My husband and I will be in the Finger Lakes region of New York state this summer. We would really appreciate advice about which lakes are the most scenic, good wineries, hotels, resaurants, etc. Anything offered will be helpful as we have never been there. Thanks!!

The Finger Lakes are beautiful in the summer. There are numerous wineries and regular bus and do it yourself tours. My personal preference is the do it yourself tour along Keuka Lake starting at Branchport and ending near Hammondsport. In Canandaigua, you have Sonnenberg Gardens which is worth a stop. There are numerous festivals such as the Whale Watch at Geneva on Seneca Lake. On the Western fringe is a large Amish area with wonderful food and shopping. Rochester to the north is another great place. The laser light show in the Genesee River gorge downtown is a do not miss. Nearby on East Avenue is the George Eastman (Kodak fame) home. There are many free concerts ranging from small home town bands to the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. South of Keuka Lake is Corning with many nice outlets and of course Corning Glass. You also have Watkins Glenn on the south end of Seneca Lake and Taughannock Falls/Ithaca on the south end of Cayuga Lake. There are numerous small motels, B&B and camping areas. You do need to check ahead for availability especially during holiday weekends. If you are an AAA member, they have an excellent travel guide and detail map of the Finger Lakes Area. If I can help you any further, please e-mail me.

Besides the suggestions above, I wanted to suggest that you consider

- eating or staying at Belhurst Castle in Geneva, NY;

- a stop in Skaneatles (sp?) for shopping, dinner, or overnight(Sherwood Inn). They also have a "mailboat dinner" cruise if you have an interest in that

-Genesee Country Village (living history museum)

Belhurst has another property named white springs manor; ask for the pond view room.......

I went to college in Rochester, and my husband and I have taken weekend trips to the Finger Lakes for the wineries quite often. I don't know your level of interest or knowledge of wines, but be aware that many of the wines seemed to be geared for tourists who are non-wine drinkers, in other words, many of them are very sweet. The best that I have found (and that get the best reviews in wine journals) seem to be on Lake Seneca. Hermann J. Wiemer Winery and Lamoreaux Landing are the two at which I have purchased the most wines. Also, Wagner has a large selection of moderately priced table wines. We find it fun to pack a picnic lunch, since most of the vineyards have lovely picnic areas. Besides, no one should taste wines on a full stomach!

Seneca Falls has some interesting museums devoted to women's history and the suffragette movement.

Oops, I obviously meant to say on an EMPTY stomach! That's what I get for doing this at work when I'm supposed to be working.

There is also a museum in Rochester called the Strong Museum. We have seen some fascinating exhibits there in the past, one on gender specific toys for children during the cold war, and one on the changing definition of "middle class" in the US. Very thought provoking. However, the last time we were there it seemed to be more geared toward children, it might be worth a phone call to find out what the museum is actually like now.

At the vineyards, be sure to taste an ice wine, these dessert wines are hard to find, and some of the wineries make very good ones.

If you do decide to visit Rochester, there is a wonderful "art" movie theater on (I think) East Main Street. Very unusual movies on several screens, great audiences who really love movies, and a delicious pastry shop attached.

Sara, a couple of additions to the above. Just south of Penn Yan on Keuka lake is an Amish and Memmonite market called "The Windmill" which has a superb selection of crafts. The women's rights museum in Seneca Falls is very well done and excellently curated. The Corning Muesum at the Corning Glass Works is dazzling; a combination of history and art (think Steuben) that is big-city quality. And Letchworth State Park at Watkins Glen is a wonderland of waterfalls, pools, and forest walks. A great, one-of-a-kind place.

You've received many excellent suggestions already including Skaneatles (close to my home). Best bet for dining in the above is Rosalie's Cucina for dinner or Framboise for lunch. Sherwood Inn can be be good but may be less consistent. Please note that the park in Watkins Glen is Watkins Glen State Park - the geln itself is a must see and could easily prove to be a highlight of the trip. Letchworth Park is northwest of there probably by an hour or more. It's known as the "Grand Canyon of the East" and is one of the most incredible natural sites in the eastern US (the food at the restaurant in that park is horrendous, however). I highly recommend Ithaca as well. Dining suggestions are Thai Cuisine (possibly the best Thai food in the state, including NYC), Giovanni's Osteria Paisano (authentic Northern Italian) and Renee's Bistro. I haven't tried the Rose Inn but am told that it's good. A tour of Cornell University and the Cornell Plantations is also worthwhile. If you want more specifics on Ithaca or Skaneatles, then e-mail me direct. I know both areas very well.