The best arts & culture spots in Finger Lakes

“Whether you share the faith or just love Seneca County lore, Peter Whitmer Log Home (Whitmer Farm) is where The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized on April 6, 1830, and where Joseph and Emma Smith, and Oliver Cowdery finished translating the Book of Mormon. Quiet, thoughtful, genuinely cool.”

From the Waterloo newsletter, September 21, 2026

“YCHC Oliver House Museum anchors the Yates County History Center, with Victorian period rooms sporting original Oliver family furnishings, a Native American exhibit, and rotating local history displays. Guided tours keep it lively and kid friendly, grounded in a collection the Center has been building since 1860.”

From the Penn Yan newsletter, September 21, 2026

“Anna Kern Fine Arts Studio & Gallery is a working space where you might catch Anna painting while finished pieces dry nearby. Oils, acrylics, and mixed media span abstracts, florals, still life, landscapes, animals, and a grape series, making it a quick, feel good stop when you need fresh color or a local gift.”

“Ontario County Historical Society is the spot when you want Canandaigua stories told right, from deep-dive archives and genealogy help to rotating exhibits like America 250: Changemakers of Ontario County. Keep an eye on their talks and walking tours, then impress friends with uncanny house-style trivia.”

“ArtSpace36 is leaning into the local landscape with Mapping Landscape on Satterly Hill by Richard Metzgar, on view through October 8, 2026. Closing reception and artist talk Thursday, October 8, 2026, 4:30 to 6 PM, plus more exhibitions, events and workshops to keep your calendar interesting.”

“Grand, 1800s mansion depicting colonial life, plus expansive grounds with carriage & sleigh rides.”

“Whether you fly, build, restore, or just love watching takeoffs, EAA 533 is the local hub at Elmira-Corning Regional Airport hosting fly-in breakfasts, Young Eagles rallies, and projects, plus a friendly flying club where neighbors swap hangar stories and keep our Finger Lakes skies buzzing.”

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, September 3, 2026

“Gourdlandia turns humble gourds into wearable art, glowing nightlights, and sculptural showpieces. Stroll the gourd garden, learn how to grow and dry your own, then jump into a workshop or simply shop and get inspired this week, a quirky creative reset for locals.”

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, August 6, 2026

“Wings of Eagles Discovery Center turns local curiosity into hands-on STEM with real aircraft, planet-sized data on Science On a Sphere, and a Mars Base Eagle experience that feels delightfully real. Grab a friend for the mission-style escape rooms and see who saves the colony first this week.”

From the Chemung County newsletter, August 8, 2026

“Explore the former home of Underground Railroad station master John W. Jones, where the John W. Jones Museum spotlights how he helped roughly 800 people reach freedom and ensured dignified burials for nearly 3,000 Confederate soldiers.”

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, September 18, 2026

“Whether your kid loves to leap or your teen needs a healthy outlet, New Heights Dance Theater channels that energy into polished stage time at the Clemens Center, building community productions like The Nutcracker In Motion for the Twin Tiers.”

From the Chemung County newsletter, September 9, 2026

“National Warplane Museum keeps the Finger Lakes sky lively with living-history ride days in WWII warbirds, restoration shop tours, and swingin’ hangar concerts... an easy way to trade errands for engines this week and feel like you stepped into a black and white newsreel.”

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, August 22, 2026

“Housed in a 19th-century bank, Chemung Valley History Museum packs the county’s past into rotating exhibits, hands-on bits for kids-at-heart, and a permanent Mark Twain’s Elmira section with real family artifacts and photos. Swing by this week and remember why our hometown stories still hit.”

From the Chemung County newsletter, August 26, 2026

“Take a quick reset at Eldridge Park, where the 1890s Looff carousel still tosses rings, the Jasper II boat growls across the lake, and mini golf, disc golf, and a mini train keep kids and grownups busy. Old school charm meets easy weekend fun, right in our backyard.”

From the Chemung County newsletter, August 21, 2026

“Community Arts of Elmira Inc is your neighborhood hub for creative expression, with exhibitions and artist talks across its galleries, hands-on classes and workshops, and the Elmira Infinite Canvas public art program. Plug into City Hall Art or the Original Work Series, then let that inspiration spill into your week.”

From the Chemung County newsletter, August 14, 2026

“National Soaring Museum keeps Chemung County’s sky story alive with an epic glider collection from the 1890s to today, the United States Soaring Hall of Fame, and education in soaring and aeronautics. Feeling brave? Pair your visit with a sailplane ride over Harris Hill and really catch the bug.”

From the Chemung County newsletter, August 11, 2026

“From ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, to hip hop, Leslie School of Dance channels small-town heart into stage-ready confidence with professional, inspiring instruction in a family-friendly atmosphere. Try a new style or sharpen your skills this week, right here at home.”

From the Chemung County newsletter, August 15, 2026

“Whether your crew is into reptiles, weather, or building wild contraptions, Sciencenter packs over 250 interactive exhibits that actually invite touching. Zip balls through the fifteen-foot Airways Maze, play Pet Vet, then explore Ocean Bound to see how our watershed choices protect the ocean.”

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, August 27, 2026

“Vietnam Veteran 803 keeps Chemung County’s Vietnam War history alive with a volunteer-run museum and a deep library of veteran accounts. It’s a quiet, meaningful stop to learn what really happened here, ask questions, and leave with stories worth sharing.”

From the Chemung County newsletter, August 24, 2026

“Whether you’re fossil-curious or just need a break from doomscrolling, Museum of the Earth delivers hands-on science, a 44-foot Right Whale skeleton, and the Hyde Park Mastodon. Swing by the Fossil Lab this week to find and take home your own tiny ancient souvenir.”

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, August 19, 2026

“Arnot Art Museum pairs hometown roots with serious art cred, from Meaning in the Making: The Lyme Academy of Fine Art at Fifty to Gems of the Treasure House and the Matthias Hollenbeck Arnot Collection. Swing through, slow down in the galleries, and let Elmira’s creative streak recalibrate your week.”

From the Chemung County newsletter, August 18, 2026

“Clemens Center keeps Elmira’s arts heartbeat strong with Broadway tours, concerts, comedy, and homegrown performances in two gorgeous spaces. The restored Powers Theater brings old-school glam, while Mandeville Hall nails the intimate vibe, so pick a show this week and treat yourself.”

From the Chemung County newsletter, August 29, 2026

“Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art packs 40,000 works into that striking I. M.”

From the Ithaca newsletter, September 17, 2026