Things to Do in the Finger Lakes: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
The Finger Lakes in upstate New York are eleven long, narrow glacial lakes surrounded by vineyards, waterfalls and charming towns. Watkins Glen's gorge, the wineries of Seneca and Cayuga lakes, Ithaca's waterfalls, the Corning Museum of Glass and pretty Skaneateles make the region a top destination for wine lovers and hikers.
This guide covers the best things to do in Finger Lakes, with itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 days, ideas for weekends, couples and families, local food, where to stay and how to get around.
Top things to see in Finger Lakes
Watkins Glen State Park
Gorge with 19 waterfalls.
Seneca Lake Wine Trail
Dozens of wineries.
Ithaca
Gorges and college town.
Taughannock Falls
Tall waterfall.
Corning Museum of Glass
Glass art and demos.
Skaneateles
Lakeside village.
Letchworth State Park
Grand Canyon of the East.
Geneva
Lakefront town.
Finger Lakes in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Watkins Glen
Hike the Gorge Trail in Watkins Glen State Park, passing 19 waterfalls in two miles, including the famous Rainbow Falls and stone bridges. Lunch in Watkins Glen. In the afternoon, take a cruise on Seneca Lake and visit a couple of wineries on the lake's east side for Riesling tastings.
2Day 2 · Corning
Visit the Corning Museum of Glass with 3,500 years of glassmaking history and live hot glass demos, and make your own glass piece. Lunch on Market Street in Corning's Gaffer District. In the afternoon, the Rockwell Museum of American Western art and dinner back on Seneca Lake.
3Day 3 · Ithaca
Explore Ithaca with Cascadilla Gorge, the Cornell campus and the Ithaca Commons. Lunch at the Ithaca Farmers Market or Moosewood Restaurant. In the afternoon, see Taughannock Falls, taller than Niagara at 215 feet, and visit wineries on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.
Finger Lakes in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Seneca Lake wine trail
Spend a full day tasting at wineries such as Hermann J. Wiemer and Dr. Konstantin Frank on Keuka Lake. Lunch at a winery café. Evening at a lakeside inn in Hammondsport.
5Day 5 · Skaneateles
Drive east to Skaneateles for its lakeside village, boat cruise and shops. Lunch on the waterfront. Afternoon kayaking on clear water and dinner in town. Skaneateles Lake is one of the cleanest lakes in the country, and its water is so pure it supplies Syracuse unfiltered.
Finger Lakes in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Letchworth State Park
Day trip to Letchworth, the 'Grand Canyon of the East', with three major waterfalls. Picnic lunch. Return in the evening. Letchworth is about two hours west of Ithaca, with trails along the rim and a hot-air balloon option in summer.
7Day 7 · Farewell
Morning at the Geneva lakefront, last bottles of Riesling and ice wine, and a farewell dinner at a farm-to-table restaurant overlooking the water. Geneva's Seneca Lake State Park is perfect for a last stroll by the water.
What to do in Finger Lakes on a weekend
Things to do in the Finger Lakes on a weekend? Saturday: Watkins Glen and Seneca wineries. Sunday: Ithaca and Taughannock Falls.
Harvest season and fall foliage in September and October.
What to do in Finger Lakes in the evening
In the evening, lakeside sunsets and winery dinners.
Ithaca Commons.
Finger Lakes for couples
For couples, wine tasting, a lake cruise and a B&B.
Finger Lakes with kids
With kids, Watkins Glen, the Corning glass studio and the Sciencenter in Ithaca.
What to eat in Finger Lakes
Riesling
Signature wine.
Grape pie
Naples, NY specialty.
Cornell chicken
Barbecue.
Cheese
Local farms.
Ice wine
Dessert wine.
Where to stay in Finger Lakes: best areas
Watkins Glen
Seneca Lake.
Ithaca
College town.
Hammondsport
Keuka Lake.
Skaneateles
Upscale.
What to do in Finger Lakes when it rains
Things to do in the Finger Lakes when it rains? Corning Museum of Glass, wineries, Rockwell Museum and Sciencenter.
How much does a trip to Finger Lakes cost?
Expect $180–350 per night.
Practical tips for Finger Lakes
Best time to visit
June–October.
Getting around
Car essential.
Our practical tips
- Hike early at Watkins Glen.
- Designated driver.
- Book fall weekends.
- Waterproof shoes.
- Lake cruises.
- Farm stands.
Mistakes to avoid
- Gorge Trail in winter (closed).
- Too many wineries in a day.
- Peak weekends without booking.
- Swimming near falls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in the Finger Lakes?
Watkins Glen, wineries and Ithaca.
Best town to stay?
Watkins Glen or Ithaca.
When is the Gorge Trail open?
Mid-spring to fall.
Best time?
Summer and fall.