The Finger Lakes region of New York is a haven for those who love wine, the outdoors, and anyone in need of a scenic escape. With its long glacial lakes, dramatic waterfalls, and charming historic towns, the area makes for a great weekend getaway or a relaxed, extended stay. In this article, we’re sharing 14 of the best things to do in the Finger Lakes, organized geographically as we work our way from Watkins Glen to Ithaca, Geneva, and beyond.
Not only do we love to hike, but we’re also big wine enthusiasts. The Finger Lakes are a great blend of both passions. We got our fill of scenic hiking trails, exploring historic towns, and plenty of wine tastings to keep us going. We made the trip up to the Finger Lakes in July of 2025 for the IRONMAN 70.3 Musselman triathlon but were happy to stay for a few extra days to tour the area.
Best Things to Do in the Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes are a collection of long, narrow lakes located near central New York. The region is known for its wineries and scenic beauty, with narrow gorges, thundering waterfalls, and peaceful lakefronts. Major towns like Watkins Glen, Ithaca, and Geneva anchor the ends of these lakes, offering plenty of great attractions both in and around town.
Below we list 14 memorable things to do around the Finger Lakes. But if you are short on time or just looking for the highlights, here are our top 5 must-have experiences in the Finger Lakes:
- Watkins Glen State Park. The Watkins Glen Gorge Trail is a short but scenic walk that winds through the heart of the glen and is one of the most iconic sites in the Finger Lakes region.
- Taughannock Falls State Park. Go hiking and enjoy views of the largest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains.
- Buttermilk Falls State Park. A short drive from Ithaca, this state park is great for hiking, swimming, and features another spectacular waterfall.
- Muranda Cheese Company. Enjoy a taste of local cheeses in a picturesque barn, which became our favorite tasting experience in the Finger Lakes.
- Visit a winery. Our favorites are Ventosa Vineyards, Hermann J. Weimer Vineyard, and Ravines Wine Cellars.
1. Watkins Glen State Park
Located just outside the town of Watkins Glen, this state park is a natural beauty and one of the top attractions in the Finger Lakes. Take a stroll along the Gorge Trail, passing 19 waterfalls and climbing over 800 stone steps into the heart of the gorge.
This is an easy hike for families, featuring a mix of flat pathways and short stone staircases. Expect to spend anywhere from 2 to 4 hours exploring Watkins Glen State Park.
If you do one thing in the Finger Lakes, it should Watkins Glen State Park. Walking the Gorge Trail was our favorite experience in the Finger Lakes.


To learn more about our experience hiking through Watkins Glen, take a look at our guide to Watkins Glen State Park ↓
2. Watkins Glen International Speedway
Get your blood pumping with a visit to Watkins Glen International, commonly referred to as “The Glen.” This racetrack is used in NASCAR series, with other race events hosted on the track. Come here to watch a race or, better yet, drive the track yourself!
Drive the Glen in your own vehicle, completing 3 laps on this 3.45-mile Grand Prix circuit. Learn more on the official website here.
3. Shequaga Falls
Located in the town of Montour Falls, this towering waterfall appears to flow into someone’s backyard when viewed from Main Street. Visitors can get a close-up view of the falls from Shequaga Falls Park, a very short walk from Montour Falls’ main street.


4. Buttermilk Falls State Park
Hiking, swimming, and a giant waterfall, what’s not to love about Buttermilk Falls State Park?
This state park is a great place to take your kids, with a large swimming area at the base of the falls, along with plenty of open park space and pavilions. It’s located just south of Ithaca.
Upon entry to the park, you’ll be greeted with a view of Buttermilk Falls in all its grandeur. There’s plenty of parking in this state park, but you will need to pay a fee upon entry.

Buttermilk Falls
For those looking for a bit more adventure, hike the Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail, which leads up alongside the giant waterfall. The trail is 1.5 miles round trip with 450 feet of total ascent.
Allow roughly 1 hour for the Gorge Trail. You’ll ascend over 500 steps through the trees, with a large portion of them at the start of this hike. The start of this hike is the hardest, but the trail does flatten out as you hike through a picturesque gorge with multiple waterfalls. There are also several viewpoints along your climb where you can stop to catch your breath.



Continue until you reach W King Road, which crosses the gorge. From here you can either retrace your steps back down to the parking lot, or take the Rim Trail back, which starts from W King Road.
5. Ithaca Falls
This large waterfall is located just outside of downtown Ithaca. There’s a wide stony riverbank with some tree cover, making for a great spot to lounge along the water and marvel at the falls. We saw plenty of people relaxing on the riverbank and wished we had the time to join them.

