Small towns are built around community and fellowship, where neighbors support each other and celebrate together, and where strangers are treated as friends. Where you’ll find quaint village squares and other gathering places, sites for markets, entertainment, and music.

These are the places where you’ll find interesting shops and restaurants that are part of the fabric of the community serving great food and a sense of home. You’ll find mom and pop stores, or off-the-beaten-path crafters, plus some of the most scenic countryside around.

Here are some of Steuben’s communities which are small in size, big at heart.

Canisteo

With a population of less than 3,500 residents (not many more than it had been back in 1905), Canisteo isn’t going to wow you with its size. But you might be surprised to learn that it is home to the Canisteo Living Sign, recorded in Ripley’s Believe it or Not! as the World’s Largest Living Sign, and also found on the Registry of Historical Places. Consisting of 260 Scotch Pine trees that spell out the name “Canisteo” on a hillside behind the school, the sign was replanted in 2015.

Looking to fish or to do some paddling? You can access the Canisteo River at the boat launch on Dineen Road just outside of the village (please note, hand launch is required).

If hiking is more your thing, you can hop on the Finger Lakes Trail. As a matter of fact, where the trail crosses a quiet farm road just outside of town you’ll find Cider Creek Hard Cider, New York State’s most awarded farm cidery. Serving several of their own delicious award-winning hard ciders, as well as craft beer and wine from around New York State, Cider Creek is a weekend destination for craft beverage lovers from near and far.

Popular eateries in Canisteo include the Kill Buck Inn and Big Papa’s. While Lain’s Cider Mill is probably as famous for its tasty donuts as its cider.

A fun annual event that happens in late Spring is the Battle of Lain’s Mills Reenactment.

Cannons! Musket fire! Civil War re-enactors take you back in time on 600 scenic acres of farmland with gorgeous views of the surrounding countryside.

Howard

Just a few minutes away from Canisteo, in the town of Howard (which is smaller still), you can encounter delicious goat cheese and maple ice cream made from goat’s milk, as well as locally-produced meats, cheeses, honey, and more at Stewart’s Family Farm and Store.

Part of Finger Lakes Farm Country, Stewart’s is “a bio-diverse, multi-generational farm and store.”

Addison

A great spot for outdoor recreation, you’ll find a state park and a state forrest in the small town of Addison.

Indian Hills State Park is a great spot for avid or beginner golfers. Located just outside Corning, Indian Hills runs alongside the Tioga River and has a wonderful mix of holes with regards to length, doglegs and straight design, water hazards, sand traps, and other on-course obstacles that aren’t overly concerning, but do make for a fun and scenic round. As part of the New York State Parks system you can also find rate benefits for seniors, veterans, and golfers with disabilities.

At nearly 800 acres, McCarthy Hill State Forest offers rustic experiences ranging from hiking and camping to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing as well as hunting and trapping. With access to the Canisteo River (Boat Launch Off Route 417 in the Village of Addison). Please note: hand launch.

Other forms of outdoor adventures like paddling and fishing are available.

Of course, if music is more your thing, you’ll want to check out the schedule at Moe-Town Music Venue which features local, regional, and national acts in a rustic setting.

If you ask the locals, chances are they’re going to point you in the direction of Fran’s Landing for a great meal. Casual restaurant offering “American fare, including prime rib, burgers, and fish fries, plus a full bar.”

Between Addison and Lindley, Sunflower Acres Campground offers RV sampling (full and part hook-ups), as well as “A Frame” cabins. Primitive camping in tents is also an option.

Lindley

In 1790, a Revolutionary War veteran, Lt. Colonel Eleazer Lindsley, who “held commissions in Spencer’s Regiment, the Jersey Blues, and the Continental Army,” traveled with about forty others (many of whom were family) from New Jersey and settled in Steuben County.

