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Are you planning an upstate vacation?
If so, you will want to consider a trip to one of the most scenic regions in the entire northeast, with great events for all seasons.
The Finger Lakes are a much-hailed region in upstate New York with an exceptional variety of outdoor activities and stunning scenery while also including some great hidden treasures just waiting to be explored. The name derives from the eleven long, narrow lakes of varying size that run north to south, resembling the shape of fingers.
Here are is an assortment of things to do in the Finger Lakes that encompass all the region has to offer.
Best Things to Do on Your Vacation to Finger Lakes
Visit Watkins Glen State Park
Perhaps the most famous of all Finger Lake State parks, the Watkins Glen State Park is a sight to behold. Located in the sleepy town of Watkins Glen just south of Seneca Lake, this park ranks among the most beautiful national parks in the northeast with a series of eye-catching gorges, cliff faces, and 19 stunning waterfalls that are truly unique.
The park itself is relatively small, with the main path encompassing an approximately two-mile hike that includes over 800 stone steps but is jam-packed with appealing features. The central loop trail winds through and around waterfalls, including down into Cavern Cascade, providing stunning glimpses of natural beauty from all sides. There are several smaller trails and rim paths you can take to explore the park further.
Ultimately, Glen Falls State Park ranks as one of the best things to do in the Finger Lakes because it offers something for everyone making it compelling for avid hikes, explorers, and families. Amenities include campsites, swimming, biking, playgrounds, and picnic options. This park is a stop that is not to be missed on your journey to the region.
Check out Robert Treman State Park
Robert Treman State Park is an over 1,100-acre park located in Tompkins Country, just a stone’s throw away from Ithaca near dazzling Cayuga Lake. Similar to Watkins Glen, the park offers some of the most stunning scenery and natural beauty in the region. Trails follow along Enfield Creek, offering views of impressive rock formations and cliff faces known as Enfield Glen.
The park includes 12 different waterfalls, including Lucifer Falls, which stands well above 100-feet. Visitors can trek up the falls and take in beautiful views of the surrounding area and lower park regions. The park also includes a natural swimming pool. Swimming is allowed within a specific roped-off area with a lifeguard.
While the park may not have quite the same “wow” factor as Watkins Glen State Park, it does offer some of the best views of Cayuga and the greater Ithaca area. It provides a diverse range of amenities, including campsites, pavilions, hiking trails, and a swimming beach.
Explore Taughannock Falls State Park
Taughannock Falls State Park represents yet another appealing New York State Park in the Finger Lakes region is home to the gorgeous Taughannock Falls, which includes a 215-foot sheer cliff face drop and over 400 feet of stunning gorges. The steep drop makes the falls one of the more unique cataract spectacles on the east coast and is well worth the trip alone.
In addition to the falls, the park also touts over 750 acres of scenic hiking trails, campsites, and cabins. The park also includes a marina that launches into Cayuga Lake with all sorts of water sports activities, including swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and pontoon boat rentals.
In addition to an excellent summertime location, the proximity to Cayuga Lake incorporates a stunning backdrop that is worthy of viewing for all seasons. Some great winter activities within the park include ice skating, sledding, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.
With its spacious size, the park leaves a bit more room to explore than both Watkins Glen and Robert Treman while offering a similar combination of stunning waterfalls, cliffs, and gorges. With an assortment of activities for all seasons, the park is perfect for outdoor explorers looking for adventure and routine family outings.
Take a Journey Down the Cayuga Wine Trail
No trip to the Finger Lakes is complete without visiting at least one of the many vineyards and sampling the local wines the region is well known for. The Finger Lake’s are home to three distinct wine trails Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, Keuka Lake Wine Trail, and Seneca Lake Wine Trail. Each offers its own unique assortment of scenic vineyards, wine and food pairings, and ongoing seasonal events and promotions.
A Wine Trail journey is a great thing to do in the Finger Lakes if you’re looking for a unique and memorable way to experience the region. While all three Wine Trails offer appealing options, those looking for a more historical flair might gravitate towards the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. It earns the distinction as America’s first wine trail and includes some appealing couples and group packages to cater to your specific needs. Some notable vineyards include Americana, Buttonwood Grove, Six Mile Creek, and Swedish Hill.
Take Brewery Tours and Visit Beer Tasting Rooms
If wine isn’t your scene, you might instead be intrigued by the extensive selection of local breweries. In recent years, the craft beer scene has exploded with over 75 family-owned and operated microbreweries, tasting rooms, and brewpubs scattered throughout the Finger Lakes region. Many of the facilities include scenic and relaxed indoor and outdoor settings that are both kid and pet friendly with plenty of open space and lawn games.
Beer lovers will enjoy the vast array of packages and tasting options with an assortment of lager, ales IPA’s, and sours. You can create your own experience by signing up for a beer pass allowing you to your numerous breweries or sign up for tours and even taking an elementary brewing course. Some of the region’s most famous local breweries include Twisted Rail Brewing, Middle Ages Brewing Company, Finger Lakes Beer Company, and Ithaca Beer Co.
