10 Things You Have to Do While Attending College in LivCo

If you’re attending SUNY Geneseo, then this one is going to be especially easy for you. Just head to the gazebo and you’ll get a prime viewing spot from which to take in all the glory of the famous Genesee River Valley sunset. 

Not a SUNY student? No worries. Other top viewing spots include Nations Road in Geneseo, Five Arch Bridge in Avon, the Erie-Attica Trail in Avon, and the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo. (And you may even find that, as you drive around our rural roads, you discover your own favorite sunset spots!)

We wear our community pride on our sleeves here, quite literally! So, dive into the LivCo spirit and grab some gear. 

On Geneseo’s Main Street, the Geneseo Store, Specialtees, and Market on Main all sell local spirit-infused apparel. For vintage items, head to FLX Revival, which offers fraternity and sorority blasts from the past. For Letchworth State Park-themed apparel and gear, try Empire Gift Shop in Mount Morris and The Valley Shop in Nunda. 

Cycling the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park is an excellent way to get to know the local geography without any strenuous hiking or straying too far off the beaten path. 

Stretching 90 miles and across multiple counties, the multi-use trail is a favorite with both nature and history lovers, as it shows off some of the region’s best landscapes, while also displaying historic features from the route’s past as a canal and railroad route. 

Didn’t bring your bike from home? You can rent one with Canadice Lake Outfitters in Springwater.

Locals and visitors alike eagerly await lake days in LivCo. There’s nothing better than packing up a picnic, heading to one of the county’s Finger Lakes, and spending a day on the water, soaking up the sun. Rent a kayak, paddleboard, or pontoon, then grab some friends and make some memories. 

If you’re headed toward Conesus Lake, you can rent all of the above — plus all the gear you’ll need — from Mark’s Leisure Time Marine.

Letchworth State Park could very well be LivCo’s most famous and popular attraction. Known as the Grand Canyon of the East, this park serves up hiking trails, scenic drives, waterfalls, and gorges that make for unbelievable photo ops. 

Many of the most popular waterfalls are easily accessible, but if you want something that will test your mettle and get the adrenaline pumping, try a rafting excursion at the park, courtesy of Adventure Calls Outfitters. 

Remember how we said we love local? While LivCo is home to plenty of farm-to-table restaurants, dining out isn’t always part of a college budget. However, you can still support and eat local with a quick visit to one of the area farmers markets, where you’ll find fresh produce, flowers, gifts, ready-to-eat snacks, baked goods, and more. 

The Geneseo Farmers Market takes place on Center Street every Thursday, 3–6:30 p.m., through October. Not free on a Thursday? You’ll find multiple farmers markets elsewhere throughout the county, such as the Dansville Farmers Market, Lima Farmers Market, Little Lakes Farm Market, Nunda Area Farmers Market, and more.

Looking to buy local and fresh year-round, whatever the day and whatever the weather? Visit Six Sprouts Farm Market in Avon, a boutique-style farm market that compiles locally made and produced goods all in one spot, open every day. 

Don’t just study at the library! There are two spots off-campus that have become the unofficial study hubs for SUNY Geneseo students, both within walking distance from campus and both offering great eats, great drinks, and WiFi. 

Cricket’s serves tasty and caffeinated classics, plus seasonal selections, along with baked goods, breakfast, and lunch. Think upscale yet comforting options like crispy wonton mozzarella sticks dusted with parm and served with chimichurri, or chicken pesto melts topped with roasted red peppers and served on garlic sourdough.

Cosmic Charlie Café, meanwhile, has a groovy vibe and a menu that includes everything from artfully crafted lattes to killer breakfast sandwiches and burritos. Check the café’s social feeds for info about upcoming events and live music.

Looking for a different vibe? Check out all the cafés and coffee shops in Livingston County.

While LivCo might not be derby country, we have our own equestrian culture that’s worth checking out. Attending the Genesee Valley Hunt Races is a bit of a tradition, so wake up early to watch the opening of the hunt and processional down Geneseo’s Main Street, the last Saturday in September. Then, mark your calendars for the races at the beginning of October that have called the Genesee River Valley home for more than a century.

Don’t think horse racing is really your thing? Don’t worry — this is so much more than just horseracing. Events also include jumping contests, sled dog demonstrations, wiener dog races, and more. 

LivCo’s art scene is robust, but you don’t even need to set foot in a museum or gallery to experience it. Just keep your eyes peeled for all of the gorgeous outdoor murals along the Livingston County Inspirations Trail. These colorful displays celebrate our history and culture but also make for a really cool photo op. There are nine, large-scale outdoor murals scattered throughout the county created during the 2021 LivCo Walls Mural Festival, in the downtowns of Avon, Caledonia, Dansville, Geneseo, Leicester, Lima, Livonia, Mount Morris and Nunda. Go on a mini-road trip and see if you can find them all!

Lastly, as you say goodbye to LivCo on graduation day (and, if you’re a SUNY Geneseo student, take that requisite photo in front of the Bear Fountain in your cap and gown!), be sure to make plans to come back. Whether you visit during a spring alumni weekend or bring your future family here to show them what all the fuss is about, we already can’t wait to welcome you back.