The Finger Lakes Region in New York state is one of the most underrated vacation destinations in the United States. Renowned for its stunning glacial lakes, lush vineyards, and charming small towns, this region provides a perfect blend of natural beauty and relaxation. The Finger Lakes region is named after the 11 long narrow North to South lakes in the region. I recommend visiting Canandaigua, Seneca, Keuka, and Cayuga lakes. Whether seeking outdoor adventures, wine tasting, boating and kayaking, or simply a peaceful retreat, the Finger Lakes promises a memorable and rejuvenating experience. Here’s my Finger Lakes, New York Guide complete with the best things to do in The Finger Lakes and where to stay in The Finger Lakes.
Table of Contents:
Canandaigua Lake
Where To Stay on Canandaigua Lake:
- The Lake House on Canandaigua
- 4 Star Hotel located in town and right on the lake
- You’ll never need to leave the property as there is a gorgeous restaurant, Sand Bar, Pool Bar, and library bar on site as well as a spa
- Hotel Canandaigua Tapestry Collection by Hilton
- Located in town and right on the lake
- Outdoor pool, onsite restaurant
What To Do on Canandaigua Lake:
Summer:
- See a concert at The CMAC
- Take a lunch or dinner cruise on The Canandaigua Lady -a 19th century replica of a double-decker steamboat
- Charter a boat for a private captained cruise:
- Learn to sail:
- Rent Kayaks or Stand Up Paddle Boards:
- Rent a Boat:
- Visit a brewery:
- Twisted Rail
- Peacemaker
- Naked Dove
- Frequentem
- Visit Heron Hill Winery
- Visit The Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion
- 50 acre New York State Historic Park containing nine themed gardens, a 19th century Victorian-style mansion and an expansive greenhouse
- Watch fireworks over the lake during the “Ring of Fire” event on Labor Day weekend
Winter:
- Ski/snowboard at Bristol Mountain Ski Resort
Where To Eat on Canandaigua Lake:
- Eastside Grill & Pub– neighborhood, small town restaurant with friendly staff and great food. Live music on Thursdays and Saturdays
- Nolan’s
- COHO Pizza and Wine Bar
- Rose Tavern at The Lake House
How to Get to Canandaigua Lake:
- Fly into Rochester and drive about 40 minutes
South Seneca Lake
Where to Stay on South Seneca Lake:
I personally love south Seneca Lake and will focus on the towns of Watkins Glen, Burdett, and Hector. If you’re looking to visit north Seneca lake, I’d recommend finding a place to stay in Geneva.
Watkins Glen:
- Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel – beautiful hotel right on South Seneca Lake in the middle of town. Walking distance to restaurants, bars, boat cruises
- Idlwilde Inn – romantic historical inn overlooking Seneca Lake
Burdett:
- Lakehouse “Wet Willow” Airbnb
- This has been one of my favorite Airbnb’s ever!
- This gorgeous lake house has stairs down to a private dock with a kayak and stand up paddle board for use plus Adirondack chairs for relaxing on the dock.
- The architecture is stunning and the view of the lake from the property is incredible.
- It’s tucked away down a long private drive but only a 15 minute drive to town in Watkins Glen.
- It’s a little pricey but would be great for a group of 6.
- There is one master bathroom and two bedrooms that each have bunkbeds.
- The property is near some of the best wineries on Seneca Lake.
What to do in South Seneca Lake:
- Visit some of the 35 Wineries on Seneca Lake!
- On your own:
- Silver Springs Winery
- Catharine Valley Winery
- Hillick and Hobbs
- JR Dill Winery and Grist Iron Brewing
- Chateau LaFayette Reneau
- Glenora Wine Cellars
- Herman J Wiemer
- Fox Run Vineyards
- Lakewood
- With a tour guide and transportation:
- Seneca Lake South Wine Tastings Tour: Meet at Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel where you will then be driven to 5 Wineries for tastings and lunch before your afternoon drop off back in Watkins Glen.
- On your own:
- Hangout at the Tiki Bar on the Lake:
- Rent a boat
- Book a Boat Cruise on the Seneca Legacy or the Seneca Spirit:
- Book a sailing cruise on the “True Love” sail boat
- Rent kayaks or paddleboards:
- Summit to Stream Adventures – Seneca Harbor Marina in Watkins Glen
- Explore the charming Town of Watkins Glen:
- Seneca Harbor Park
- The Colonial Pottery & Creamery
- Rooster Fish Pub
- Upstate Brewing Company
- Graft Wine + Cider Bar
- Seneca Cheese Company
- Hike at Watkins Glen State Park
- Stunning Gorge
- 19 waterfalls
- 200 foot cliffs
- Nominated for best state park in the US
- I recommend: Hike The Glen Creek Gorge Trail: 2.2 miles roundtrip.
