Finger Lakes: Where to Stay?
 

Hi-


I plan on spending four nights (three days) in the Finger Lakes area. I was looking at the watkins glen and ithaca areas. Watkins Glen looks pretty bare-bones and rustic and Ithaca too big and touristy. I am looking for a town that is big enough to have restaurant selections and somewhat convienant to the sights. I am into hiking and the outdoors. I would like to see Watkins Glen (the gorge), Taughannock Falls, Letchworth State Park, other waterfalls, and of course the wineries. What area of the finger lakes, would you say is the "main" wine area? Also, i am heading to niagara falls after here, so i d rather go farther north than south. Im looking at Penn Yan, Geneva, Canadaigua, Seneca Falls, and Auburn right now.

Went for a week in October and stayed in the middle- stayed on the southern tip of Keuka (near Hammondsport). We wanted a trip to go hiking and wine tasting, and love good food. The three lakes with the most wineries around them are Cayuga, Keuka, and Seneca. You can find a lot of the wine trail maps through google. Penn Yan, Geneva, and Seneca Falls would all be good places to base for the wine region. My personal rec would be to stay between Keuka and Seneca Lakes. Hammondsport is quiet- we liked that. Had several wonderful meals around Keuka and Seneca. Canandaigua has the New York Culinary Institute, which is fun to visit- we actually took a class- but I think that would be too far to go back and forth the rest of the trip. You'll be driving around to get to the various trails/wineries, so I'd base more central.

Also.. FWIW, I thought Watkins Glen was busier than Hammondsport. Seemed like there would be plenty to do. Ithaca was BUSY- but we were there on a Friday afternoon. And that's a bit more east than you may want to be.

Look into the hotels in Geneva (proximity to wine region). Watkins Glen has the Gorge & a great boat ride on that lake.

I agree that Ithaca is too far east. What about Corning or Elmira, NY? Im debating rather to stay north or south. Where are the largest wineries usually at? The ones with restaurants? Seneca Lake looks like it maybe the wine region. Watkins Glen still might be a possibility for a place to stay.

I found a place in Watkins Glen. So, thats where im staying. Are there some good wineries around there? Also, is Letchworth SP too far away?
thanks-

Don't miss Shalestone. All the wines I've tasted is great, but it's the rose that's out of this world. If you're staying in Watkins Glen, should be a short-ish drive (and a very, very scenic one along ... Seneca Lake, I think).

You should definately call the people at the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance at 800-530-7488. They exist soley to bring visitors to the region and ensure that they have a good trip. And, everything they do for you is free! They are a good source for info on attractions and accomodations. You can also go to www.fingerlakes.org for information or to order a free travel guide!