A local alum’s 36-hour guide to Canandaigua—the gateway to the Finger Lakes
The Seneca call Canandaigua Lake kanandague, “the chosen spot.” For Jake Braniecki ’18, this stunning Finger Lakes waterfront community is home—and a front door to wine country, craft breweries, outdoor recreation, and exceptional restaurants.
“Canandaigua is a beautiful small city—close enough to Rochester to stay connected, but with its own personality and strong sense of community,” says Braniecki. “In the summer, the lake draws visitors from all over. Fall brings incredible foliage, and in winter, you’re a short drive from some great skiing.”
Boathouses at Canandaigua City Pier (Photo by Matt Wittmeyer)
Visiting soon or for Meliora Weekend? Here are Braniecki’s top picks:
Day 1
6:30 p.m.
Start with a stroll down Main Street. Grab a beer at Frequentem Brewing Co.—a hip taproom housed in a former Byrne Dairy building—and then head to KiX ON MAIN, for rooftop drinks and Braniecki’s favorite chicken French. Or try Nolan’s on Canandaigua Lake, a casual yet upscale restaurant. After dinner, venture to the water for sunset and get ice cream at Scoops, a popular local destination.
Cannoli ice cream cone with sprinkles at Scoops (Photo by Marina Volpini)
9:00 p.m.
Make your way to the lakeside bar at Hotel Canandaigua—nicknamed the Bird Cage. Settle in with a drink, catch the last light, and, if you’re lucky, enjoy live music. Or try the Sand Bar at The Lake House, a Michelin Guide-recognized resort and one of the Finger Lakes’ premier places to stay. Order a seasonal margarita or a Blue Whale, one of the bar’s signature cocktails.
Day 2
9:00 a.m.
Coffee to start the day (Photo provided by Working Class Coffee)
Grab coffee at Working Class Coffee or the Dalai Java. Before heading to the water, stop at Wegmans Food Markets to stock up on the day’s provisions.
11:00 a.m.
Spend the day in, on, or near the water. Launch a kayak at Kershaw Park or rent one—or a stand-up paddleboard—from Canandaigua Sailboard. Braniecki recommends paddling out around the small island off the pier. Known as Skenoh Island since 2001, its name comes from the Seneca word for “peace,” reflecting the area’s Indigenous heritage. With a group? Rent a pontoon or other boat from Seager Marine for sightseeing, fishing, tubing, or water skiing. Or book a cruise on the Canandaigua Lady, an authentic 19th-century replica of a double-decker paddlewheel steamboat. If you prefer to stay on shore, set up at the public beach for swimming and relaxing.
Waterfall, Onanda Park (Photo by Matt Wittmeyer)
4:00 p.m.
For a more secluded beach experience, check out Onanda Park (there’s an entry fee for the beach, but the upland trails are free), a former YWCA summer camp. Across the road, wooded trails wind along Barnes Gully to waterfall overlooks—water shoes are helpful if you plan to explore near the creek.
7:00 p.m.
For dinner, try The Green Front, just off Main Street. “Such a great atmosphere and I always run into someone I know,” says Braniecki. His favorite: the wings.
Day 3
9:00 a.m.
Take a final walk along the Canandaigua City Pier and stop by The Pier Market for a souvenir. If you have time, take a drive down West Lake Road, lined with beautiful homes. Or hop on your bike and explore the backcountry roads.
Looking for more to do?
Music: Get tickets to a CMAC (Constellation Brands–Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center) concert—lawn or pavilion seating. Late summer will bring big names, including Brandi Carlile, Luke Bryan, and John Fogerty with Steve Winwood. Visit Star Cider (next to CMAC), known for its craft ciders made from 100% New York apples.
Wine: Check out wine trails around the Finger Lakes. On the Keuka Wine Trail, Braniecki recommends Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, with nearby stops like Heron Hill Winery and Bully Hill Vineyards. On Seneca Lake, Three Brothers Wineries and Estates offers wine, beer, cider, and craft soda and is one of Braniecki’s favorite places.
Outdoors: Have fun every season. Braniecki skis Bristol Mountain throughout the winter and says its fall weekends aren’t to be missed, with chairlift rides, live music, and leaf-peeping. Braniecki, an avid golfer, also recommends playing one of the region’s scenic public courses, known for lush summer greens and stunning fall foliage views.
Festival: Enjoy the Naples Grape Festival every year in late September, a two-day celebration of the harvest with pie, tastings, music, and crafts.
Tradition: Every Saturday of Labor Day weekend, Canandaigua Lake glows at dusk as shoreline residents illuminate the water with flares and campfires—a custom rooted in Seneca harvest celebrations marking summer’s end.
Meet your guide
Jake Braniecki
Braniecki, a Canandaigua native, is a digital marketing leader at Wegmans Food Markets who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from URochester. As a student, he was active across campus—serving on the Class Council, the Students’ Association Government, the Psychology Undergraduate Council, and the Ski and Snowboard Club. Today, he stays involved through the Rochester Young Alumni Council, The Meliora Collective, and as a class volunteer.
The child of two URochester alumni, Braniecki’s connection to his alma mater runs deep. “I love the University—I’ve met so many great people there, including some of my closest friends,” he says. “I’ve stayed involved because I enjoy the community, value connecting with people, and care deeply about the student experience.”
—Kristine Kappel Thompson, August 2026
For Ever Better
This story originally appeared in the For Ever Better campaign edition of the University of Rochester BUZZ magazine, a publication that celebrates and inspires our vibrant, global community of more than 130,000 alumni, and countless other friends.
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