“The Lindsleys were among the wealthiest and politically most influential families in the Painted Post district.” (Source)

The community went through a few names over the years, finally dropping the “s” and settling on Lindley. According to accounts from one local historian, for “about 80 years from 1864 to 1948/49, tobacco was a major crop in the farming business of the river valleys in the Lindley area.” (Source)

Today you may not find tobacco farms, but you’ll still find a number of other types including

Evermore Farms which rests on over 200 acres tucked in the hills of Lindley. One weekend every month from May through September, the family invites others to spend time on the farm learning about everything from lambing and shearing to Earth Regeneration, from the benefits of creating a Sylvopasture to Barnyard Olympics (a family tradition).

Not far away, locals and visitors enjoy pottery workshops at The heART Studio which provides a serene location allowing patrons to interact with their creative senses by literally getting in “touch” with the “earth” through hands-on pottery creations.

Woodhull

Just down the road a spell from Addison, is the community of Woodhull which has a history of cheesemaking dating back to the 1800s. For over forty years, Golden Age Cheese Company has produced a delicious variety of all-natural, NY State cheeses from fresh mozzarella and smoked cheeses, to rare, aged cheddars, like the wonderfully complex 18-year-old “Old School” (that’s right, it’s old enough to vote). Other aged cheddars, including Dog Year (7-Year Aged) and Veteran (12-Year Aged), are just some of the oh-so-good cheeses found in this small town.

Nearby, you’ll also find Woodhull Raceway which first opened in 1965. “The configuration of Woodhull Raceway is a very high banked one-third of a mile red clay oval.  The “Paperclip” design of Woodhull, with its long straight a ways and highly banked tight turns, make it a very unique track to drivers and spectators alike.”

You can learn more about the types of races and dates for the 2025 season here.

Looking for a unique experience? Try spending a little time with alpacas. A 40-acre family-owned alpaca farm, Heavenly Sunset Farm offers you a chance to visit with these friendly creatures, then peruse the store for an assortment of fibre products. And if you’re looking for an alpaca to take home, talk to Carolyn.

Stop by the small farm store at Schweigart’s Sugar Shack and stock up on the tasty maple products (from  Bourbon Aged Maple Syrup to Infused Maple Syrups, BBQ Sauces, Mustards, Honey, various maple-covered nuts, Maple Creme, Maple Marinade, spices & Seasonings, and more. Your taste buds will thank you.

Prattsburgh

One of the most historic females born in the Southern Finger Lakes was a woman you probably never heard of: Narcissa Prentiss Whitman. Born in the small town of Prattsburgh in 1808, Narcissa decided at age sixteen to become a missionary. Years later, she became one of the first two white women to journey across the continent and cross the Rocky Mountains on foot, opening the way for future emigrants who journeyed on the Oregon Trail.

Today, you can visit the Narcissa Prentiss House (limited hours in July and August or by appointment). For more information about Narcissa, visit the Prattsburgh Historical Society.

Not too far away, you’ll find another pottery studio, Betelgeuse Pottery, which sells quality, functional handcrafted pottery as well as 2 hour “try it” classes to give you a chance to explore your creative side.

Prattsburgh is also home to Sommerville Pottery, a working studio and gallery that offers beautiful pieces, as well as pottery classes. Monica Sommerville produces functional wheel-thrown and hand-built pottery in a wide range of blue, green, and red glazes.

Individual & Group Instruction on the Wheel or Basic Hand-building.

• Working on the Wheel
• Basic Handbuilding
• Scouts Badges
• Glazing & Firing
• Tile-making

From the moment it opened, Black Sheep Distillery has been gaining a following. Enjoy the cool vibe of this veteran-owned farm distillery. With fun décor (no, you can’t play with the bazooka) that really gets the conversation started and delicious creative cocktails, you may not want to leave.

There are a number of small family farms in the area including Eggs ’n Honey Homestead which views farming as “an opportunity to nurture the land and animals around us.” As the name suggests, the small homestead is a source for farm-fresh eggs and local honey, as well as beef, and produce directly from the farmer.

