Visiting the Finger Lakes? Here’s 9 Things To Do

You’ll find endless adventure in the Finger Lakes, from hiking Watkins Glen’s 1.5-mile trail past 19 waterfalls ($10 parking) to sampling world-class Rieslings at 30+ wineries around Seneca Lake. Paddle the calm waters, watch live glassblowing demonstrations at Corning Museum, and stand beneath towering Taughannock Falls. Don’t miss Letchworth’s dramatic gorge views, Ithaca’s vibrant Commons, historic Seneca Falls, and the region’s 100+ craft breweries. Each destination offers its own seasonal magic and budget-friendly options for unforgettable experiences.

Hike the Stone Steps Through Watkins Glen’s 19 Waterfalls

When you’re looking for an unforgettable hiking experience that won’t break the bank, Watkins Glen State Park delivers with its iconic Gorge Trail—a 1.5-mile stone pathway that winds past 19 waterfalls for just $10 parking.

You’ll climb over 800 stone steps through a narrow shale gorge, gaining 400-500 feet of elevation as you ascend alongside Glen Creek.

Start at the Main Entrance and work your way up for the best waterfall views. Don’t miss walking behind Cavern Cascade or crossing the stone bridge at Rainbow Falls.

The trail’s wet and slippery, so wear good shoes. The final push up Jacob’s Ladder‘s 180 steps is steep, but you can loop back via the rim trail instead of descending those stairs again. The park is conveniently located in the Finger Lakes region near the southern tip of Seneca Lake.

Take a Wine Trail Road Trip Around Seneca or Keuka Lake

While New York’s Finger Lakes region boasts the largest wine-producing area in the Eastern United States, you don’t need a sommelier’s budget to explore its acclaimed trails around Seneca and Keuka lakes.

Seneca Lake’s wine trail stretches 70+ miles with 30-35 wineries, making it perfect for multi-day trips. The region features Seneca Lake, which is the deepest of all Finger Lakes at 618 feet.

Keuka Lake’s compact Y-shaped route offers about 20 wineries that you can easily cover over a long weekend.

Both trails specialize in cool-climate wines, especially Riesling and aromatic whites.

Most tasting rooms offer tiered flights showcasing dry, semi-dry, and sweet options.

You’ll find plenty of picnic areas and winery patios where you can pair purchased bottles with casual food while enjoying lake views.

Both trails operate year-round, so winter visits offer snowy vineyard scenery.

Get Out on the Water With Kayaking or Boating

Since the Finger Lakes stretch from 3 to 40 miles in length with calm, sheltered waters, you’ll find some of the region’s best flatwater paddling and boating without needing advanced skills or expensive gear.

Multiple marinas and outfitters rent kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and powerboats, so you won’t need to own equipment.

The glacially carved lakes offer dramatic cliff-like shorelines and deep basins—Seneca Lake reaches over 600 feet deep, while Skaneateles boasts some of the country’s clearest water.

You can explore quiet coves away from motorboat traffic or take scenic cruises on paddlewheel boats. These water activities allow visitors to enjoy unobstructed views of the lakes’ natural beauty from a unique perspective.

Check for harmful algal bloom advisories before swimming, and plan visits from late spring through early fall for ideal conditions.

Watch Glassblowers Create Art at Corning Museum of Glass

Though the Finger Lakes region draws most visitors for its scenic waters and wineries, you’ll discover one of the world’s premier glass art destinations just an hour south in Corning. The Corning Museum of Glass offers daily live demonstrations where you’ll watch artists gather, blow, and shape molten glass in their amphitheater hot shop.

Stadium-style seating and overhead cameras give you close-up views of every technique.

Beyond watching, you can try making your own glass flowers, ornaments, or beads in hands-on sessions. The museum houses over 50,000 glass objects spanning 3,500 years, from ancient Roman pieces to cutting-edge contemporary sculptures.

Plan 2-3 hours to combine galleries with multiple demonstration formats throughout the day. The museum welcomes visitors from over 35 countries, creating a truly international atmosphere during your visit.

Stand Beneath the 215-Foot Drop at Taughannock Falls

After exploring the region’s wineries and cultural attractions, you’ll find one of New York’s most spectacular natural wonders just minutes from Cayuga Lake.

Taughannock Falls towers at 215 feet, making it taller than Niagara Falls and one of the highest single-drop waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains. The waterfall has carved through ancient sea bed layers of sandstone, shale, and limestone over thousands of years.

