Pastoral charm and small-town character in Genoa
Genoa, 20 miles south of Auburn, is a Cayuga County town comprised of more than a dozen rural communities in the Finger Lakes. The town has a few farms, wineries and other small businesses throughout, but most shopping and dining takes place in Auburn or Ithaca, 18 miles away. Genoa's pastoral character is part of the town's appeal, along with recreation on Cayuga Lake and spacious single-family homes. "You can get more of a house here than you can in Ithaca," says Michelle Miller, an associate broker at Re/Max in Motion with over 22 years of local real estate experience. "Some of [the town] is on the lake, but it's [mostly] wide open spaces and cows."
200 years of architecture includes farmhouses, lakefront properties
Genoa's housing is diverse, spanning more than two centuries of architecture. Historic, 19th-century farmhouses are prevalent, as are ranch-style homes from the mid to late 20th century, but there are 21st-century versions as well. "Sometimes there's a big farmhouse with several hundred acres," Miller says. "Farmers will take the acreage and [sell] the house." Most of these single-family homes are secluded along country roads, allowing for privacy and additions like barns and detached garages. "You can be naked in your backyard and nobody knows," Miller says. Some homes are set closer together, like those along sidewalk-lined Main Street. There are also a handful of lakefront properties with features like private docks and decks.
Homes rarely come on the market here, but farmhouses and ranch-style homes generally go for between $200,000 and $400,000, while lakefront properties range from about $400,000 to $900,000.
Southern Cayuga Central School District earns a C-plus
Genoa is part of several school districts, including the Southern Cayuga Central School District, rated C-plus overall by Niche. Emily Howland Elementary teaches pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and earns a B. Students can move on to Southern Cayuga Junior/Senior High for seventh through 12th grade. The school receives a C-plus and participates in the Cayuga Advantage Program, which allows teens to take concurrent enrollment courses for credit at Cayuga Community College without additional charge.
Boating, fishing and swimming at Cayuga Lake
Genoa is rural with meandering creeks and trails, but there are a few planned green spaces, too, like the Genoa Little League Field and the King Ferry Golf Club's nine-hole, public course. "There's not really parks per se," Miller says. "The land is mostly owned by farmers, but there are walks and stuff to do everywhere."
Cayuga Lake is the town's centerpiece. "It's beautiful," Miller says. "It's 40 miles long and 3 miles wide, so it's a proper lake." Fishing here yields largemouth bass and yellow perch, while birding offers sightings of American pipits and sanderlings. "There's a lot of boating [and] plenty of public access points," Miller adds. Less than 7 miles away, the 300-acre Long Point State Park features a swimming area, boat launch and nearly a dozen hiking trails. The park's western overlook offers scenic views of the lake from the Long Point Lighthouse.
Fast-casual eats and wine tastings in King Ferry
Most of the town's shopping and dining are located in the hamlet of King Ferry. The King Ferry Corner Store sells quick groceries, freshly baked cookies and artisan souvenirs. King Ferry Pizzeria serves New York–style slices and hot subs, while Cream at the Top scoops old-school ice cream with flavors like blueberry cornbread and banana cream pie. For an evening out, Bright Leaf Vineyard offers wine flights, charcuterie and occasional concerts and dinner events. In Auburn, there are dozens of restaurants and stores, including Wegmans for groceries.
Genoa Historical Association preserves heritage, holds events
The Genoa Historical Association preserves the town's heritage through recordkeeping, site maintenance and community events, like the Wheat Harvest Festival in August — a celebration of Genoa's agricultural community. The festivities include a parade, live music and fun traditions, including a pancake breakfast and a cake wheel. The association also offers tours of the Threshing Barn and the Genoa Rural Life Museum, both built in the early 19th century. The latter was originally a one-room schoolhouse and is still educating folks through its preserved furnishings today.
State Route 34 offers access to Ithaca and Auburn
Residents drive to get around town. State Route 34 passes through Genoa, providing a direct route to larger cities, including Ithaca and Auburn. Ithaca Tompkins International Airport is 15 miles away, and Cayuga Medical Center is a 21-mile drive.
