The Erie Canal runs for twelve miles through Cayuga County, from the Richmond Aqueduct in Montezuma to Lock 51 on the border between Cayuga and Onondaga Counties. The canal gives the region’s history a tangible route. At Montezuma Heritage Park, eleven interconnected nature trails explore the legacy of the Erie and Cayuga-Seneca canals. They run alongside interpreted historic sections and are at various stages of development.
Museums and Local Stories
At the Howland Stone Store Museum, the 1837 Slocum Howland Cobblestone Store is part of the experience. The museum tells the story of the Sherwood Equal Rights Historic District, a center of reform in the century after 1830. As of May 2, 2026, it is regularly open Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.; check the hours before your visit.
The Seward House Museum features rooms with original furnishings, artworks, and personal belongings of the Seward family. The house’s history also includes a room where enslaved people were sheltered safely on their way to freedom. Visitors can learn about both the family’s personal surroundings and a stop on the Underground Railroad.
The Frontenac Museum is housed in an 1840 Greek Revival building that formerly served as the local Presbyterian church. Its exhibits cover the Civil War, Cayuga Lake, and the history of Indigenous peoples of North America. The architecture and exhibit topics offer different ways to explore the area’s past.
Agricultural and domestic life are the focus of the Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural and Country Living Museum. On display are equipment, tools, and antiques that fundamentally changed American life. Admission is free; check the details before your trip. The Harriet Tubman Home also offers a guided tour of the grounds. As tour dates and booking conditions can change, it’s best to check ahead.
The restored farmhouse at MacKenzie-Childs offers a different kind of historical discovery. On tours of the 15-room house, visitors see art and antiques playfully paired with MacKenzie-Childs products. Tour times and booking requirements can change; check them before your visit.
Nature Trails, Shores, and Views
For a nature excursion by car, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge has a 3-mile loop drive along the Wildlife Drive route. Operating conditions vary by season; check the route for your planned visit. Hiking trails offer a different pace: Long Point State Park is located in the Finger Lakes wine country and has 4.5 miles of hiking trails. The park also has a boat launch with a paved ramp in Cayuga County. Conditions at the launch may vary seasonally.
Owasco Bluffs Nature Preserve protects more than 1,100 feet of undeveloped shoreline. It is open during the day for quiet nature observation and low-impact activities such as walking, hiking, and snowshoeing; check the latest public access information before you go. A 1-mile trail runs through fields and woods to a wooded slope overlooking the lake. A short spur leads to the 80-acre Beaver Wetland, home to a colony of great blue herons. Trail conditions may change.
Nature experiences here take different forms: the Wildlife Drive route is a 3-mile drive, while the trails at Owasco Bluffs Nature Preserve combine walking with lake views. Long Point State Park adds hiking trails and a boat launch. You can tailor your exploration to the kind of landscape experience you’re looking for.
Discover more destinations: Auburn, Weedsport, Oneida, Jefferson County, Wyoming County, Cattaraugus County, Saratoga, Allegany County.
For the broader travel overview: New York.
