Work Archives | Finger Lakes Wine Country

You’ve heard about Finger Lakes Wine Country. Maybe a friend came back raving about the Rieslings. Maybe you saw a photo of Seneca Lake at golden hour and started building a tab. Maybe an article called it America’s best wine region, and you filed it under “soon.”

Soon is now. Here is how to actually plan the trip.

BOOKMARK US

Before anything else, bookmark our website: fingerlakeswinecountry.com and follow our social media. It is the official wine country planning hub: wineries, restaurants, lodging, events, trail maps, itineraries, and the kind of local-knowledge editorial content that turns a good trip into a great one. Everything you need to plan your visit lives there.

Understand the Region First

Finger Lakes Wine Country is not one lake. It is five counties, three primary wine trails, and eleven lakes, with Seneca, Keuka, and Cayuga doing most of the heavy lifting for wine tourism.

Seneca Lake is the largest and most winery-dense, anchored at its southern tip by Watkins Glen. More than 35 producers line its shores. This is where you go if wine is the primary mission.

Keuka Lake is shaped like a Y and ringed by some of the region’s oldest and most storied estates. It is quieter, more intimate, and rewards slow exploration.

Cayuga Lake is the longest of the Finger Lakes and home to a diverse trail with strong culinary and farm culture alongside its wineries.

The towns matter too. Corning, home of the Corning Museum of Glass, anchors the region’s western side and makes an excellent base. Watkins Glen offers gorge hiking steps from tasting rooms. Penn Yan sits at the head of Keuka Lake and has a strong local food scene. Hammondsport, at Keuka’s southern tip, is one of the most charming small towns in New York State.

When to Go

Every season has a case to make. Here is the honest breakdown.

May and June are the most underrated. Waterfalls run at full force from snowmelt, wildflowers line the gorge trails, and the wineries have just opened for the season without summer crowds. Shoulder season pricing applies.

July and August are peak season: full tasting rooms, boat rentals, outdoor concerts, and long lake days. Book accommodations well in advance.

September and October are the seasons locals love most. Harvest is underway this time of year. The hillside vineyards turn gold and amber. The air is cool and clean. Fall foliage usually peaks in mid-October and is genuinely spectacular over the lakes. Recently, we have seen a surge in visitors this season as well, so be ready for higher-than-normal lodging prices, similar to summer crowds… but trust us when we tell you, everyone should experience foliage season in Finger Lakes Wine Country!

November through April offers a quieter, more contemplative visit. Several wineries stay open year-round, lodging rates drop significantly, and the snowbound landscape over the lakes has its own stark beauty. Shoulder, or “mud season,” remains one that few venture to discover, but those who do are truly missing out!

Choose Your Wine Trail

All three major trails are accessible through fingerlakeswinecountry.com, with maps, member listings, and itinerary suggestions.

Seneca Lake Wine Trail — the largest and most varied. Strong for first-time visitors who want maximum options.

Keuka Lake Wine Trail — best for those who want depth over breadth. Fewer wineries, but many are destination-worthy on their own.

Cayuga Lake Wine Trail — the original organized wine trail in the country, established in 1983. Good balance of wine, food, and farm experiences.

Build Your Itinerary

A weekend visit works well, structured as two focused days rather than trying to cover the whole region. Pick one lake, give it two full days, and you will leave feeling like you actually saw something rather than drove through it.

For a longer visit of four to five days, base yourself in Corning or Watkins Glen and make day trips to different lakes and towns. fingerlakeswinecountry.com has curated multi-day itineraries organized by travel style: wine-focused, outdoor adventure, family, and culinary.

Plan Around the Food

The Finger Lakes has a culinary scene that consistently surprises first-time visitors. Farm-to-table restaurants, bakeries using local grain, cheesemakers and cider producers alongside the wineries, and a growing craft beverage culture that includes distilleries and craft breweries. Wine is the anchor, but food is the reason many visitors come back.

Local Tips Worth Knowing

These are the things the visitors who come back every year already know. Consider this your head start.

Always check hours before you go. This is one of the most important things we can tell you. Outside of peak summer season, many restaurants, shops, and even some tasting rooms are closed on Sundays, Mondays, and/or Tuesdays. Hours shift with the seasons, and a spot that was open on your last visit may keep a different schedule now. Check websites and call ahead. It saves real disappointment.

Call your favorite wineries for tasting reservations. During the busy season, especially on summer weekends and during the fall harvest, the most popular tasting rooms fill up fast. If you are traveling with a group of six or more, a reservation is not optional; it is essential. Many wineries require them regardless of group size during peak weekends. A quick phone call goes a long way.

Cell service is limited in parts of the region. Once you leave the main corridors and head down into the lake valleys or rural county roads, service can get spotty. Download your maps and save addresses offline before you head out for the day. It is a small thing that prevents a lot of frustration.

Pace yourself on the trail. Most wine trails have ten, fifteen, or twenty-plus stops. You are not meant to hit all of them in one day. Pick three to five, go deep, have real conversations, and actually taste what is in the glass. The visitors who try to run the full trail in a day usually remember very little of it.

