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Cayuga: A tour of Upstate New York

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Upstate New York is visually stunning, with rolling hills, old farms, amazing state parks and old buildings everywhere you look. Tag along with Bassmaster photographer Andy Crawford as he drives around Cayuga Lake and captures the essence of this wonderful region. <p> A drive through the country is almost guaranteed to include seeing deer and turkeys scrounging in the farmlands.
Upstate New York is visually stunning, with rolling hills, old farms, amazing state parks and old buildings everywhere you look. Tag along with Bassmaster photographer Andy Crawford as he drives around Cayuga Lake and captures the essence of this wonderful region.

A drive through the country is almost guaranteed to include seeing deer and turkeys scrounging in the farmlands.

Old churches are in every town, testament to the history of Upstate New York. This is St. Peter’s Church in Auburn, N.Y., which dates to the 1830s. Unfortunately, the door was locked.
Old churches are in every town, testament to the history of Upstate New York. This is St. Peter’s Church in Auburn, N.Y., which dates to the 1830s. Unfortunately, the door was locked.
St. Mary’s Church is just down the road in Auburn, and it’s just a wonderful example of Gothic architecture. It was dedicated in 1877.
St. Mary’s Church is just down the road in Auburn, and it’s just a wonderful example of Gothic architecture. It was dedicated in 1877.
The staff at St. Mary’s Church turned on the lights and allowed me onto the balcony to capture the stunning sanctuary. The doors of this church are generally unlocked, so be sure you stop here if you’re in the area. I promise you’ll love it.
The staff at St. Mary’s Church turned on the lights and allowed me onto the balcony to capture the stunning sanctuary. The doors of this church are generally unlocked, so be sure you stop here if you’re in the area. I promise you’ll love it.
Upstate New York is farm country, so there are old barns everywhere.
Upstate New York is farm country, so there are old barns everywhere.
Roads often lead up ridges, providing sweeping vistas of the rolling farmlands. It’s gorgeous.
Roads often lead up ridges, providing sweeping vistas of the rolling farmlands. It’s gorgeous.
If you love old barns you’ll definitely enjoy traveling through the area. While there are many mega farms now, family farms still are common and the original old barns dot the countryside.
If you love old barns you’ll definitely enjoy traveling through the area. While there are many mega farms now, family farms still are common and the original old barns dot the countryside.
The towns and villages in the region are really cool places, often with vibrant downtown districts. But there are some vestiges of days gone by, like this art deco cinema in Auburn.
The towns and villages in the region are really cool places, often with vibrant downtown districts. But there are some vestiges of days gone by, like this art deco cinema in Auburn.
Auburn’s Memorial City Hall was built in the 1930s and is beautifully lighted at night.
Auburn’s Memorial City Hall was built in the 1930s and is beautifully lighted at night.
Nature lovers should definitely visit Watkins Glen State Park, which is on the banks of nearby Seneca Lake. The gorge is amazingly beautiful, and the hike is pretty easy.
Nature lovers should definitely visit Watkins Glen State Park, which is on the banks of nearby Seneca Lake. The gorge is amazingly beautiful, and the hike is pretty easy.
Did I mention there are tons of cool old barns?
Did I mention there are tons of cool old barns?
This region is wine country, so you can find vineyards and wineries everywhere.
This region is wine country, so you can find vineyards and wineries everywhere.
A drive along Highway 90 will offer you plenty of opportunities to enjoy tastings at wonderful wineries like Chateau Lafayette Reneau, which overlooks Lake Cayuga. Just don’t taste too much if you’re driving!
A drive along Highway 90 will offer you plenty of opportunities to enjoy tastings at wonderful wineries like Chateau Lafayette Reneau, which overlooks Lake Cayuga. Just don’t taste too much if you’re driving!
The quaint little towns are filled with Victorian homes, and you just never know what you’ll find. This whimsical gazebo was in the yard of one of the homes along Highway 34B between Cayuga and Owaso lakes.
The quaint little towns are filled with Victorian homes, and you just never know what you’ll find. This whimsical gazebo was in the yard of one of the homes along Highway 34B between Cayuga and Owaso lakes.
This also is Amish country, so you’ll find their farms scattered throughout the area.