JB’s Bar & Grill serves t”he best aged Iowa Premium 100% Black Angus Beef.” Steaks are cut in-house. Menu features pastas, steaks, stuffed burgers, salads and much more.

A small, intimate campground in the countryside, Camp Elmbois offers pull-through sites with 30/50 amp electric service as well as tent or small unit sites with 20 amp service. Located near some of the top wineries, breweries, and distilleries in the region, Camp Elmbois is close enough to Keuka Lake and Hammondsport to provide a number of fun activities, yet remote enough that you have a very private experience.

Autumn Mist Alpaca Farm & Fiber Mill offers self-guided tours where you will discover a lot of different animals besides Alpacas including chickens, Peacocks, giant Flemish rabbits, pigs, sheep, goats, emu, sobastapol geese, mini donkeys, mini Highland Cows, horses, and more.

Pulteney

Each spring, riders from all over the East Coast to compete in the popular gravel road race Keuka Gravel Classic which started as the Prattsburgh Gravel Classic and now takes place mostly in nearby Pulteney.

Organized and run by Steuben Brewing, which also has a Pedal for Pilsner cycling club, the Keuka Gravel Classic has become a pretty big deal. In addition to the race, Steuben Brewing is a standout craft beverage producer, with award-winning brews, great views, as well as food trucks and live music most weekends during the summer and fall.

During the 9th century, Josiah Prentiss played an important role in the prosperity of Pulteney and the wine industry that would come later. You can learn more about Josiah in our “Unsung Pioneers” post here.

Embracing the unique shape of Keuka Lake, the Y Knot Country Store & Eatery is exactly what it claims in the name. This small market on the wine and beer trail specializes in pizzas, hoagies, chicken wings, and more.

Enjoy a delicious meal by the water at Lakeside Tavern & Restaurant. With multiple outdoor decks, a dockside tiki bar, and live music a couple nights a week, Lakeside offers the true lake-life experience.

Looking for a peaceful setting near the pristine water of Keuka Lake, with footpaths for hiking, relax in the peaceful setting of Gone with the Wind’s 1887 plantation-style bed & breakfast, nestled near beautiful Keuka Lake waters. Enjoy calming views of nature, as well as fireplaces, A/C, sumptuous breakfasts,Wi-Fi and more.

With its stunning views of Keuka Lake and bluff (and delicious breakfasts), Moonshadow B&B is ideally located for a tongue-pleasing getaway. Smack dab between Steuben Brewing, Point of the Bluff Vineyards, Azure Hill Winery, Deep Root Vineyard, and Lakeside Tavern and Restaurant, this charming B&B is a great spot to catch the sunrise over the lake with a coffee on the large deck. Or sip some Finger Lakes wine in the evening for a relaxing end of the day.

Some other great establishments in the Prattsburgh and Pulteney area include:

• Harbor Lights Marina (gas for your boat, snack shack)
• Hill View Blueberry Farm (seasonal Blueberry picking)
• Point of the Bluff Vineyards (wine tastings, bocce ball, concerts, farm market)
• Azure Hill Winery (wine tastings, beautiful views of Keuks Lake)

Avoca

The small town of Avoca offers a variety of interesting farm experiences.

Take a class on making your own teas at Healing Spirits Herb Farm, and learn a lot in the process. Healing spirits also offers classes in making tinctures and in identifying medicinal herbs (that’s right, you’ll get the chance to learn which which “weeds” in the yard back are actually healthy herbs). Not far away is Hemlock Ridge Farm, a certified organic farm that sells beef, chicken, cheese, honey, maple syrup, and vegetables. Also the go to spot for flowers if you’r planning a country wedding.

Want more of a hands-on farm experience? Button’s Creekside is a working farm where you can feed the goats and take on some farm chores during your stay for an authentic glimpse at farm life. Button’s also offers special packages for hunters. With roughly 300 acres of land, which includes a working sheep farm surrounded by forested hills, Button’s Creekside Bed & Breakfast offers seclusion, an authentic taste of farm life, and a special package for hunters.

