Finger Lakes Summer Vacation
I’ve been writing about Finger Lakes Summer Vacation for years, and each year it becomes more popular. When the warmer months are upon us, that means it’s time to clear the calendar and make your reservations! The summer is filled with fun adventures. From attending a local concert to strolling and shopping around the town, there’s always something you can do and enjoy. And, of course, there’s plenty of water and green space for you to enjoy — which can be fun for the entire family.
Finger Lakes Summer Vacation is much more than a simple cottage in the country! It’s multiple cottages spread across one of the most beautiful and well-known regions of North America. Our cottages are located in Watkins Glen, Seneca Lake, Buchanan and Remsenburg. High above Seneca Lake on five acres sits our main vacation home – this spacious and relaxing cottage was meticulously designed with all of our family vacations in mind. Approximately 200 feet behind the main house sits the largest of our vacation properties. This two bedroom, two bath house is ideal for 2 couples or a family with young children to share over the summer months. WordPress SEO Plugin- Yoast SEO Finger Lakes Marina has so much to do when staying with us. Whether you visit in the spring, summer or fall, there are plenty of fun things to do while staying with us. Summer vacation is almost here, which usually means one thing: lots of sun and water fun! My family and I recently took a trip up to Watkins Glen, New York. We had such a blast at Watkins Glen State Park. The waterfalls were beautiful, the beach was perfect for relaxing in or taking a dip in, and there were plenty of shops and restaurants along the main street in town.
Summer vacation is here! I have been saving for months just for this trip. The Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York is breathtaking. The lakes nestled between thick forests and the rolling hills create a beautiful scene. Activities on the lakes abound, ranging from boating to kayaking to swimming in naturally-water-warmed swimming holes. There are six different themed walking trails through the Hiking in Corning Preserve and Watkins Glen State Park. All though the Finger Lakes area features plenty of outdoor activities, there are also theaters, museums, concert halls and so much more to offer in terms of indoor entertainment. Press Tab to write more…
Finger Lakes Summer Vacation
The Finger Lakes region of New York spans across 11 lakes in a region that was formerly covered by glaciers. The two most popular are the biggest and deepest: Seneca Lake (618 ft) — home to the iconic Watkins Glen State Park, and Cayuga Lake (435 ft) — which faces Cornell University in Ithaca. In addition to the lakes which offer a variety of things to do in the Finger Lakes, this region is blessed with several gorges, natural pools, waterfalls, state parks, and most famously hundreds of wineries, breweries, distilleries, and/or cider houses.
This underrated region makes for one of the best Upstate New York getaways, perfect for food/wine lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and culture/history buffs. If this is your first time traveling to the Finger Lakes, remember that one trip will likely not be enough. You’ll want to come back for more and more!
If you’re considering a Finger Lakes vacation and want to add this amazing place to your USA bucket list then here is a full guide to the best of the region broken down by topic.
OUR OTHER NEW YORK STATE TRAVEL GUIDES
If you’re interested in exploring more of our beautiful state beyond the Finger Lakes, here are some of our other New York travel guides:
- Hidden Gems to Visit in Upstate New York by Region
- 17 Special Places to Go Glamping in New York
- 31 Beautiful New York Waterfalls to Explore
- The Best New York Lakes for a Lovely Vacation
QUICK RECAP ABOUT THE FINGER LAKES
The Finger Lakes get their name from their unique shapes (pictured above). These long narrow lakes are in a basin/valley eroded by glaciers hundreds of meters deep. The vast region covers ~9,000 square miles, stretching across New York State and as far south as near the Pennsylvania border. The area is also an essential part of the homeland belonging to the Iroquois tribes (including Seneca and Cayuga nations).
Since these lakes span across a large chunk of New York State, in this Finger Lakes travel blog post, we are going to focus on Keuka, Seneca, and Cayuga. These are the most popular lakes and the best ones to start with for first-time travel to the Finger Lakes.
WHERE TO STAY IN THE FINGER LAKES
Let’s get you situated. The best and most active places to stay in the Finger Lakes are Seneca Lake, Keuka Lake, and Cayuga Lake. And one of the best accommodations is Airbnb and boutique hotels for both luxury and budget accommodation. Since the Finger Lakes are expansive, we have also dedicated a guide to the best lakes and towns to stay in the Finger Lakes. However, if you’re looking for quick hotel recommendations, below are a just few of many!
1) Seneca Lake
This is the largest and deepest lake (~650 ft). On Seneca Lake, I recommend staying in the towns of:
- Watkins Glen – This is one of the best towns to stay in the Finger Lakes because it’s perfectly located between major attractions, restaurants, and wineries. Moreover, you’ll be in between both Keuka and Cayuga Lake! So this is the best town to stay in if it is your first Finger Lakes vacation. The town is also home to one of the best New York State Parks: Watkins Glen State Park
- Geneva – More upscale and cute town with great food.
- Burdett – Near some of the popular wineries in the Finger Lakes and delicious restaurants.
For luxury, I recommend the following Airbnbs/ hotels:
- Vinifera Inn located within the Belhurst Castle & Spa.
- Geneva On the Lake. This historical and luxurious hotel has a restaurant on-site and even a fitness center!
2) Keuka Lake
Keuka Lake is uniquely shaped like a Y, thinner/smaller, and more quaint yet near tons of things to see and do. This is my favorite one. You can stay in Hammondsport (near antique shops and an Aviation museum) or Penn Yan (a cute little town with good food and near outdoor opportunities yet still close to Seneca Lake).
- Penn Yan – For outdoor lovers, consider hiking or biking the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail. If you love wine, follow the Keuka Lake Wine Trail from Penn Yan. While in Penn Yan, stay in town at the Los Gatos Bed and Breakfast or Trimmer House Bed and Breakfast. For a beautiful Airbnb experience, this STUNNING luxury cabin is perfectly situated between Penn Yann and Geneva so you can get the best of both Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake.
- Hammondsport – This area was super cute with an aviation museum, antique shops, and close access to Keuka Lake. From here, Watkins Glen and Corning are both about 20 minutes away. Catch up on sleep at the adorable Moonshadow Bed & Breakfast, located near many popular wineries.