsport region features so many unique wineries in beautiful settings, it's difficult to cover them all, but we'd be remiss if we didn't mention Heron Hill Winery.

The stunning hillside vineyard offers three distinct wedding sites. These include garden weddings on the lawn with vistas of Keuka Lake, tented space with a handcrafted oak bar, and a 100-year-old barn-turned-tasting room overlooking nearby Canandaigua Lake, just in case your romantic getaway opens the door to a lifetime of wedded bliss. The town of Canandaigua on the lake's northern tip is also home to one of the best annual Christmas markets in the U.S..

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. There's plenty to discover about Hammondsport before anyone gets down on bended knee. We mentioned Hammondsport could easily be the setting for a Hallmark Christmas movie. That's at least partially due to the fact that the town has managed to maintain its period charm, so much so that in December 2024, the National Park Service granted the entire village historic landmark status. The designation ensures the architectural landmarks, including the vintage storefronts lining Village Square, ensuring Hammondsport's unique appeal is preserved for future generations.

If the idea of discovering vintage treasure in an antique shop piques your interest, make a beeline for Patina. Located in a one-time opera house dating to 1901, Patina is a great place to wander aimlessly while perusing the eclectic assortment of merchandise, and possibly coming across exactly what you didn't even know you were looking for, but can't live without. In addition to antiques, Patina also features the work of local artists and artisans.

While exploring the historic village, take time to notice the details that make it unique. The small hamlet is home to a surprising blend of architectural styles encompassing Federal, Greek Revival, and Queen Anne designs. Be sure to stop by the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum. The local landmark chronicles Hammondsport's role in the development of the U.S. aviation industry. Curtiss, a Hammondsport native and early aviation enthusiast, established one of the country's first aircraft manufacturing facilities. Elsewhere, the Finger Lakes Boating Museum is dedicated to preserving Hammondsport's boating legacy, including the region's role in the 19th-century development of steamboat routes to transport goods through the Erie Canal. The museum also offers seasonal lake tours aboard a restored vintage passenger boat built in 1924. Sounds pretty romantic to us.