Auburn
Around Auburn
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Town and around · New York · 74k people
Auburn
Locals say Finger Lakes · “Prison City”
Where history lives by the lake
Deep lake blueWine red
Welcome to Auburn, where the lake meets history and the wine flows. Whether you're here for the racing, the hiking, or just a taste of Finger Lakes hospitality, you'll find a friendly crowd and plenty to talk about.
Clubs for Auburn
No clubs for Auburn yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Auburn. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Auburn. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Emerson Park Lakeside park on Owasco Lake with a beach and trails.
- Harriet Tubman Home Historic site honoring the Underground Railroad conductor.
- Seward House Museum Home of William H. Seward, Lincoln's Secretary of State.
- Cayuga Museum of History and Art Local history and art exhibits in a 19th-century mansion.
- Fillmore Glen State Park Gorge trail with waterfalls and a swimming pool.
- Weedsport Speedway Dirt track racing venue for modified and sprint cars.
- Outdoors Boating and fishing on Owasco Lake
- Outdoors Hiking at Fillmore Glen State Park
- With kids Visit the Harriet Tubman Home
- With kids Explore the Cayuga Museum of History and Art
- Evenings Winery tasting rooms
- Evenings Live music at Auburn Public Theater
- Locals love Wineries
- Locals love Lakefront parks
Through the year
- Cayuga County Fair August Agricultural fair with rides, livestock, and local food.
- Emerson Park Summer Concert Series Summer Free outdoor concerts by the lake.
- First Fridays in Downtown Auburn Monthly Monthly art walk with galleries and shops open late.
- Weedsport Speedway Racing Season Spring-Fall Dirt track races every weekend from spring to fall.
- Owasco Lake Fishing Derby Spring Annual fishing contest for bass and trout.
Auburn has four distinct seasons with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. The best time to be out is from June through October, when the lake and trails are most enjoyable. Best: Summer and early fall are ideal for lake activities and winery visits.
Getaways
- Seneca Falls Visit the Women's Rights National Historical Park and the canal.
- Syracuse Catch a Syracuse Orange game or explore the zoo and museums.
- Ithaca Hike the gorges and visit Cornell's campus.
- Rochester Check out the Strong Museum and the lakefront.
Local flavour
Rooting for Syracuse Orange (NCAA), Syracuse Mets (MiLB), Syracuse Crunch (AHL), Buffalo Bills (NFL)
Eat and drink
- Salt potatoes Central New York specialty, boiled potatoes with a salty crust
- Finger Lakes wine Especially Riesling and Cabernet Franc from local vineyards
- Apple cider From nearby orchards, often enjoyed in the fall
Where people go
- Finger Lakes wineries Vineyards and tasting rooms along the lake trails
- Owasco Lake One of the Finger Lakes, popular for boating and swimming
- Historic homes Harriet Tubman Home and Seward House, key to local history
- State parks Fillmore Glen and other gorges with waterfalls
Heritage and traditions
Auburn is proud of its deep abolitionist history, home to Harriet Tubman and William Seward, and its place in the Finger Lakes wine and apple country.
This time of year in Auburn
- Apple picking September-October Orchards offer pick-your-own.
- Wine harvest September-October Wineries celebrate the grape harvest.
Say it like a local: “yous” — You all (plural).
Festivals
- Harriet Tubman Day March 10 Celebrates the life of the abolitionist who lived in Auburn.
- Festa Italiana August Italian-American festival with food, music, and traditions.
- Taste of Auburn September Local restaurants and wineries showcase their offerings.
Landmarks with a story
- Willard Memorial Chapel Features Tiffany stained glass windows.
- Fort Hill Cemetery Final resting place of Harriet Tubman and William Seward.
- Thompson AME Zion Church Harriet Tubman worshipped here; part of the national historical park.
- Case Research Lab Where the first sound-on-film technology was developed.
- Auburn Historic District Victorian-era homes and buildings.
Food traditions
- Friday fish fries during Lent A Catholic tradition in upstate New York, many churches and fire halls host fish fries.
- Maple syrup season In late winter/early spring, local sugarhouses boil sap for syrup.
- Apple cider donuts At orchards in the fall, fresh cider and donuts are a must.
Music and arts
- Auburn Public Theater Local theater productions and arts events.
- Cayuga Museum of History and Art Exhibits on local history and art.
- Finger Lakes art galleries Many galleries in nearby towns like Aurora.
A little history
- 1820s Auburn System of prison reform
- 1850s-1913 Harriet Tubman's residence
- 1867 Seward's Alaska purchase
- 1920s Case Research Lab
- Game day High school football
- Outdoors Cross-country skiing
- Outdoors Leaf peeping
- With kids Visit the Case Research Lab
- With kids Explore Willard Memorial Chapel
People in Auburn speak with a typical upstate New York accent, using 'pop' for soda and 'yous' for you all. The city name is pronounced 'Aw-burn'.
Only here
- The Auburn System of prison reform
- The first sound-on-film technology
- Harriet Tubman's home as a national park
- Auburn's nickname 'The Prison City'
New here? A few tips
- Prepare for lake effect snow in winter.
- Visit the Harriet Tubman Home to understand local pride.
- Try salt potatoes and apple cider at a local diner.
- Explore the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.
- Pronounce 'Auburn' as 'Aw-burn'.
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Part of Syracuse area
Nearby
Every areaSeneca FallsNew YorkWhere history meets the lakeSyracuseNew YorkA city of salt and soulCortlandNew YorkCrown of the hills, heart of the harvest.Watkins GlenNew YorkWhere the gorge meets the lake.IthacaNew YorkWhere gorges meet good vibes.RochesterNew YorkWhere the river meets the lake.ElmiraNew YorkA river town wrapped in autumn hillsCorningNew YorkWhere glass meets the Finger Lakes
Auburn, NY. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.