Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Inns of Aurora have a pool?
The Inns of Aurora has a world class Spa, ranked by Vogue as one of the 100 best spas in the world! The facility features indoor and outdoor complete hydrotherapy circuits, including four hot soaking pools, two cold plunges, two steam rooms, and both single-gender and co-ed saunas. Please note that Spa reservations are required to access the facility.
Does the Inns of Aurora have a wedding venue?
The Inns of Aurora is renowned for its picturesque weddings on the shores of Cayuga Lake. Described by BRIDES as the “perfect place for a weekend wedding,” the Inns of Aurora offers year-round wedding packages from small gatherings to large parties of up to 200 people. Weddings can be held at several of the properties. Learn more here.
Where are the nearest airports?
The Inns of Aurora is centrally located in New York’s Finger Lakes region between Ithaca, Rochester, and Syracuse. Surrounded by many of New York’s best wineries, a visit to Aurora is an easy getaway from Buffalo, Toronto, New York City, Boston, and other cities in the Northeast.
Please see the links below to nearby airports:
Ithaca Tompkins International Airport
Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport
Syracuse Hancock International Airport
Elmira Corning Regional Airport
Buffalo Niagara International Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport
What are the best things to do at the Inns of Aurora?
Every season brings exciting opportunities to the Inns of Aurora.
The Spa is open year-round with a heated outdoor patio, making it an ideal place to relax even in the middle of a snow storm. Guests with scheduled treatments have access to the entire Spa facilities for the entire day. Unlock the restorative power of a deeply healing treatment from our extensive menu, including body treatments, facials & skincare, massage & bodywork, salon treatments, and energy work.
Our three restaurants offer unique culinary experiences. Aurora Cooks! offers signature demonstrations, tasting experiences, and show-stopping dinners. Gather around the table and inspire your creativity, expand your culinary knowledge, and create memories with your loved ones. 1833 Kitchen & Bar — located inside the Aurora Inn — features an award-winning wine list and a creative menu that highlights our Finger Lakes bounty. The Fargo Bar & Grill offers casual tavern fare and the best burger in the Finger Lakes.
Discover our extensive activities calendar and transform your stay at our lakefront lodging into a memorable retreat. From yoga classes to chef’s table dinners, kayaking excursions to archery lessons, guests can book experiences for outdoor adventure, wellness activities, creativity & leisure, and culinary experiences.
View our activities calendar here.
Does the Inns of Aurora offer activities?
Between our world-class Spa, 3.5 mile nature trail, three unique restaurants, and an ever-changing activities calendar, there is always something fun to do at the Inns of Aurora. Get outside on the waterfront or on a boat cruise. Go fishing with our experienced outdoorsmen. Watch a culinary demonstration at Aurora Cooks!, or go shopping at the Village Market. Stretch out with a yoga class in the Schoolhouse Loft, or stay in and play a board game. The list goes on with indoor and outdoor activities, all year round.
View our activities calendar here.
What are the best things to do around the Finger Lakes area?
The Finger Lakes region is flowing with things to see and do, from state parks and historic sites to a thriving wine, beer, and culinary scene. Whether you’re on Cayuga Lake — or any of the other ten lakes — there is plenty to do out on the water. Between the lakes, discover a rich agricultural community with apple and berry picking, and farm stands. The surrounding cities of Rochester, Ithaca, and Syracuse offer museums, dining, culture, and shopping destinations.
Is the Inns of Aurora near historic sites?
History happened here! From the lake’s formations during the Pleistocene Ice Age to early-Native American inhabitants, from early European settlers to the birth of women’s and African American rights, New York’s Finger Lakes region is rich in geological and cultural history.
Take a hike around Ithaca or Watkins Glen to see the rock formations of the region, or visit the Museum of the Earth. Some popular hikes include Taughannock State Park, Buttermilk Falls State Park, Robert H. Treman State Park, and Watkins Glen State Park.
Visit Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor, the only New York State Historic Site dedicated to a Native American theme, and the only Seneca town developed and interpreted in the United States.
Take a short trip to nearby Seneca Falls to visit the Women’s Rights National Historical Park and Women’s Hall of Fame, then visit Auburn to tour the Harriet Tubman Home, Seward House Museum, and Harriet Tubman National Historic Park. Another historic site for African Americans’ and women’s rights is at nearby Howland Stone Store Museum, located right here in Aurora.
A trek to the southern Finger Lakes offers a variety of museums. The Corning Museum of Glass features 36 centuries of glass history, with daily live glass shows and Make Your Own Glass classes. The Rockwell Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate museum of American art, also located in Corning, and the National Soaring Museum is an aviation museum in Elmira. While in Elmira, don’t miss the home and gravesite of Mark Twain, one of America’s greatest authors.
Visit here for more places to go in the Finger Lakes region.
What are the best places to visit near the Inns of Aurora?
Our small village of Aurora is nearby to several larger towns and cities with a wide range of experiences to discover.
