Totally confused about which direction to go in the Finger Lakes
Sep 11th, 2012, 04:58 PM
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Totally confused about which direction to go in the Finger Lakes
I have tried to read the forum about which direction to go but as I am finding out each person has their own agenda. We are a couple (late 50's) touring Maine, NH and Vermont for 10 days. Our last 3 nights before heading to Niagara Falls will be spent in The Finger Lakes so obviously we will head east to west. We will be arriving from Cooperstown and arriving late late afternoon so not much sightseeing our first day/night. We are not big hikers but enjoy driving to see the sights and enjoy nature very much. Any ideas where to start? We are in good health and do not mind driving. After much reading I know we want to visit Ithaca and Watkins Glen. Any help and suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thank you!
Sep 11th, 2012, 06:10 PM
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Watkins Glen is a great base for traveling the FL. The Watkins Harbor Hotel, right on Seneca Lake is the best!! Ithaca would be under 1/2 hour drive, also a drive around Keuka Lake, stopping as you wish is great sight seeing. When are you traveling? As you head into Oct. weekends are very busy, reservations are highly recommended!
Sep 11th, 2012, 06:26 PM
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head South from Cooperstown toward Oneonta and west to Ithaca... its about three hours... spend your first night there and wander about after checking the Ithaca website for what you enjoy...
...Next morning, grab a quick breakfast and drive over to Watkins Glen State Park (30 minutes)... there you can choose to leave your car in the lower lot and bus to the top of the trail and walk back or walk both ways (we take choice one)... spend the rest of the day on a boat tour or visiting some of the wineries along the lake... if you choose to stay in WG, you can also sidetrip to nearby Corning for the Glass Museum...
I would then drive North alongside the Lake to Geneva NY where you could spend the night or grab a meal ... Geneva is a beautiful town with plenty of lake activities and amazing Hotels...
If you enjoy a great drive, jump on Rt 20 W from Geneva... this route takes you along the north of the Lakes through Canandaigua and several villages, farms, shops, diners and character...
...Along the way is Letchworth State Park which has been called "the Grand Canyon of the East"... you could spend hours there exploring this glacially formed natural wonder..
To complete the drive, you can rejoin RT90 at Batavia...follow the thruway to Niagara...
Have Fun
...Next morning, grab a quick breakfast and drive over to Watkins Glen State Park (30 minutes)... there you can choose to leave your car in the lower lot and bus to the top of the trail and walk back or walk both ways (we take choice one)... spend the rest of the day on a boat tour or visiting some of the wineries along the lake... if you choose to stay in WG, you can also sidetrip to nearby Corning for the Glass Museum...
I would then drive North alongside the Lake to Geneva NY where you could spend the night or grab a meal ... Geneva is a beautiful town with plenty of lake activities and amazing Hotels...
If you enjoy a great drive, jump on Rt 20 W from Geneva... this route takes you along the north of the Lakes through Canandaigua and several villages, farms, shops, diners and character...
...Along the way is Letchworth State Park which has been called "the Grand Canyon of the East"... you could spend hours there exploring this glacially formed natural wonder..
To complete the drive, you can rejoin RT90 at Batavia...follow the thruway to Niagara...
Have Fun
Sep 12th, 2012, 10:03 AM
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If in Ithaca area do not miss:
1.) Taughannock Falls North of town
http://nysparks.com/parks/62/details.aspx
2.) Buttermilk Falls just south of town
http://nysparks.com/parks/151/details.aspx
If in Watkins Glen drive about three miles south and view: Shequagua Falls: http://www.nyfalls.com/shequaga.html
I think the village of Skaneateles is really neat and agree with Gary a side trip to Letchworth Park may be worthwhile. All of the places mentioned here require little or no hiking. To do Skaneateles leave Cooperstown area via Route 20, stop for lunch in Skaneateles. Continue on Route 20 to south on 89 and you go right by Taughannock Falls then stay in Ithaca.
1.) Taughannock Falls North of town
http://nysparks.com/parks/62/details.aspx
2.) Buttermilk Falls just south of town
http://nysparks.com/parks/151/details.aspx
If in Watkins Glen drive about three miles south and view: Shequagua Falls: http://www.nyfalls.com/shequaga.html
I think the village of Skaneateles is really neat and agree with Gary a side trip to Letchworth Park may be worthwhile. All of the places mentioned here require little or no hiking. To do Skaneateles leave Cooperstown area via Route 20, stop for lunch in Skaneateles. Continue on Route 20 to south on 89 and you go right by Taughannock Falls then stay in Ithaca.
Sep 12th, 2012, 02:41 PM
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In June, we stayed at the Country Inn and Suites right near to Buttermilk Falls, south of Ithaca. It is a very pleasant property with a nice breakfast bar and a large, warm pool and hot tub. We were only there a day to see Cornell so I can't offer more advice.
Sep 14th, 2012, 07:36 AM
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Hello Cort,
What an amazing vacation you have planned! Spending some time in the Finger Lakes region will be the icing on the cake.
We would recommend staying in Ithaca your first evening, if you get to town at a good time try out Purity Ice Cream for a before bed snack. Ithaca offers a variety of hotel options for an budget. The Commons is full of great little shops and restaurants that can easily fill up your morning. After shopping and lunch its a short drive to Taughannock Falls. You can choose to stop at the parking lot overlooking the falls or go in the main entrance and hike back to them. Either view is breathtaking depending on how much walking you would like to do, after the falls enjoy the sites on your way to Watkins Glen to finish out your day and evening at the Harbor Hotel.
We also agree with garyt22 that taking the drive up Seneca Lake to Geneva and traveling West along routes 5&20 is well worth the time, stopping in Canandaigua for lunch and a visit to the New York Wine and Culinary Institute on the lake.
Our hotel is located in the Historic town of Geneseo on the West side of the Finger Lakes Region and we would be honored to have you as our guest on your last evening in the area. On your last day we can help direct you through Letchworth State Park (a must see if you are in the area) and then on your way to Niagara Falls.
Please contact us if you have any more questions or if there is anything we can assist you with. We hope to see you along your travels.
Sincerly,
Chelsea Johns
Director of Sales
Hampton Inn Geneseo
What an amazing vacation you have planned! Spending some time in the Finger Lakes region will be the icing on the cake.
We would recommend staying in Ithaca your first evening, if you get to town at a good time try out Purity Ice Cream for a before bed snack. Ithaca offers a variety of hotel options for an budget. The Commons is full of great little shops and restaurants that can easily fill up your morning. After shopping and lunch its a short drive to Taughannock Falls. You can choose to stop at the parking lot overlooking the falls or go in the main entrance and hike back to them. Either view is breathtaking depending on how much walking you would like to do, after the falls enjoy the sites on your way to Watkins Glen to finish out your day and evening at the Harbor Hotel.
We also agree with garyt22 that taking the drive up Seneca Lake to Geneva and traveling West along routes 5&20 is well worth the time, stopping in Canandaigua for lunch and a visit to the New York Wine and Culinary Institute on the lake.
Our hotel is located in the Historic town of Geneseo on the West side of the Finger Lakes Region and we would be honored to have you as our guest on your last evening in the area. On your last day we can help direct you through Letchworth State Park (a must see if you are in the area) and then on your way to Niagara Falls.
Please contact us if you have any more questions or if there is anything we can assist you with. We hope to see you along your travels.
Sincerly,
Chelsea Johns
Director of Sales
Hampton Inn Geneseo
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