Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack is one of your premier casino destinations. But the Finger Lakes region and town of Farmington is full of hidden gems that only small-town America can bring.
You won’t find sporting venues or epic sightseeing adventures of a city skyline in Farmington. But as with so many small towns in America these days, you will find historical sites, golf clubs, niche museums, a local brewery, plus an antique shop and candle company.
They’re solid attractions, and you can make a safe bet that those who visit the area often rave about the activities. So, if you’re headed to Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack for a quick getaway, why not complete that getaway by visiting the following locations?
Today’s post will give you a few solid attractions to look forward to when you’re not gambling in New York. Ready to discover what’s hiding in Farmington? Let’s go.
Ontario Mall Antiques
Travelers on TripAdvisor rave about Ontario Mall Antiques. And given its solid 4.5-star rating, you will know that before you even step foot into this antique mall, a world of historic knickknacks and hidden gems await you.
But you will find more than just old school accessories and decor at this old antique mall. The place sells works of art, old-time comics in both the Marvel and DC realm, glassware that will take you back to another time, and more.
Even if you belong to the younger generation, you need to mark this attraction in red, given the newer flair you’ll find from a lot of these objects. You won’t just find dated accessories from the 19th and 20th centuries. You can hang a lot of what you’ll find in your living room today.
So, head on out to Ontario Mall Antiques for a unique shopping experience and find a diamond in the rough at one of Farmington’s most prominent locations.
Wick-edly Sent Soap and Candle Company
Wick-edly Sent Soap and Candle Company is the definition of hidden small town gem. And its location inside what looks like an ordinary house arouses that definition even further.
But not only is it the perfect specialty shop to find something to commemorate your visit to Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack, you’ll also find the shop right across the street. Talk about solid attractions near the casino slash racetrack! This one is literally right there.
Here, you’ll find hand-poured candles, olive oil soaps, natural bath and body products, plus numerous gifts that will make your time in the area special. It’s cool to think of this venue as a mom and pop version of Bath and Body Works with an added gift shop.
You can’t beat that, and its proximity to Finger Lakes is just a short walk away.
Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum
Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum is quite the popular place to venture to when you’re in the area, given its 4.5 rating out of 63 reviews via TripAdvisor as of December 2020.
So, if you’re in town with the kids, it’s the place to be—especially around the holidays. Treat yourself to private tours of the homestead and get a taste of what life was like way back in the day.
As with many area attractions on this list, it’s an ideal venue that only small-town America can provide. If a quaint and relaxed setting is your idea of a good time, along with a solid educational and family-friendly experience, look no further than Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum.
An unforgettable experience awaits!
Blue Toad Hard Cider Tasting Room and Cider Pub
Don’t let that baby blue trailer fool you when you view the Blue Toad Hard Cider Tasting Room and Cider Pub. Reviewers gush over this location, and you can bet that many will make return trips when they venture back to the area.
As with many locations and attractions on this list, the cider pub epitomizes what it means to be a hidden gem in small-town America. It’s a simple location with high-quality flair. So far, it boasts a 5-star rating via TripAdvisor and reviewers love the inviting nature of the place.
Despite its small size, you will surround yourself in a casual atmosphere and treat your tastebuds to a roller coaster of fine-tasting ciders.
And yeah, you can immerse yourself in all the local crafts and cocktails while enjoying the casino games at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack. But your trip isn’t complete without sampling the best tasting hard ciders in Farmington.
Ganondagan State Historic Site
The Ganondagan State Historic Site is the latest art and cultural center commemorating the Seneca people that continue to inhabit the area. This historic site is sort of like an art museum as it tells the story of cultural art, societal contributions, and history of the Seneca and Haudenosaunee people.
Historical artifacts and art date back over 2,000 years, so you’re in for quite a history lesson when you venture to the Ganondagan State Historic Site.
And don’t forget to visit the gift shop and treat yourself to authentic Seneca and Haudenosaunee art, jewelry, basketry, clothing, and so much more.
At the site, you will find a 17th-century longhouse that reenacts the lives of the Seneca people during the time. They also have three marked trails that you can walk and enhance your learning experience along with heirloom gardens, fields, and native grasses that tell stories of the Seneca people’s origins.
They also host many festivals and special events throughout the year to increase awareness of their culture with dances, music, arts, sports, and stories.
Ravenwood Golf Club
What’s a trip to a small town and racino without a nearby golf course? It’s becoming the norm that these solid diamonds are springing up all over small-town America, and reviewers per TripAdvisor can’t get enough of Ravenwood Golf Club.
This 18-hole public golf course was voted as a Top 5 Public Golf Course in New York via Golf Magazine and has also seen rankings in Golf Digest. The course has a long history, so it’s stood the test of time, welcoming golfers of all ages and experience levels to test the challenging course.
Even if golf isn’t your thing, it’s still a rewarding experience to venture to Ravenwood given its scenic views, beautiful clubhouse, well-kept patio, and helpful staff.
Another fun fact about this course is that they host events that include meetings, conferences, banquets, weddings, receptions, and more. So as with many casinos in the state, you’re looking at more than just a golf course when you visit Ravenwood.
Whether it’s your next golf outing, or if you’re just curious to see what’s happening in the area, carve time out of your day to make a trip to Ravenwood Golf Club.
VB Brewery
VB Brewery is our last stop on the tour around Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack. It’s a nano brewery only a small town like Farmington can bring. The VB Brewery specializes in small batch, handcrafted beers that will send your taste buds into a frenzy. And while you’ll find fresh, local brews across the region, nothing beats the VB Brewery’s authenticity.
They offer 12 taps of beer, one tap of birch beer, and even a selection of fine wines. Don’t worry, if beer isn’t your thing, you’re not out of luck. Just see if they offer any wine that suits your taste buds and go from there.
So, come on in, enjoy a brew, wine, or just sit back and immerse yourself in the venue’s entertainment and occasional food options. While Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack provides solid entertainment itself, take a night or two and see what VB and other small outlets in the area offer.
Take a Break From New York Gambling
Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack provides your usual casino thrills, but it’s just one of many hot local attractions to keep in mind when planning your casino trip. And given the unique flair small-town America has over the big city, brace yourself to travel off the beaten path when you visit the area.
You won’t find many attractions quite like the ones you will find in Farmington and in the areas surrounding Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack. With that said, you’re in for a wild ride that will take you centuries into the past along with a few fun activities sprinkled in between.
Have you been to Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack? And if so, did you visit any of the listed attractions? Let us know in the comments and fill us in on your experience.