Geneseo
OverviewOverview
Cow tipping is a favorite activity among SUNY Geneseo students … or, maybe more correctly, it’s a favorite joke!
Geneseo is a small, rural town in Livingston County that practically doubles in size when the SUNY Geneseo students come back to campus every fall.
Just over a half-hour drive from Rochester, the town is ideal for those who enjoy a quiet setting that isn’t too far from “the rest of the world.”
As a town, Geneseo has all the basics — local restaurants and shops — plus the extras that seem indispensable to most college students -– Wegmans and Wal-Mart.
Geneseo has a small-town feel, with a lot of friendly people to meet whenever you’re out shopping or getting a cup of coffee.
Guide put together by Alyx Vanderweel and Kristin Maki
Eat & Drink
Whether you want a quick bite to eat or a nice, sit-down dinner, there are plenty of options available in Geneseo. Here’s some of our favs (in no particular order).
Mattie’s Cafe
Mattie’s cafe is a great place to get gelato and specialty coffees on Main Street.
Mattie’s Cafe on Main Street boasts Gelato that’s made daily, along with specialty coffee, homemade soups and a variety of desserts. They opened about two years ago and so far have been a favorite among college students. Mattie’s also offers free WiFi service and a nice quiet atmosphere. The flavor of Gelato changes daily, so its easy to try something new and interesting. $2.25 will fill a tall dixie cup with any flavor combination you like — the grapefruit gelato is to die for!
Geneseo Family Restaurant
Practically everyone in Geneseo has visited Geneseo Family Restaurant for their great food at “fair” prices. Everything on the menus is under $20 and the service is fast. They offer a variety of American, Italian, and Greek foods, along with a vegetarian menu. GFR, as the local residents call it, also serves breakfast all day. The Loop Staff highly recommend the half-stack of chocolate chip pancakes. Who wouldn’t like two huge, fluffy pancakes practically stuffed with chocolate chucks for under $3? They have “great food, and great prices,” agrees junior Megan Klue.
Mama Mias
Students from the Geneseo campus say hands down, that Mama Mias Pizza Parlor has the best pizza. “I really like pizza and Mias slices are huge,” says Kyle Mennig, senior communication major.
‘Mias’ will deliver pizza to both on-campus and off-campus housing and is open until 3 a.m. on weekends. “It’s a good atmosphere, good food and fair price,” says Omyel Beiter, a junior communication major.
It’s also a place where you can find other students working, as senior accounting major Christine Moran notes. “We like Mia’s because they’re open late, but also because the people who work here are our peers … and their food is really good, too!”
Main Moon Restaurant
Located on Main Street, Main Moon offers Chinese food with free local delivery. When asked why she likes Main Moon, Junior Molly Vallone says, “I love Chinese food, and it’s fast.” Main Moon offers a full menu including soups, a variety of lomeins, meat dishes and vegetarian options.
Omega Grill
For those who like an informal meal that still has some variety, Omega Grill, located on Lakeville Road, is a favorite choice.
“They have a good selection of vegetarian items,” says sophomore Becky Lovell.
It’s a little off the beaten path, but that may be a plus if its a busy Friday night. The restaurant is also next to the local Geneseo theater, so you can easily catch a movie afterward.
Big Tree Inn
The Big Tree is one of the historical landmarks of the town. It is a more formal restaurant but does offer “good food,” as Ashley Saltzman, a junior at SUNY Geneseo says. “Big Tree” is open Monday through Saturday and accepts Geneseo Student Meal Plan cards Monday through Thursday (a nice option when you need a break from the dining hall). It’s also a nice place for when the parents come to town. Reservations are not always necessary, but they are recommended. There are also bedroom suites on the second and third floor available for visitors.
The Vital Spot
The Vital Spot is built in the back of a brick building on Main Street, and occassionally has a rowdy game of Beer Pong in the back room. They have all the basics — food, drinks, fun — but are known for their big TV screens and for having a Nintendo Wii.
The IB (Inn Between)
Located just off of Main Street, The IB is owned by Sigma Tau Psi brother (1972) Thomas Basher, and it definitely caters to college students. They regularly feature “Over-Under Night,” where those under 21 are admitted for non-acoholic activities. A large dance floor with ample space to move around make this a popular stop to hang out with friends and let loose. Junior Ashley Saltzman says, “dancing [at The IB] is fun.” The beat from this bar can be heard across campus on a busy Friday night.
Shop & Spend
There’s some pretty unique little shops in the quaint town of Geneseo.
A Touch of Grayce
A Touch of Grayce is full of all sorts of knick-knacks. “There’s a lot of fun and random stuff in there,” says sophomore Katie Greene. Students can find lots of unique gifts that they won’t find anywhere else — from a variety of items from candles to sock puppets and dorm room décor. Glass, bead and other types of unique jewelry are also available. And, the back half of the store has children’s toys and books — if you ever walk down Main Street, you can see little kids pulling their parents by the store window wanting to go in.