Where to Eat on South Seneca Lake:
- Seneca Harbor Station Restaurant – dine on the water with live music
- Hector Hideaway – restaurant and bar nestled within the vineyards in Hector with incredible lake and vineyard views
- Grist Iron Brewing – great food and beer, awesome lake views, live music
How to Get to South Seneca Lake:
- Fly into Rochester or Syracuse and drive about an hour and a half or fly into Elmira or Ithaca and drive about 40 minutes
Keuka Lake
Where to Stay on Keuka Lake:
Keuka Lake is in between Canandaigua and Seneca and for that reason, we usually don’t stay on Seneca Lake but often visit it from our home base on one of the other lakes. If you’re planning to stay on Keuka Lake, I’d book a place in Penn Yan or find a fun Airbnb or Bed and Breakfast on the water.
Penn Yan:
- Hampton Inn Penn Yan – Clean and modern with beautiful lake views. Close to town
- Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham – Clean and modern. Walking distance to bars and restaurants in Penn Yan
Keuka
- Keuka Lake Motel
- Small motel located on the site of the Keg and Barrel Brewery.
- Walking distance to The Switzerland Inn Restaurant and Ravines Winery.
- Just a short drive from Weis, McGregor, Domaine Leseurre, Keuka Springs, and Rooster Hill wineries as well as Barrington Distillery
Airbnb’s on the Lake:
- The Carlin Cottage on Keuka Lake
- Keuka Lakefront House on West Side with Hot Tub
- Keuka Gem
- Tiny House on the Prairie
- Shalestone Landing (Lakeside Tiny House)
What to do on Keuka Lake:
- Drink wine on the Keuka Lake Wine Trail. My absolute favorite wineries are on Keuka Lake! Here they are:
- Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery
- Point of the Bluff Vineyards
- Heron Hill Winery
- Bully Hill Vineyards
- Keuka Lake Vineyards
- Keuka Springs Vineyards
- McGregor Wine
- Weis Vineyards
- Take a Keuka Lake Winery Tour with a driver
- Book Here. Pickup and drop off is at the Hampton Inn Penn Yan.
- Visit breweries:
- Steuben Brewing
- Keg and Barrel Brewing
- Keuka Lake Outlet Trail
- Walk or bike this beautiful trail that connects Keuka Lake to Seneca Lake. It’s 7 miles one way and passes two beautiful waterfalls: Seneca Mills Falls and Cascade Falls. Seneca Mills Falls is 3.4 miles or about an hour’s hike from Penn Yan. To cut some distance out, you can park near Seneca Mills Falls along Outlet Road, and then it’s only about a 5 minute walk. Cascade falls is about 1.3 miles from Seneca Mills Falls.
- Explore Penn Yan
- Walk up and down Main Street.
- Grab a coffee at Amity Coffee Co.
- Check out Birkett Mills and take a photo with the griddle that was used to flip the world’s largest pancake in 1987. 28 feet!
- Explore Hammondsport
- Walk through this picturesque town and see historic Pulteney Square
- Rent kayaks at Depot Park or Champlin Beach
- Visit Keuka Lake State Park
Where to Eat on Keuka Lake:
Hammondsport
- The Park Inn Hammondsport – for a nice dinner
- Burgers & Beer of Hammondsport – casual, affordable, milkshakes, great beer selection
- Crooked Lake Ice Cream Company
- Lakeside Restaurant & Tavern– nice dinner on the lake. 15 minute drive from Hammondsport town
- The Switzerland Inn – 15 minute drive from Hammondsport. Seafood on the lake. Beautiful view.
How to Get to Keuka Lake:
- Fly into either Rochester, Syracuse, Ithaca, or Elmira and then drive one hour
Cayuga Lake
Where to Stay on Cayuga Lake:
Seneca Falls
Ithaca/ Cornell
- Inn at Taughannock Falls – 17 minute drive from Ithaca. Beautiful property on the lake. Walking distance to hiking trails
- Ithaca Marriott Downtown on the Commons
- The Statler Hotel at Cornell University
What to Do on Cayuga Lake:
Seneca Falls
- Celebrate Women’s Rights
- Seneca Falls was the location of the 1848 Women’s Rights Convention which was the beginning of the American Women’s Suffrage movement.
- Visit the Women’s Rights National Historical Park
- Walk through the National Women’s Hall of Fame
- See the “When Anthony Met Stanton” Monument
- If you love the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life” you can visit the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum. Seneca Falls is thought to be the inspiration for town in the film.
Ithaca/ Cornell
- Hike at Taughannock Falls State Park
- Hike the gorge trail to the falls: 1.8 miles roundtrip, easy
- Tour Cornell University
- The Cornell Astronomical Society & Fuertes Observatory
- Cornell Botanical Gardens
- Beebe Lake
- Visit the Ithaca Farmer’s Market, Saturdays and Sundays 10am-2pm
How to Get to Cayuga Lake:
- Fly into Ithaca Airport or Syracuse
The Finger Lakes region is very dear to me. My husband grew up on Canandaigua Lake. We visit about 1-2 times every year and always come home feeling refreshed. I hope you enjoy The Finger Lakes as much as I do!
Explore and be happy.
-Alanna