Libby_Nash

My husband and I have never been anywhere in New York but NYC. We would love advise on where to go. Wine, quaint villages, good restaurant choices, museums, hiking, are some of the things we are interested in.

garyt22

If you are drivers, there is no better choice than the Finger lakes for your interests... from the Corning Glass Museum, Ithaca, watkins Glen, the dozens of wineries as far east as Letchworth State Park...

start with www.corningfingerlakes.com

EmilyPost

Gary nailed it for your interests. The Finger Lakes will be a perfect fit.

Libby_Nash

Many thanks, we're on it!

NeoPatrick

Interesting thread. We've been looking for a car trip to do from Western NJ for a few days in mid July. I'm reviewing the corning fingerlakes link above.
But where is the most "central" area to stay, I realize it's quite a large area -- I'm thinking ON a lake would be nicer. Is Watkins Glen good? We're NOT into B&B's and I see lots of those along with mainly budget type motels. I guess I'm wondering about something a little nicer -- or kind of lodge like, but hopefully around $200 a night. And like NICE restaurants near by for evenings.

garyt22

www.watkinsglenharborhotel.com

NeoPatrick

gary, I saw that and it does look nice. But it's averaging $300 a night with tax. I guess that's probably the best I can do for something nice? I saw some sort of dumpy places for over $200, so it certainly may well be worth the splurge -- and it sure gets good reviews.

garyt22

Patrick... besides being a grest location to HQ, watkins glen's location at the lower end of the lakes allows you to stop at more than one lake... if you are walkers, stop at the Watkins Glen State Park, park in the lower lot and shuttle bus up to the top of the trail and walk back down to the car... not that hard and beautiful in any season...

The wineries and microbrews are fun and you can also book lake tours... have fun

NeoPatrick

OK, booked Thursday through Saturday nights of my birthday weekend in mid July. Cost for Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel -- a little over $950 for the three nights. Any other specifics for the area?
Love the idea of the bus up the mountain and hiking down. Wineries could be fun, I just honestly have never tasted any really good New York reds.

garyt22

for some reviews try www.middlefingerlakeswines.com

also we like Dr.Konstantin Frank for Cab Franc (sw Keuka Lake)

and the local innkeepers list for reds includes

Shalestone winery for merlot (east side Seneca Lake)

Keuka Overlook for Cab Franc (east side Keuka Lake)

Miles Wine Cellars for Cabernets (west side Seneca Lake)

happy birthday

ps. for food, I would rely on the hotel staff for help

RangerNJ

I love the Adirondacks! The Lake George Region has Fort William Henry and Fort Ticondaroga, boat rides on the lake, concerts, hiking, scenic vistas. There is Gore Mountain, Caves in Pottersville, shopping - you can venture north to Lake Placid or some quieter lake areas, like Brant Lake or Schroon Lake. There are some great restaurants - just never explored the wineries. Maybe Fingers Lakes is better for wine? I recommend two trips - the Adirondacks is not to be missed either!!!

KathyK

Patrick I have a friend who owns a wine store and he recommends the following wineries on Seneca Lake for red wines:

Red Tail Ridge Winery (they also have a good chardonnay)
Ventosa Vineyards
Lamoreaux Landing
Shalestone Vineyards
Red Newt Winery & Bistro
Damiani Wine Cellars

We were at quite a few of these a few years ago and found some nice wines. We had a fantasic lunch at Red Newt. I highly recommend it. If you like to hike Taughannock Falls State Park is nearby. Also, it would be a bit of a drive, but if you get up northeast of Watkins Glen the town of Skaneateles is lovely.

asdaven

Depends how much time you have. If its just a weekend, goto the Finger Lakes. If you got a week, goto the Adirondacks. I've been to both. At the Finger Lakes, Watkins Glen was my favorite area. And at the Adirondacks, I liked Lake Placid/Saranac Lake area the best. Depends what you like. If you like wine and fine cuisine , goto the Finger Lakes. If you like outdoors or wilderness, goto the Adirondacks. One thing I would say, the Fingers Lakes area is very beautiful between the lakes, Taughnock Falls , and the Watkins Glen itself. All very beautiful an unique. But , it doesn't have the awe inspiring factor of the Adirondacks. Watkins Glen has hills and Adirondacks are large mountains. Don't get me wrong, there's good hikes in the Finger Lakes area.

However, a suggestion if you goto the Finger Lakes. I would either day trip or split your trip if you have week between the Finger Lakes and Niagara Falls. Letchworth SP is also something not to be missed. Niagara Falls is only a little over 100 miles away from the Finger Lakes. Even though its touristy, its nothing something to be missed. There's also great hiking in the gorge down stream of the falls on the American side. Its an easy way to get away from the tourist and its kind of a hidden gem. The American side of the falls is less commercialized than Canada. The US side has a nice state park to walk around. However, the Canada side has the more panoramic views. But. Still both sides get you up close and personal to the falls. If I was at the finger lakes, I wouldn't miss Niagara Falls , but that's just me.