Auburn: Culture, History and Theater

Auburn brings together striking sacred art, museums exploring the city’s history, and a diverse program of stage performances. You can therefore choose different focuses as you plan your trip: the beautifully designed Willard Memorial Chapel, exhibitions and tours, or live performances at Auburn Public Theater. The legacy of the equal rights movement in New York State is another theme through which you can get to know Auburn.

Art and Tours in Auburn

Willard Memorial Chapel welcomes visitors Wednesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for guided or self-guided tours. The last entry for self-guided visits is at 3:30 p.m. If you want to plan your time on site yourself, this distinction is important for planning your day; a guided tour is another way to visit the chapel.

Numerous details shape the interior: the chapel contains 14 opalescent windows, including a rose window and a large figurative window. There are also nine lamps in the so-called Moorish style, memorial plaques made of glass mosaic and gilded bronze, and oak furnishings with metal and glass mosaic. Gold leaf on the ceiling ornaments and a mosaic floor complete the design. Visitors especially interested in architecture and decorative arts will find many individual elements to focus on here.

The city’s museums offer a range of other formats. Seward House Museum offers tours of the historic home of William Henry Seward and his family. Cayuga Museum presents changing exhibitions and public programs and works with researchers across three floors of the historic Willard-Case Mansion. The museum lists tour times for the Case Research Lab as 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m.

Theater, Learning, and Local History

Auburn Public Theater is located in downtown Auburn and brings people together through affordable access to live performances, cinema, arts education, and community events. Nationally touring acts perform year-round on the 199-seat Mainstage; the program includes live music, musical theater, plays, spoken-word performances, and comedians. In addition, the theater offers year-round learning opportunities in filmmaking, theater, music, and other creative arts for children and adults. This lets you distinguish between performances and your own creative learning interests without implying that the two formats offer the same experience.

NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center is the official welcome center and tourist information center for the city of Auburn, New York. Its focus is the legacy of the equal rights movement in the state. Another historical connection is Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, which includes the historic Thompson Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church at 49 Parker Street. The church opened to the public on June 22, 2024, after extensive restoration and repair work. Harriet Tubman Home is designated a National Historic Landmark and is also part of Harriet Tubman National Historical Park.

Local Finds and Getting There

City Market is also worth exploring for a glimpse of local produce and crafts: Auburn Parks and Recreation Department works with local producers and craftspeople to organize it. No particular market day or time is specified, so don’t plan your visit around a weekly schedule mentioned here.

If you’re driving to Auburn from Syracuse, the National Park Service directions take you via I-690 W and, after the exit, along NY-5 W toward Auburn. NY-5 W is listed as 17 miles. This refers to the specified stretch of road; it is not a driving time. When choosing a vacation rental, you can consider the city as a base for the cultural interests that shape your trip, without inferring a particular accommodation location from the attractions mentioned.

Discover More Places

Another place to discover is Weedsport.

For the broader travel overview: Cayuga County.