The Finger Lakes.

NORTH AMERICA/UNITED STATES/42.7235° N, 76.9298° W

Glaciers carved eleven narrow gouges through the Allegheny Plateau, leaving steep slate slopes that trap lake breezes and keep vinifera vines alive through brutal upstate winters. Drive across Route 20 or south along Seneca and Cayuga, and the landscape snaps between roadside farm stands selling sour cherry pies, damp shale gorges roaring with meltwater, and austere cellars pouring bone-dry Riesling. It is unpretentious country where winemakers still wear work boots and lunch is often salt beef on rye.

Last updated 31 Aug 2026

Field notes

Photographs · Wikimedia Commons
North America / United States42.72°N 76.93°W
The Finger Lakes — New York's Finger Lakes
New York's Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes — The Great Lakes of North America
The Great Lakes of North America
The Finger Lakes — The finger lakes of central New York (1921) (20811074115)
The finger lakes of central New York (1921) (20811074115)

What The Finger Lakes is about

Twelve ways to read the region. Pick a town below and you can turn any of these into a timed 1, 2 or 3 day plan.

WINE & VINEYARDS

Dry Riesling and Cabernet Franc thrive on the steep shale banks above Seneca Lake, where deep water prevents early frosts.

HIKING

Trek the damp limestone staircases of Watkins Glen and Robert H. Treman state parks, passing dozens of plunge waterfalls.

LOCAL PRODUCE

Roadside farm stands on Route 96 sell Concord grapes, sweet corn, sour cherries, and fresh cider pressed every autumn.

LAKE LIFE

Rent a kayak or small motorboat on Keuka and Skaneateles lakes, where clear waters invite quiet afternoon swimming.

CRAFT BEER

Taprooms pouring farmhouse ales, hazy IPAs, and hard ciders flank the scenic lakeside shoulders of Route 414.

HISTORIC TOWNS

Greek Revival mansions and 19th-century brick storefronts line village streets in Geneva, Aurora, and Skaneateles.

CHEESE TRADITIONS

Follow the regional cheese trail to sample raw milk gouda, aged cheddars, and fresh goat curds from small family barns.

CANAL HISTORY

Watch working tugs and pleasure craft clear century-old stone locks along the historic Cayuga-Seneca Canal.

GLASS ART

Explore three millennia of glassmaking history and live hot-shop furnaces at the world-class museum in Corning.

STATE PARKS

Taughannock Falls drops 215 feet over sheer sandstone cliffs, towering above standard trails near Cayuga Lake.

LOCAL DINING

Expect diner breakfasts, lake perch sandwiches, tavern fish fries on Fridays, and farm-driven dinners in restored barns.

ROAD TRIPS

Wind along scenic state routes 14, 54A, and 89, connecting sleepy hamlet marinas and vineyard-lined hilltops.

Where to go in The Finger Lakes

The bases worth booking. Each one has its own field guide with 1, 2 and 3 day itineraries.

  1. 01
    Ithaca

    NEW YORK / UNITED STATES

    College-town bookshops, deep gorges with hiking trails, and a bustling weekend farmers market at the lake.

  2. 02
    Watkins Glen

    NEW YORK / UNITED STATES

    Sit at the foot of Seneca Lake for access to dramatic gorge trails and top-tier dry Riesling cellars.

  3. 03
    Geneva

    NEW YORK / UNITED STATES

    A working lakefront city with rowdy dining, brick streetscapes, and the northern hub of Seneca wine country.

  4. 04
    Skaneateles

    NEW YORK / UNITED STATES

    A pristine eastern lake village with historic inns, polished wooden boats, and pleasant lakeside docks.

  5. 05
    Hammondsport

    NEW YORK / UNITED STATES

    Anchor yourself at the southern tip of Y-shaped Keuka Lake for seaplanes, aviation history, and local wine.

  6. 06
    Corning

    NEW YORK / UNITED STATES

    Home to the legendary glass museum and a historic downtown lined with brick storefronts on Market Street.

  7. 07
    Aurora

    NEW YORK / UNITED STATES

    A tiny village on Cayuga Lake defined by restored Federal-style architecture and wide lakefront lawns.

  8. 08
    Penn Yan

    NEW YORK / UNITED STATES

    Mennonite farm stands, peaceful Keuka Lake views, and quiet mills anchor this unassuming farming hub.

  9. 09
    Canandaigua

    NEW YORK / UNITED STATES

    A western hub with a stately main street, historic boat houses on City Pier, and quiet parks.

  10. 10
    Trumansburg

    NEW YORK / UNITED STATES

    A quiet village near Taughannock Falls with a beloved grass-roots music scene and good bakery counters.

  11. 11
    Naples

    NEW YORK / UNITED STATES

    Tucked into the southern hills, this town is famous for purple grape pies and autumn foliage drives.

  12. 12
    Seneca Falls

    NEW YORK / UNITED STATES

    A historic canal town featuring women's rights landmarks, brick bridges, and classic upstate diners.

What to do in The Finger Lakes

Spanning eleven glacial finger lakes across central New York, this region trades pomp for honest agriculture, exceptional cool-climate wines, and deep gorges. Days revolve around lake breezes, vineyard tastings along Route 414, and hiking damp state park trails. It suits road-trippers, wine enthusiasts, and anyone who prefers roadside cider doughnuts and unvarnished lakeside taverns to crowded resorts.

When to go to The Finger Lakes

Late spring brings roaring waterfalls and quiet cellar tasting rooms. July and August deliver warm lake swimming, though crowds peak on summer weekends. Autumn, especially October, is the sweet spot: grape harvests begin, roadside apple stands open, and the valley foliage turns brilliant crimson.

Getting around The Finger Lakes

A car is essential. Driving from Ithaca at the base of Cayuga to Geneva at the top of Seneca takes about an hour, while crossing between adjacent lakes takes 20 to 30 minutes over rolling ridge roads. State routes 14, 89, and 54A provide the most scenic lakeside routes.