Finger Lakes Blog

Watkins Glen State Park and Other Hikes

One of the most enchanting places for a leisurely hike in New York State is Watkins Glen State Park. Located steps from Watkins Glen’s main street, the two-mile Gorge Trail boasts 19 cascading waterfalls. Visitors can also hike the rim trails overlooking the 200-ft cliffs from above. The state park is closed during the winter months. However, hikers and outdoor lovers can still explore by visiting the year-round Catherine Valley, which allows visitors to

Market Street

Shop, eat, and drink along Market Street in the heart of Corning’s Gaffer District, where you’ll find independently owned local shops, cafés, restaurants, and places to grab your favorite local beverage along this quaint, tree-lined street. Learn more about the Gaffer District’s gorgeous 19th-century buildings through their Buildings Alive self-guided historic architecture tour. For your home away from home, check out the Radisson Hotel Corning, conveniently located at the east

The Village

In the summer, the Village of Hammondsport is bustling with lake house residents and vacationers who enjoy the village's small-town feel and welcoming community. There is live music and art shows in the park, as well as boat shows and other festivities to engage locals and visitors alike. Depot Park is a popular hangout spot for beachgoers and boaters and a beautiful place to take in the sunsets.

In the winter, the village is a bit quieter and still, and reminiscent of those beloved

The holiday season is one of the most festive and exciting times to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country. As the weather cools and the days become shorter, the holiday spirit fills the air, and the region transforms into the set of a Hallmark holiday movie.

From where to cut your Christmas tree to Santa sightings and holiday performances, we’ve created this guide to help you enjoy the most wonderful time of the year in Finger Lakes Wine Country. We’ve included family-friendly festivities,

Keuka Lake Wine Trail

Penn Yan is located on the north end of the east branch of Y-shaped Keuka Lake, one of the premier locations for exploring the region's best wine along the Keuka Lake Wine Trail. The family-owned member wineries of the Keuka Lake Wine Trail are dedicated to producing wines of the highest quality and making your visit to our area truly enjoyable and memorable. Before visiting the wineries, call ahead when traveling with larger groups, and though many of the wineries are

Mark Twain Country

One of the most famous figures in American literature, Samuel Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, spent his summers in Elmira for more than 20 years. Learn more when you visit the Mark Twain Study and Exhibit on the beautiful campus of Elmira College. Twain spent his summers in Elmira and where he penned some of his most famous pieces of literature in the octagonal study, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Life on the

The beautiful town of Owego features great independently and locally owned shops, restaurants, and cafés, as well as some of the best antique shops and impressive bookstores in the region. It is surrounded by stately Victorian homes and 19th-century architecture. Curiosity seekers can’t miss the Early Owego Antique Center or Bostwick Antique Mall & Auctions for great treasure finds. Grab a sandwich or soup at The Owego Kitchen, or satisfy your sweet tooth at Owego Donut and Beer. Grab a drink

When traveling around Seneca Lake and toward neighboring Keuka Lake, you will surely come upon the Village of Dundee, NY, and the nearby hamlet of Himrod, NY. Here are a few interesting facts about Dundee, a worthy stop during your travels around Finger Lakes Wine Country: 1) Formerly known as Harpending's Corners, the Village held a contest in the mid-1800s in search of a new name. Dundee, the name of a Scottish hymn and a much larger city in Scotland, won out. 2) While Seneca Lake is often

Since 2021 we've been celebrating Juneteenth in the Finger Lakes and this year was filled with incredible moments. From music performances and poetry to art and dance the Juneteenth celebration in Elmira, New York was a celebration of culture. The annual event is organized by the Elmira Economic Opportunity Program and was held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Ernie Davis Park.

Although it's been celebrated for years in African American communities, Juneteenth is a new federal holiday

Spring in Finger Lakes Wine Country is one of the seasons most underrated by travelers looking for an escape. But this spring, like its autumn counterpart, is abuzz with movement. The vineyards are busily being groomed and pruned, gardens are spruced up and prepped for new growth, and visitors and wine-lovers start to get a sense of what newly released wines will be available to taste and take home. Off the vineyard, as the snow melts and we welcome warmer weather, there are many great