To get here, park at Ithaca Falls Parking (as labeled on Google Maps), and follow the short Ithaca Falls Trail to the waterfall. Others have mentioned that the best view of the falls is from the bridge on Lake Street. Don’t take your pictures here. We found the view is much better from the Ithaca Falls Trail, as you can get up close to the waterfall.
It takes about 15 minutes total to hike this very short trail to get views of the waterfall.
6. Cascadilla Gorge Trail
This short, scenic hiking trail connects downtown Ithaca and Cornell University. Frequented by students and those looking to tour the university, the Cascadilla Gorge Trail is definitely worth checking out if you’re interested in a short hike that starts within town.


The trail begins at Treman Triangle Park, a short 5-minute walk from downtown Ithaca. There’s limited parking at Treman Park itself, but plenty within Ithaca. Along the trail, you’ll pass multiple notable waterfalls and follow the gorge up to the nearby hilltop.
When we visited in July of 2025, the trail was closed at the Stewart Avenue Bridge due to construction. Also note that the Cascadilla Gorge Trail closes during winter due to ice.
7. Taughannock Falls State Park
For some great family-friendly hiking and a view of the Finger Lakes’ tallest waterfall, visit Taughannock Falls State Park. The highlight here is Taughannock Falls, the largest single-drop waterfall east of the Rockies. You can view this magnificent waterfall via the Gorge Trail or from Taughannock Falls Overlook.
The Gorge Trail: The Gorge Trail is an easy, 1.8-mile round-trip hike that leads along Taughannock Creek and up to Taughannock Falls. The trail is wide, mostly flat, and has plenty of tree cover. We saw plenty of families while hiking here in mid-July. You can also see Lower Falls, a smaller but still picturesque waterfall, from the parking lot.

Taughannock Falls Gorge Trail

Taughannock Falls
Taughannock Falls Overlook: Get a stunning view of Taughannock Falls, no hiking required. Make the drive up to the Taughannock Falls State Park Visitor Center, and the overlook is merely a few steps away. From here, visitors are treated to a beautiful view of Taughannock Falls and the Gorge Trail, this time with a bird’s-eye view.


Taughannock Falls Overlook
For those with more time, there’s also a section of the park along Cayuga Lake with lake access and kayak rentals. You can also opt for another overlook by hiking out to Upper Falls. We did this and we didn’t think the view here was worth it, especially if you have already visited Taughannock Falls Overlook. You’ll be standing on a bridge with high guardrails, and the view itself isn’t too impressive.
8. Explore Geneva
One of the larger towns within the Finger Lakes region, Geneva makes for a great day-trip destination or a home base for your travels. With its central location within the Finger Lakes and charming, historic atmosphere, there’s plenty to see and do both in and around Geneva.


Walk the waterfront overlooking Seneca Lake, take a stroll up Geneva’s main street and pop into plenty of great shops and restaurants, and enjoy a beer flight at Lake Drum Brewing.

Belhurst Castle Winery
Just outside of town are several great wineries worth a visit. To the south is Ravines Wine Cellar and Belhurst Castle Winery. To the east, across Seneca Lake, are Ventosa Vineyards and Three Brothers Wineries and Estates, some of the top wineries in the region.
For triathletes, IRONMAN hosts Musselman 70.3 in Geneva each July. This race features a beautiful course that won “#1 Best Race” globally for 70.3 races in 2024. To learn about our experience racing Musselman, check out our guide ↓
9. Seneca Lake Wine Trail & Nearby Wineries
With dozens of wineries, this is the largest wine trail in New York State. This wine trail makes a complete circuit around Seneca Lake, with wineries along the lake shore and in the towns of Watkins Glen and Geneva.
Over the years, Tim and Julie have become wine aficionados, visiting wine regions around the world (Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Italy, Portugal, South Africa, Argentina, Chile…). Getting a chance to sample some wine from New York was high on their to-do list while in the Finger Lakes region.
We tried our best to visit as many as possible (the things we do in the name of research for this article 😊🍷) and here are a few of our favorites.
Ventosa Vineyards
One of the largest vineyards outside Geneva, Ventosa Vineyards, should make the top of your list if you’re doing a tour of New York’s wineries. Enjoy a variety of wine tastings and flights at this grand Tuscan estate, featuring a large outdoor deck with seating and a beautiful view of Lake Seneca and Geneva.


