Wayne County's Williamson is known for its apple orchards
Orchards blanket the rural landscape of Williamson, a small town in New York's Wayne County. Just south of Lake Ontario and 25 miles east of Rochester, Williamson is best known for its apples and other crops like peaches and cherries. Here, generational farmers and commuters alike enjoy ample recreational opportunities on Lake Ontario and locally owned farm stands and restaurants. "It's just a precious area. The people are awesome," says Luke Cino, owner/broker at Cornerstone Realty Associates and owner of Cino Farms in Williamson.
Preserved historic homes and newer builds
Some homes in the town date as far back as the early 1800s, with Colonial, Greek Revival and traditional-style homes highlighting the area's history. "The hamlet of Putneyville has deep historic ties to the Underground Railroad. There are cobblestones, old houses with secret areas," Cino says. Newer homes built throughout the 20th and 21st centuries include ranch-styles, bilevels and New Traditionals. Some homes sit on residential streets in the village and hamlet areas, while others have large, private lots set around farmland. Smaller homes and fixer-uppers sell for between $30,000 and $200,000, while updated properties sell range from $200,000 to $500,000. A handful of large, waterfront properties can go as high as $900,000. Williamson has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2, lower than the national average of 4.
Boating on Lake Ontario and more outdoor activities year-round
Outdoor recreation in this area is highly seasonal. Summer days are spent boating or fishing on Lake Ontario, while snowy winters allow for skiing at nearby Brantling Ski Slopes. On the north side of town, B. Forman Park has pebbly shores overlooking the lake, as well as playgrounds and volleyball and shuffleboard courts. Down the road, the Cornwall Preserve has trails through apple and peach orchards, meadows and woods that open up to views of Lake Ontario. Hughes Marina & Campgrounds also overlooks the water in Williamson. "We're very lucky for the natural resources we have. There's no other place I'd rather be than this area," Cino says. Williamson Town Park has more athletic facilities, including baseball fields and pickleball courts.
Williamson's hangouts include cideries and locally owned restaurants
In the village of Williamson, the Original Candy Kitchen has dozens of varieties of made-in-house chocolates, as well as a breakfast menu featuring stacks of pancakes and omelets. Just down the block, Copper Ale House has beers on tap and laid-back meals like salads and burgers. Around town, locals can pick up locally grown produce from businesses including Lagoner Farms and Aguilera Farm Market. The Williamson Farmers Market operates along Main Street on Thursday afternoons from June to October, and Tuesday Nights at Rootstock Cider & Spirits from November to May. Rootstock Cider & Spirits and nearby Embark Craft Ciderworks are both popular hangout spots in Williamson too, serving cider flights and quick bites. For grocery staples, TOPS Friendly Markets is just west.
The Apple Blossom Festival is an annual tradition
Williamson's Apple Blossom Festival, held each year in May around the peak blooming season, has four days of festivities celebrating the area's most popular crop. The event includes craft vendors and carnival rides open each day, a 5K road race, and martial arts demonstrations and dance performances on Main Street. The weekend ends with a parade and Sunday night fireworks.
Students earn dual credit in Williamson schools
Students attending the Williamson Central School District, which has an overall B-minus rating from Niche, typically begin at C-plus-rated Williamson Elementary School and B-minus-rated Williamson Middle School. Williamson Senior High School earns a B rating from Niche. The high school offers over a dozen dual enrollment classes in partnership with Finger Lakes Community College. Students in this program can earn college credit in courses including Spanish, French, music and environmental science. Students can also take technology and pre-engineering courses for college credit from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Commutable to Rochester
Williamson is about 25 miles east of Rochester, and drivers can get to the city on state Route 104. The Williamson-Sodus Airport offers aviation lessons and hosts the Williamson Flying Club, but the closest major commercial airport is Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport. The Rochester Regional Health Newark-Wayne Community Hospital is 15 miles south.
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Written By
Faith Wakefield