The roads connecting the many small towns scattered throughout the Southern Finger Lakes make for wonderful afternoon drives, scenic bicycle rides, and exhilarating motorcycle outings.

Wayland

Formed in 1848 from parts of Dansville and Cohocton, Wayland grew after it became a stop on the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad. “In 1854 a portion of the township was taken off to form the town of Fremont.”

By 1890, the population was 2,318. Today the population comes in at under 1,800 people. Visit the Wayland History Museum to learn more (the museum is open limited hours and by appointment, so be sure to call ahead).

Wayland is a great spot for outdoor activities.

Loon Lake

Located in in the small town of Wayland, Loon Lake is a 141-acre body of water that allows boating (including motor boats).

Please Note: Loon Lake does not have public access. In the past, access has been granted for a fee by Laf-A-Lot Restaurant in Wayland, but you will want to inquire (585-728-3722).

Loon Lake is popular spot for fishing, including ice fishing during winter months when some of the smaller bodies of water freeze. You’ll find Yellow Perch, Sunfish, Black Crappie, Pickerel and Statewide Regulations apply (link to Fishing Regulations page).

Click here, for the DEC’s contour map, but note the map is not intended for navigation.

And visit this website for updated information from the Loon Lake Association and Loon Lake Watershed Improvement Alliance.

Another great outdoor spot is The Gully Preserve (also known as Whiteman Gully).

Looking for a little nature exploration? Grab your waterproof boots (you’ll need to cross a creek to get to the largest waterfall). According to the Genesee Valley Conservancy’s website, the gully consists of a “series of falls, cascades, and chutes provide beautiful scenery and sounds to enjoy on this property.”

For more information about this waterfall and others throughout the state, visit the NY Falls website.

The ForX

Throughout Steuben County, you’ll discover a variety of musical venues from village squares to Vineyard Pavilions, as well as several outdoor locations like The ForX in Wayland. Whether you want to bring your lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the scenery and sounds from general admission, or you’re more into an up-close VIP experience in the Party Pit, the ForX offers a diverse lineup of summer concerts to enjoy.

Wayland also has several popular spots for dining including:

• Laf-a-lot (on Loon Lake)
• Simply Autumn Café
• Palmer’s Last Stop Bar & Grill

Cohocton

A small town where the past still lives on, Cohocton is the site of wind farms (and other farms) and its back roads make for scenic bicycle rides.

For over 50 years the folks here have celebrated the splendors of autumn with the Cohocton Fall Foliage Festival. This popular event has been going on for the past six decades and features Food and Craft Vendors, Horse and Wagon Rides, Antique Tractor Show, annual Fall Classic Antique & Vintage Snowmobile Show and Fall Classic Car Show, Wine Tasting, and more.

For years, the festival used to hold a tree-sitting contest. And while that is no longer part of the event, you can enjoy the outdoors with nearby camping at Tumble Hill Campground. Offering everything from primitive tent camping to RV hookups and even cabins, Tumble Hill is a “tranquil haven.”

The small community is also one of several the Cohocton River flows through as its waters head east to the Chesapeake. Don’t be surprised if you see folks on the river fly fishing and angling from a kayak.

There are a handful of eateries in Cohocton including Mountain View Inn an historic family-owned restaurant in Atlanta, NY which leans into the tagline, “No mountain, no view . . . just good food.” With a full bar, daily specials, stop by this local hangout for tasty bar food including appetizers, burgers and full dinner options.

Station 26 Restaurant and Pub claims “We don’t ride the crazy train, we drive it.” With indoor and outdoor seating, corn hole, live music, and good food, Station 26 is a gathering place for “family, friends and those in between.”

Smoked wings, baby back ribs! Your mouth knows what you want. Good Eats BBQ Inc offers catering services, as well as mouth-watering walk-up and drive-thru BBQ and Ice Cream to go.

Arkport

Just a few minutes from Stony Brook State Park to the north and Hornell to the south, the small town of Arkport (population under 1,000) is a rural area with history of ark-building which were used to ship goods via the waterways down to the Chesapeake. You can learn more about some of Steuben’s small communities names and history here.