This was one of our favorites. Sitting on the terrace, sipping on wine, and enjoying the view over Seneca Lake was the highlight of our visit here.
Ventosa Vineyards also makes a good spot for lunch on your trip through the Finger Lakes, with a café that serves salads, paninis, pizza, and soup.
Three Brothers Wineries and Estates
When we toured the various wineries around the Finger Lakes, we heard someone refer to Three Brothers as the “Disneyland” of New York wineries. With three unique wineries, a brewery, and a café all located on the same property, there’s enough variety here to satisfy any guest.
At Three Brothers, every building has its own theme, ranging from an elegant estate, to a world of skeletons and pirates, to a dramatic 20th-century wartime setting. There’s plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating, and guests can taste a large mix of dry and sweet wines. They also feature live music and other fun events over the weekends.


Ravines Wine Cellars
This winery is located on Seneca Lake, but at the time of writing this article, isn’t officially on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. It’s getting a mention here because it was one of our favorite wine tastings.
Ravines Wine Cellars produces award-winning wines recognized by Wine Spectator, Food & Wine, and The New York Times. Their tasting room is cozy and rustic, the perfect setting to enjoy what turned out to be some of the best wines we tried. The Dry Riesling is a standout, and Julie especially loved the 2023 Gewürztraminer.
Make a tasting reservation for their winery on 400 Barracks Road near Geneva.

Ravines Wine Cellars
Hermann J. Weimer Vineyard
Like Ravines Wine Cellar, this vineyard is located on Seneca Lake, but is also not officially on the Wine Trail. This is one of the prettiest vineyards we visited, with its historic barn converted into a tasting room and its vine-covered slopes.
Reservations are recommended but walk-ins are welcome if they are not fully booked (we were able to walk in and do a tasting).

Hermann J. Weimer Vineyard
10. Muranda Cheese Company
Why not pair your wine tastings with an assortment of cheeses?
A short drive east of Geneva is the Muranda Cheese Company, where we had our favorite tasting experience on our tour through the Finger Lakes. The tasting fee includes 12 cheeses, ranging from sharp cheddar to more unique flavors, such as cheddar cheese with garlic and dill and cheddar cheese with ghost pepper. All cheeses are made from cow’s milk, are produced on site, and have a soft texture due to their young age.
Overall, this was our favorite tasting experience (even more than the wineries) during our 3-day tour of the Finger Lakes. We loved the great barn vibe, personable tasting experience, and delicious assortment of cheese.

11. Hammondsport
This tiny historic town is home to a number of antique shops, restaurants, museums, and spots for beer and wine tastings.
Consider a stop at Pleasant Valley Wine Co., where we enjoyed a great tasting of wines with a friendly host, and the Brewery of Broken Dreams, which gets great reviews for its large assortment of craft beers.

Hammondsport
12. Glenn H Curtiss Museum
This museum, located just outside Hammondsport, documents the evolution of early aviation from the work of Glenn H. Curtiss. Visitors will find motorcycles, automobiles, and planes on display, spanning from the early 1900’s to 1940’s. When we visited in July of 2025, guests could even view an ongoing restoration of a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk.

Glenn H. Curtiss Museum
13. The Corning Museum of Glass
The Corning Museum of Glass is one of the most popular things to do in the Finger Lakes. It’s part art museum, part science center, and part live show. You’ll see everything from ancient glass to modern design, watch artists shape molten glass right in front of you, and even make your own piece to take home.
One of the highlights is watching live glassblowing demonstrations. Skilled artists transform molten glass into vases, bowls, and works of art, and it’s incredible to see the process up close. If you want to try it yourself, you can even sign up for a workshop and make your own glass flower, ornament, or paperweight to take home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir.
The museum is huge, so plan on spending at least a few hours here. There are entire galleries dedicated to modern design, history, and cutting-edge glass technology, plus plenty of family-friendly activities. Even if you’re not usually a “museum person,” this one is engaging and interactive.
Get hours and more information on the official website.
14. Letchworth State Park
Referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park is home to one of the most scenic gorges in the Eastern United States. Although much further west than the other items on our list, those who can make the time to venture out here will be rewarded with a picturesque gorge and views of thundering falls.
One of the top things to do here is hike the Gorge Trail, a 4.8-mile round trip hike that leads along the Genesee River. Enjoy views of the Upper Falls, Middle Falls, Inspiration Point, and Lower Falls. Expect this hike to take about 2.5 to 3.5 hours.

