What to Do in the Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes region in New York is known for its beautiful scenery and charming towns. Native American stories say the eleven long, thin lakes are the Great Spirit's handprint. Geologists have another idea.

They say giant glaciers carved out deep river valleys during the last ice age. This created the deep lakes and steep gorges you see today.

This landscape is what makes the Finger Lakes so special. It created three main things to enjoy here.

1. Amazing Nature: The glaciers didn't just make lakes, they also carved out gorges with over 1,000 waterfalls. This makes it a great place for hiking and exploring parks like Watkins Glen.
2. Great Food and Wine: The deep lakes help keep the nearby hills from getting too cold in the winter. This creates the perfect climate for growing grapes. That's why the Finger Lakes is famous for its Riesling wine, along with beer, cider, and farm-to-table food.
3. Cool Historic Towns: The area is full of American history. You can visit Seneca Falls, where the women's rights movement started. You can also see the birthplace of American aviation in Hammondsport.

Everything in the Finger Lakes is connected. The glaciers made the gorges, the lakes made the wine possible, and all of it created the setting for these historic towns.

Top 10 Things to Do in the Finger Lakes

The great thing about the Finger Lakes is that you can mix adventure with relaxing. You could hike a muddy trail in the morning and visit a nice museum or winery in the afternoon. This list is a good starting point for your first visit.

1. Watkins Glen State Park: This is the most famous park in the area for a reason. A 1.5-mile trail goes down 400 feet through a gorge with 19 waterfalls. You even get to walk behind one of them.
2. The Corning Museum of Glass: This museum is all about glass. It covers 3,500 years of art and science. You can watch live glassblowing shows or even take a workshop to make your own glass souvenir.
3. Seneca Lake Wine Trail: This is the heart of the Finger Lakes wine scene. Seneca is the deepest lake, which helps more than 30 wineries grow great grapes on its shores. It's the best place to try the region's famous Riesling wines.
4. Taughannock Falls State Park: This park has a huge waterfall that drops 215 feet. That's even taller than Niagara Falls. You can see it from an overlook or take an easy 0.75-mile walk to the bottom of the gorge.
5. Letchworth State Park: People call this the "Grand Canyon of the East." The Genesee River flows through a 600-foot-deep gorge, creating three huge waterfalls. It's a powerful and amazing sight.
6. The Village of Skaneateles: This is probably the prettiest town in the Finger Lakes. It sits on the bright blue Skaneateles Lake. The downtown has historic buildings, nice shops, and great restaurants.
7. Women's Rights National Historical Park: This park in Seneca Falls is an important piece of American history. It's where the first Women's Rights Convention was held in 1848. This event started the movement for women's right to vote.
8. The George Eastman Museum: This museum is in the nearby city of Rochester. It's the former home of George Eastman, the man who made photography popular. The museum has a huge collection of photos and films.
9. Finger Lakes National Forest: This is the only national forest in New York State. It has over 30 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding. It's a peaceful place to enjoy the outdoors.
10. The City of Ithaca: This lively city is at the end of Cayuga Lake. It's home to Cornell University and has a great downtown area called the Ithaca Commons. The city's motto is "Ithaca is Gorges" because of all the nearby parks.

The Best Nature Spots

Many people visit the Finger Lakes for the outdoors. You can find things to do in every season, from skiing in the winter to hiking and swimming in the summer.

Gorges and Waterfalls

The area around Ithaca is the best place to see waterfalls. Three major state parks are very close to each other, so you can easily visit all of them in a weekend.

• Watkins Glen State Park: This is the most famous gorge park. A 1.5-mile trail takes you down over 800 stone steps. You'll walk over bridges and even behind two waterfalls. It gets crowded, so try to go early in the morning.
• Taughannock Falls State Park: This park is all about size. The main waterfall is 215 feet tall. You can see it from a roadside overlook or take an easy, flat trail to the bottom.
• Robert H. Treman State Park: This park feels more wild and rugged. It has 12 waterfalls, including the 115-foot Lucifer Falls. There's also a popular swimming hole at the base of a waterfall, which is great in the summer.
• Buttermilk Falls State Park: This park is easy to get to. You can see the main waterfall right from the parking lot. For hikers, there's a steeper trail that goes up through a narrow gorge.

Which Lake Should You Visit?

The lakes are the center of activity in the region. There are 11 lakes, but most people stick to the four largest. Picking the right one as your home base can make your trip better.

• For Wine Lovers: Seneca Lake. This is the biggest and deepest lake. It has the most wineries, so it's the center of the wine scene. It also has a lot of breweries and distilleries.
• For a Fancy Trip: Skaneateles Lake. This lake is known for its beautiful, clear blue water and charming village. It has high-end shops and a more luxurious feel.
• For Hikers and Explorers: Cayuga Lake. This is the longest lake and home to the city of Ithaca. It's a great base for hiking the nearby gorges. It also has America's first wine trail.
• For a Relaxed Vibe: Keuka Lake. This Y-shaped lake is often called "Crooked Lake." It has a more laid-back feel with warmer water. It's home to historic, family-owned wineries and the town of Hammondsport.

On the Water

Getting out on the water is a big part of life here. You can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards at marinas and parks. There are also public beaches for swimming.

You can also go fishing on all the major lakes. Many places offer fishing charters to take you out on a boat.

Cool Lake Facts

Scenic Drives

• Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway: This 87-mile loop goes around the longest Finger Lake. It connects Ithaca, Taughannock Falls, and the historic town of Seneca Falls.
• Seneca Lake Scenic Byway: This drive is the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. It takes you past dozens of wineries. You will also pass the Finger Lakes National Forest and see roadside waterfalls like Hector Falls.
• Country Roads around Keuka and Canandaigua Lakes: These lakes have more classic country drives than official byways. You'll see rolling hills and pretty farmland as you drive between towns like Hammondsport and Penn Yan.

