Regions in Brief

Naples

At the southern end of Canandaigua Lake, the picturesque village of Naples is a quintessential small Finger Lakes town with a number of well-preserved 18th-century buildings. It's a peaceful place primarily known for its arts community from summer to autumn and for the last weekend in September, when the unique Naples Grape Festival takes over.

Exploring Naples

Area wineries worth a visit include Widmer Wine Cellars and Arbor Hill Grapery & Winery.

Trout fishing is good on Canandaigua Lake, and small and shallow Honeoye Lake is known for walleye and largemouth and smallmouth bass. Reel Magic Charters, 8 Cohocton St., Naples (tel. 585/374-5197), runs fishing charters on Canandaigua Lake.

Duffers should check out the scenic Reservoir Creek Golf Club, 8613 Cohocton St. (tel. 585/374-6828; www.rcgolf.com). Greens fees are $39 Monday to Thursday, $43 weekends and holidays; reduced rates for seniors, juniors, "sunset" play (after 2pm), and fall season (after Oct 10).

The Bristol Valley Theater, 151 S. Main St. (tel. 585/374-6318; www.bvtnaples.org), schedules professional summer theater in a handsome outdoor amphitheater.

The Naples Grape Festival (last weekend of Sept) is a fun-filled weekend built around the town's tradition of making grape pies. The festival has been held in Naples for more than 40 years and draws bumper-to-bumper traffic along routes 64 and 21; as many as 50,000 grape pies are sold in that single weekend. For more information, call tel. 585/374-2240 or visit www.naplesvalleyny.com. Grape pies, of course, are notoriously labor-intensive to make (you have to peel the grapes first), perhaps the reason why they haven't exactly taken off outside of Naples. They are available, however, year-round at the Arbor Hill Grapery & Winery.

Where to Stay & Dine

The top inn in the area is Monier Manor, 54 N. Main St., Naples, NY 14512 (tel. 585/374-6719; www.moniermanor.com; $145-$175 double; 2-night weekend stay required, June 15-Oct 31), an elegant B&B. The rooms in this nicely conserved, mid-19th-century, red Federal-style mansion are very spacious and well decorated, with handsome fabrics and luxurious period furnishings. The room names, while a bit precious, pretty much describe the ambience and decor: Opulence, Serenity, Elegance, and Indulgence. Amenities range from fireplaces and Persian rugs to a Greek soaking tub. The lovely grounds are a great place to relax. Check out specials and packages (such as the wine tour package) online, which make Monier Manor an even better value. Another good B&B, and a great value for the money, is Bristol Views Bed & Breakfast [find], 6932 County Rd. no. 12, Naples, NY 14512 (tel. 585/374-8875; www.bristolviews.com; $95-$150 double), a renovated old farmhouse with four attractive, clean, and nicely appointed rooms. There's high-speed Internet access, a large deck with a hot tub, and beautiful distant lake views.

For dining, the top spot is Brown Hound Bistro [find], 6459 State Rte. 64 (tel. 585/374-9771; main courses $19-$33), a big regional draw in an intimate 100-year-old house not far from downtown Naples in Bristol Springs. The menu is committed to creative application of the best local culinary ingredients. Try the chicken almond amaretto, or the spicy seafood sauté. Vegetarians will be pleased with dishes like aubergine pouches, eggplant wrapped around basil, fresh mozzarella, and roasted tomatoes. The Brown Hound is open for dinner, Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday 4:30 to 9pm, Friday and Saturday until 10pm. Breakfast and brunch are served Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 1pm. For more casual dining, check out the Naples Diner, a longtime fixture at 139 S. Main St. (tel. 585/374-5420), or the Naples Hotel, 111 S. Main St. (tel. 585/374-5630), an 1895 Federal-style hotel with a great old lounge bar.