Finger Lakes, New York Travel Guide
The Finger Lakes, New York is a perfect weekend trip for couples, friends, mother/daughters, and even families. This region is known for the eleven long, narrow lakes spread out like fingers across the center of the state. Quaint towns, rolling farmland, dense forests, dramatic gorges, and over 100 vineyards surround the lakes. Fill your days with scenic wine tastings, picturesque boat rides, and easy waterfall hikes in state parks.
How to Get There
If you are not road tripping, fly into Syracuse, Rochester or Buffalo, New York.
Things to Do in the Finger Lakes
- Explore the wine trails. Grape varieties that flourish in this cool climate wine region include Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc. Dry Rieslings and Rosé are my personal favorite types of wines from the area. Use Stompin Good Times as your private driver/guide.
* Fun fact: These lakes are extraordinarily deep. Due to their depth, they regulate the water and air temperatures around the lakes. In the frosty winters, it stays warmer near the lakes. So clever vintners take advantage of these favorable growing conditions and plant grape vines right by the lakefront. The deepest - Seneca - is over 600 feet (2x the height of the Statue of Liberty for reference). Thus, it has the most wineries.
- There is not only wine tasting, but also beer, cider, gin, vodka, and whiskey tastings.
- Visit towns with laidback Americana charm like Geneva, Aurora, Seneca Falls, Watkins Glen, Ithaca, Canandaigua, and Skaneateles.
- Go on a foodie adventure: cheese tasting, fruit picking, dairy stands, roadside stalls, honey farms, farmers markets, New York Kitchen cocktail and cooking classes.
- Boating & Water sports
Stivers Marina on Seneca: kayaks, paddle boards, pontoon boats rentals & charters, sunset cruises
Summit to Stream on Seneca: kayak tours, fishing trips
Bianconi Tours on Cayuga: wine tasting by boat, historical cruises, sunset cruises, charters
Keuka Boat Rentals on Keuka: boat rentals, water skis, jet skis
The Sailboat Shop on Skaneateles: canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, pontoon boats, sailboats
Canandaigua Sailboard on Canandaigua: wakefoil, wind surfing, kayaks, paddle boards, SUP yoga
- Hiking
Watkins Glen State Park
Taughannock Falls State Park
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Finger Lakes National Forest
- Seasonal activities
Zip-lining in the warmer months
Amazing leaf peeping in Autumn
Skiing, snow shoeing, and ice fishing in Winter
- Visit historical homes & gardens
Belhurst Castle
Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion
Rose Hill Mansion
- Shopping
MacKenzie-Childs gift shop at the original farmhouse & production studio in Aurora
Shop local in small towns like Geneva, Aurora, Seneca Falls, Watkins Glen, Ithaca, Canandaigua, and Skaneateles
Look out for antique shops, pottery studios, etc.
Where to Eat & Drink
Seneca Lake
Wineries: Lamoreaux Landing, Boundary Breaks, Wagner, Atwater, Ryan William, Silver Thread, Three Brothers, Ventosa, Hermann J. Wiemer, Villa Bellangelo
Breweries & Distilleries: Lucky Hare Brewing Co, Grist Iron Brewery, Finger Lakes Distilling, Climbing Bines, Two Goats Brewing, The O’Begley Distillery
Foodie spots: Dano’s, FLX Wienery, FLX Table, The Linden Social Club, Kindred Fare, Beef & Brew, Stonecat, The Rusty Pig, Ports Cafe, Reisinger's Apple Country for apple picking
Cayuga Lake
Wineries, Breweries & Distilleries: Americana Vineyard, Sheldrake Point, Myer Farm Distillers, Finger Lakes Cider House
Foodie spots: 84 Fall, 1833 Kitchen & Bar, Hazelnut Kitchen, Lively Run Dairy Farm & Creamery, Muranda Cheese Company, Cayuga Lake Creamery
Keuka Lake
Wineries: Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, Living Roots FLX Pop-Up, Weis, Azure Hill, Stever Hill
Foodie spots: Sugar Shack Blueberry Farm for blueberry picking & farmers market
I have not been to Skaneateles yet, but I hear it is lovely & has clear blue water! It is on my list and I will report back with food & drink must dos.
Where to Stay
The most popular towns to stay include Geneva & Watkins Glen on Seneca Lake, as well as Ithaca, Aurora & Seneca Falls on Cayuga Lake. Canandaigua and Skaneateles are also picturesque local towns where you could base your vacation. Canandaigua and Skaneateles focus more so on lake activities, rather than wineries.
Inns of Aurora: stay at Rowland House or Aurora Inn
Home rentals: Airbnb, VRBO, or Finger Lakes Premier Properties. My friends and I booked a great house through Finger Lakes Premier Properties.
Finger Lakes Travel Tips
Focus on a specific area for wine/beer/foodie tastings. Consider highlighting just one side of a lake instead of trying to circumnavigate it all. Take a look at Google Maps & pick a handful of places in the same vicinity. Do not overextend yourself as the drives can be longer than you would probably expect.
Plan ahead if you are taking an Uber/Lyft. It can take a while to request a vehicle as they are limited.
Visit during late Spring, Summer, or Fall. Skip Winter unless you are there for snow activities like skiing.
