We're looking to spend about a week in this area in late Sept-early October. Can anyone suggest a driving itinerary? We like small towns, scenery, easy hikes, offbeat museums, farmers markets. Accommodations can be comfortable but not fancy!

Rt 20 runs along the north of the Finger Lakes and offers much of what you are looking for... type in Finger Lakes into the Search box above as there have been several posts lately...

Make sure you try hikes at Letchworth State Park and Watkins Glen State Park... Beee utifulll!

It also helps with a driving itinerary if you let us know where you are coming from...

The area around Ithaca is beautiful with good hiking options. Tremen State Park has a walk up a gorge with waterfalls and a beautiful swimming area, although you'll be too late in the season to swim. Some might feel hiking the full trail is more moderate than easy, but you can cut it short at a turn-around. Here's a link: http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/135/details.aspx

Also nearby with good hiking - Buttermilk Falls State Park http://www.nysparks.com/parks/151/details.aspx

Also, Taughannock Falls http://www.taughannock.com/