Go to a Museum
While many of the best things to do in the Finger Lakes are often synonymous with the great outdoors and the beautiful surrounding scenery, the region is also home to several incredible museums with a vast spectrum of options that are sure to pique your curiosity.
Some compelling options include the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, which chronicles a local aviation pioneer, as well as significant historical themes such as the Harriet Tubman Home and the Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls. Other appealing options include the nearby Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, an interactive experience that your kids will love, and the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse.
The Finger Lakes is ideally situated between a number of upstate towns and cities, providing plenty of access to a vast range of amenities. If you are looking to get a bit more culture and history or are simply looking for an educational/interactive family activity, there are plenty of options. Checking out one of the many nearby local museums can be a great change of pace while also helping you increase your knowledge of the surrounding area.
Visit Ithaca
If you are looking for the ultimate Finger Lakes experience in one location, you would be hard-pressed to find a better spot than the town of Ithaca. Located right on the southern banks of Cayuga Lake, this small bustling city proves a wide range of activities, culture, and breathtaking scenery. Home to Cornell and Ithaca College, the town features a vibrant local scene with an excellent mix of bars, restaurants, and one of the best Farmer’s Markets you will find.
With easy access to Cayuga Lake, Ithaca represents an excellent launch point to numerous boating and water sports and scenic walking paths and hiking trails. Great family-friendly activities include the Ithaca Children’s Garden, Stewart Park, and Ringwood Raceway. The Sciencenter is also a tremendous informative/education space for kids with an outdoor mini-golf course.
A trip to Ithaca is one of the best things to do in the Finger Lake region if you want to strike a balance between different activities and fine dining. With an excellent variety of fun daily activities and ideal access to the outdoors, and an eccentric mix of locals, a trip to Ithaca is an experience you won’t soon forget.
Hit the Water
Of course, we would be remiss to detail a trip to the Finger Lakes without highlighting the lakes themselves. With eleven lakes of varying sizes, there is an eclectic range of activities in and around the water, with diverse landscapes and sensational views. Some of the best swimming areas include Kershaw Park on Canandaigua Lake, Sandy Bottom Park on Honeoye Lake, and Keuka Lake State Park.
There is no shortage of other fun water sport activities during the summer months, including jet-skiing, paddleboarding, canoeing, and kayaking. Boat tours and dinner cruises are also available. There are also plenty of hiking trails and walking paths that run alongside the lakes and provide excellent scenery.
The best things to do in the Finger Lakes are not exclusively reserved for the summertime, with ice skating, ice fishing, and snowmobiling among some great winter options available on the lakes. If you plan a vacation to the Finger Lakes, consider many exciting outdoor winter activities.
Go Camping
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the great outdoors on your trip to the Finger Lakes, consider planning a camping trip. With a plethora of nearby state parks, the area represents a vast concentration of campgrounds with varying degrees of “remoteness” and amenities. Hence, you have flexibility in the type of experience you want.
Depending on your experience level and what you are looking for, there are plenty of camping options to browse in the region, including many family-friendly options in central locations.
For instance, a stay at Sampson State Park ranks among the best things to do in the Finger Lakes, with sprawling grounds and over 300 campsites, including 245 electric sites and ten cottages.
The park offers fun activities, including basketball courts, horseshoes, and a lakeside playground. Buttermilk Falls State Park is another excellent option providing 45 campsites and a collection of rustic cabins with access to a small lake and scenic hiking trails with gorgeous views.
If you’re looking to get off the beaten path, a trip into the Finger Lakes National Forest provides access to over 16,000 acres of woodland and over 30 miles of hiking trails with an abundance of wildlife, including deer, bobcats, and wild turkeys. The forest is located smack dab between Seneca and Cayuga lakes.
Go to Bristol Mountain Ski Resort
As previously mentioned, there is plenty to do in the Finger Lakes year-round. Bristol Mountain represents the premier ski resort in the region. It is located about 30 minutes south of Rochester and just 10 minutes from downtown Canandaigua. The resort features 38 different slopes of varying difficulty ranging from green circles (easiest) to double black diamonds (most difficut).
Bristol Mountain is unique for its 1,200 vertical rise, which claims to be the highest found between the Adirondacks and the Rockies. The panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and the surrounding area help create an unforgettable experience.
The Park also features two terrain parks (primarily for snowboarders) and cross country skiing along the summit ridgelines. Bristol Mountain Resort also offers some significant summer events with the Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventures & Zip Line Canopy Tour and Roseland Waterpark.
Plan Your Trip Today
No matter what you are looking for, the Finger Lake region is sure to match your needs and expectations with an excellent variety of amenities and activities for all ages and seasons. Some of the best things to do in the Finger Lakes include water sports, hiking trails, and amazing views of waterfalls and gorges.
In addition to the outdoors, there are plenty of vineyards, breweries, and restaurants, as well as fine local museums. Book your trip today and start your next great adventure.
