THE INN

Historic Charm on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail

A black and white cat laying on the front porch of a house, partly hidden by a pink flowering tree in the foreground. The house has a white door with glass panes and two black lantern-style lights on each side.

Originally built in 1802 as a small farmhouse for the pastor of the neighboring church, the Inn underwent multiple expansions and additions in the next hundred years, and was a single family home for most of its history. Today, the Black Walnut Bed & Breakfast welcomes guests to the heart of the Finger Lakes Wine Region, sitting just minutes from Taughannock Falls State Park on Cayuga Lake and near many of the region's best wineries. It’s a small Inn - only four rooms - which means you’ll receive genuine attention, a breakfast made from scratch every morning, and recommendations from me, Jen, your host. I personally know many of the winemakers and producers in the region. There’s no front desk, no cookie-cutter room layout, no generic continental spread. Just a beautiful old house, a lot of local knowledge, and room to relax.

Sunlit porch with white wicker chairs, a small table with a white lamp, and a view of the outdoors through large window panes.

The Grounds

—A SECRET GARDEN, WELCOMING SUNROOM & GAMES

The Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast is made for lingering. After a full day of exploring the waterfall trails and tasting outstanding wines, feel free to kick your feet up and read in the cozy sunroom, relax outback with a glass of wine, or wander the garden to find hidden treasures like black raspberries and wild onions. And keep an eye out for a certain well-dressed hunter named Rufio who likes to sleep amid the flowers and herbs, especially when Jen grows catnip for him…

In the evening, the sunroom is a favorite gathering spot for guests to unwind and recount the day’s adventures. You’ll find playing cards and a selection of games and puzzles to tackle if the mood strikes. Open a bottle from your favorite winery and make a night of it!

Close-up of a homemade breakfast spread including a bowl of yogurt with granola and local blueberries, a glass of orange juice, a square dish of blueberry jam or syrup, and two waffles on a black plate.

A Breakfast Worth Waking Up For

Awaken to the aromas of locally-roasted coffee and homemade granola, as I (or my associate Innkeeper, Mary) whip up your delicious full breakfast using fresh ingredients from nearby farms. The menu rotates daily and seasonally, ensuring the ripest and most flavorful fruits and veggies. Join us at the communal table for guest favorites such as the fresh vegetable frittata with goat cheese and dill, lemon ricotta pancakes with blueberry compote, and traditional Shakshuka with baked eggs.  

Please note, dietary needs and restrictions can always be accommodated! Gluten, dairy, and meat-free options are available, just let us know at booking.

Learn more about where we source your breakfast ingredients and other great farms in the area on the Eat Like a Local page (create link)

Practical Amenities

Everyday essentials are in place to make your stay straightforward, comfortable, and hassle-free, so you can focus on relaxing and enjoying your time in the Finger Lakes.

  • Free, private parking is available on the property for all guests. Look for the historic barn just east of the Inn and find your spot.

  • A shared guest fridge in the main kitchen is available throughout your stay - perfect for storing wine you picked up along the trail, leftovers from dinner, or anything you grabbed at the farmers market.

  • High-speed  Fiber Wi-Fi is available throughout the Inn. All rooms have access to streaming services via Roku, so if you'd rather have a quiet night in after a full day of tasting, that's a perfectly good plan. Feel free to sign into your own accounts or click into the guest profile on Netflix, Hulu, or HBO, provided free of charge.