You’ll pay around $9-10 for parking (valid at all NY state parks that day), then take the easy 0.75-mile trail to the main overlook for dramatic views from above.

For a closer look, descend the Gorge Trail to stand beneath the falls and explore the rocky creek bed. The 1.5-mile loop offers excellent photo opportunities, especially during fall foliage season.

Visit early morning to beat crowds at this jaw-dropping natural spectacle.

Explore Ithaca’s Commons and Saturday Farmers Market

Where else can you find award-winning street food, handcrafted goods, and live music all within a four-block pedestrian paradise? Ithaca’s Commons delivers exactly that experience. You’ll discover 100+ independent shops, from used bookstores to craft galleries, alongside restaurants serving everything from Korean cuisine to farm-to-table dining. Many establishments offer budget-friendly vegetarian and vegan options that cater to college students and visitors alike.

Time your visit for Saturday’s farmers market, where local vendors sell fresh produce and artisanal goods. Street performers and buskers provide free entertainment, while the Bernie Milton Pavilion hosts regular concerts. Don’t miss the Raimondo DeVincentis Water Fountain—it’s the perfect meeting spot.

The car-free design makes browsing easy, and you’ll find plenty of seating areas for people-watching between purchases. While exploring, look for the Sagan Planet Walk, an interactive scale model of the Solar System that stretches along the downtown route.

Discover Women’s Rights History in Seneca Falls

The birthplace of the American women’s rights movement sits just 45 minutes east of the Finger Lakes’ wine country in Seneca Falls. You’ll explore where Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott organized the first Women’s Rights Convention in 1848, drafting the Declaration of Sentiments that demanded equal rights and women’s suffrage.

Visit Women’s Rights National Historical Park, which preserves the original Wesleyan Chapel convention site and key organizers’ homes. The visitor center’s exhibits detail the suffrage movement and gender equality struggles.

You can tour Stanton’s house and the Hunt House in nearby Waterloo, where planning meetings occurred. The convention brought together over 300 attendees who gathered to discuss the social, civil, and religious rights of women.

Frederick Douglass supported the controversial suffrage resolution here, making this historic site essential for understanding America’s civil rights evolution.

Drive the Scenic Route Through Letchworth’s “Grand Canyon of the East”

Just 90 minutes southwest of the Finger Lakes, Letchworth State Park offers one of New York’s most spectacular scenic drives through what locals call the “Grand Canyon of the East.” You’ll wind along 17 miles of rim road where dramatic gorge views unfold at every turn, with cliffs soaring 600 feet above the Genesee River and three thundering waterfalls punctuating the landscape.

Start your drive at Mount Morris Dam and head south to Portageville, stopping at overlooks to photograph the Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls. The gorge’s ancient Devonian bedrock contains marine fossils from when this region lay beneath an inland sea millions of years ago.

The park’s 14,400 acres attract 800,000 visitors annually, so arrive early during peak summer weekends.

Winter visits offer equally stunning views of frozen waterfalls and ice formations without the crowds.

Sample Local Brews Along the Growing Craft Beer Trail

While wine often steals the spotlight in the Finger Lakes, you’ll discover one of New York’s most impressive craft beer scenes scattered across this stunning landscape. With over 100 craft breweries making up nearly 30% of New York State’s breweries, you’re looking at serious variety within driving distance.

Grab a Rochester/Finger Lakes Craft Beverage Trail Passport for deals at two dozen producers. Don’t miss Ithaca Beer Company’s world-class Flower Power IPA or Prison City’s experimental stouts in Auburn.

Start at New York Kitchen in Canandaigua to sample multiple breweries before hitting the road. The region’s craft beverage culture continues to expand with passionate makers dedicated to quality production.

Many breweries sit lakeside, combining scenic views with everything from hazy IPAs to seasonal sours. Consider joining organized tours through companies like Crush Beer & Wine Tours for safe, multi-stop experiences.

The Sum Up

You’ve got plenty of budget-friendly options to explore the Finger Lakes without breaking the bank. Pack your hiking boots for free waterfall trails, bring a picnic to enjoy lakeside, and hit up those farmers markets for affordable local treats. Many wineries offer low-cost tastings, and you can’t beat the price of a scenic drive. With smart planning, you’ll experience this region’s natural beauty and local culture without emptying your wallet.