Naples is a scenic small town known for its grapes
Naples is a semirural community in the Finger Lakes region, centered around the quaint village of Naples. The village itself is surrounded by rolling hills covered in forest, dotted with farms and a few wineries. Since the mid-20th century, Naples has been a popular spot for viticulture, and over the years, grapes have become a symbol of the local community and drawn visitors to the area. “It’s not quite a resort town, it’s more of a small town with resort elements,” says Luke Cino, CEO of Cornerstone Realty Associates. “It’s got some nice restaurants and wineries, there’s lots of hiking and fishing around and you’re close to the lakes. It’s pretty cozy.”
A mix of historical homes, cabins and modern builds
Housing in Naples is almost entirely made up of single-family homes. Turn-of-the-century properties can be found near the town center, while a mix of ranch-style homes, cabins, farmhouses and modern retreats can be found along the outlying roads. Homes in the village tend to sit fairly close together, and some are within walking distance of Main Street, while homes outside the village can have a bit of distance between them. Properties with a bit of acreage attached are common. Many homes back up onto local woodlands. Most homes in the area sell for between $160,000 and $530,000.
Excellent hiking around town and close to Canandaigua Lake
Grimes Glen Park, a steep gorge with multiple waterfalls and stone steps, offers a scenic 1-mile hike right in the middle of town. High Tor Wildlife Management Area covers the hills east of Naples and features a small network of trails and excellent views. Like many public forests in the area, it's popular with white-tailed deer and turkey hunters during hunting season. Several small hiking trails can be found around the community, and most residents are within a couple of miles of a public trailhead. The southern shore of Canandaigua Lake is just a few miles north of Naples. The lake offers opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, boating and fishing. Residents looking to enjoy a more manicured outdoor experience can visit the public Reservoir Creek Golf Course, located just south of the village.
The town has a vibrant dining and drinking scene
Main Street, which runs through the center of the village, is home to most of the local shopping, including local supermarket Rennoldson’s and Joseph’s Wayside Market, which sells local produce. Restaurants are scattered around the village, including highly rated eateries like Roots Cafe and Naples Wood Fired Pizza & Smokehouse. Locals looking to enjoy afternoon drinks with a bit of scenery can visit Hollerhorn Distilling or one of the roughly half-dozen breweries and wineries found in and around town. “Naples isn’t a place anyone would go to get shopping done,” Cino says. “But if you want a nice wine, a nice dinner and a view, it’s great.” For additional shopping and dining, residents generally head to Canandaigua, about 20 miles north of Naples by car.
Naples public schools
Naples Elementary School has a B grade on Niche, while Naples High School, which teaches grades 7 through 12, has a B-minus. The high school offers dual credit course options through a partnership with Finger Lakes Community College.
The Naples Grape Festival offers grape-themed fun every September
The Naples Grape Festival, established in its modern form in the 1960s, is held every September and includes a grape-pie contest, wine tasting, crafts and live music. It’s usually the town’s busiest weekend of the year.
Rochester is the closest major city
State Route 21 is the main route in and out of Naples, connecting the community to Interstate 390 to the south and the Finger Lakes and Rochester to the north. It’s a little over 45 miles by car from Naples to both central Rochester and Rochester International Airport. There’s no regular public transportation in the area, so most locals rely on cars to get around.
