The Finger Lakes region in New York is a picturesque area renowned for its stunning natural beauty, charming small towns, and sophisticated wine industry. Named for its long, narrow lakes resembling fingers, the Finger Lakes region offers diverse activities. Visitors can explore historical sites, savor farm-to-table cuisine, and enjoy the natural beauty of its lakes, waterfalls, and gorges.
Eager to explore beyond the five-hour radius within Toronto, I embarked on a journey through New York State, beginning with the scenic regions of the Finger Lakes (and Lake Placid). Watkins Glen State Park had long been on my bucket list, and with just a smooth 4 to 5-hour drive from Toronto, I decided it was the perfect time to explore the Finger Lakes region. Naturally, I wanted to maximize the experience by visiting multiple places in the area. And after such an enjoyable trip to the Finger Lakes the first time, I knew I had to go back and explore other areas. And so I’ve visited the Finger Lakes twice now: once in the fall to witness the stunning foliage and once in the summer for my husband’s birthday road trip. And now I’ve compiled both trips into one comprehensive blog post to make your planning easier. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know to help you better plan your perfect trip to the Finger Lakes.
When To Visit Finger Lakes
The best time to visit the Finger Lakes in New York State is anytime in Spring, Summer, and Fall in my opinion – but the most beautiful time has to be during the fall for its combination of pleasant weather and vibrant colors. Spring (April to June) offers mild weather, blooming flowers, and ideal conditions for hiking and exploring waterfalls. Summers (July to August) in Finger Lakes can be above 30°C, which is what we experienced, but it is the perfect time to cool down with water activities like boating and swimming. There are also many outdoor events during this time to take advantage of the short summer weather this region also gets. Fall (September to November) is the peak season, showcasing the stunning fall foliage, making it an excellent time for scenic drives and vineyard visits – I highly recommend visiting during the Fall!
How To Get To The Finger Lakes
Getting to the Finger Lakes region in New York is relatively easy, with several transportation options available depending on your starting point and preferences. Here are the main ways to get to the Finger Lakes:
Driving – it is the most flexible and convenient way to explore the Finger Lakes; especially if you plan to visit different areas, you’ll want reliable transportation. And it’s nice to be able to go according to your own schedule as well.
Flying – if you’re arriving by plane, you may land at the Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) or Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) which are both a 1 to 2-hour drive to the Finger Lakes. From there, you’ll want to rent a car to be able to get around the Finger Lakes and explore the region to its fullest potential.
The drive is incredibly scenic, especially in the fall when the leaves turn vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red. During our visit in October, we encountered little to no traffic. The houses were festively decorated for Halloween, making it feel like we were in a movie.
However, be cautious of wildlife while driving. Despite many road trips, I had never encountered a deer jumping in front of me until we arrived in New York State, heading to the Finger Lakes. Additionally, we saw an unusual amount of roadkill, including deer, foxes, porcupines, raccoons, and more. And keep in mind, some areas are quite rural so make sure you have a full tank of gas and don’t forget to download offline maps on Google Maps ahead of time so you don’t need to use data to get around if you don’t have a GPS.
Where To Stay In The Finger Lakes
Depending on your interests in the topics below, check out the corresponding areas you may want to consider staying at:
Cultural and Historical Experiences
- Canandaigua
- Ithaca
Luxurious Relaxation
- Aurora
- Skaneateles
Outdoor Activities
- Ithaca
- Watkins Glen
Wine Tasting
- Geneva
- Hammondsport
- Penn Yan
- Watkins Glen
During my visits to the Finger Lakes, I chose to stay near the Watkins Glen area. This allowed me to enjoy a diverse mix of activities, including hiking, viewing breathtaking waterfalls, and indulging in some delightful wine tasting as part of our road trip.
How Much Time Is Needed In The Finger Lakes
For my road trips to the Finger Lakes, I had split it up into 2 three-day road trips from Toronto. But I also had to visit twice because there was that much to do and I was a little tight on time. I would recommend anywhere from 4 to 5 days to visit the entire Finger Lakes Region as there is a good mix of the outdoors, wineries, and even shopping.
The Best State Parks, Hiking Trails, And Waterfalls To Visit In Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes region is home to numerous stunning state parks and hiking trails with gorgeous views, each offering unique natural attractions and recreational activities. Not to mention, there’s a lot of reward for very little effort in terms of hiking. These locations are a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Letchworth State Park
Time Spent – 2.5 to 3 hours
Why It’s Worth Visiting – Letchworth State Park is known as the “Grand Canyon of the East” with dramatic cliffs, lush forests, and 3 major waterfalls between 70 to 107 feet high along the Genesee River. With 14,350 acres of land, this state park has much to explore. Here’s a quick walkthrough of the park I shared on Instagram during the Fall. We started the hike at Inspiration Point along the Gorge Trail which is the most scenic. Popular hikes include Gorge Trail Hike, Lower Falls Area, Lee’s Landing, Wolf Creek Area, Hogsback Trail, and Nature Hike.
