Some great things to do near Keuka Lake, NY include visiting Finger Lakes wineries, excellent restaurants, an inspiring museum, and much more.
Of the 11 New York Finger Lakes, Keuka Lake is the ugly duckling because of its Y shape. Y-shaped lakes are rare on planet Earth but another is Lake Como in Italy (George Clooney lives there)—so Keuka Lake is in great company.
The southern end of Keuka Lake is in Steuben county, New York; the county is actually larger than the state of Rhode Island. Hammondsport is the commercial hub of southern Keuka Lake but has less than 1,000 residents. Hammondsport village was named “coolest small town in America” in 2012 by Budget Travel magazine readers. The northern end of Keuka Lake is in Yates county and the largest town is Penn Yan.
My visit was sponsored by Corning and the Southern Finger Lakes, which is the travel brand of Steuben County, New York.
Incidentally, Keuka is pronounced “cue-kah” and during your visit you will see signs with “Q-ka.” Keuka Lake is one of the few lakes in the world to flow in two directions. The water flows north AND south because it is actually two ancient rivers (thus, the Y shape).
8 Great Things To Do Near Keuka Lake
These great things to do near Keuka Lake are all in Steuben County, New York and thus are in the southern part of the lake. Perhaps future McCool Travel articles will cover the northern part of Keuka Lake and the other New York Finger Lakes.
1. Dr. Konstanin Frank Wine Cellars
Dr. Konstantin Frank is considered the guy who changed winemaking in the Northeast and perhaps all of the United States. Dr. Frank was part of a team of European scientists who developed a natural solution to counter the Phylloxera pest destroying vines. Dr. Frank came to the Finger Lakes in 1951, it reminded him of the German Riesling regions, and he aspired to produce the world’s best wine. His great-granddaughter, Meaghan, now runs the estate as the 4th generation. Their new 1886 Experience, food and wine pairing, was named by Zagat as a top food/wine experience. Dr. Frank Wines is located about 5.5 miles north of Hammondsport village. Check their Facebook page for event announcements and their TripAdvisor reviews.
2. Heron Hill Winery
Heron Hill Winery has three tasting rooms but the one overlooking Keuka Lake, near Hammondsport, was voted by Travel & Leisure magazine as one of top 10 spectacular tasting room views in the world. Heron Hill Winery is located about 3.5 miles north of Hammondsport village. Check their Facebook page for event announcements and their TripAdvisor reviews.
There are actually 21 wineries around Keuka Lake and 11 of them are in Steuben County.
3. Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation Museum
Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation Museum recognizes one of the most influential aviation pioneers. Curtiss earned the first pilot license after successfully making the first pre-announced, public flight in USA; the Wright Brothers flight was not advertised and not public.
Curtiss was also the “fastest man on Earth” in 1907 when he hit a speed of 136 MPH with his V-8 motorcycle. Interesting speed comparison, two years later he won the first ever international aviation race with a speed of 46.5 MPH. Curtiss also pioneered the first circular flight, first flight school, and first amphibious aircraft (which made him the Father of US Naval Aviation).
I was fascinated to learn that he later used his fortune to build many communities in South Florida, including Miami Springs, Hialeah, and Opa Locka. The Curtiss Aviation Museum is located just 1 mile southwest of Hammondsport village.
4. Timber Stone Grill
Timber Stone Grill, located in Hammondsport village, uses locally sourced produce and proteins and serves Keuka brews. Not only is the food amazing but their setting is gorgeous. When the weather is decent, they open their lovely porch seating area.
The inside dining area, though, has warm and clean wooden decor throughout.
We had a magnificent Timber Burger and a scrumptious Salmon BLT.
We did not save room for dessert but still managed to try their remarkable peach pie.
5. Lakeside Restaurant
Lakeside Restaurant and Tavern is located 8 miles north of Hammondsport village. Its setting on Keuka Lake makes for a pleasant meal or happy hour visit.
Lakeside has ample outside seating—on a multi-level deck and the Dockside Bar—and an indoor dining area. Many patrons arrive by boat—either on their own boat or on the On Keuka water taxi (see below). Our main entrees were the seafood paste and grilled scallops. Both were really good..
6. Explore Keuka Lake
It would be a shame to visit Steuben County and not go on or in Keuka Lake itself. In July, there is no speed limit on Keuka Lake during the classic regatta boat races. In September, a fly-in fest of vintage amphibious aircraft commemorates native son Glenn H. Curtiss (inventor of the first amphibious aircraft).
We were thrilled when we had a chance to take a 45 minute lake tour from Mary Jo of OnKeuka. In addition to the lake tours, OnKeuka offers a water taxi service (to Lakeside Restaurant and other stops), delivery (of people and provisions to vacation homes), and a water/land tour of wineries, breweries, distilleries, with a bus transfer back to Hammondsport.
7. Steuben Brewing Company
Brewmaster Chad Zimar operates the family-run farm brewery Steuben Brewing Company.
Steuben Brewing Company recently won the Gold medal for Top Brown Ale at New York Craft Beer and Food Festival. They offer seasonal flavors—like Pumpkin Ale, Oktoberfest, and Yuletide—in addition to super fresh traditional batches.
SBC celebrated their second anniversary on September 24, 2016. They have a NY State Farm Brew designation, meaning 20% of their hop and barley/malt are from New York.
8. Keuka Bakery Company
MCCOOL TRAVEL UPDATE: Keuka Bakery Company has CLOSED. Please support your favorite small businesses so they do not meet the same fate.
Keuka Bakery Company is a fun local business. I love their Keuka Lake shaped cookies. Well, I loved how they looked  because I neglected to get one after my bagel breakfast sandwich, which they serve with tater tots. Yum.
Even the floor of Keuka Bakery Company is cool. Each of the dots is a penny or a nickel. It might be the most expensive floor in Hammondsport!
What are some of your favorite things to do near Keuka Lake?
I grew up in Rochester (and lifeguarded on the northeast tip of Keuka Lake back in the day!) but I love to see how the region is always growing and changing a little. My father in law just moved to Steuben County and I’m excited to explore some of the restaurants you shared!
You were a lifeguard? Cool! Let me know of nay other restaurants you try.
I’d love to visit the Museum and the Winery the most! Great read!
Thank you, Gina. Let me know what you think about them.
It’s amazing how little you can know about a place you grew up so close to. I spent so much time growing up in NY and due to the narrowly focused culture of the place I never knew about any of this stuff! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the nice note. It was a fun place to explore and I look forward to returning to the Southern Finger Lakes.
Timber Stone Grill seems like my kind of place.
Excellent. Let me know what you think when you go. Tell them you heard about their restaurant from me. 😀