This also is Amish country, so you’ll find their farms scattered throughout the area.
I loved this sign, which directs drivers to the wineries along the Cayuga Wine Trail. If you look in the background along the road, you’ll see an Amish buggy.
I loved this sign, which directs drivers to the wineries along the Cayuga Wine Trail. If you look in the background along the road, you’ll see an Amish buggy.
Bedford Falls of “It’s a Wonderful Life” fame also is in the area. OK, so the real name of the town is Seneca Falls, but you can walk the streets where this classic film was recorded.
Bedford Falls of “It’s a Wonderful Life” fame also is in the area. OK, so the real name of the town is Seneca Falls, but you can walk the streets where this classic film was recorded.
The cemetery in Union Springs (the venue for the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite Series at Cayuga Lake) includes a real cool monument to area residents who have given their lives in defense of our country.
The cemetery in Union Springs (the venue for the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite Series at Cayuga Lake) includes a real cool monument to area residents who have given their lives in defense of our country.
Of course, there also are beautiful old Victorian homes in the Union Springs area.
Of course, there also are beautiful old Victorian homes in the Union Springs area.
Union Springs’ Frontenac Museum is housed in a Presbyterian church built in 1840.
Union Springs’ Frontenac Museum is housed in a Presbyterian church built in 1840.
An abandoned old church sits in a field outside of Union Springs. One of the stained glass windows can still be seen.
An abandoned old church sits in a field outside of Union Springs. One of the stained glass windows can still be seen.
There are abandoned old homes all over the region. This one was on Highway 90 between Union Springs and Aurora.
There are abandoned old homes all over the region. This one was on Highway 90 between Union Springs and Aurora.
Aurora is an amazing place, with old churches, restaurants and a vibrant downtown. It’s also home to Wells College.
Aurora is an amazing place, with old churches, restaurants and a vibrant downtown. It’s also home to Wells College.
This old church in Aurora has no identifying denomination on it, but the date 1870 is found above the door. Notice the clock hands in the upper window. Maybe it’s a Baptist church, and members wanted the preacher to know when it was time to break for lunch.
This old church in Aurora has no identifying denomination on it, but the date 1870 is found above the door. Notice the clock hands in the upper window. Maybe it’s a Baptist church, and members wanted the preacher to know when it was time to break for lunch.
The Scipio Lodge No. 110 of the Free and Accepted Masons is housed in building that dates to 1819.
The Scipio Lodge No. 110 of the Free and Accepted Masons is housed in building that dates to 1819.
The Aurora Free Library and Morgan Opera House is a Tudor-style building built in 1899. It was first build as a community meeting place. It includes a Victorian theater (the Morgan Opera House) on the second story. It’s only open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The Aurora Free Library and Morgan Opera House is a Tudor-style building built in 1899. It was first build as a community meeting place. It includes a Victorian theater (the Morgan Opera House) on the second story. It’s only open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Fruit and vegetable stands are ubiquitous in the region.
Fruit and vegetable stands are ubiquitous in the region.
Stop by Long Point Orchard for peaches, nectarines and apricots right off the trees, along with great conversation. Ask for a sample of their flat nectarines. But be ready to buy some: They are so good you’re guaranteed to want more.
Stop by Long Point Orchard for peaches, nectarines and apricots right off the trees, along with great conversation. Ask for a sample of their flat nectarines. But be ready to buy some: They are so good you’re guaranteed to want more.
Beautiful Cayuga Lake is one of 11 finger lakes in the region. You can fish, kayak, ride jet skis or just sit and enjoy the view.
Beautiful Cayuga Lake is one of 11 finger lakes in the region. You can fish, kayak, ride jet skis or just sit and enjoy the view.
The Phoenix Building in Auburn is a fine example of the old downtown districts found all over the region.
The Phoenix Building in Auburn is a fine example of the old downtown districts found all over the region.
Neon signs old and new are hallmarks of many of the downtown districts.
Neon signs old and new are hallmarks of many of the downtown districts.

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