Waterloo Village has natural beauty within reach of the Finger Lakes
Scenic Waterloo Village, 7 miles from Geneva, New York, is a small town along the Cayuga-Seneca Canal. A big draw to the area is its proximity to Seneca Lake, one of the picturesque Finger Lakes. “It’s a beautiful area,” says Cheryl Bonnell, an associate broker with Coldwell Banker Finger Lakes. Bonnell has been working in the industry since 1999. “Many people move there because they grew up there, and it’s kind of in the middle of the Finger Lakes. The prices are slightly lower there than in Seneca Falls.” Waterloo Village is the more urban part of Waterloo Town, with gridded streets bordered by sidewalks and a few restaurants instead of winding roadways and farmstands.
Lafayette Park's war memorials, hiking and biking on Oak Island
Lafayette Park has a paved path, picnic benches and the Purple Heart Wall of Honor. Near the canal, the Waterloo Community Center has open gym hours, a playground and a spray park open from June through September. Oak Island is across from the community center and is connected to the village by a roadway. The island is a popular hiking and fishing spot. Nearby, another island in the canal includes the American Civil War Memorial, a reflective space with a monument that honors fallen soldiers. On the other side of the waterway, the Cayuga-Seneca Canal Trail is friendly for dogs and families and leads bicyclists, runners and walkers to Geneva. Also on the other side of the canal, the public 18-hole Silver Creek Golf Club has a lounge and grill.
Simple single and multifamily homes along gridded streets
Homes are tucked along gridded streets with fenced-in backyards. Narrow sidewalks border some houses. Most homes are in simple architectural styles such as Minimal Traditional, National and Foursquare. “There's mostly older homes,” says Bonnell. “There are a few nicer Victorians, but not many in Waterloo.” Single and multifamily homes range from $60,000 to $275,000. Homes near waterways have a chance of flooding during heavy rain. Buyers should consult flood maps to understand the risks. The Cayuga-Seneca Canal is part of the Erie Canal, and the controlled waterway is less likely to flood the village.
Waterloo Central schools get Bs and Cs
Waterloo Central School District serves the area and receives a C-plus from Niche. Children may attend Skoi Yase Primary, which gets a B-minus, for pre-kindergarten through second grade and LaFayette Intermediate, which receives a C-plus, for third through fifth grade. Waterloo Middle gets a C, and Waterloo High gets a B. High school students may attend career and technical education courses at the Finger Lakes Tech and Career Center.
Memorial Day a main event for holiday's birthplace
In 1966, the federal government recognized Waterloo as the birthplace of Memorial Day. The town has a Memorial Day Museum, which depicts the holiday's history, and a weekend-long Memorial Day Parade and celebration. The parade runs along Main Street and concludes at Lafayette Park. During the day, there’s a Civil War Living History Encampment on Oak Island, where visitors may observe what life was like for soldiers during the Civil War. In the evening, Oak Island lights up with fireworks. In July, the Seneca County Fair is held at the fairgrounds on Swift Street. Attendees may watch the livestock and arts and crafts competition while perusing the vendors before attending the Demolition Derby.
Shopping and dining along East Main Street
Most restaurants and retailers are along East Main Street, including Connie’s Diner, a classic American diner with a retro theme known for its extravagant milkshakes. Ciccino’s Pizzeria is an Italian restaurant within a Queen Anne-inspired building. A Walmart Supercenter and an Aldi are less than a mile outside the village. Across the canal, Saunders Store sells groceries.
Commuters use Interstate 90 to reach major cities
“People are mostly commuting,” says Bonnell. “It’s halfway between two large cities, Rochester and Syracuse.” Waterloo Village is equidistant from Rochester and Syracuse, each 46 miles away using Interstate 90. U.S. Route 20 leads 7 miles to Geneva and 3 miles to Seneca Falls in the opposite direction. Geneva General Hospital is 6 miles away, and the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport is 46 miles away. Most houses of worship, such as First Presbyterian Church, Waterloo Baptist Church and Waterloo United Methodist Church, are near state Route 96 and Route 20.
Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
