Seneca Falls

Seneca Falls is a town in the Finger Lakes region of New York state. The birthplace of the women's rights movement in the 19th century, Seneca Falls is also widely believed to be the inspiration for the town of Bedford Falls in Frank Capra's holiday classic, It's A Wonderful Life.

Understand

Get in

By plane

By car

New York State Thruway (Interstate 90), Exit 41. Route 414 South to Routes 5&20 east to Seneca Falls.

See
  • 🌍 Women's Rights National Historical Park, Visitor Center: 136 Fall St, ☏ +1 315 568-0024, . Daily 9AM-5PM unless otherwise noted. Part of the United States National Park System. A collection of buildings scattered around the town, related to the feminist leaders who lived here, and the First Women's Rights Convention (1848) which they led. Free. (updated May 2016)
    • Wesleyan Chapel, 136 Fall St. The rebuilt Wesleyan Chapel is immediately adjacent to the Visitor Center. The First Women's Rights Convention was held here in 1848 and considered by many historians to be the formal beginnings of the Women's Rights Movement. Talks are given daily by park staff typically at 11AM and 3PM. 
    • 🌍 M'Clintock House, 14 William St. Waterloo. Open during the summer only. Home of Thomas and Mary Ann M'Clintock, prominent members of Waterloo's Quaker community who were key players in planning and hosting the First Women's Rights Convention. The home has been restored to its 1848 appearance, and displays exhibits about their work in the Anti-Slavery and Women's Rights movements. 
    • 🌍 Elizabeth Cady Stanton House, 32 Washington St. This former home of Elizabeth Cady Stanton is now restored to its 1848 appearance. Ranger-led tours are provided on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10AM-2PM starting in mid-May. 
  • "It's A Wonderful Life" Museum, IDEA Centre, 32 Fall St, ☏ +1 315 568-5838. Tu-Sa 11AM-4PM, year-round. (updated Mar 2015)
  • 🌍 National Women's Hall of Fame, 1 Canal St, ☏ +1 315 568-8060, fax: +1 315 568-2976, . Tu-Sa 11AM-4PM. Gallery exhibits lives of great American women, with artifacts from their lives. New honorees are inducted each year. Re-opening May 25th 2024. Admission $7, senior citizens/veterans $6, children 12 and under $5, 2 and under free. (updated Apr 2024)
  • 🌍 Seneca Museum of Waterways and Industry, 89 Fall St, ☏ +1 315 568-1510, fax: +1 315-568-1504, . Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM; mid-June to Labor Day also Su noon-4PM. Suggested donation $2. 
  • 🌍 Seneca Falls Historical Society Museum, 55 Cayuga St, ☏ +1 315 568-8412. M-F 9AM-4PM. 
  • Frank J. Ludovico Sculpture Trail (along the south shore of the Seneca-Cayuga Canal, between Sucker Brook and Bridge St). 1.75-mile trail featuring statues that focus on the women's rights movement, but also represent life on the canal and local industries. 

Nearby
  • 🌍 Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, ☏ +1 315 568-5987. 3395 Routes 5 & 20 East. Established in 1938 and run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this refuge covers 7,068 acres (2,860 hectares). It is at the north end of Cayuga Lake in Seneca, Wayne, and Cayuga Counties. While hunting, fishing, and boating are allowed under certain conditions, the real attraction is the chance to see wildlife in undisturbed nature. 

Do

Festivals
  • CanalFest (Mid-June), 142 East Bayard St, ☏ +1 315 568-2415. 
  • It's A Wonderful Life Festival. second weekend in December. (updated Mar 2015)

Eat
  • The national fast-food chains are available.
  • Penny's Place Restaurant, ☏ +1 315-568-8746. Routes 5 and 20 in the Liberty Plaza. Breakfast, lunch, Friday dinner. M-Th 5AM-3:30PM; F 5AM–8PM; Sa 5:30AM-1:30PM; Su 5:30AM-1PM. Large portions and home cooked meals. 

Drink

The Finger Lakes region sports more than 70 wineries.

  • Montezuma Winery, 2981 Auburn Rd, ☏ +1 315 568-8190. Daily 10AM-6PM. 23 honey, fruit and grape wines produced here. 
  • Temperance Tavern, 81-83 Fall St, ☏ +1 315-568-5454. Th-Sa 5PM-11PM. “A Toast! To all the Great Women!” 

Sleep

Hotels and motels
  • 🌍 The Gould Hotel (formerly Hotel Clarence), 108 Fall St, ☏ +1 315 712-4000, . Built in 1920, the Gould Hotel served Seneca Falls visitors for many years until it was turned into apartments. It sat vacant until 2009 when it reopened as Hotel Clarence, named after the guardian angel from It's a Wonderful Life. It's now once again known as the Gould Hotel, and has 48 clean and comfortable rooms featuring high-def televisions and imported linens. $100. 
  • Seneca Falls Microtel Inn and Suites, 1966 Rts 5 & 20., ☏ +1 315 539-8438, fax: +1 315 539-4780. 

Bed and breakfasts

Go next

Explore other towns in the Finger Lakes area.

Routes through Seneca Falls
Buffalo ← Geneva ← Jct N S ←  W  E  → Auburn → Albany/Syracuse


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