Finger Lakes Region
Auburn Daycation
Founded in 1793, Auburn is a quaint city with a lot of history. William Seward, Harriet Tubman, and Abner Doubleday (the supposed inventor of baseball) all have strong ties to the city. Check out our recommendations below for your Auburn Daycation!
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Lodging
Breakfast - The Auburn Diner is one of our favorite breakfast joints in all of the Finger Lakes. It is the quintessential 1970’s diner with all of the classic breakfast options. Another place to try is New Hope Mills Store and Café. The pancakes are huge and all of the good is great.
Morning Itinerary
William Seward House
Who knew that William Seward did so much for the U.S.? New York State Senator, Governor, U.S. Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln, orchestrated the purchase of Alaska from Russia, was almost assassinated the same night that Lincoln was, and travelled the world at 68. Other than that he really didn’t do much! His house in Auburn is filled with the original furniture from the 1840’s and provides fascinating details of his life. This is one of our favorite historic houses in New York.
Lunch - The perfect place for afternoon victuals and a great beer is Prison City Brewing. Yes, Auburn does have a maximum security prison in town, but since you don’t want to visit there, try its namesake brewery and restaurant instead! They have a great selection of foods that includes some creative treats like Pork Belly and Goat Cheese Brussel Sprouts, Blackened Ahi Tuna, and one of our lunchtime faves - Poutine!
Afternoon Itinerary
Harriet Tubman House
Harriet was one tough woman! The Tour Guide at her former home in Auburn detailed how she freed over 70 slaves during 13 missions that took her from Maryland to Canada despite chronic physical conditions throughout her life due to a traumatic skull fracture at a young age. She lived the last 50 years of her life in Auburn on land sold to her by William Seward. The tour of The Tubman Home and grounds of the property is a great way to spend an afternoon learning about the many amazing things that she accomplished during her life.
Willard Memorial Chapel
If you hear the word Tiffany & Co. you immediately think of expensive jewelry that people with way too much money own or the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s - take your pick. The son of the founder of Tiffany’s, Louis Comfort Tiffany, was a renowned glassmaker when he was commissioned to design the stained glass for the Auburn Theological Seminary in 1892. That stained glass still exists in its original form and location at what is now known as the Willard Memorial Chapel. It is a great trip through time to see the glass creation in its original form 100+ years after it’s installation. It doesn’t take much time out of your day, but it is a necessary stop on your Auburn Daycation.
Cayuga Museum of History and Art
Built in 1836 as the home for a prominent Auburn Family, the Cayuga Museum of History and Art has been a museum for almost 100 years. The former Research Lab which is part of the museum is where movies with sound were invented. There are exhibits in the building chronicling that feat, along with numerous collections of art, old photographs, and a drum that was used during the Revolutionary War. This is a definite must see in a small town that has a lot of big attractions!
Dinner - Our favorite restaurant in the area, and one of the best in the FLX is Elderberry Pond. Great certified organic farm foods are served in this restaurant which is adjacent to the owner’s Country Food Store which was built in the mid 1800’s. The menu includes Free Range Chicken, organic pasture raised beef, and other organic seafood and meat dishes. Don’t let the term “organic” scare you. As many people know, organic foods taste better and are better for you.
Evening Itinerary
The REV Theatre Company
With three venues within it’s purview, the REV is providing quality theatrical performances for both locals and tourists. The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse hosts a handful of Broadway musical productions during the summer, The Carriage House Theater hosts original musicals, and the West End Theater provides an accessible artistic hub for community partners. Taking in a summertime performance at the MGR Playhouse is the perfect way to end your Auburn Daycation.