Finger Lakes Travel NY

Every season in Cortland County provides a backdrop for an exciting new experience.The warm weather months are the perfect time for festivals, fairs and outdoor activities ofevery kind imaginable. During the winter arts and cultural activities move to center stagealong with dining, shopping and the opportunity to create great memories. Whatever timeof year you are making vacation plans, consider spending some time in Cortland County,the gateway to New York’s Finger Lakes Region.

  Nestled between the cities of Rochester and Syracuse lies Wayne County. We are known for our rural charm, vast apple orchards, drumlins and scenic beauty. With 35 miles of Lake Ontario shoreline we promise the visitor a wide variety of water activities and trophy fishing. We are rich in history…drive the Seaway Trail which traverses through the northern part of our county or follow the Historic Erie Canal that flows near our southern border. The countryside is dotted with farm markets, antique and specialty shops and cozy B&B’s. A visit to our unique Chimney Bluffs State Park will let you reconnect with nature and restore your soul!  

Located in the center of the Finger Lakes, discover a place with a wonderful history, where wineries and waterways thrive. From the birthplace of Women’s Rights, to the birthplace of Memorial Day, history and heritage seekers will discover a wealth of knowledge exploring the area’s treasured past. Priding itself in agritourism, wine and culinary strengths, experience the Seneca Lake and Cayuga Wine Trails, or visit unique restaurants featuring farm-to-table options. Nestled between Seneca and Cayuga lakes, activities on the water and attractions on the land give guests the opportunity to enjoy eight state parks, a national forest, a national wildlife refuge and more. Facebook: Seneca County  Twitter: senecacountyny.

This metropolitan region situated on the southern shores of Lake Ontario and also part of the Finger Lakes region, is home to world-class events such as the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival in June, and the signature Lilac Festival every May. Attractions include two National Historic Landmarks, the Susan B. Anthony Museum and House and the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography & Film. Famous sites blend with charming neighborhoods and historic canal towns to create a mosaic of attractions to visit. Photo: Rochester Skyline as seen from Corn Hill Landing featuring the Susan B. Anthony- Frederick Douglass Bridge. Photo Credit: VisitRochester.

Ontario County is home to five Finger Lakes, three AAA Four-Diamond properties, and a variety of local dining experiences.  Home to a rich historical past, Ontario County offers castles and gardens to peruse, historic sites to delve in to, and a unique wine trail in the nation’s second-largest wine region.  Whether you’re grabbing a bite to eat at the NY Wine & Culinary Center in Canandaigua, shopping till you drop in Victor, tasting grape pie in Naples, or catching a show at The Smith in Geneva, Ontario County truly has something for everyone.

  Located in the Finger Lakes vacation region of New York State, Livingston County offers plenty of memory-making activities for the whole family. Folks can boat, swim and fish at Conesus and Hemlock lakes, hike and picnic in the “Grand Canyon of the East” Letchworth State Park, enjoy delicious wine, and dine and shop in historic villages like Geneseo, Mount Morris and Dansville. After they’ve had a field day in Livingston County, guests can choose from one of the many bed and breakfasts, hotels and historic inns to relax in.

They say “home is where the heart is.” With rolling hills, pristine lakes, and exquisite beauty as far as the eye can see, it’s easy to understand how Corning & the Finger Lakes has captivated the hearts of many – and it refuses to let them go. Enjoy world-class museums, like The Corning Museum of Glass, and superb wines, like Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars, New York State’s most award-winning winery for 50 years.

Watkins Glen & Schuyler County are located in the heart of the Finger Lakes region, nestled along the southern shore of Seneca Lake and within close proximity to over 50 wineries. Watkins Glen International (WGI) hosts the largest weekend sporting event in New York State, NASCAR, every August. The Watkins Glen State Park remains one of the most popular state parks in the region. More than half a million visitors come for a scenic adventure to hike the gorge and discover 19 waterfalls along the trail.

Yates County is the geographic center of the Finger Lakes and enjoys shoreline on Canandaigua, Keuka and Seneca Lakes. With more wineries that any other County in Upstate New York, we offer the quintessential “Wine Country Experience”. Look for amazing accommodation choices, world –class restaurants and the friendliest locals anywhere in the region.

Located just off the New York State Thruway, the Greater Syracuse area is the eastern gateway to the beautiful Finger Lakes region. Syracuse is a revitalized and hip urban community providing opportunities for stellar shopping, world-class culture, award-wining dining, hands-on history and sporting events galore. Syracuse is home to the sixth largest enclosed shopping/lifestyle destination in the country, Destiny USA , which is the perfect blend of retail and outlet shopping, fine dining and entertainment venues and is a must-visit attraction. Bistros, coffee shops, sports bars, Irish pubs museums and specialty shops intertwine downtown’s Hanover and Armory Squares, while dozens of incredible festivals envelop Clinton Square. “The Original” Dinosaur BBQ, voted the best place for barbeque in the U.S. by ABC-TV’s Good Morning America, is just one of many cool places to satisfy any cuisine craving. A short 25-minute drive southwest of Syracuse leads you to the picturesque lakefront village of Skaneateles where boating, pampering and relaxing are the perfect pastimes.

Tioga County sits along the majestic Susquehanna River in the southeastern part of the Finger Lakes Region, nestled among lovely hills and valleys.  Owego is its county seat, and has a magical combination of charm, shop variety, and architectural “storybook” beauty.  Other villages such as Newark Valley, Candor and Waverly provide opportunities for active outdoor recreation and cultural venues.  A visit to Tioga County is a must-do!

Known as Mark Twain Country, it was in Elmira that the beloved author summered for more than 20 years while penning such legendary classics as Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn from his octagonal study. Today the Mark Twain Study has been recognized as the #1 Literary Attraction in America and can be visited at the picture perfect campus of Elmira College—just like Twain left it!  You can also pay respects to the author at his final resting place at Woodlawn Cemetery just a few miles away.

Escape to Cayuga County and enjoy our crystal clear lakes,spectacular scenery, charming villages and award-winningwines! From boating and fishing on one of our eight lakes toenjoying musical theatre, fine arts and history, you’ll find ourculture rich and varied. Be sure to sample our locally grown andproduced fruits, herbs, vegetables, cheeses, honey, wine and bakedgoods featured in many restaurants. Top attractions includeMacKenzie-Childs, Ltd., Seward House Museum, the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival, Fair Haven Beach State Park, and theSterling Renaissance Festival.