The Big B Buzzo’s Music
Home to one of the town’s more colorful residents, Buzzo is actually a Geneseo student himself. The friendly shop keeper carries a variety of guitars, CDs and sheet music at low prices. “Buzzo is awesome,” says junior Omyel Beiter. “He has an amazing selection of music, and it’s a different kind of shop than regular small stores.” If Buzzo doesn’t have what you’re looking for, he can order it at no additional cost. The store itself is a little small, but the close atmosphere and friendly staff make this a memorable stop. There is always a collection of CDs on sale outside the shop and a handful of kazoos on the counter.
Genesee Valley Florist
There are three flower shops on Main Street in Geneseo, but students agree that the Genesee Valley Florist is their favorite. Senior communication major Shannon Cox says, “They have beautiful flowers and gifts, and it’s inexpensive.” They carry an array of candles, flowers and other small gifts. Customers can also custom design bouquets to be delivered to that special someone.
Royaltees
Royaltees is one of the official suppliers of SUNY Geneseo clothing and other items with the college logo on it. “They have lots of Geneseo apparel,” says Ashley Saltzman. A rack behind the counter shows different baseball caps representing more than 30 different sports teams, organizations, sororities and fraternities.
Do & See
Located not too far from one of the area’s most beautiful parks, there’s lots more to do in and around Geneseo than most people think.
Letchworth State Park
Nothing seems more like getting away from campus, than a trip to Letchworth State Park. The park comprises 14,350 acres along the Genesee River. Millions of years of geological river erosion can be seen in the cliffs. The river flows over three major waterfalls and is stored up the local dam. “I like doing my homework amidst waterfalls,” sophomore communication major Becky Lovell says.
Visitors to the park can play in the swimming pools or go fishing, hiking, hot air ballooning and whitewater rafting. “It’s the perfect place for a picnic,” says Molly Vallone, a junior psychology major. Visitors can also rent a cabin or a camping site. Admission is $6 per car.
Minnehans
Minnehans Fun Center is a great get-away for students who want to explore their inner kid. Customers can find a fairly difficult mini-golf course, arcade games, a golfing range and go-karts. “It’s a great place to go hang out with friends and go mini-golfing,” comments senior biology major Ryan Sherwood. Minnehans is only open seasonally, but it’s off the beaten path if students want to get off-campus. And, the Minnehans Restaurant, just next to the Fun Center, serves up a version of the Rochester-favorite — a “Garbage Plate.”
Live & Rent
SUNY Geneseo students are required to stay on campus during their first two years of school. But, for those wishing to pursue off-campus housing at that point, there are lots of options.
Geneseo Townhouses
The Geneseo townhouses are technically “off campus,” but these four- or five-unit houses are built between the “South side” dorms and main campus. Unlike the dorms, the townhouses are co-ed, as long as the residents are SUNY Geneseo students. Groups can apply for the townhouses as a four- or five-person group, and housing is granted based on grades and the collective number of credit hours within each group.
The disadvantage to living in the townhouses is that groups don’t apply for them until March, about three weeks before normal on-campus housing selection. Most off-campus housing is rented out in October and November, so be sure to get a group together and plan early. Here are a few options for off-campus trekers, whether you’re looking for an apartment or a house.
Ambassador
With prices starting at $1,300 a semester, the quarter-mile trek to Newton Lecture Hall is worth it. “I really enjoy living here,” says Tom Fenfert. The complex has washers and dryers available to residents and ample parking space.
Main Street
Most apartments on Main Street are located above the shops themselves. They are tucked behind with stairways and passageways that normal customers would assume lead to other businesses. Ryan Sherwood considers himself lucky to live in a house just a little ways down the street from the strip. “It’s fairly quiet on weekends and it’s really close to campus,” he says. Rent for apartments and houses can run anywhere between $1,400 and $2,300 a semester.
Court Street
Most of the low-priced housing is located on Court Street. Located to the north end of main campus and running perpendicular to Main Street, housing ranges from studio apartments to full houses. Rent can run anywhere from $1,200 to $2,000. Multiple houses are owned and rented out by the same person. Housing is available through the spring semester.
History
Legend has it that Geneseo got its name from the Genesee Valley. The Seneca Indians’ had a name for the “beautiful valley,” which translated phonetically, jo-nis-hi-yuh became Genesee.
The Wadsworth brothers of Connecticut, who purchased several thousands of acres of land from the Seneca Indians, founded Geneseo in 1709. Their realization of the need for a community as a way of survival brought many people to the area. Both brothers built a home on the end of Main Street which served as an endpoint for developing the areas around them.
Most of the houses from that era are still standing, including both Wadsworth estates.
According to local stories, the Wadsworths tried to work with the Senecas while negotiating land purchases and prices. In fact, according to one legend, they took so long in one meeting all of the butter that their boat was carrying melted and flooded through the river.
James Wadsworth’s interest in public education sparked the school that would become SUNY Geneseo. Over the years, the school’s name changed nine times — starting as Wadsworth Normal School at Geneseo in 1867, quickly changing to Geneseo Normal School (1871) and eventually becoming the current State University College at Geneseo.
The Genesee Valley is known for its historically significant events, as well as its influential people. One such person is Mary Jemison. She and her family were captured in an Indian raid in Philadelphia. She ended up becoming a highly regarded member of the Seneca tribe and lived in the Genesee Valley. Her remains are buried in Letchworth State Park and are marked by a statue of her as a young woman. She is just one of several historical figures who are commemorated throughout the Geneseo community.