Great Towns to Visit

Choosing which town to stay in is a big decision. Each town has a different feel and is a base for a different kind of trip.

• Skaneateles
  • The Vibe: This is a beautiful and upscale village. It feels a lot like a charming New England town. It's a great choice for a romantic getaway.
  • Attractions: Walk through the historic downtown and relax in the park by the lake. The Mirbeau Inn & Spa is a popular spot for relaxing.
  • Shops & Restaurants: The town has nice shops and great places to eat, like Rosalie's Cucina and the historic Sherwood Inn.
• Ithaca
  • The Vibe: This is a lively college town with a progressive, artsy feel. It's the best home base for a week of hiking and exploring.
  • Attractions: The Ithaca Commons is a four-block street just for walking, with over 100 unique shops and restaurants. The Ithaca Farmers Market is also a must-see. The gorges are right in its backyard.
  • Shops & Restaurants: The food here is very diverse. You can find everything from fancy restaurants to local favorites like Moosewood Restaurant and Collegetown Bagels.
• Corning
  • The Vibe: Known as the "Crystal City," this town was built around the glass industry. Its historic downtown, called the Gaffer District, is beautifully restored. It's perfect for a weekend of art and history.
  • Attractions: The Gaffer District is a great place to explore after visiting the Corning Museum of Glass. Market Street has shops, art galleries, and live glass blowing studios.
  • Shops & Restaurants: The town has a great food scene. Some popular spots include The Quincy Exchange for brunch and Aniello's for pizza.
• Geneva
  • The Vibe: This town is a nice starting point for the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. It's located on the north end of the lake.
  • Attractions: Belhurst Castle is the town's most famous spot. It's an old mansion on the lake with a winery, spa, and two restaurants.
  • Shops & Restaurants: The downtown area is growing and has a lot of farm-to-table restaurants.
• Canandaigua
  • The Vibe: This is a classic lakeside resort town. It has a good mix of charm and things to do. It's a great choice for a family vacation.
  • Attractions: Check out the historic Main Street, the beautiful Kershaw Park on the lake, and the Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion. The New York Kitchen is a center for food and wine from all over the state.
  • Shops & Restaurants: There are great places to eat by the lake, like the Rose Tavern and the Sand Bar.
• Hammondsport
  • The Vibe: This historic town was once named the "Coolest Small Town in America." It has a quiet, relaxed feel on the southern tip of Keuka Lake. It's perfect for a trip focused on history.
  • Attractions: You can visit the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, which is about aviation. You can also see the Finger Lakes Boating Museum and walk around the historic village square.
  • Shops & Restaurants: The town has small, local places to eat and shop around the village square.

More Cool Things to Do

Besides parks and towns, the area has some great museums and a food scene that is a main attraction itself.

Museums and History

The museums here are important to American history. The region was a place of new ideas in women's rights, aviation, and photography.

• The Corning Museum of Glass: The live Hot Glass Demo is a must-see show where master glassblowers create art right in front of you. The Make Your Own Glass workshop is a popular activity. You can work with an artist to make your own souvenir, but you should book it weeks in advance.
• Women's Rights National Historical Park: This park in Seneca Falls is where the first Women's Rights Convention was held in 1848. You can stand in the room where Elizabeth Cady Stanton demanded the right for women to vote. This event launched the women's rights movement in the U.S.
• Glenn H. Curtiss Museum: This museum in Hammondsport honors a local hero who was a pioneer in motorcycles and airplanes. You can see rare motorcycles and old planes. His work with seaplanes on Keuka Lake earned him the title "Father of Naval Aviation."
• Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park: This is a 50-acre estate in Canandaigua from the Gilded Age. You can tour the 40-room mansion, but the main attraction is the collection of beautiful gardens.

Wine, Beer, and Food

The region isn't just for wine anymore. It's now known for all kinds of craft drinks.

• The Wine Trails
  • Seneca Lake Wine Trail: This is the biggest and most popular trail. It has the most wineries and is known for its world-class Rieslings. It can have a party vibe on weekends.
  • Cayuga Lake Wine Trail: This was America's First Wine Trail, started in 1983. It offers a wide variety of award-winning wines.
  • Keuka Lake Wine Trail: This trail is known for its small, family-owned wineries. It has a more personal and friendly feel. It's home to some of America's oldest wineries.
  • Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail: This is the smallest trail, at only 30 miles long. It's not just wine, it also has breweries, shops, and restaurants along the way.
• Craft Beer and More
  The area has over 75 craft breweries, plus many cideries and distilleries. Look for "NYS Farm Breweries" like Steuben Brewing Company. They are required to use local ingredients.
• Farm-to-Table Dining
  Eating local isn't a trend here, it's just how things are done. The Ithaca Farmers Market is a great example of this. All vendors must come from within 30 miles, so everything is 100% local.

How to Plan Your Trip

The Finger Lakes region is very big, covering 9,000 square miles. You can't see everything from one central spot. Where you decide to stay will shape your whole trip.

Map of Finger Lakes Attractions

An online map is a great way to see where things are. You can filter attractions by what you want to do. For example, you can look for waterfalls, wineries, museums, or towns.

You can also filter by which lake you are staying on. This helps you group activities together and see what you can realistically do each day.

What to Do at Each Lake

This table organizes the top attractions by lake. If you are staying on Canandaigua Lake, you can quickly see that Sonnenberg Gardens is close by. It also shows you that Watkins Glen would be a longer day trip.