Top 10 Romantic Ways to Propose in the Finger Lakes
Love is in the air – it sure is, in at least 10 places in Ontario County you can find a romantic place to propose to your sweetie! Having a romantic getaway is possible all year around. Our many wineries, cozy bed and breakfasts and luxurious hotels make the Finger Lakes your perfect destination for a rendezvous. The Finger Lakes is SO romantic that some people come here and just can't help but have the urge to propose!
#1. At a Winery
The Finger Lakes is revered wine country, and there are few situations more memorable than proposing with a glass of wine overlooking fields of beautiful grape vineyards. The Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail offers a variety of different romantic settings from the hills of Naples to the heart of Canandaigua.
#2. In a Garden
Not many people can say they proposed to their future spouse in a Japanese Garden that has existed since 1906, but you can do just that at Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park. There are many romantic places for a proposal at Sonnenberg, including any of the 9 formal gardens on the property or the historic 40 room Queen Anne-style mansion. Spend the day wandering the grounds at Sonnenberg and after a wine tasting in the Finger Lakes Wine Center on the property, find the perfect spot to take that next step in your life.
#3. On The Canandaigua Lady
We are talking about the Finger Lakes so what better place to propose than on a lake! The Canandaigua Lady is a 19th century replica of a double-decker paddlewheel steamboat that cruises along Canandaigua Lake. The “Lady” is modeled after steamboats that operated on the Finger Lakes between 1820 and 1930. It is a great boat for lunch and dinner cruises, fall foliage tours, and romantic evenings, perfect for a wedding proposal.
#4. At the pier
The piers at many of the Finger Lakes are wonderful places to eat, take a walk, go fishing, enjoy a picnic AND to propose to the love of your life! The Geneva Long Pier at Seneca Lake in Geneva allows you to walk out quite a way onto the lake and be surrounded by water in three directions; looking backwards you’ll even see the historic city of Geneva. After you pop the big question, you can celebrate with some wine ice cream at Long Pier Ice Cream and Rentals.
The City Pier at Canandaigua Lake is a wonderful spot to catch some magnificent views of the lake after a wonderful dinner at the New York Kitchen or another Canandaigua restaurant. Wander the pier, grab some ice cream, and take in the tranquility of Canandaigua Lake as you ask for your partner’s hand in marriage.
#5. During a Summer Concert
Every summer, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra calls CMAC- Performing Arts Center its seasonal home. CMAC is a beautiful place to catch a concert in the 15,000-seat venue with pavilion and lawn seating right across from Canandaigua Lake. Treat your future fiancée to a wonderful night at the orchestra under the stars with a bottle of wine. Some orchestra shows even end with fireworks! It will be an experience both of you will never forget.
#6. At a Romantic Bed and Breakfast
Get cozy for a weekend in the Finger Lakes and begin the rest of your life with your sweetheart at one of the numerous bed and breakfasts in Ontario County. Each one has its own unique style and special settings. Jacuzzi bathtubs, scenic balconies, welcoming fireplaces, and historic homes are all part of the Ontario County bed and breakfast experience. Take a weekend, leave all your cares at home, and enjoy the luxuries of a Finger Lakes bed and breakfast while you ask that special person to spend the rest of their life with you.
#7. In Scenic Beauty
There are many breathtaking scenic spots in the Finger Lakes. What better way to spend a breathtaking moment in your life than at a breathtaking spot? Pop the big question at the Carolabarb Park's scenic overlook in Naples while taking in a view of the entire Canandaigua Lake. Or look over the panorama of Honeoye Lake and see the Rochester skyline at Harriet Hollister Park. Another great option is the Jump-off in Ontario County Park where you will be able to absorb the magnificent view of the Bristol Hills.
#8. A Romantic Dinner
Proposing over a romantic dinner has always been a wonderful way to ask the question. At Geneva On The Lake or Belhurst Castle, both in Geneva, you are sure to “wow” the special person in your life. On the National Registry of Historic Places, Belhurst combines the romance of the past with the comforts of the present in an elegant, yet relaxed atmosphere. Rich woodwork, mosaic-tiled fireplaces and beamed cathedral ceilings set the stage for a truly romantic dining experience in Belhurst’s restaurant, Edgar’s, overlooking Seneca Lake.
Geneva On The Lake, also overlooks Seneca Lake and is on the National Registry for Historic Places. The Lancellotti Dining Room at Geneva On The Lake features marble columns, 17th century side chairs, wall tapestries, Chinese vases that glow in the warmth of candlelight and live music, making a perfect setting for a special dinner for two.
#9. By the fire
You know the scene – the sun is going down, you have a glass of wine in hand, and your favorite person is next to you. You cannot plan a better moment! There are many romantic fireplaces and firepits around the county, including the bed & breakfasts, Belhurst Castle, Simply Crepes, Mountain Horse Farm, and The Lake House on Canandaigua.
#10. Up in the clouds
Your favorite person will make you feel like you are on cloud 9 – why not get as close as you can! With launching sites around the county, Liberty Balloons will take you high above Canandaigua Lake to look down on the beauty below – and next to you