Finger Lakes
 

I’m planning a last-minute trip for New Year's Eve weekend to the Finger Lakes (from Philadelphia). Looking to cozy up in a B&B rather than extensive sight seeing. But before I pick a town, I’m hoping to get advice on my main concern: weather. I don’t mind cold, but is the area usually too cold/snowy in winter to walk around at all? Should I be worried about having difficulty driving there and back?
Thanks in advance!

As they say, you can't predict the weather. You could have a major snowstorm, or no snow at all. I'm in Buffalo and I just heard a weather report that it's supposed to stay on the mild side and not much snow for the next 3 weeks. But, you never know. There isn't going to be much sightseeing in the Finger Lakes in the winter. I would suggest Ithaca or Skaneatlas (sp?).

I agree with the previous poster: you can never be sure. However, this month is on track to be the warmest December on record, and it follows last month, which was the warmest November. We have had an inch or two of snow, but it's all melted. The ski resorts are beside themselves because they can't even keep man-made snow. Unless things change drastically in the next 10 days, I expect it will be chilly (but not cold) and gray (but not white)on New Year's Eve.
I also agree that Skaneatles is a nice destination. You might also consider at the Aurora Inn in on Cayuga Lake: http://www.aurora-inn.com/home.html
the Esperanza Mansion on Keuka Lake: http://www.esperanzamansion.com/main.html
or Geneva on the Lake on Seneca Lake: http://www.genevaonthelake.com/

Skaneateles would be nice, and you are close to the wineries if that is of interest. It's been unseasonably warm and it is *supposed* to continue for a while. The other suggestions made by rbrazill are also good ideas.

Thanks for the advice.
I was looking for B&Bs in Skaneateles, and actually found a few nicer-looking ones in Auburn -- although Skaneateles sounds better. Any thoughts on staying in Auburn?

I don't know a whole lot about Auburn, but I don't think there is much there. I've never heard of it as a destination in the Finger Lakes. You'll find the most activity, restaurants, shops etc. in Ithaca.

Consider taking Amtrak to Syracuse & renting a car from there? That way your driving will be somewhat local, and I don't think the demand for cars that weekend is very high.

The area is prone to "lake effect" storms from Lk Ontario, and while recent weather has been GREAT, there's no guarantee of what 10 days might bring.

If you just want to "cozy up" in an inn, you can NOT go wrong with the Aurora Inn if it is in your budget. It's fantastic. They own both the beautiful mansion inn, and recently acquired another property just up the road (walking distance, 2 or three houses up) with somewhat lower rates -- a stunning HUGE old lakeside home. This Inn is just amazing -- very much a 'blend' of traditional with much 'modern' touches -- like fab jacuzzi tub and showers, plasma tv's with DVD players and remote control skylights for example. Aurora is a very quaint little town, (very little!) the home of WELLS College (women's college affiliated with Cornell) and also the Mackenzie-Childs whimsical home goods store and art factory is there. You can tour this, as well as visit the AMAZING shop.. good for a few hours entertainment! Mackenzie Childs is a high end artsy furniture, pottery, decor company with shops in midtown Manhattan. Up in Aurora is the actual "factory" as well as a showplace home you can tour, and the store. I would check their winter hours of course. In addition, the wineries are open in winter as well, and can be a lot of fun. Ithaca is an easy drive away (30 minutes tops) so if you wanted more "to do" you could always drive down.... movies, theater, music that kind of thing. If you just want a relaxing weekend in a fabulous and cozy/charming inn, I would highly recommend Aurora and the Aurora Inn! Highly.

I love Auburn, although it is a dying town. You can't go wrong with Skaneateles (Go to Morris' and try their grilled chicken sandwich!mmmm)
Aurora is VERY pretty and VERY small.
You may want to try Seneca Falls also.

Here is a link to Mackenzie Childs in Aurora - It's kind of an "off the beaten path" tourist thing, but, worth a couple hours entertainment -- more like visiting an art store/museum than a retail store.

http://www.mackenzie-childs.com/cont...p=4&cont=4

Seneca Falls is also VERY nice, and there is much more to do there. It's a good sized town/mini city.

And one of my favorites is Canandaigua -- there is a LOT to do there. The racino (thoroughbred racing obviously not this time of year), and the beautiful mansion at Sonnenberg Gardens. We've stayed at a Golf Resort called Bristol Harbor, which has very much an Adirondack feel -- they ARE open in winter and have fireplaces in the rooms, overlooks the lake, an outdoor hot tub, and a restaurant/bar. Bristol Harbor Resort - just on the edge of Canandaigua. Very very nice place though more of a 'lodge' kind of feeling than B&B.

Still, reading your original post, if you want to just cozy up and relax in a B& B, I would vote for the Aurora Inn, (there is a restaurant/bar there too and down the street in a town called Union Springs a dinky little diner) I would get one of their jacuzzi tub rooms; the bathroom in our room was nearly spa quality! -- [Also considering that it's a closer drive for you than Seneca Falls or Canandaigua]

Their website is spot-on, the rooms and inn really looks like the pics!

http://www.aurora-inn.com/

There are so many good choices in the Finger Lakes, much of it depends on what you'd like to do!

Good luck!

I booked at Aurora Inn. The website and all the reviews I found looked great. Thanks for the help.

Have a great time Ray...as for driving, if the weather isn't too bad, and you have time,try taking Route 20 west from route 81, this will take you through Skaneateles, Auburn and other pretty little towns. in Auburn take 326 west to 90 south(not the thruway-which only runs east-west) this will take right into Aurora