A unique kind of enchantment fills the air at The Windmill Farm & Craft Market during this season. The leaves softly crunch beneath your feet, the scent of cinnamon and wood smoke lingers in the atmosphere, and a warm tranquility envelops the hills. The gentle murmur of conversation flows along the walkways, laughter dances on the breeze, and all around, there's a palpable sense of peace — that unmistakable essence of home.
For me, fall has always been the best time to visit The Windmill. The summer crowds have quieted, the pace feels slower, and the market glows with the warmth of the season — even as the chill creeps into the air. I love bundling up in a favorite scarf, grabbing a steaming cup of coffee, and meandering from shop to shop as the wind tugs at the flags overhead. The colors might be fading, but the spirit of the place is brighter than ever.
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A Place Rooted in Community and History
The Windmill first opened in 1987, born from the dreams of local farmers, artists, and craftspeople who believed in something simple yet profound — that community and creativity could thrive together. What began as a handful of vendors on farmland outside Penn Yan has grown into one of the most beloved destinations in the Finger Lakes.
Over the decades, The Windmill has become part of our shared story. I’ve met lifelong friends there, discovered gifts that meant more than I could have imagined, and shared laughs with vendors who remember faces more than names — because that’s the kind of place it is. It’s where stories are told over the scent of fresh fudge and cinnamon rolls, where children’s giggles mix with bluegrass melodies, and where every corner feels like it’s been touched by someone’s dream.
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Shop Local. Shop Early. Shop with Heart.
There’s something deeply comforting about doing your Christmas shopping here in November. The barns twinkle with lights, tables overflow with handmade treasures, and each gift carries the heart of the person who made it. Hand-carved ornaments, knitted mittens, candles that smell like pine and sugar cookies — it’s like stepping into a living postcard of holiday nostalgia.
Every dollar spent here stays close to home. You’re not just buying a gift; you’re supporting a neighbor, a maker, a friend. That’s what makes The Windmill so special — it’s not commercial, it’s personal.
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Savor the Last Flavors of Fall
When I think of The Windmill in November, I think of apple dumplings, fry pies still warm from the oven, and the sound of someone playing acoustic guitar near the food court. I think of wandering through the aisles with a bag of kettle corn in hand, chatting with vendors about how the season went and how quickly the year has flown by.
It’s the last taste of fall before winter settles in — and it always feels like the perfect way to close one chapter and begin another.
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Don’t Forget the Photo Contest!
While you’re there soaking up those final fall Saturdays, don’t forget to enter The Windmill’s Fall Photo Contest!
Snap some shots during your visit — maybe a selfie with your favorite merchant, a picture of your family laughing over lunch, or a cozy corner that captures your Windmill moment.
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Entry Deadline: November 7, 2025
π§ Email your photo with your name, contact info, Facebook profile URL, and a short caption to mwilson@thewindmill.com.
Grab those memories, share your story, and maybe even win a prize! After all, every photo taken at The Windmill tells a little piece of the bigger story we all love to be part of.
𧣠Bring Family, Make Memories
Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, there’s something about The Windmill that brings people together. Families linger over lunch, friends bump into friends they haven’t seen in months, and visitors from out of town leave talking about how they can’t wait to come back. That’s what this place does — it roots itself in your memory and calls you back year after year.
π Don’t Miss Your Chance!
The Windmill will soon close its doors for the season — but there’s still time to savor the last few Saturdays of laughter, shopping, and shared warmth. Take one more stroll, one more sip of cider, one more moment to soak in the beauty of this Finger Lakes treasure before winter’s hush arrives.
π The Windmill Farm & Craft Market
3900 NY-14A, Penn Yan, NY
π Open Saturdays 8 AM – 4:30 PM
ποΈ Season Closes November 29th— so don’t wait!