Travel south to Ithaca for an eclectic mix of culture. The city is home to two educational institutions — Cornell University and Ithaca College — where you can visit the campuses, catch a sporting event, eat ice cream, or tour the botanic gardens. Ithaca offers a vibrant downtown with the famous Ithaca Commons, a street open only to pedestrians with continental and ethnic restaurants, shopping, and night life. Enjoy street food, live music, and craft vendors at the popular Ithaca Farmers Market. Stock up on groceries at the GreenStar food co-op, or experience a visit to Wegmans, the beloved Rochester-based supermarket. The city is also surrounded by parks, hikes, and waterfalls.
North of Aurora is Auburn, a small city rich in history and it’s own downtown scene. Have a drink and a bit to eat at Prison City Brewery, or Osteria Salina. Get your caffeine fix at one of the Simple Roast drive-thru coffee shops or see a show by the REV Theatre Company. Relax by the Owasco Lake waterfront at Emerson Park, or any one of the parks sprinkled through the city.
Just past Auburn lies the ritzy tourist town of Skaneateles. Located on the north end of Skaneateles Lake, the town is packed with cute shops, restaurants, and even boat tours on the lake. Enjoy a nice meal at The Krebs, or Elephant and the Dove, then check out shops like The Local Branch.
Other nearby cities include Geneva, located on the north end of Seneca Lake, and Syracuse and Rochester, two of New York’s biggest cities with a lot to explore.
How fast is the internet at the Inns of Aurora?
All properties offer high-speed wireless internet.
Does the Inns of Aurora offer free parking?
Overnight guests have access to free 24-hour parking, with designated parking lots for each inn, and well as free street parking in the village. We also offer electric vehicle charging stations powered by ChargePoint.
Does the Inns of Aurora offer smoking rooms?
The Inns of Aurora are non-smoking properties, although each of our inns does have a designated outdoor smoking area. Any violation will result in an automatic $250 fine charged to the credit card on file.
Does the Inns of Aurora have a shuttle?
The Inns of Aurora provides a complimentary shuttle to nearby wineries will depart promptly from Lafayette Street between Zabriskie House and Wallcourt Hall and return in the same place. We recommend packing snacks and bottled water, available at the Village Market. Please note: Although transportation is complimentary, participants are responsible for paying for their tasting fees and purchases.
Reserve your seat here.
Are there vegan and vegetarian food options nearby?
Dining at the Inns of Aurora is very accommodating to visitors with dietary restrictions. Our restaurants — 1833 Kitchen & Bar, Fargo Bar & Grill, and Aurora Cooks! — each offer vegetarian and vegan options, or items that can be made to meet your needs. We are also adaptable to food allergies and sensitivities. Please alert your server of any dietary restrictions or concerns.
Are there places to hike near the Inns of Aurora?
The Inns of Aurora has a 3.5 mile nature trail, open to the public from dawn to dusk. The trail meanders up the hill from the village through forests and fields, with panoramic views of the lake, the Spa, archery pitch, overlook platform, and New York wildlife.
Are there beaches and state parks near the Inns of Aurora?
Aurora is centrally located in the Finger Lakes region of New York, on the eastern shores of Cayuga Lake. The area is surrounded with rocky, shale-covered beaches and beautiful state parks. Just south of town, Long Point State Park is open year-round from dawn to dusk. The park provides a boat launch, a modern playground, picnic areas, fishing access, lake access, 4.5 miles of hiking trails, and spectacular sunsets over Cayuga Lake.
Looking to explore beyond Aurora? Here is a list of some of the nearby and regional parks:
Stewart Park, Ithaca
Taughannock State Park
Fillmore Glen State Park
Sampson State Park
Keuka Lake State Park
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Robert H. Treman State Park
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Seneca Lake State Park
Watkins Glen State Park
Stony Brook State Park
Grimes Glen Park
When is the best time to visit the Inns of Aurora?
Aurora and the Finger Lakes are beautiful all year round, our activities calendar is full of things to do in every season. A spring visit offers budding trees and flowers throughout the village, while our peak season of summer is packed with outdoor activities, and perfect weather. Fall vibes and spectacular foliage make Autumn a memorable time to stay, and the holiday and winter season are packed with stunning seasonal décor and cozy indoor activities.
Does the Inns of Aurora have a fitness center?
Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and conveniently located at the Schoolhouse, the fitness center is the perfect place to maintain your wellness regimen during your stay. With a stocked hydration and towel station, the fitness center is equipped with:
- Peleton Bike with Streaming Classes
- Life Fitness Treadmill
- Cybex Total Body Arc Trainer
- Precor Elliptical Crosstrainer
- Vectra Three Stack Multi-Station Gym
- Concept 2 Rower
- 5-50 Pound Dumbbell Set
- TKO Flat/Incline/Decline Bench
- Bosu Elite Balance Trainer
- Body-Solid Exercise Stability Ball
