Aurora Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A dock with a gazebo, a boat, and a forested hillside.
A wooden pier extending over a calm river, surrounded by lush green trees and a stone building.
A brick building with large windows and a sign that reads "Village Market."
A quaint village scene with a yellow building labeled "Bet the Farm," a white picket fence, and lush greenery.
A serene lakeside park with lush green grass, a stone wall, and a small white gazebo.

Walk for miles through a picturesque state park and make a trip to the vineyards facing the sparkling blue Cayuga Lake.

Aurora is a delightful village in the Finger Lakes area, with water views, a state park and an intriguing Native American history. Visit its quaint shops and several vineyards. The community on the shore of Cayuga Lake is home to the 19th-century Wells College.

Earlier on this site was a Cayuga Indian community of Deawendote, which means “Village of Constant Dawn.” Watch a prolonged sunrise over a low ridge east of the village.

Many of the area vineyards are perched on the sides of hills overlooking the lake to receive the most sunshine. Learn about the development of wineries that began gradually in the 1970s. Explore some of the 23 vineyards that now exist around Cayuga Lake.

Make your way across vast acres of scenic terrain at lakeside wineries. Sip wine from tasting rooms with spectacular views of rolling hills and the long, narrow lake. Enjoy the charming atmosphere, as you explore fields, production facilities and gift shops at family-run wineries.

Aside from the lake and vineyards, Aurora is known as a university town. Stroll leisurely across the campus of Wells College and embrace the feeling of academia in the scenic region with river views. Admire student art exhibits in the String Room Gallery. Famous American businessman Henry Wells founded the college in 1868.

A little southwest of the village, visit Long Point State Park. Go cross-country skiing in winter. The water in the Fingers Lakes region helps to keep the weather mild in winter, which is beneficial for growing wine grapes.

Aurora is on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. The nearest large town is Syracuse, about 50 miles (80 kilometres) northeast. To reach Aurora from New York City, drive northwest 250 miles (400 kilometres).

Enjoy a college town with a sparkling lake, scenic vineyards and parks in Aurora, a relaxing and historic holiday spot.

Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa

Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa

4.5 out of 5
391 Main Street Aurora NY
The price is £289 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
£289
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Aurora. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (477 reviews)
"The pic on the website of expedia and hotel did not match. If you are not in the main building then you are very far from the lake and spa. No breakfast in the hotel, Not at all freindly staff when you check in, we checked in at 11 o'clock at night and they didn"t help us with our luggage. rooms ..."

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2026

Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa
The Statler Hotel at Cornell University

The Statler Hotel at Cornell University

4 out of 5
130 Statler Dr Ithaca NY
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £167 per night from 2 Sept to 3 Sept
£167
2 Sept - 3 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ithaca. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 4 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,001 reviews)
"The restaurant was actually really nice! Food was tasty and service was excellent."

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2026

The Statler Hotel at Cornell University
del Lago Resort & Casino

del Lago Resort & Casino

4 out of 5
1133 Route 414 Waterloo NY
The price is £82 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
£82
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Waterloo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,891 reviews)
"This casino has sadly seen better days. I’ve stayed here before, it was lovely and I thought it would be similar, but it’s been a few years and it shows. Bed, refrigerator, and bathroom were clean. Everything else was dirty. They no longer provide slippers apparently, and we had to wear our shoes ..."

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2026

del Lago Resort & Casino
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Seneca Gorge Glamping

Seneca Gorge Glamping

2 out of 5
3655 Lake St Hector NY
Stay at this cabin in Hector. Enjoy free parking, a garden and a picnic area. Popular attractions Standing Stone Vineyards and Penguin Bay Winery are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"Was an amazing experience. My first time camping everything about this location was great . No hassle no stress exactly what I want. The small gorge and the trail was a plus very happy. Coming back definitely."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2026

Seneca Gorge Glamping
Cozy Cabin With 165 Ft Beach and wood-fired hot tub! Center of FLX wine country!

Cozy Cabin With 165 Ft Beach and wood-fired hot tub! Center of FLX wine country!

Penn Yan NY
Stay at this beach holiday home in Penn Yan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Seneca Lake and Fox Run Vineyards are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (270 reviews)
"The Green Duck is a delightful cottage with everything we could want for a getaway, and we highly recommend it!The house is cheerful and clean. It has A/C window units, but we mostly just opened the windows and set up some fans, and got a wonderful lake breeze to keep it comfortable.The location ..."

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2026

Cozy Cabin With 165 Ft Beach and wood-fired hot tub! Center of FLX wine country!
Just listed!!   Cozy 2-bedroom  lakefront cottage on Seneca Lake

Just listed!! Cozy 2-bedroom lakefront cottage on Seneca Lake

Dundee NY
Stay at this cottage in Dundee. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and patios. Popular attractions Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard and Shaw Vineyard are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"We had an absolutely wonderful stay on Seneca Lake! The home was clean, comfortable, and had everything we needed for a relaxing getaway. Waking up to the beautiful lake views each morning and ending the evenings by the water made our trip unforgettable. The location was good—close to wineries, and ..."

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2026

Just listed!! Cozy 2-bedroom lakefront cottage on Seneca Lake
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Stay near popular Aurora attractions