things to see in Finger Lakes area?
 

Going to a wedding in Ithaca June, 2011. Would like to spend several days afterwards touring the area then maybe to Niagara Falls. Have been to the Falls yrs ago and know it's honky-tonk but falls themselves are awesome and think we should see them one more time. So - b4 that, what should we see in the Finger Lakes region? Not restricted by time. We are a sr couple, don't hike but walk lots and don't mind driving distances.

Other than the obvious lake sightseeing:
The wineries have opened up all over the place; some have spectacular views from their tasting rooms.
The towns along the lakes are gorgeous; driving through main street Canandaigua and viewing the (mostly east side of main) mansions or strolling Sonnenberg Gardens is a great time.
Canal boat tours (Erie and more) have become very popular. The scenery is wonderful, and if you like architecture, see Federal (and earlier) gems up close. You can even rent self-skippered boats.
There are famous cobblestone and octagon houses to scout out, too, in the many old towns in the area.
Take a drive to Lake Ontario, walk the path along the top in Chimney Bluffs State Park (very unusual formations); visit one of the nearby bays for lunch, and don't forget the early 1800s lighthouses (there are a couple left). (I'm thinking there's a battlefield, or naval battle site or three in the area, too.)
Stop at some of the cemeteries (many a few feet off the road and totally unenclosed) and visit folks who were born decades before the Revolution; the markers are a history lesson unto themselves.
Antique places all over the place, if you like (still love my $5 pewter pitcher from a cavernous barn store. Oh, yeah; you like old barns?)
More than I can list, but those are some ideas.

A modest but amazing hike can be had at Watkins Glen State Park... you can park in the lower lot and bus to the top of the trail... the downhill walk is an amazing stroll along waterfalls, rock formations and forest... take your time and enjoy the scenery...

Also consider a stop at the Baseball hall of fame in Cooperstown, the Corning Glass Museum, and Geneva on the Lake...

Geneva is gorgeous!
BTW, brush up on your glacial geology before you go (drumlins abound in the lakes area; get a great view from the top of one of them, Hill Cumorah, outside Palmyra, where the Mormons got their start).

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but can the area be explored from one central location, or are there several places where one should stay?
If so, where? for both questions.

Also, how much time should one allot for a visit?

There are sights along the northern edge of the lakes that can be accessed from RT20 and another set of attractions along the bottom of the lakes in and around Watkins Glen... I usually recommend that you drive along either N or S and then cut down along the sides of one or more lakes... kind of a circle... there are several wineries and your choice of attractions would determine your route... I think 3 days is plenty with stops... we have done a thursday-saturday returning home on Sunday and almost everything is open on Fri/Sat...

I would plan a Watkins Glen stop for a night and a Geneva stop... have a look at a region map to see what you want to do...

Wow! Had no idea. Sounds lovely. Thanks everyone.