Wine Tours & Dinners

Explore the Finger Lakes with your very own certified wine expert. Whether you’re celebrating a special event or simply want a beautifully planned day, I’ll design an experience to remember! View Details >

    • Pre-tour palate/taste consult

    • Curated itinerary with 3 wineries

    • Reservations + hosted experience

    • Transportation to/from lodging

    • Pre-tour palate/taste consult

    • Curated itinerary with 4-5 wineries

    • Lunch planning & local farm dining/pairing experience

    • Reservations + hosted experience

    • Transportation to/from lodging

  • Designed around a single varietal, a favorite winery, or a regional deep-dive, your dinner will include:

    • Welcome toast & local bites to begin

    • Multi-course dinner with curated pairings

    • Guided tastings with fun facts and local lore to enhance your experience

» Have questions? Hopefully we’ve answered them here! «

Frequently Asked Questions
Owner and host, Jen, with curly dark hair smiling outdoors, sitting with her arms crossed on her knees, holding a glass of drink with ice, in front of a house and plants.

A Trusted Resource

—NOT SURE WHERE TO START? ASK JEN!

The Finger Lakes has over 100 wineries, dozens of restaurants, and more hiking trails than most guests can cover in a week. I am WSET Diploma certified - one of the highest wine credentials in the world - and have spent almost 10 years building relationships with the region's top winemakers, chefs, and farm producers. I am happy to help you plan a getaway that is special and actually fits who you are!

View My Recommendations

Kind Words from our Guests

  • The Black Walnut is an absolute gem if you are looking for an intimate, homey, historic B&B in a great location. Jen, the proprietor, will do anything to make you comfortable. You simply cannot buy a better breakfast anywhere! The rooms are clean and comfortable. Rufio, the cat greeter, adds another layer of charm. Lovely garden and sitting room!

    – Elaine T.

  • The Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast is a wonderful experience in traveling. It is spotlessly clean and the house is old with lovely architectural features. The best part of the stay, though, is the hostess, Jen. She is easy to talk to and is ready to give recommendations for activities and sites to see in the area. I have stayed at Black Walnut many times. Staying there is a must for me when I am in Ithaca.

    – Elise H.

  • “This was our 4th visit to the Black Walnut, and once again, Jen was a superb hostess and chef! Jen's breakfasts are the best that we have had at any B & B – deliciously prepared, beautifully presented, and always considerate of our gluten-free dietary needs.”


    — Julie S.

  • Wonderful example of a bed and breakfast done right. Knowledgeable and friendly host, great breakfasts made with local food, very cozy, and in a really nice location. Right down the road from a cool little town, too. Great location if you're going to be hitting a wide variety of local spots. Only negative is Rufio, the cat, was too well behaved and since he is not allowed in the rooms he did not come into our room to hang out with us. Next time I will bribe him with treats.

    – Jim G.

  • My wife and I had an awesome stay! Jen has a wealth of knowledge about the local area, her recommendations about which wineries to visit and where to go for dinner was spot on. The breakfast in the morning was outstanding, everything simple and yet so tasty and fresh. You can tell Jen truly cares about her Inn and the people who stay there.

    –Robert T.

  • Really lovely bed and breakfast. Jen is a gracious and kind hostess and she is very much in the know if you are looking for winery recommendations. My wife and I stayed here and the location can't be beat – highly recommend if you're planning on staying on the Finger Lakes!

    – Ben H.

  • The Black Walnut B&B was lovely and charming. Jen is an amazing host and extremely knowledgeable. Any questions we had about the area she answered and gave numerous suggestions and helped plan out our days. And how can we forget our innkeeper Rufio the cat! We are already planning our trip back.

    – Evan H.

  • Our first trip to the Finger Lakes could not have been better, Jen was the most wonderful host! We came with only dinner reservations and Jen helped us plan the rest with her wonderful knowledge of the area – wineries, breweries, hiking, and seeing the falls. The accommodations are lovely, luxurious, comfortable, and updated, but keeping the old house charm. We could not have asked for a better get away!

    – Julianna G.

A cozy living room corner with two beige upholstered armchairs with dark wooden frames on either side of a small wooden table. The table has a blue vase with pink tulips and some books on it. Behind, large windows let in natural light, and a colorful waterfall painting hangs between the windows.
Close-up of a dark polished wooden staircase railing and balusters in a home interior.
Close-up of a black wooden door with a gold lion's head door knocker.