A place to live in and love
Entertainment, shopping, and sights make this a great community
The city of Canandaigua sits at the north end of Canandaigua Lake. There’s something for everyone to love! Main Street is home to many local businesses, drawing visitors from all over. Local business owners come together to host events frequently. For instance, the monthly Wine Walk gives participants a chance to visit a number of shops along Main Street while sampling local wines. Canandaigua is also a beautiful place to raise a family or retire. Summers offer boating and swimming at any of the public beaches along the lake. Meanwhile, the snowy hills of Bristol Mountain are perfect for downhill skiers and snowboarders alike.
Local students can participate in one of Canandaigua School District’s many arts or athletic programs. Many students graduate with college credits or training to go directly into a trade.
The landscape in and around Canandaigua provides nature lovers with plenty of places to enjoy life. Rolling hills make for incredible views, and there’s plenty of farmland toward the north end of town for the more country-oriented. Of course, any place with a view of (or access to) the lake is one to be treasured!
Local residents even have a top-notch hospital right in town. Thompson Hospital is affiliated with UR Medicine. Several UR Medicine doctors practice in Canandaigua and at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. This affiliation is a real bonus for the Finger Lakes Region, as cutting-edge technology is available as a result.
Whether you’re interested in living by the lake, moving to a neighborhood, or spreading out in the countryside, there’s a place for you.
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Canandaigua Lake: Year-round fun
There’s always something going on.
Picturesque Canandaigua Lake doesn’t just look pretty – it provides drinking water, entertainment, and has a rich history as well!
The lake is the sole source of drinking water for the town and city of Canandaigua. In fact, the drinking water is so good it was entered into a competition in 2013. The American Water Works Association’s competition named this the best drinking water in New York State!
The lake also brings families and friends together all year long. In early spring, Onanda Park hosts Polar Plunge events for the tough-skinned adventurer. Runoff from the surrounding hills creates lovely creek beds and waterfalls for hiking. Warm weather means swimming and boating. Meanwhile, craft, music, and food festivals adorn the shoreline every few weeks. (Canandaigua’s Events Calendar is available here.) Even in the frigid cold of winter, you’ll see dedicated fisherman setting up their ice huts.
History lovers won’t run out of interesting stories about the area either. 10,000-year-old Squaw Island has been in the news often over the last decade as locals fight to protect what’s left from erosion. Kids might enjoy Roseland Waterpark, but historians will love the stories and pictures of Roseland Park’s original location. The park was once situated right on the shoreline near Kershaw. The park opened in 1925 and featured everything from a wooden rollercoaster to live circus acts. Taking a tour aboard the Canandaigua Lady is a perfect way to appreciate the sights and hear more about the rich history of the area.
Big town, small city feel
Plenty of amenities, but no skyscrapers.
Canandaigua has grown substantially over the last few decades, adding restaurants, stores, and services. Despite the growth, the city is as charming and friendly as a small town.
There are several chain restaurants available to those looking for familiar names. There are also many, many options for any food lover to explore local restaurants. In fact, you can try a different place for dinner every night for nearly three months! Enjoy margaritas and Mexican cuisine at Rio Tomatlan or creative crepes at Simply Crepes, all within 15 minutes of home.
Canandaigua is also home to many local businesses. You can get everything from life insurance to a new car right here! Local, well-known chain stores make finding what you need easy, but there’s also a strong emphasis on supporting local shops. Most of the small businesses are huddled along Main Street. Many have been serving the community for years! Our agents have lots of connections with local professionals from Canandaigua. We can make suggestions that point you to the right person or business based on your needs.
Between summer concerts at CMAC and indoor entertainment at Roseland Bowl, there’s always something to do. (Roseland Bowl also has laser tag and bumper cars. It’s not your traditional bowling alley!) If you don’t know much about the area and want to learn more about the local culture, don’t hesitate to ask!
