5 Fun Things to Do in the Finger Lakes This Summer

Summer in the Finger Lakes has a special energy. Sunlight shines on 11 beautiful lakes, and the small towns around them are full of life. You can relax on a dock or find an amazing waterfall in a gorge.

1. Get on the Water

The 11 Finger Lakes are the heart of the area. "Lake Life" is a big part of summer here. You can relax with a book on a dock or have fun with family on a boat.

Great Spots for Swimming

There are lots of public places to swim, and each one is a little different.

• Taughannock Falls State Park (Cayuga Lake): Taughannock Falls State Park on Cayuga Lake has a great swimming spot away from its famous waterfall. It features a sandy beach with lifeguards and a diving dock. Just be sure to check if the beach is open before you go, as it can close unexpectedly.
• Seneca Lake State Park (Seneca Lake): Seneca Lake State Park in Geneva is perfect for families. It has a "Sprayground" with over 100 water jets that kids love. The park also has a normal beach, playgrounds, and is close to downtown Geneva.
• Kershaw Park (Canandaigua Lake): Kershaw Park is a 9-acre beach right in the town of Canandaigua. It has a sandy beach, a playground, and is a popular spot to hang out. You can easily walk to local restaurants after a day of swimming.
• Buttermilk Falls State Park (Ithaca): At Buttermilk Falls State Park, you can swim in a pool at the bottom of a waterfall. It's a popular spot on hot days and has a lifeguard. This is a cool chance to swim right in a gorge.

Boats, Kayaks, and Tours

It's easy to get out on the water, no matter what you want to do.

• Full-Power Boat Rentals: For cruising, pontoon boats are a great choice, and many places rent them out. Some companies, like Finger Lakes Watersports, will even deliver a boat right to your dock. This is really convenient if you're staying in a lakefront house.
• Human-Powered (Paddling): You can rent kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards all over the region. Popular launch spots can get crowded with boat traffic. For a quieter paddle, check out Hemlock and Canadice lakes because they don't have shoreline houses or much boat traffic.
• Guided On-Water Experiences: If you'd rather let someone else do the driving, guided tours are a relaxing way to learn about the area.
  • The Historic Sail: The Schooner True Love on Seneca Lake is a historic 1926 boat. It was in the movie High Society with Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly. You can take a two-hour public sail, and the sunset trip is really popular.
  • The Narrated Tour: Captain Bill's Seneca Lake Cruises offers 50-minute sightseeing trips. The crew tells stories about the lake's history. They point out cool spots like Hector Falls and cliffs with Native American art.
  • The Eco-Tour: Discover Cayuga Lake offers educational boat trips from Ithaca. They have tours focused on nature, the night sky, and even one that takes you to the Ithaca Farmers Market.

2. Explore Waterfalls and Gorges

Besides the lakes, the area is known for its deep gorges. These canyons were carved by glaciers long ago. That's why you'll see the saying, "Ithaca is Gorges."

Famous Gorge Trails

• Watkins Glen State Park Gorge Trail: The Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous hike here. It's a 1.5-mile stone path with over 800 steps. You'll pass 19 waterfalls and even walk behind one of them.
  Essential Visitor Tips: This trail is serious, so wear good, non-slip shoes because the path gets wet and slippery. It's a very popular spot, so try to go on a weekday or early in the morning to avoid crowds. A good tip is to park at the Upper Entrance, walk down the trail, and take the park shuttle back up to your car.
• Robert H. Treman State Park (Lucifer Falls): Robert H. Treman State Park is for people who want a real hike. The trails are tough and have lots of stone stairs, but you'll get a great view of the 115-foot Lucifer Falls. After your hike, you can cool off in the swimming hole at the base of another waterfall in the Lower Park.

Waterfalls You Can Drive To

You don't have to hike to see some of the best waterfalls.

• Taughannock Falls State Park: Taughannock Falls is 215 feet tall, which is a taller single drop than Niagara Falls. You should see it from two spots. The Overlook gives you a great view from above, and it's easy to get to. Then, take the easy 0.75-mile walk on the Gorge Trail to see the falls from the bottom.
• Ithaca Falls (Ithaca): Ithaca Falls is a powerful, 150-foot waterfall right near downtown Ithaca. It's one of the easiest big falls to get to. You can see it from the bridge on Lake Street or take a short path to its base.
• She-Qua-Ga Falls (Montour Falls): She-Qua-Ga Falls is in the small village of Montour Falls and looks like something from a fairytale. This 156-foot waterfall is right in a village park, so you don't need to hike at all. It's a great place to stop for a photo.

3. Enjoy Local Food and Drinks

Summer is the perfect time to try the local food and drinks. The area has over 200 wineries and more than 75 craft breweries. It's a great place to sit outside and enjoy what's grown here.

Wineries and Breweries with Great Views

Here are some spots where the view is as good as the drink.

