Hi-
Im planning a trip to niagara falls and the finger lakes next summer and im coming from Baltimore, Maryland. So, its about a 7-8 drive to Niagara Falls. Things i want to do are:

Drive to Niagara Falls

At Niagara Falls:
See the Falls from New York and Canadian sides
Visit Niagara Falls State Park and Goat Island on the NY side and Queen Victoria Park in Canada
Do Cave of the Winds
Do Maid of the Mist
Hike at Whirlpool State Park
Visit Power Vista and the Niagara Powerplant
Visit Old Fort Niagara

At the Finger Lakes:
Drive through Letchworth State Park
Hike Through Watkins Glen
Maybe visit a winery
Visit Ithaca
See Taughannock Falls and maybe some hiking
Maybe some hiking elsewhere

Drive Home

What places should i stay? Im giving this trip a week. Maybe 8 days if needed. How should i spread my time?
Thanks-

It sounds like you have a pretty good idea how to spend your time. You might want to spend a day or two in Buffalo. We have great architecture and restaurants and some great summer festivals.

As for accomodations, what type are you looking for? In Niagara Falls, stay on the Canadian side. I've heard good things about Embassy Suites and The Sheraton. There is alot of information on this site if you do a search. Niagara on the Lake is a great little town just down the road from Niagara Falls and shouldn't be missed.

I don't know much about hotels in the Finger Lakes. There is a Holiday Inn and Ramada in Ithaca. There are also plenty of B & B's in the area. Are you travelling with kids?

I would also suggest the Jet Boat ride in Niagara Falls. Also, Skaneatlas is one of the nicer Finger Lakes towns.

well, i was looking at staying at too places. 3 nights in Niagara Falls and 4 nights in Watkins Glen or Ithaca. Or if I add a day, i would spend 4 nights at Niagara Falls. I planned on driving through Letchworth SP when I drive to Watkins Glen or Ithaca from Niagara Falls. Is that doable? OR should i spend a night around Letchworth?

ttt

Watkins Glen as a destination does not have that much to offer. Most of the motels are very rustic (read: dilapidated). Four days there is way too much.

My favorite motel in the area (I drive at the track, so have been visiting every year for the past 20 years) is the Falls Motel in Montour Falls. Clean, modern rooms, with air conditioning that works!

Ithaca has more going for it, probably two days worth, due to its being a college town.

I would suggest splitting your four days into two at each place.

We have done both trips, separately. While at Niagara we spent a great day in Toronto and one night we had dinner in Niagara on the Lake.

The Finger Lake region is HUGE. We relaxed and toured/tasted in lots of wineries.

What about driving through Letchworth SP on the way to the finger lakes from Niagara Falls? Can you see a good bit of the gorge there just driving though? Ithaca is not far from Watkins Glen. Should I base myself near ithaca?