Letchworth State Park
With More Time
Hector Falls
This multi-level waterfall is located along Route 414 just north of Watkins Glen. You can see the top part of the waterfall as you drive past or pull off alongside the road for a closer look. Be mindful of traffic and don’t stop on the bridge itself.
To see the full waterfall, it’s best viewed from a boat on Seneca Lake.

Hector Falls
Eagle Cliff Falls
This small, local waterfall is another good spot for families. Located in Havana Glen Park, on the outskirts of the town Montour Falls, follow the short stone trail to Eagle Cliff Falls. Visitors will find a small natural pool at its base. This is a quick 20-minute visit from the time of parking but allow more time if you’d like to linger.

Eagle Cliff Falls
Robert H. Treman State Park
This state park features plenty of waterfalls, natural pools, and hiking trails. Near the parking lot, visitors can swim and dive at Lower Falls. Continue deeper into the park via hiking trail to visit additional waterfalls along the Gorge Trail and Rim Trail Loop.

Lower Falls swimming area
We did not think this state park was worth visiting unless you want to swim at the bottom of Lower Falls. There are better gorge trails, rim trails, and waterfalls to see in the area.

The Gorge Trail
Cornell University
This historic and picturesque Ivy League university sits atop a hill overlooking the town of Ithaca. Go on a walking tour of the university and consider pairing this with the Cascadilla Gorge Trail.
Ports of New York Winery
This small and rustic winery, seated on the outskirts of Ithaca, is consistently ranked as one of New York’s top wineries. Enjoy a wine tasting in a cozy room surrounded by oak barrels and stay for a tour of the winery.

Women’s Rights National Historic Park
Found in the town of Seneca Falls, this National Historic Park recounts the history of the first Women’s Rights Convention, hosted in 1848.
Map of the Finger Lakes
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.
How Much Time Do You Need in the Finger Lakes?
Two to three days is all the time you need to visit a few wineries, hike a gorge trail or two, visit a few towns, and spend some time on a lake. More time allows you to thoroughly explore the Seneca Lake Wine Trail and explore the long list of state parks and hiking trails.
We spent 5 days in the Finger Lakes, but two of these days were set aside for racing IRONMAN 70.3 Musselman (one day for race prep and one day for the race). Following the race, we spent three days exploring the Finger Lakes, using Ithaca as our home base.
Here is a sample 3-day itinerary.
Day 1: Waterfalls & Wine
- Start in Watkins Glen State Park and hike the Gorge Trail (a must-do).
- Have lunch in the town of Watkins Glen (see our restaurant recommendations later in this guide).
- Spend the afternoon wine tasting along Seneca Lake’s Wine Trail.
- End the day with dinner in Watkins Glen, Geneva, or at one of the wineries.
Day 2: Ithaca & Cayuga Lake
- Start the day with a hike at Buttermilk Falls. Add on the short Cascadilla Gorge Trail to see more waterfalls.
- Explore downtown Ithaca, with its shops and casual lunch spots.
- Spend the afternoon at Taughannock State Park or take a scenic boat cruise.
- Wrap up with dinner in Ithaca.
Day 3: Museums & More Wine
- Drive to Corning and spend the morning at the Corning Museum of Glass (plan 2–3 hours).
- Have lunch in Hammondsport.
- Visit the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport.
- Go wine tasting at Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery on Keuka Lake or tour the waterfalls around Watkins Glen.
- Have dinner in Watkins Glen or Ithaca.

