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!

Again, thank you! We're not visiting until June, but I am very excited! It certainly looks like a very pretty part of our country.

I have a few more questions!

Is there a Target or general merchandise store close to Geneva for stocking up on diapers, sand toys, etc. (all the stuff that is too big to pack!)?

What can we expect, bug and mosquito wise, in June?

What type of clothes should we pack? Is it chilly at night?

Thank you, in advance!

Not sure on the shopping issue as I am from Corning. Bring bug spray. The bugs get nasty at night and there are a lot of them. A light sweater or spring jacket for the evening as well in June. If you are in Corning Wegman's will have everything you need.

Here are some good websites for the Finger Lake Region:
fingerlakeswinecountry.com
fingerlakes.net
schuylerny.com
yatesny.com

A great B&B near Penn Yan is Merritt Hill..Also for great pottery bargains check out the MacKenzie Childs Factory Store 1 mile south of Aurora.

Donnasand -- Wegmans will have everything you need at same prices of Target/Wal*Mart. Do a search for Wegmans on this site, and you will see all the rave reviews. It has EVERYTHING!

Yes to the bugspray -- just get the maximum deet %, reapply regularily, and you'll be fine.

You will need jeans/sweatshirt for night, as it can get chilly. Check the forecast before to see if it will rain -- then bring a pair of shoes you don't mind getting wet and muddy. Overall, the finger lakes region is pretty laid back, so bring whatever you're comfortable in -- no need to dress up!

Hello! Me, again...We're leaving a week from today (a family with three small children - the oldest is 5yrs. old). If anyone has any last minute advice or "must sees" for us, please post them. Thanks!

Donnasand -- how long will you be in Geneva for? The Summer? If so, don't forget that Rochester and Niagra Falls are a short drive away. Rochester is about 1 hour, Niagra is about 2.5 hours away. Any age can appreciate the Falls and a ride on Maid of the Mist! There is also the new Ferry that will go between Rochester & Toronto. There are great museums in Rochester for kids (we take my 1 & 4 year old nephew to the Strong Museum & the Rochester Museum of Science for kids all the time).

What other activities are you looking to do?

Does anyone have any info about the Belhurst Castle in Geneva? We live in NC but most of our family is in the Rochester area and we are thinking of having our wedding reception there. Have seen some great stuff about it in travel guides, but many of the reviews on tripadvisor.com are not good at all. Any info/experiences would be really helpful. Thanks in advance!

I've only skimmed the responses, but if no one has mentioned doing a sight-seeing cruise on the finger lakes that is not to be missed. Some of the summer homes are incredible--many are an island unto themselves.

My mom was from Watkins Glen and we had a summer home in upstate NY. We spent many long weekends in New England and I agree that with your time limitations it's best to stick to the Finger Lakes area. There is more than enough to see and do.

Do climb the Glen if they still allow it. I wonder if anyone knows if they still have the races in Watkins?

Mags65: I'm sorry I can't tell you too much about Belhurst, but I do know that the lakeside setting is gorgeous and they host a lot of weddings. You may also want to try Geneva on the Lake, which is right up the road from Belhurst. www.genevaonthelake.com