Today, Arkport is home to a number of great stops before or after visiting the stunning waterfalls at Stony Brook.

A local favorite, FitzPatrick’s Farm Market & Deli offers some of the best farm-market products around (meats, cheeses,  the locals The BBQ pulled pork was messy good. The selection of jams and jellies was serious. Had to get the Hot Pepper Jam. Pick up some delicious food for a picnic at the state park.

Sun Valley Campsites

Located on 85 tranquil acres, Sun Valley offers Cabins, RVs, Luxury Tents, Waterfalls, Hiking Trails . . . A great compliment for folks interested din the outdoor experiences of Finger Lakes Rustic & Wild.

After an afternoon hiking the gorge trail at the nearby state park, you’ll want to stop by this micro-farm winery whose name reflects its philosophy of slowing down and savoring life.

Savor Vineyards & Wines crafts small batches of unique cold-climate wines. Stop by the handcrafted tasting barn to savor live music, comedy shows, beautiful valley views, and delicious wine.

During strawberry season, Schultheis Strawberries offers u-pick and pre-picked options, for super fresh delicious berries.

Wheeler

This small town was formed from Bath and Prattsburgh on February 25, 1820, and was named in honor of Capt. Silas Wheeler. A part of Avoca was taken off in 1843, and a part of Urbana in 1839. It seems Wheeler was one of the top potato producers in New York State back I 1896.

You can learn about  “The Good Ghost of Wheeler, NY” in this post about the Steuben County Museum Trail.

Of course, as is the case with many small towns, there’s a lot more to them than might seem. For example, in Town of Wheeler, you’ll find these Hamlets:

• Bean Station – A hamlet at the north town line on NY-53.
• Dinehart – A hamlet northeast of Wheeler hamlet on NY-53.
• Five-Mile Creek – A stream that partly parallels NY-53.
• Marshalls – A hamlet southwest of Wheeler hamlet on NY-53.
• Mitchellsville – A hamlet in the southeast part of the town on County Road 13.
• Renchans – A hamlet northeast of Wheeler hamlet on NY-53 at County Road 13.
• Stickneys – A hamlet in the northeast part of the town on NY-53.
• Wheeler – The hamlet of Wheeler on NY-53.

Other Steuben County Hamlets include Adrian, Cameron Mills, Canisteo Center, Carson, Gibson, Rexville, and South Canisteo.

Savona

About halfway between Corning and Bath is the village of Savona. While the population comes in just a tad over 800, this small community offers some of the coolest agritourism experiences in the Finger Lakes.

You might be surprised to discover bison roaming the fields at Mud Creek Bison Ranch, but this place offers self-guided driving tours, as well as a massive restaurant, bar, and event space. Great for solo travelers and motor-coach groups.

Not far away, on a hillside with spectacular valley views, you’ll find ZiegenVine Homestead. Known for their Goat Yoga classes, ZiegenVine also offers farm stays, camping options, goat milk soaps, homestead classes, and more.

Just a few minutes away, two sisters are transforming the countryside into a horseback riding oasis at Mountain Rose Farm. With daily trail rides, lessons, and vacation rentals, Mountain Rose shares the beauty and tranquility of country living. Not to mention one of the friendliest farm greeters around, Lucas the Goat.

One of the best ways to explore Steuben is by turning off the interstate and driving the scenic country roads and rural byways that were often, once upon a time, the main highways between these communities.

When you do so, you’ll discover rolling hills dotted with small family farms, charming communities, antique shops and even some quirky treasures like the Living Sign in Canisteo and the Wigwams in Jasper. You’ll also find out-of-the-way gems like Kanakadea Park  and the Almond Reservoir in Hornellsville.

Most of these communities have their own Historical Society, History Museum, and Historian.

You can contact the Steuben County Historian for research related to the county or to set up a visit to the Steuben County Historical Society Museum.