• Dr. Konstantin Frank (Keuka Lake): Dr. Konstantin Frank is a historic winery on Keuka Lake. It has two outdoor spots to enjoy wine. One is a rooftop patio with great views, and the other is a more casual garden overlooking the lake.
• Two Goats Brewing (Seneca Lake): Two Goats Brewing on Seneca Lake is a famous little brewpub in an old barn. Its deck has amazing views, especially at sunset. They serve their own craft beer and a well-known beef-on-weck sandwich.
• Wineries with Panoramic Vistas: Many wineries are worth visiting just for the scenery. Atwater Vineyards and J.R. Dill Winery both have great views of Seneca Lake. Keuka Spring Vineyards is also known for its beautiful location.
• Wineries with Full-Service Restaurants: Some wineries also have full restaurants. Glenora Wine Cellars and Fox Run Vineyards on Seneca Lake both have great places to eat. Knapp Winery and Buttonwood Grove are good options on Cayuga Lake.

Farmers Markets and U-Pick Farms

• The Destination: Ithaca Farmers Market: The Ithaca Farmers Market is a must-see on weekends. It's a fun gathering spot right on the Cayuga Lake waterfront. You can find fresh food, art, and international food stalls while listening to live local music.
• The U-Pick Experience: Going to a U-Pick farm is a fun way to get fresh fruit. You can pick different things throughout the summer.

4. Go to Festivals and Concerts

Summer is full of events, from big festivals to free nightly concerts. There's always something to do on a weekend.

Big Summer Festivals

• Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance (Trumansburg): The Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival is a four-day music event in Trumansburg. It's family-friendly with lots of bands, camping, and a focus on world and local music. People of all ages go every year.
• F.L.X. Summer Fest at The Glen (Watkins Glen): The F.L.X. Summer Fest is a huge event at the Watkins Glen racetrack. It used to be just a wine festival. Now it includes all kinds of local drinks, like beer, cider, and spirits.
• Canandaigua Arts & Music Festival: The Canandaigua Arts & Music Festival is a free, three-day event held downtown. Over 150 artists set up booths along Main Street. There's also live music and other activities to enjoy.

Concert Venues

• The Main Stages: For big concerts, CMAC in Canandaigua is the main outdoor venue and gets famous artists. If you prefer an indoor show, the Smith Opera House in Geneva is a beautiful old theater. It hosts concerts and movies.
• The "Every Night" Music Scene: You can find live music almost any night of the week, and a lot of it is free.
  • Wednesdays: "Music in the Park" in Bath's Pulteney Park.
  • Thursdays: "Music in the Square" in Corning's Gaffer District or free shows at the Radisson Hotel Corning.
  • Fridays: "Happy Hour" with live music at Weis Vineyards in Hammondsport.
  • Saturdays: Live music at Heron Hill Winery, also in Hammondsport.
  • Varies: The Skaneateles Festival offers free community performances, and The Lake House on Canandaigua hosts its own summer music series.

5. Find Fun for the Whole Family

Here are some great spots for kids that are both educational and fun.

Museums for Kids

• Corning Museum of Glass (Corning): The Corning Museum of Glass is a great place to go on a rainy or hot day. The best activity for families is the Make Your Own Glass workshop. You get to work with a glass artist to create something.
  • Ages 4+: Fusing (creating a suncatcher or nightlight).
  • Ages 10+: Flameworking (designing a bead).
  • Ages 14+: Glass forming (sculpting a flower).
  • Any Age: Glass blowing (an ornament or sculpture, as the child only needs to provide the "puff").
  Essential Tip: Most projects need to cool overnight. You can pick them up the next day or have them shipped to you. It's a great way to take home a special souvenir you helped make.
• The Strong National Museum of Play (Rochester): The Strong Museum of Play in Rochester is worth the trip and takes a full day to see. It's a huge, interactive museum all about toys and play. You can also visit an indoor butterfly garden or try the high-ropes course for an extra fee.
• Sciencenter (Ithaca): The Sciencenter in Ithaca is an interactive science museum with both indoor and outdoor activities. Inside, there's an Animal Room and a play area for toddlers. Outside, you'll find a big Science Park and a science-themed mini-golf course.

Outdoor Adventures

• Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventures (Canandaigua): This adventure park has three different activity areas.
  1. The Aerial Adventure Park: The main event, a self-guided high-ropes course with over 120 elements.
  2. The Zipline Canopy Tour: A separate , 3-hour guided tour featuring 7 long ziplines.
  3. The Kids Adventure Park: A smaller course made for kids ages 4 to 7.
• Roseland Waterpark & Wake Park (Canandaigua): Roseland is two parks right next to each other, which is great for families with kids of different ages.
  1. Roseland Waterpark: A 56-acre traditional park with a wave pool, slides, and a "Splash Factory" for little kids.
  2. Roseland Wake Park: A modern, cable-pull wakeboarding park that requires no boat.