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Canandaigua Lake
Canandaigua Lake · The kid list

Where to take the kids.

The places that don't make you apologize for the kids. Restaurants with crayons that aren't an afterthought, parks with shade and bathrooms, the ice-cream stop with the line on a hot Tuesday.

Restaurants

1 stop
  • Canandaigua
    Simply Crepes

    The Main Street brunch magnet — savory and sweet crepes, an all-day breakfast board, and a line out the door on Sundays after 10 a.m. The Rochester original spun off this Canandaigua room; go on a weekday, order the chicken chorizo crepe, and skip the omelet section entirely.

Coffee & breakfast

1 stop
  • Naples
    Sweet Expressions
    Editor's pick

    Naples bakery-cafe for morning pastries, sandwiches, and the other grape-pie contender in town. Sit-down counter, decent espresso, and the fastest breakfast in the village before a Grimes Glen hike. Go before 9 a.m. on Saturdays — by ten the winery day-trippers have taken every table.

    $

Parks & trails

3 stops
  • Canandaigua
    Kershaw Park
    Editor's pick

    The north-shore city park with the lifeguarded swimming beach, bathhouse, picnic pavilions, and the paved lakeside walkway. Free parking fills by 11 a.m. on hot Saturdays; the earlier you arrive, the closer to the sand you'll park. Handles the family day without needing a marina reservation.

    Dawn to dusk
  • Naples
    Grimes Glen Park
    Editor's pick

    The Naples glen hike — a shaded creek trail leading to two waterfalls, roughly a mile round trip with wet-rock scrambling at the end. Wear grippy shoes and expect your feet to get wet. Best after mid-May once flow settles; skip after heavy rain when the creek runs unfriendly.

    Dawn to dusk
  • Canandaigua
    Onanda Park
    Editor's pick

    West Lake Road town park — swimming beach on the lakeside, upland woods trails across the road, and rental cabins that book six months out for summer. The winter boat launch is restricted; the beach entry is straightforward from the parking area. A quieter alternative to Kershaw on weekends.

    Dawn to dusk

Farmers markets

2 stops
  • Canandaigua
    Canandaigua Farmers Market
    Editor's pick

    Saturday-morning market at the Commons on Mill Street — regional produce, cheeses, prepared food, and a small maker section. Runs late June through October. The bread stall and the mushroom farmer sell out by 10 a.m. Go early, park two blocks off, and walk in.

    Saturdays June–October, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
  • South Bristol
    Reisinger's Apple Country
    Editor's pick

    Naples-area orchard and farm market — apples, cider, pumpkins, and hard cider from the on-site production. U-pick weekends in September and October are the family draw. The cider doughnuts leave the counter warm; take a dozen for the car. Farm store open August through Christmas.

    August–December$Visit ↗

Iconic stops

2 stops
  • Canandaigua
    Roseland Waterpark
    Editor's pick

    The north-end waterpark on Eastern Boulevard — wave pool, lazy river, slide tower, and the summer's default kid-day if the weather turns hot. Season runs mid-June through Labor Day. Buy tickets online for the discount; day-of at the gate is the full sticker. Go on a Tuesday if you can.

    Mid-June–Labor Day$$$Visit ↗
  • Bristol Springs
    Bristol Mountain Ski Resort
    Editor's pick

    The 1,200-foot vertical ski hill west of the lake — the highest vertical between the Adirondacks and the Rockies, and the reason winter renters keep coming. 38 trails, night skiing, and a summer aerial-adventure park that runs May through October. Lift tickets are cheapest mid-week.

    Ski season December–March; adventure park May–October$$$Visit ↗