Finger Lakes and Niagara Falls
 

We are planning a driving trip from NYC to Finger Lakes area and ending in Niagara falls. Is mid=Oct. too late for the change of leaves?? What is the weather then??? We are travelling from L.A.and would like to stay in B&Bs and relax on the drive.

Mid October is prime time for leaf change.... but it is also the busiest time in the Finger Lakes. Make sure to get reservations if you can many places are already booked! There are many great B&B's, let us know if you need suggestions in specific towns.

We toured finger lakes the other year early sept, weather was pretty bad lots of rain and cool but i think we were just unlucky.

We spent a couple of days in a lovely town called skaneateles which overlooks a lake and is VERY pretty.

Also, you must stay in a town called Niagara on the lake (not far from Niagara falls its beautiful.

The town of corning looked nice but it rained so heavily we went on a tour of the glass factory instead which was ok.

May I suggest you stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake instead of Niagara Falls.

It is only a 15-20minute drive from the Ontario side of the Falls but a world away in ambiance. It is a beautiful scenic drive along the Niagara Parkway following the river on one side and the wineries on the other. The town of NOTL is lovely, charming B&B's and Inns, quaint shops and very good restaurants.

Have only been in the summer but October should be spectacular.

Consider the Ithaca, Corning, areas as well as Geneva and Letchworth as great stops... also Cooperstown if you like Baseball... In Niagara on the Lake there are over 200 B&B's as well as several small inns... consider the Angel Inn, The Charles Inn or the Riverbend Inn for charm and character... have fun...

We just returned from the Finger Lakes, there is a great website that describes the various wine trails, just google wine trails/Finger Lakes. Keep in mind that Finger Lakes region is huge. Ithaca is the home of Cornell and is a lovely college town.

I just got back from a 2 day CEU course in Ithica, and can not wait to go back with my family. It is a lovely area. Great state parks, natural wonders and then a charming town. Had a good dinner at the Moosewood Cafe and there were lots of other places to eat that looked interesting.

http://travelmaven.wordpress.com

Hi Lucky2 -

The Finger Lakes Area is perfect for leaf peeping in mid-October. See "Fall Leaf Peeping Guide for New York State" on my blog:
www.travelmaven.wordpress.com, which covers Rochester & the Finger Lakes region.

If you contact me directly with info on what you'd like to do, I can recommend suggestions of where you might like to go and some nice B&Bs.

There are a number of great activities I recommend depending on where you stay: A skyride at Bristol Mountain Resort (www.bristolmountain.com) or Long Acre Farm Corn Maze, hay rides, hang gliding etc. in Macedon (http://www.longacrefarms.com/). For more info on the Finger Lakes, visit http://www.fingerlakes.org.

Don't forget to bring layers and an umbrella. Sometimes it's a beautiful sunny Indian Summer day, other times, it can be quite brisk.

Enjoy the trip!

P.S. If you are heading to Niagara Falls, don't completely ignore the American side as many tourists do! See the page "Niagara Falls, The American Side" at www.travelmaven.wordpress.com.