Watkins Glen Gorge Trail
When is the Best Time to Visit the Finger Lakes?
For warm weather activities, plan your visit for the summer. For wineries and foliage, fall is ideal. For fewer crowds and great waterfalls, spring is best time to visit the Finger Lakes.
Here is a breakdown of the seasons in the Finger Lakes:
Summer (June through August): Warm weather, which is perfect for boating, swimming, and outdoor dining. This is the busiest time to visit the Finger Lakes.
Fall (September through October): It’s harvest season at the wineries and the fall colors around the lakes and gorges are stunning. This is arguably the best season to visit.
Spring (April through May): Waterfalls are at their most powerful thanks to snowmelt, and wildflowers brighten the hiking trails. Expect cooler weather but fewer crowds.
Winter (November through March): The Finger Lakes are quiet and peaceful, with holiday markets, cozy tasting rooms, and some skiing or snowshoeing. Not everything is open, but it’s a good time for a low-key getaway.
Where to Eat
Below we’ve listed some of the top cafés and restaurants, organized by town for your convenience.
Watkins Glen
Nickel’s Pit BBQ Watkins Glen: This vibrant restaurant is one of the top spots in the Finger Lakes for barbecue. Enjoy a BBQ dinner, paired with craft beer and live music.
Jerlando’s Ristorante & Pizza Co: This colorful, family-owned Italian restaurant serves pasta, pizza, seafood, and meat dishes, and gets great reviews.
Seneca Harbor Station: This old train station has been revamped into an American restaurant on the water. Enjoy a meal from their covered deck or outdoor beach patio down by the water.
Geneva
Kindred Fare: A cozy, modern rustic interior and delicious specials made this our favorite restaurant in Geneva (we ate dinner here three nights in a row). It’s a short drive outside of Geneva, but highly worth it.
Cosentino’s Ristorante: Cosentino’s is for those craving Italian food in a casual setting, and the restaurant gets great reviews from guests.
The Rusty Pig: This American restaurant makes for a great lunch or dinner spot, serving burgers, BBQ, and craft beer. We ate lunch here and the sandwiches and burgers are huge! Check their hours first before arriving.
F.L.X. Table: For those looking for a fine dining experience in Geneva, consider a meal at F.L.X. Table, which also gets great reviews.
Ithaca
Revelry Yards: This restaurant and bar serves lobster rolls, mac and cheese, salads, sandwiches, and burgers. We ate here twice, and it’s a top choice for either lunch or dinner.
Collegetown Bagels: Pick from a large selection of bagel sandwiches, acai bowls, and smoothies at this local cafe. It’s a great spot for breakfast, and they are open from morning until evening.
Le Café Cent-Dix: This intimate French restaurant is great for those looking to try French cuisine while in Ithaca. This was one of our best meals in the Finger Lakes.
Bickering Twins Restaurant & Tequila Bar: This Latin American restaurant is located in downtown Ithaca, serving house margaritas, tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and happy hour specials.
Simeon’s American Bistro: This American restaurant gets great reviews, is located in downtown Ithaca, and serves seafood and meat entrees.
Thompson and Bleecker: Satisfy your Italian food cravings at Thompson and Bleecker, with pizza and pasta for dinner.
Where to Stay in the Finger Lakes
You can pick one town to use as your home base, or choose two different locations, to immerse yourself in two different regions of the Finger Lakes (perfect for those with more than 3 days).
We stayed in two locations: Geneva (to race the Musselman triathlon) and Ithaca (a small city with a great central location and many hotel and restaurant options). In our experience, we enjoyed staying in Ithaca more than Geneva. If we did it again, we’d stay in Watkins Glen, which is a more central location (hotels in Watkins Glen were sold out when we made our reservation, so we stayed in Ithaca instead).
Here are recommended hotels organized by location:
Geneva
The Fairfield Inn & Suites Geneva Finger Lakes and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Geneva Finger Lakes are two chain hotels that get decent reviews. We stayed at the Hampton Inn Geneva. It gets mediocre review scores but has an excellent location if you plan to race Musselman (it’s right next to transition).
The Flatts at North Shore is a small property that gets excellent reviews. The Vinifera Inn is located on the Belhurst Castle property. Other properties to consider are 41 Lakefront Hotel, Sailwinds B&B, Fallen Tree Inn, and William Smith Inn.
Ithaca
We stayed at the Canopy by Hilton Ithaca Downtown, which is located in the city center. There is parking across the street from the hotel and it’s easy to walk to the best restaurants in Ithaca from this hotel.
The Argos Inn is a boutique hotel in the city center that gets excellent reviews.
The Dorm Hotel is a great option for those traveling on a budget who want to stay in the city center.
Just outside of Ithaca are two properties that get very good reviews: the Inn at Taughannock Falls and New Park Venue & Suites.
For a more unique stay, check out Firelight Camps (glamping just outside Buttermilk Falls State Park).
A Few More Notable Properties
Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel: We considered staying at this property, but it was sold out for our dates of travel. This hotel has a stunning waterfront location in Watkins Glen.
The Benjamin Hotel: Located in Watkins Glen, this hotel gets exceptional reviews.
Benn Conger Inn: 3-star boutique hotel that gets near perfect reviews. Be aware that is located east of the Finger Lakes so it will be a bit of a drive every day.
If you have any questions about the best things to do in the Finger Lakes, let us know in the comment section below.
More Information for Your Trip to New York

Leave a Comment