View from the cabin of a boat on the Finger Lakes

Everything You Need to Know about the Finger Lakes Boating Museum

The Finger Lakes Boating Museum in Hammondsport, New York is a great place to explore and learn about the rich history of boating in the Finger Lakes region. Located just minutes from beautiful Keuka Lake, the museum offers educational programming and exhibits that help preserve this fascinating part of our history. Whether you’re an avid boat enthusiast or simply curious about boating history, the Finger Lakes Boating Museum is sure to provide an interesting and enjoyable experience for all ages.

Request our free Hammondsport Destination Guide when you’re ready to start planning your trip. This planning tool contains local insight into the best things to do in the Finger Lakes region, including more outdoor recreation!

The Finger Lakes Boating Museum is an Awesome Hammondsport Attraction

What to Expect at The Finger Lakes Boating Museum

At the museum, visitors can expect to find a wide variety of exhibits that showcase boats from different eras. From vintage wooden boats to modern fiberglass vessels, there are plenty of boats on display for everyone to admire. In addition to these displays, visitors can also explore interactive exhibits that provide more information about each boat’s design and construction. The museum also features educational programs throughout the year, such as lectures and workshops on topics related to boating history.

The History of Boating on the Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes region has a long and storied history with boating that dates back centuries. It was first introduced by Native Americans who used canoes and other small craft for fishing and transportation purposes. Later on, settlers began building larger vessels such as sloops and schooners for commercial use in transporting goods around the lakes. As technology advanced over time, new materials were developed which allowed for faster and more efficient boats to be built. This led to an increase in recreational boating activities such as sailing, rowing, motorboating, water skiing, and more.

Boating on the Finger Lakes Today

Today, the Finger Lakes region is home to many marinas where people can rent boats or take lessons on how to operate them safely. There are also numerous boat shows held throughout the year where visitors can see some of the latest models on display and the boating museum sells donated boats to benefit their operational fund.

If you are looking to get out on Keuka Lake, you can take a tour of Keuka Lake on the Pat II, a 39′ launch built in 1924 that was restored for sailing in the summer of 2021. If you are looking to take a boat out on the lake yourself, visit Keuka Lake watersports for a variety of boat rentals for a fun day out on the water.

Stay Near the Finger Lakes Boating Museum

The Finger Lakes Boating Museum provides a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about this unique part of our heritage. With its extensive collection of boats from different eras as well as interactive exhibits and educational programs throughout the year, it’s sure to be an enjoyable experience for all ages!

After you learn about the history of life on the water, head back to the Hammondsport Hotel. Our Hammondsport, NY hotel offers everything you need to rest after a day (or night), singing and dancing outdoors. Choose from Standard 2 Queen Rooms2 Queen SuitesStandard King RoomsKing Suites, and accessible accommodations. Enjoy a wide variety of hotel amenities during your stay, including complimentary breakfast (It’s perfect for waking you up!), guest laundry, a heated indoor pool, and more! 

Check our availability to start planning your trip!

When you get to our hotel, check out the Ben Reno Trout Boat in the lobby. It’s a painstaking recreation of the original from 1911 handcrafted by the skilled artisans at the Fingers Lakes Boating Museum. It was presented as a gift to us from one community member to another in celebration of the grand opening of the hotel. It’s beautiful and we are very proud of it.