There are plenty of ways to provide support for our Finger Lakes communities during these unprecedented times, including continuing to enjoy their eateries, entertainment and educational opportunities. We’ve gathered resources from all 14 counties to assist you in supporting the small businesses of the region:
Cayuga County
Photo from Treleaven Wines
Treleaven Wines in King Ferry, NY will bring the wine right to you. Call the winery to place your order, a minimum of 6 bottles, and you will receive FREE same-day delivery for up to 20 miles. Talk about service!
After a long day, treat yourself and #SupportCayuga by ordering from one of these local restaurants.
Chemung County
Photo from Chemung County Library District
The Chemung County Library District is an entertaining resource for all ages! Disney sing-a-longs with Mr. Jeff are streamed live through Facebook on Tuesdays at 3:30 and live story time is read through Facebook on Friday mornings at 10:30. For teens and middle schoolers, Teen Book Cloud offers ebooks, audiobooks, graphic novels and more for free, thanks to the local libraries.
Chemung County encourages you to #DistanceSociallyEatLocally by ordering from these restaurants.
Cortland County
Photo from Brix Pubaria
Bingo: Social Distancing Edition is a fun way to enjoy all that Cortland County offers, with an opportunity to win a prize! Players can support the local community by accomplishing the eight tasks on the bingo board – such as purchasing local gift cards, exploring Cortland trails and staying active with virtual workouts. The first 20 people to submit their completed bingo pictures that tag @experiencecortland will receive an Experience Cortland campfire mug. For more ways to support the local community, read their blog here.
Order from these local restaurants to #ExperienceCortland.
Livingston County
Photo from Fairy Doors of Dansville
For a fun activity that gets you outside, Fairy Doors of Dansville offers a trail of 23+ delightful fairy doors that can be found from sidewalks in the heart of historic Dansville, NY’s business district or in the trees of Pioneer Park. Remember to be courteous and refrain from touching window glasses.
Browse this list for restaurants that are delivering and/or offering takeout.
Monroe County
Photo from Seneca Park Zoo
Have a day of play by watching The Strong Museum’s exciting and educational online content. Every day at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., The Strong is sharing play-at-home and craft ideas on their Facebook page, as well as live story readings, animal encounters, and Q&A sessions with their experts. Looking for more animal activities? The Seneca Park Zoo released a whole load of Zoo Projects for families, children and adults to do at home! Check back often as new content will be added throughout the week.
#LocalROCS so choose from this roundup of Rochester restaurants when it comes to your takeout dining needs and whenever possible, support small businesses.
Onondaga County
Photo from Kitty Hoynes Irish Pub & Restaurant
A twist on Restaurant Week, VisitSyracuse has put together Onondaga County Takeout Week! Running from March 26-April 4, show your support at neighborhood restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, breweries and more. Order curbside pick-up or purchase a gift card for future list. An added bonus, the first 100 people to complete the Syracuse Restaurant Bingo Board with takeout photos tagging @VisitSyracuse and @DowntownSyracuse will receive a Syracuse magnet!
Click here for a handful of ways to appreciate Syracuse – including virtual tours and movies you can steam with scenes filmed in Syracuse.
Ontario County
Photo of Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion
Explore Ontario County without ever leaving the house! Take a video tour of the Antique Wireless Museum’s many artifacts including a reproduction of the Titanic Wireless (Radio) Room or an audio tour through Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion. Sit back and watch a virtual tour of Will-O-Crest Farm, a family owned dairy farm in Clifton Springs, NY or follow them on Facebook for fun facts, science lessons and even story time with baby goats!
When home cooking just isn't cutting it anymore, give these restaurants a ring.
Schuyler County
Photo from Chateau LaFayette Reneau
In addition to purchasing award-winning wines from Chateau LaFayette Reneau, they are offering “Barn Boxes.” These CSA-inspired meal kits include a weekly selection of food items from small producers as a way to truly taste the Finger Lakes. There is no seasonal commitment and items in the Barn Box change weekly. Examples of what you can expect inside are grass-fed and grass-finished Black Angus beef, local free-range eggs, baked boule bread and pure Finger Lakes maple syrup.
Order meals from this list of local restaurants or follow FLX To Go for updates from area businesses.
Seneca County
Photo from Finger Lakes Cider House
Finger Lakes Cider House is now delivering farm-to-table meals directly to your door, along with local cocktail kits and piles of delicious cider. Their “Social Distancing Menu” contains meat, dairy, produce and grains that are raised on FLX farms and mostly organic.
For a complete list of restaurants, wineries and breweries that are open for delivery and takeout, click here.
Steuben County
Photo from Weis Vineyards
What’s the Finger Lakes Region without its wine? Join Weis Vineyards for virtual wine flight tastings on Fridays through Facebook. Order your own wine to go along with the tasting and have it shipped right to your door from any of these area wineries. Once you have your vino, curl up and watch some of the Corning Museum of Glass’ virtual glass art demonstrations on YouTube.
Tioga County
Photo from Experience Tioga
Breathe in some fresh air and #ExpereinceTioga on a hike at Oakley Corners State Forest. While respecting social distance, take to the trails which range in difficulty from beginner to advanced.
Then grab some grub from these Tioga County restaurants.
Tompkins County
Photo from Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies / Du Khor Choe Ling
Take in a moment of peace and reflection by watching the Facebook live videos from Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies in Ithaca, NY, available each weekday. Namgyal offers authentic teachings of Tibetan Buddhism in a traditional monastic setting.
Support the area’s these independently-owned stores, theaters and restaurants by shopping online.
Wayne County
Photo from of Cracker Box Palace Farm Animal Haven
The farm and trails of Cracker Box Palace Farm Animal Haven, a registered non-profit, no kill farm haven in Alton, NY, remain open for self-guided tours. Access to the barns and bunkhouse is limited but you can see photos and videos of the farm’s animals on their Facebook page.
View this list for curbside pickup and takeout options.
Yates County
Photo of Keuka Candy Emporium by Inside Scoop - Finger Lakes, NY
Satisfy your sweet tooth by ordering from The Keuka Candy Emporium in Penn Yan, NY. Open on Fridays and Saturdays for curbside pickup and delivery, end your week on tasty note with their handmade chocolates and candies.
#SupportYates by ordering take-out or delivery from one of the restaurants on Keuka To Go, followed by leaving a review for them on Facebook, Google or Yelp.
No matter what eateries you choose to order from, tag your photos with #WeAreFLX and #NYRestaurantChallenge to encourage others to support local.