You’re on vacation, right? You have to go home with things from the Finger Lakes, right? Let us help you find some of the best shopping opportunities for not only great things to buy, but just to go have fun, too!
WEGMANS – Auburn, Canandaigua, Corning, Elmira, Geneseo, Geneva, Ithaca
Welcome to America’s greatest grocery store. That’s right, we said it.
If you’re visiting the Finger Lakes from somewhere in the northeast United States, you may have already had, and enjoyed, your Wegmans experience. If you haven’t yet, what’s up with that?
But no matter where you are visiting from, if you have not yet been blessed with a trip to a Wegmans store, now is your chance. Go just for the experience of it for sure, but go especially if you’re going to need some grocery items for your stay while you are here.
This American treasure began in Rochester in the early 20th century. It slowly expanded into the Finger Lakes area and has now exploded across the northeast states and is now located as far south as North Carolina. There is a reason for this. Quite simply, shopping at a Wegmans is a grocery shopping experience unlike any other.
We’re not going to provide you with any more details, purposefully. We want to leave you curious. Just go. Find the closest one to your Finger Lakes location, and just go!
Still skeptical? 25 Reasons Wegmans is the Greatest Supermarket The World Will Ever Know
SATURDAYS AT THE WINDMILL – Penn Yan
Officially known as The Windmill Farm & Craft Market, “the Windmill” is an extremely popular seasonal shopping experience in the Finger Lakes. Locals make weekly trips and tourists rave about it to their friends when they get home. Open from late April to mid-December, you should try to experience this unique shopping opportunity if you find yourself available on a Saturday during your visit.
Begun on a late June Saturday in 1987 amidst skepticism and doubt, on the next week the traffic was backed up for 5 miles at opening, just from word of mouth. The market immediately began expansion and hasn’t looked back three and a half decades since.
Originally focused on local farm produce, the market has expanded to include crafts and other locally produced items. Many of the vendors are from the local Amish and Mennonite community. Everything from fresh produce and cut flowers, to tools, artwork, garden supplies and more can be found for your family, or your family pets!
In addition to shopping for gifts and things to take home, many people come here just to eat! There are several stands that serve outstanding breakfast and lunch items for you, including a weekly BBQ stand. Just make sure to save room for dessert!
There are often music and other entertainment performances going on while you stroll the indoor and outdoor walking pathways, and they have classic car shows several times each year.
Located on route 14A midway between Penn Yan and Dundee, the market is open all Saturdays (and select Monday holidays) from 8AM to 4:30PM. Parking and admission is free, they accept tour bus groups, are handicapped accessible, and yes, your pooch is welcome!
For more information: http://www.thewindmill.com/
FINGER LAKES UNIQUE – Corning
Write up coming soon!