Finger Lakes
 

We're (3 adults) planning a trip to the States next summer and are thinking of spending a few days in the Finger Lakes region. Has anybody got any tips, addresses etc? We'd like to rent a self catering setup if possible.
Thanks for any info you might have.

Most of the cottages book only weekly rentals for summer...we use www.rentalplus.com & www.fingerlakesgetaways.com You might want to try a motel situation or B&B that has a small kitchenette.

Thanks Disneynan. Rentalplus seems excellent. We've found a great place through them.

Do try to squeeze in a visit to the Corning glass museum - you won't be disappointed.

You can do a search on the Finger Lakes region here. Seems I remember a discussion or two with lots of info. Even a few trip reports.

Marion3b: Great you were able to get a place. Which Lake will you be on? There are so many things to see & do in the area. Gardyloo was right about Corning, don't miss it..We also love going to all the state parks in the area, especially Watkins Glen. Do Letchworth if you can to. Then there are all those wineries! So much tasting, so little time...

Hello! If anyone can recommend (or give an honest critique of) a rental for 2 families with children, in the summer, in Geneva, I would be grateful. I will check the websites mentioned earlier. Thanks!

Has any one had any experiences with the Cobtree rental house?

I have not stayed there, but from years of looking at rentals in the area, that is fairly new & looks like a great place! In fact i was very interested in it this past fall for Thanksgiving,but when I clicked on the "availability" it was booked solid. I may put a posse together for the early summer and try it...

Thanks, Disneynan. I've booked it this summer so can give feedback after that! In the meantime, any "must sees" in the area would be helpful. I'm traveling with three kids, ages 1,3,5...

all the lakes have different personalities, canandaiqua is busy in summer, seneca and cayuga are very big and deep hence cold water till very end of summer, keuka is very nice and more quiet(east side stays sunny later)little town of hammondsport at south end very quaint with shops and band playing in the square on thursdays. Wineries abound on all the lakes.

Thank you, everyone, for your assistance. If you know the driving time from Geneva (Finger Lakes) to Martha's Vineyard, please advise. It seems like it is at least 7 hours, but I'm not certain. Again, thanks.

Donnasand: On a good day the drive from Geneva to our home in CT. is about 5hrs (depending on how long your rest stops are). When we go to the tip of the Cape its exactly 3hrs, so I am sure the trip to the ferry will be shorter(WoodsHole?)by an hour...but it could also depend on the traffic going over the bridges.We travel shoulder season there, so as not to deal with the traffic & crowds..

Disneynan - we'll be staying on seneca lake. Any info or tips would be welcome. Thanks.

I currently live in Boston but am from Corning originally and summered on Keuka. The trip to Martha's Vinyard ferry will take you at least 8 hours possibly 9 depending on summer traffic. It is a beautiful ride but with small kids you might want to think of breaking it up. Don't miss Corning the museaum is also terrific for kids and if you can squeeze it in you might want to hit Ithaca and walk some of the gorges. It is beautiful.

marion3b: S. Lake is so centrally located that you will be able to do day trips to all the others if you want. www.visitfingerlakes.com has alot of info. We usually spend time touring the wineries. There are lots of them! We really like Wagners on Seneca, Bully Hill on Keuka.We also love to see all the parks in the area especially Watkins Glen, Buttermilk Falls etc. Lots of cute towns,Hammondsport, Ithaca, Geneva & Corning for the glass museum. Also see Sonnenberg Gardens in Canandaigua..For fun,drive north on rt14 to Sodus Pt. on the Great Lake, Ontario...You will be running non-stop..Have fun!

Thank you for the advice. The drive sounds a bit daunting with the kids. I think we'll stay put in the Finger Lakes area! Thank you for the advice on the museum, too.

If you go to Corning stop at Wegmans Grocery Store to stock up on some great food for your cabin. It is a wonderful store with tons of gourmet selections and great food for the kids.

donnasand: good move sticking to the Finger Lakes..thats my position lately when we travel, Enjoy the spot where you are at! The kids will be happy to be outside & play. There is also a small amusement park ROSELAND on the shores of Canandaigua L.(oops, just checked, its now been changed into a huge waterpark).http://www.roselandwaterpark.com/htm...ions.html...we have always been driven to do "outdoor activities as our main source of entertainment..hiking&biking wherever. There is a nice paved bike trail over by Keuka L...http://www.footprintpress.com/Finger....htm.....Again the state parks in the area are great for visitng and bringing a picnic to. Watkins Glen has a pool even. See:
http://nysparks.state.ny.us/cgi-bin/...parks.cgi?p+27

Seneca is a great lake. If you do a search for "Watkins Glen" you should find more tips. (Watkins is at the bottom of the lake, Geneva is at the top.) There are some good restaurants -- Jerlandos, The Grapevine, Glen Mountain, and the Wildflower Cafe (veg). Don't miss the gorge trail -- a must see! There is also a boat tour you can take that leaves from the pier. The wineries on both sides of the lake are great. If you can, try to see Ithaca -- about 30 minutes from Watkins Glen. Go to www.visitithaca.com. I totally agree with visiting Wegmans -- the best grocery store in the USA. They are located in a lot of areas -- Corning, Ithaca, Geneva. Check out www.wegmans.com. Good luck!