Visitors come to the Finger Lakes for the clear waters, dramatic waterfalls, and beautiful hikes. But there’s so much more to enjoy! Sample fantastic food that highlights the bounty of this fertile region. Visit vineyards that coax delicate grapes from their vines. And explore the proud history of this one-of-a-kind destination in upstate New York.
Day 1: Ithaca, New York
Located at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, Downtown Ithaca combines college town creativity with stunning natural beauty. Fine art galleries showcase area artisans while colorful murals spill onto the streets. Sample a local microbrew, shop for vintage treasures, and catch an arthouse flick. Don’t miss Ithaca Commons, a four-block pedestrian shopping area with local restaurants, offbeat boutiques, and street vendors.
You can also shop with over 150 local farmers, chefs, and artisans at Ithaca Farmers Market. Stalls are packed with eggs, meat, and cheese; a rainbow of fresh produce; and tasty onsite eats like dim sum, hand-pulled noodles, and savory samosas. Look for unique souvenirs like blown glass, ceramic vases, and wood carvings.
If you get hungry downtown, try the vegetarian fare at Moosewood Restaurant, a sustainable hotspot for over 50 years. Feast on global dishes made the veggie way, from Moroccan chickpea stew to local burrata with heirloom tomatoes in an airy modern dining room.
No need to leave the city to explore nature! In Treman Triangle Park downtown, you’ll find the entrance to the Cascadilla Gorge Trail, a 1.32-mile stone path along the Cascadilla Creek. Follow stone staircases through ancient bedrock for a shady hike past six scenic waterfalls.
Or you could spend your afternoon exploring the arboretums and gardens at the 4,000-acre Cornell Botanic Gardens. Learn about the cultural significance of plants from around the world, or get inspired by the perennials and shrubs in the “garden rooms” of the Zucker Shrub Garden. It’s free and open year-round!
For dinner, treat yourself to lakeside eats at The BoatYard Grill. This waterfront restaurant boasts beautiful views across Cayuga Lake from the seasonal patio—perfect with a chilled glass of New York chardonnay. A wood-fired grill gives extra flavor to tender steaks, grilled lobster tail, and hearty burgers.
Spend the night in one of downtown Ithaca’s charming boutique hotels. Each room in the 1831 Argos Inn has its own unique modern-meets-vintage vibe, mixing antiques and bright pops of color. Enjoy a cocktail on the bar patio, or walk just a few steps to partake in Ithaca’s nightlife.
A couple of blocks away, The William Henry Miller Inn boasts a red brick Queen Anne facade outside, plus handsome fireplaces, intricate wood detailing, and beautiful stained glass inside. You’ll get plenty of rest in the traditional yet fresh rooms with soft, soothing color palettes. Breakfast and nightly dessert are included!
Day 2: Geneva, New York
Your next stop brings you to the northwest shore of Seneca Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes. Circling the lake is the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, whose 28-member wineries blend beautiful views and even better vino.
Charming Ventosa Vineyards is inspired by Tuscan villas, specializing in vintage Italian varietals like Tocai Friulano and Sangiovese. Share a pesto pizza and a bottle of dry red on the terrace overlooking the lake. Or visit Three Brothers Wineries and Estates, with four unique tasting experiences in one. You’ll find a playful wine barn with refreshing wine slushies, a laid-back bayou-themed winery serving sweet wine, and more.
If historic homes are your passion, take a guided tour through the 20 carefully restored rooms of the 1839 Greek Revival Rose Hill Mansion. You’ll learn about the Swan family (1850-1890) through the diaries, letters, and photographs they left behind and about the enslaved people who labored to keep the farm running.
Another historic gem is the 1894 Smith Opera House, with an ornate rust-red facade and carefully restored Art Deco-meets-Baroque interior. This theater is still active, hosting live music, dance, opera, plays, and film screenings. Attend a show, or take a Smith History Tour where you can learn local theater lore and spot its unique architecture.
For dinner in Geneva, look for restaurants that highlight the local bounty. At Ports Cafe, feast on house-cut prime steaks, fresh lake fish, and homemade desserts from the patio overlooking the lake. The house-made ricotta gnocchi with red wine braised short rib ragout is a standout.
Or book a unique dinner at FLX Table. You’ll join about 14 other diners at the restaurant’s single shared table, and the open kitchen creates an interactive experience between guests and cooks. The five-course prix fixe tasting menu changes daily based on the best seasonal ingredients.
After exploring, retreat to a historic resort for the night. Geneva on the Lake is a stunning 1914 Italianate villa with marble fireplaces, classic columns, and wood-coffered ceilings. Sip a glass of wine on the terrace, kick back by the lakefront pool, or wander the landscaped grounds as the sun sets.
Another inviting option is the 1889 Belhurst Castle, voted one of the most romantic places in New York State. Choose from the historic Castle rooms with original wood detailing or the more modern Vinifera Inn rooms with beautiful lake views and Jacuzzis. There’s a spa onsite, too, so you can treat yourself to a massage or facial.
Day 3: Skaneateles, New York
For your last day in the Finger Lakes, head east to Skaneateles at the northern edge of blue-green Skaneateles Lake. Book a fishing charter and angle for pickerel, walleye, and smallmouth pass. Or rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard for a relaxing day out on the water.
As you explore the town, make sure to enjoy a meal—any meal—at the marvelous Sherwood Inn. Stop in for corned beef hash with fresh-baked pumpernickel for breakfast, a hearty open-faced reuben for lunch, or classic American fare like Yankee Pot Roast with signature gravy for dinner.
For another taste of delectable Finger Lakes wine, visit the picturesque Anyela’s Vineyards. Stroll through the vines on this scenic hillside with sparkling lake views. Taste from a varied wine list of whites, reds, blends, and fruit liqueurs. And catch live music on their lakeside stage.
Soak up some local history at the Skaneateles Historical Society and Museum. Opened as a creamery in 1899, this bit of local heritage is now home to community artifacts, including an impressive collection of antique rowboats, skiffs, and canoes. Take a docent-guided tour to learn their stories!
For dinner, you’ll find a warm welcome at Tuscan-style Rosalie’s Cucina. Savor scallops with lemon butter and house-made pasta in the old-world dining room, surrounded by painted beams and hundreds of names scrawled on the walls. Or sit in the romantic courtyard with a stone fireplace and lush greenery.
After exploring the lake and village, retreat to the chic Parisian-style Mirbeau Inn & Spa Rhinebeck. Elegant French-inspired rooms and a dreamy outdoor pool terrace bring a little style to your stay. Float in the spa’s calming mineral bath or book a full body treatment to detox and refresh.
For a family-friendly escape, Finger Lakes Lodging is hard to beat. This lodging house is inspired by the Adirondack summer retreats built by wealthy families in the early 19th century. Lodge-style wood furniture and pot-bellied stoves keep rooms cozy—perfect for a relaxing night after a day on the lake!
