Looking for fall fun, colorful foliage, seasonal eats, and plenty of opportunities to soak up that crisp fall air? The Genesee River Valley has you covered. Just a short drive from Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo, LivCo is close to big city amenities, but far enough removed from the region’s larger hubs that you can avoid all the crowds and truly feel as if you’re getting away. Here’s how to spend an autumn weekend in LivCo, exploring some of the best of the best in all things local attractions, local restaurants and watering holes, and, of course, local leaf-peeping.
DAY ONE
CHECK INTO A HISTORIC STAY
Steps from downtown Avon, the Avon Inn is a beautiful National Landmark, Greek revival property built in 1840. Its expansive history includes many notable names and historic “firsts.” Not only was the property used as an acclaimed health center, it also served as the first bank and post office in LivCo. Likewise, it boasted the first central heating system in the region and the first elevator in Upstate New York. Over the years, the inn hosted famous faces such as Katharine Hepburn, Henry Ford, and Thomas Edison. Now, you can join their ranks when you book a stay in one of the inn’s renovated guest rooms.
RELAX ON A LEISURELY HIKE
Start your journey outside with a hike among some of the fall foliage. The Railroad Bed Trail in Avon is a relatively easy, multi-use trail for equestrians and hikers, about three miles in length. As the name suggests, the rail runs along an old railroad bed and, during the trek, you’ll be treated to views of rural LivCo and the Genesee River Valley.
GRAB A LATE LUNCH THAT’S ANYTHING BUT AVERAGE
Sure, this restaurant might be dubbed The Normal, but it’s certainly not your average restaurant. As the first tipless joint in LivCo, it serves up barbecue, wings, ribs, and platters with fun twists, like the prime beef brisket sandwich that’s topped with a lingonberry-based barbecue sauce and pickled onion. Grab a cool cocktail like the Cosmic Helmet (tequila, lingonberry syrup, lime, and triple sec) or the Fizzy Lifting Drink (bourbon, coffee liqueur, orgeat, cream, and soda) and you’ll have the perfect introduction to LivCo’s dining scene.
BROWSE LIVCO’S BREW SCENE
Make a stop at Mortalis Brewing Company. This once small, startup brewery has expanded to multiple Upstate cities in a few short years and offers tons of unique beers that you’ll be hard-pressed to find at just any brewery. Not exactly a beer connoisseur? The brewery also serves wine, cider, and non-alcoholic beverages.
DAY TWO
GRAB BREAKFAST ON THE GO
During your second day in town, you’ve got plenty to do, so head out for a quick early breakfast at The Coffee Cup in Dansville. Just because it’s quick, doesn’t mean you’ll be sacrificing quality. This restaurant offers tons of diner favorites like omelets, French toast, pancake platters, and the like — the perfect options to get your day off on the right foot.
TAKE IN THE VIEWS AT STONY BROOK
It’s not just the fall foliage that’ll make your jaw drop in LivCo during the autumn season. Combine those explosions of color with dramatic waterfalls and you’ll see some truly gorgeous scenery. At Stony Brook State Park, minutes from downtown Dansville, you can hike three trails and see multiple waterfalls along the way.
WANDER YOUR WAY TO SOME LOCAL WARES
As you continue your day through Dansville, stop downtown, where you can peruse some of the charming local businesses. Dansville Granola Company sells an array of fresh, healthy, and oh-so-tasty granola options that you’ll definitely want to take home with you. Dogwood Trading Company offers gifts upon gifts, no matter who you’re shopping for; from children’s toys to kitchen items, candles to décor, there’s a bit of everything. A newer (and whimsical) spot in town, Spindle & Knots is the place to go to plot out your next craft project and stock up on all the necessary gear.
GET IN A ROUND OF GOLF — NO MATTER THE WEATHER
Try your hand at a round of golf, with no experience, good weather, or clubs necessary. At HD Sports Zone in Dansville, simulator technology makes a quick round possible, when you rent out a VIP lounge and take some swings with up to six other players. Fore!
END THE DAY WITH AN AUTHENTIC DINNER
You might not associate LivCo with authentic Italian cuisine, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at Questa Lasagna in Mount Morris. The cozy restaurant is as fresh as it gets, with no freezers and no fryers, but loads to love on the menu, from the lasagna to the gnocchi, ravioli to the carbonara.
DAY THREE
SATIATE YOUR SWEET TOOTH
If you enjoy pastries for breakfast (and we wouldn’t blame you, if that’s the case!), then satiate your sweet tooth first thing in the morning with a stop by Six Sprouts Farm Market in Avon for a tantalizing breakfast pastry. Here you can also enjoy the market’s locally roasted coffee. Be sure to check out the selection of other local products while you’re there!
MAKE NEW FRIENDS
Head on over to Backyard Barnyard to make a few new friends. The petting zoo and family fun center offers not just furry faces to photograph and love on, but also bounce houses, axe throwing, sling shots, and family activities.
ENJOY A TASTING AT DEER RUN WINERY
There’s just something a little magical about a vineyard in the fall. Stop by Deer Run Winery, the westernmost winery of the Finger Lakes Region, to try sips of small-batch wines made from 100% Finger Lakes grapes. A tasting is an absolute must, but if you’re lucky and there on the right day, you can enjoy some local live music and some bites at the Tankroom Cafe as well — the perfect excuse to linger awhile.
SAVOR YOUR LAST BITES OF LIVCO
End your explorations of the area’s dining scene, with a stop at Lake BBQ in Livonia, where you can order a Western New York classic, beef on weck, as well as barbecue, but also casual favs like tacos and rice bowls.
END THE WEEKEND ON A MUSICAL NOTE
Before you collect your bags and head back home, end the weekend on a high note — literally. Catch some live music at the Avon Park Theater and tap your toes as you make plans for your next great LivCo vacation.
ONE MORE DAY
THREE EXTRA AUTUMN ACTIVITIES IN OUR REGION
Even after spending a full three days here, you may feel like you’ve just scratched the surface. And it’s true. The natural beauty we’ve grown accustomed to in the Genesee River Valley expands throughout the region, and Livingston County serves as the ideal base camp for seeing it all.
Explore museums across the region filled with historical intrigue and excitement, whether you’re interested in learning about local culture, industries, artists, or the Indigenous People who have called this area home for thousands of years. Don’t miss out on a visit to the Livingston County Historical Society & Museum and National Warplane Museum both in Geneseo, Big Springs Museum in Caledonia, and Genesee Country Village & Museum in Mumford.
Cast out a line and go fly fishing in LivCo. Stop at Oatka Creek, the third longest tributary of the Genesee River and inhabited primarily by brown trout. Every year, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) stocks thousands of brown trout and rainbow trout in the Genesee River. Or make a trip to Springwater Creek, a popular spot among anglers that originates in northern Steuben County stocked with rainbow trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass.
Enjoy a sporty day cheering on the Knights at SUNY Geneseo where you can watch men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey, and cross country in the fall. If you’re a big sports fan, stop into one of LivCo’s breweries or bars to cheer on Western New York’s NFL team, the Buffalo Bills. In addition to local brews, many spots serve up popular local bites including beef on weck, Buffalo chicken wings, and garbage plates.
