Located in west-central New York are the Finger Lakes. They are made up of 11 narrow lakes formed by glaciers during the last Ice Age. While all of the lakes have their own charm, the four most commonly visited are Seneca, Cayuga, Keuka, and Canandaigua. These lakes are surrounded by charming towns, rolling hills, vineyards, and award-winning wineries. This makes the region a favorite for relaxing getaways. We’ve visited the Finger Lakes several times, especially when we were still living in Pennsylvania. It was the perfect destination for a long weekend or small vacation—only about a four-hour drive for us. As a bonus, we’re very into wine, which makes this region even more appealing. The southern tip of Seneca Lake is also home to Watkins Glen State Park. The park features absolutely stunning waterfalls (another favorite thing of ours). The drive itself is beautiful, filled with gorgeous mountain views and scenic landscapes. We often made fun stops along the way that were well worth the extra time.
Stops Along the Way
Pennsylvania Grand Canyon
One memorable stop was the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, located outside of Wellsboro, PA, in Tioga County, not far from Williamsport. The area offers plenty of activities, making it a great destination for a full weekend or longer. Williamsport is known as the home of the Little League World Series. While the nearby town of Wellsboro is famous for its annual “Dickens of a Christmas” festival each December. During the festival, Victorian-themed performers roam the streets alongside vendors selling handmade goods and seasonal treats.
The PA Grand Canyon itself offers many spectacular viewpoints that don’t require difficult hiking. There are also numerous hiking trails with fabulous views from above and trails that descend into the canyon.
Corning Museum of Glass
Another stop we enjoyed on the way north was the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY. The museum features an extensive collection of glass art and historical pieces. The museum exibits center around the art and science of glassmaking. In addition to the exhibits, there are hands-on workshops and live demonstrations throughout the museum, making it an engaging stop for all ages.
Exploring the Finger Lakes
Watkins Glen State Park
While visiting the Finger Lakes, we highly recommend spending time at Watkins Glen State Park. The park is home to 19 waterfalls formed by glaciers and centuries of erosion from Glen Creek. The Gorge Trail takes you past these waterfalls. At times the trail even goes behind the waterfalls, and includes a mix of stone paths, bridges, and staircases. The hike is considered moderately difficult. With over 800 stairs, some steep sections, and potentially slippery conditions, so caution is advised.
There are two entrances to the park: the main entrance and the upper entrance. Starting at the upper entrance makes the hike mostly downhill rather than uphill, which we found much easier. There is also a seasonal shuttle that runs between the entrances. In addition to the Gorge Trail, there are rim trails above the gorge. They are quieter, pet-friendly, and offer a different perspective of the waterfalls.
Wineries and Vineyards
When it comes to visiting wineries and vineyards, we always found it best to plan the day ahead of time. Travel around the lakes can take longer than expected. It can take up to an hour to drive from the south end of a lake to the north end. Keuka Lake, in particular, is shaped like a “Y,” which can add to travel time.
On a typical day of wine tasting, it’s reasonable to visit three, maybe four, wineries at most. This all depends on the locations and activities offered at each.
Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery
One of our favorite and most well-known wineries in the Finger Lakes is Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery. The winery is located on Keuka Lake. Dr. Frank is credited with planting the first successful vinifera vines in the region. This proved that European grape varieties could thrive in the Finger Lakes climate. Today, the winery is known for producing consistently high-quality wines. This makes it a must-visit for anyone interested in the history and craftsmanship of Finger Lakes wine.
Bully Hill Winery
Another winery we really enjoyed is Bully Hill Winery on Keuka Lake. It has a fun, lively atmosphere and beautiful views of the lake. Their wines are easy to enjoy. This maks it a great stop whether you’re new to Finger Lakes wines or a longtime fan.
Lakewood Vineyards
On Seneca Lake, Lakewood Vineyards stands out for its history. While it was one of the first vineyards planted on Seneca Lake. However it didn’t begin producing wine until the late 1980s. One standout for us was their Lemberger, which was absolutely delicious.
Leidenfrost Vineyards
Leidenfrost Vineyards, also on Seneca Lake, quickly became one of our favorites. The wines were excellent across the board. The views of the lake were beautiful, and their Sauvignon Blanc was truly phenomenal.
Miles Wine Cellars
For something a little different, Miles Wine Cellars offers not only great wine but a fun story. It’s known as one of the haunted wineries in the Finger Lakes. The grounds are beautiful. There’s even a dock right on the lake where you can sit, relax, and enjoy a glass of wine.
Evenings in the Finger Lakes
Although there are dinner cruises and some good restaurants in the area, nightlife in the Finger Lakes is fairly quiet. Most activities take place during the day, and many wineries close by 5 p.m. This makes the region ideal for families or groups of friends looking to rent a vacation home or Airbnb. What better way to spend quality time together after a day of exploring.
The Finger Lakes offer a perfect blend of nature, wine, and small-town charm. An easy, relaxing getaway that we’ve returned to again and again.
If you would like to see more waterfalls, check out our Three-Day waterfall Roadtrip