Stony Brook State Park
Time Spent – 2 hours
Why It’s Worth Visiting – I personally loved Stony Brook State Park and the Gorge Trail was not only an easy hike upwards, but at each level of elevation, we encountered endless amounts of waterfalls (both large and small) and it was just so scenic. There is also a natural swimming pool should you choose to cool off during the summer. Here’s a walkthrough of this hidden gem I also shared on Instagram.
Grimes Glen Park
Time Spent – 45 minutes
Why It’s Worth Visiting – This hidden gem is known for its natural beauty, stunning waterfalls, gorges, and a picturesque creek. You’ll encounter waterfalls at 60 to 70 feet and there are various swimming holes to swim in, and you can have picnics to replenish during your excursion here. Consider waterproof shoes as you may need to walk through the water along the main trail as it follows the creek bed.
Keuka Lake State Park
Time Spent – 1.5 hours
Why It’s Worth Visiting – Hike the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail to see beautiful lake and waterfall views that connect Keuka Lake to Seneca Lake. This historic and picturesque trail follows the path of an old canal and railroad. or choose to engage in various water activities.
Watkins Glen State Park
Time Spent – 2 to 3 hours
Why It’s Worth Visiting – One of the scenic wonders of the world and famous for its breathtaking Gorge Trail with 19 waterfalls including the iconic Rainbow Falls, I was finally able to cross this off my bucket list after having seen photos of the beautiful gorge and it was well worth it! We began our hike at Jacob’s Ladder, which features around 180 stairs, providing a great opportunity to get some exercise while enjoying the park. Here’s a quick tour of the beautiful state park.
Taughannock Falls State Park
Time Spent – 1 hour
Why It’s Worth Visiting – Here you can find the Taughannock Falls, which is one of the tallest free-falling waterfalls in the Eastern United States and stands at 215 feet tall and it plunges into the gorge carved by Taughannock Creek. There’s an interesting history here which you can read on the educational signage boards along the way. With panoramic views and accessible overlooks, you’ll see lots of natural beauty here. Not only can you hike here, you can swim at the beach on Cayuga Lake, or go fishing and boating. In the winter, you can cross-country ski or snowshoe.
Robert H Treman State Park
Time Spent – 1 hour or more if you plan to hike and swim
Why It’s Worth Visiting – Featuring the stunning 115-foot Lucifer Falls, you have the opportunity to hike through well-maintained trails and encounter gorges and wooded terrain. You can choose to explore over nine miles of trails at varying levels of difficulty or swim beneath the Lower Falls.
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Time Spent – 20 minutes
Why It’s Worth Visiting – Names after the cascading falls, you’ll find a series of beautiful waterfalls and pools along the Buttermilk Creek. The falls itself are 165 feet high, which is the central attraction here.
Cascadilla Gorge Trail
Time Spent – 25 minutes
Why It’s Worth Visiting – This trail is about 1.5 miles and you will hike through deep gorges with numerous waterfalls, stone bridges, and cliffs. It starts from downtown Ithaca near Cornell University’s campus, the trail ascends gradually and offers spectacular views. With remnant of old mills and other infrastructure along the route, you can see Ithaca’s industrial path here.
Ithaca Falls
Time Spent – 20 minutes
Why It’s Worth Visiting – It is only 0.2 miles long and this majestic waterfall is located on Fall creek and stands about 150 feet tall as one of the most impressive natural attractions in the Ithaca area. You can admire the waterfall from a viewing platform or get closer to the base of the falls through a short trail that leads through a wooded area. Spring is the peak season to visit here as the snow melts after winter.
Skaneateles Lake
Time Spent – 1 hour or more
Why It’s Worth Visiting – This lake is renowned for being one of the cleanest lakes in the United States and it stretches approximately 16 miles in length. It’s also a source of drinking water that needs no filtering for the city of Syracuse. You can boat, fish, and swim in these clear waters. In this town, you’ll also find many restaurants, shops, and historical architecture.
The Top Wineries To Visit In The Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes region is home to about 150 wineries, producing some of the best wines in the country, particularly known for their Rieslings. Here are some of the top wineries to visit in the Finger Lakes:
Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery
Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard
Three Brothers Wineries & Estate
Lakewood Vineyards
Fox Run Vineyards
Silver Springs Winery
Keuka Spring Vineyards
Belhurst Castle & Winery
Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery
Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars
Boundary Breaks Vineyard
Sheldrake Point Winery
Standing Stone Vineyards
Anthony Road Wine Company
Montezuma Winery & Hidden Marsh Distillery
Still want more? Here’s the full list of the wineries in the Finger Lakes.
If you enjoy wineries and the outdoors, plan your trip to Niagara-On-The-Lake and Niagara Falls, Canada!