Picture eleven glacier-carved, finger-like narrow lakes in a vast countryside, each bordered by vineyards, forested hills, and deep gorges that tumble into waterfalls. That's the Finger Lakes, spanning over 9000 square miles and located roughly halfway between Rochester and Syracuse. Here, the scenery shifts with every season, from summer boating to fiery fall foliage, and from a winter wonderland to roaring spring waterfalls.
Whether catching a glimpse of the colorful boathouses on Canandaigua Lake, or the mesmerizing 215-foot free-falling waterfall at Taughannock Falls State Park, there’s no question that people are attracted to the Finger Lakes for the wine. The region’s cool-climate is superb for several grape varieties, with records of the first wineries in the area dating to the mid-1800s. With four distinct wine trails, this is a robust wine region with more than 120 wineries and vineyards and is known to produce some of the best riesling and chardonnays outside of Europe.
Beyond the tasting rooms, visitors to the Finger Lakes readily enjoy hiking Watkins Glen State Park, boating, and exploring farm-to-table restaurants in towns from Ithaca to Skaneateles. As an all-season destination, summertime bursts with farmers’ markets, 4th of July festivities, and art festivals in charming towns up and down the lakes - with Lake Seneca and Lake Cayuga being the largest. As winter rolls in, ski and snowboard enthusiasts can hit the slopes at Bristol Mountain, or head out for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling adventures.
History buffs will find plenty to explore since the Seneca people of the Haudenosaunee, or Iroquois Confederacy, lived on these lands for centuries. Additionally, Seneca Falls became the birthplace of the American women's rights movement and hosted the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention.
Year-round events are another reason to visit, like the summertime Finger Lakes Wine Festival. As one of the largest regional gatherings, the festival lets you sample various NY wines, listen to live music, and peruse booths filled with handmade crafts and cuisine. In the fall, fans flock to Watkins Glen International for NASCAR weekends, while harvest celebrations dot the region.
Whether you're chasing waterfalls, sampling Rieslings, or slowing down by the water, start planning your Finger Lakes trip and see why so many travelers love exploring these glacial testaments to nature.
