Finger Lakes, New York
 

Hi, <BR>Would appreciate any opinions on this area & <BR>also nice inns & restaurants. Thanks. <BR>

Do a search -- there have been several threads lately about the Finger Lakes.

Agree with above poster ... there has been a bit of discussion on this area recently that would provide useful information. I would recommend looking into the following towns: Skeneateles, Casenovia, Hammondsport, and Canandaigua. Not sure what time of year you are thinking, but it is a lot of fun to visit the various wineries along the the lakes in the fall ... this is very popular for free wine tastings. There are many small wineries, along with a few larger ones. The lakes I would recommend for this are Keuka Lake, Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake (in that order). Also, although not directly on the Finger Lakes but in the general area, look into Ithaca and Saratoga Springs ... both nice places to visit. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps.

I agree with both previous posters and the previous discussion of Finger lakes was quite recent so info should be up to date. One minor correction - Ithaca is directly on the south end of Cayuga lake and is technically a part of the Finger Lakes region. Saratoga Springs, OTOH, is north of Albany near the edge of the Adirondacks but is indeed a wonderful place to visit.

I grew up in this region and there is very few places that compare. Keuka lake is a great place with Hammondsport anchoring at one end and Penn Yann at the other. Hammondsport to me is the gateway to the Keuka area..."quaint" is a great description. In the village is the Village Tavern. The food is great and the wine list is local. Always busy...there is Snug Harbor further up the west side and Lakeside almost at the end. Finding inns on this lake is tough due to the build up of private property...almost over developed...Seneca lake is THE place!! First of all the wineries are the tops!! Lamoureaux Landing, Shalestone Knapp, Fox Run, Red Gnewt (sp?) Herman Wiemer to just skim the surface....start on the west side and work your way to the east side stopping at the Stone Cat for good local food produce and home made breads. If you find yourself at sunset on the east side make your final winery Chateau Lafayette...you purchase your glass for the full tasting and then sit out on the deck to watch the sunset with the most incredible view. There are inns all along the lake (I see them in my mind however there names escape me)and many in Watkins Glen at the end of the lake. Contact the Corning Chamber of Commerce for a listing...there is an association listing. Great antique shopping in Watkins and restaurants that will knock your socks off. Cayuga is as beautiful but does not really offer as much on the lake however the city of Ithaca is quite diverse and fun. Honestly have only visited a few wineries in this area due to the drive but what I have tasted I enjoyed. <BR> <BR>There is so much to do and see in this area from the Corning Glass Museum and Market Street to the large farm houses on the roads between the lakes to the wineries to the Farmers Markets to the blah blah blah....come and explore and enjoy....you will be back...that I can guarantee