Penn Yan is a quiet village in the heart of the Finger Lakes
Penn Yan, a historic village in New York's Finger Lakes region, has grown in popularity over the past decade. The community's location along Keuka Lake, notable wine trails and high-yielding farms have increasingly drawn tourists and prospective residents. "Our area is driven by agriculture and tourism," says broker Dan Morse, co-owner of Keuka Lake and Land Realty. Morse has spent most of his life in Penn Yan and has sold homes across the region for nearly 20 years. "It's not as popular a vacation area as the Outer Banks or anything, but it's a nice little vacation spot." As the village has grown, longtime locals like Morse have noticed the growth first-hand. "When you drive or walk downtown, there are all kinds of people you don't know. That used to not be the case," Morse says. "If you had called me eight years ago, this conversation would be different. Still positive, but different."
The village's substantial Mennonite population has left a lasting cultural impact, from the names scribed on signs of outlying farms and horse-drawn buggies to the wildly popular farm stands and markets laid across rural roads.
Historic Victorians and lakefront homes
Many of Penn Yan's homes have been around for at least a century. "There are Victorian houses in the village, and then some Colonials," Morse says. "The majority of downtown consists of 1900s housing. There's not a lot of suburban, new-build tract housing." While lots in town typically measure around a quarter-acre, several in the countryside span at least five acres, often with ranch-style homes or historic farmhouses. Many homeowners have property along Keuka Lake, and Morse says renovations are common. "There are some cottages around the lake," he says. "But a lot are getting torn down and built into mansions or chalet-style homes." The median sale price for a home in Penn Yan is around $240,000.
Days on Keuka Lake and outlying nature
Penn Yan's legacy is largely tied to its location among the Finger Lakes. The village straddles the northern edges of Keuka Lake, but Morse emphasizes its location near the other lakes. "You've also got four lakes within 20 minutes of Penn Yan," Morse says. "Seneca Lake is more of a fisherman's lake for power boats, and Keuka Lake is more for wake boats." Water activities are common on both Seneca and Keuka lakes. "There's definitely a lot of leisure crafting," Morse says. "There's also water skiing, and wake surfing is a thing that's growing exponentially." There's plenty of public space along Keuka Lake for water access. Indian Pines Park has a playground and a swimming area, and the Penn Yann Boat Launch and Park has a few ramps and a couple of pickleball courts. Trails like the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail connect hikers and cyclists with outlying waterfalls like Seneca Mill and Falls.
Lakefront dining, boutique shopping and farm stands
Penn Yan offers lakefront dining, downtown shopping and rural farm stands. The village's downtown has welcomed a mix of locally owned businesses in the past decade. "Penn Yann used to be a ghost town, but now our downtown is pretty alive," Morse says. Gift shops and boutiques pepper the main strip, and spots like Keuka Restaurant offer sizable menus. Morse adds that Amity Coffee is a favorite morning spot, with specialty lattes and breakfast bowls.
Plenty of eateries sit along Keuka Lake, and Morse says The Switzerland Inn is a popular spot. "The Switz has a Clam and Jam, with buckets of beer, clams and corn on the cob," Morse says. "Around 50 to 80 boats are stacked out on the waterfront listening to the live music." The Clammin' and Jammin' event typically takes place throughout the summer. Dozens of wineries and farms fill Penn Yann's countryside, and locals enjoy access to wine and fresh produce. "You'll see roadside farm stands everywhere," Morse says. The Windmill Farm and Craft Market is arguably one of the community's largest and most-visited farm markets, with an assortment of locally sourced goods. Tops Friendly Markets and Aldi provide additional groceries in the village's downtown.
Local schools earn solid scores on Niche
The Penn Yan Central School District scores an overall B on Niche and serves nearly 1,300 students. Penn Yan Elementary School receives a B, Penn Yan Middle scores a B-minus and Penn Academy has a B-plus. The Academy, serving ninth through twelfth grade students, offers several student clubs and organizations. The school's outdoor adventure club organizes faculty-student field trips that involve various outdoor activities.
Navigating the Finger Lakes region
Yates Transit Service offers some fixed bus routes that serve Penn Yan Monday through Friday, but locals rely mainly on cars to get around. New York State Route 14 is accessible about 6 miles east in Dresden, which runs north toward Geneva. Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital is the community's primary medical facility. Rochester is about 50 miles northwest, and Ithaca is 50 miles southeast; international airports are in both cities.
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Written By
Brennen Martin