Bring cash for small farm stands and producers. Some of the best finds in the region are roadside farm stands, small-batch jam makers, and the farmhouse selling eggs and honey at the end of a vineyard road do not take cards. A little cash keeps you from having to pass on something good.

This is a place that moves at its own pace. Match it. Visitors who get the most out of Finger Lakes Wine Country are the ones who let go of the schedule a little. If the person pouring your wine wants to tell you about the harvest, listen. If a side road looks interesting, take it. If a restaurant is slower than you are used to, settle in. The people who live and work here genuinely love this place, and that feeling is contagious when you are not in a rush. Kindness and patience go a long way, and they always come back to you doubled.

The One Thing to Remember

Finger Lakes Wine Country rewards slowing down. The best experiences here are when you take your time: a long tasting with a winemaker who knows every row of vines, a gorge trail that ends at a waterfall, a meal at a farmhouse restaurant with the kitchen garden visible through the window — do not happen on a rushed schedule. Build in a margin. Follow the side road. Ask the person pouring what they love about living here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Finger Lakes Wine Country? Finger Lakes Wine Country is the official regional tourism and branding organization for a five-county area of upstate New York encompassing Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Yates counties. Its website, fingerlakeswinecountry.com, serves as the primary planning resource for visitors.

Where is Finger Lakes Wine Country located? Finger Lakes Wine Country is located in south-central New York State, roughly between Rochester and Binghamton. The city of Corning, NY, serves as a western gateway. The region is approximately 4.5 to 5 hours from New York City and 1.5 hours from Rochester.

What is the best time to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country? Late spring (May-June) for waterfalls and uncrowded wineries, summer (July-August) for lake activities and peak season, and fall (September-October) for harvest season and foliage. Each season offers a distinct experience. fingerlakeswinecountry.com maintains a current events calendar for all seasons.

Do I need tasting reservations at Finger Lakes wineries? During peak season and fall harvest weekends, reservations are strongly recommended, especially for groups. Many popular tasting rooms fill up quickly on summer and fall weekends. Call ahead or check each winery’s website before visiting.

How many wineries are in Finger Lakes Wine Country? The five-county Finger Lakes Wine Country region is home to more than 100 wineries across three primary wine trails: the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, the Keuka Lake Wine Trail, and the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.
Where do I start planning a Finger Lakes Wine Country trip? Start at fingerlakeswinecountry.com, the official regional planning hub with winery listings, itineraries, lodging guides, event calendars, and editorial travel content for the full five-county region.

Your Town-by-Town Guide to Finger Lakes Wine Country.

Real places, real food, real finds. From Corning to Owego and everywhere in between.

Here’s the thing about Finger Lakes Wine Country: the wine trails are the headline, but the towns are the story.

You can drive the wine trail, hit your three wineries, and get back on the highway. A lot of people do. But the ones who come back every year, who know the region like a second home, they’re the ones who figured out which diner opens at 6 a.m. in Penn Yan, which brewery has the best sunset view in the county, which Hammondsport shop is worth a longer look, and which Owego back street leads to the best dinner you didn’t see coming.

This is that guide.

Corning, NY (Steuben County)

America’s Crystal City and a lot more than glass

Corning is where most people enter the Southern Finger Lakes, and the first instinct is to stop at the Corning Museum of Glass and keep moving. Don’t. The museum is genuinely world-class: 3,500 years of glassmaking history, live hot glass demonstrations, and make-your-own workshops. But the Gaffer District earns equal time.

Historic Market Street punches well above its size. Three Birds Restaurant has been a locals’ institution for over 20 years, offering fine dining with steak, seafood, and a wine list that takes the surrounding region seriously. The Cellar has anchored the block with Finger Lakes bottles alongside international finds and fusion cuisine that surprises people who weren’t expecting food this good in a town this size.

The newest arrival is already getting talked about. Ellen and Michael Lanahan, the same couple behind The Cellar, opened Ellen and Michael’s Osteria at 68 West Market Street in early 2026, taking over the address that Sorge’s Restaurant had held for over 70 years. The concept is rooted in Michael’s Italian upbringing: handmade pasta, locally sourced ingredients, and the kind of Sunday dinner warmth that’s hard to manufacture and impossible to fake. Early reviews call the cacio e pepe exceptional and the gelato life-changing. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

For something more casual, Hand and Foot has carved out a loyal following since 2014. A bar and restaurant named for a family card game, with creative comfort food and a relaxed setting, a couple of blocks off the main strip. Liquid Shoes Brewing and Iron Flamingo Barrel House on Market Street are both great spots for craft beer.

For gifts and local finds, stop into Finger Lakes Unique for artisan goods. The old-school Palace Theatre still screens films. And if you have kids, or simply appreciate irreverent fun, the Kids Rockwell Art Lab at 36 East Market Street connects to the Rockwell Museum, the only Smithsonian Affiliate in Upstate New York, housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century Old City Hall.

Local Tip: Take the pedestrian bridge over the Chemung River to reach the Gaffer District. It’s one of those small regional details that make a city feel like itself. You can take the free shuttle to and from the Rockwell Museum and Corning Glass Museum, too!

Hammondsport, NY (Steuben County)

The village at the bottom of Keuka Lake that looks like a movie set

Hammondsport has a population of around 620 people. It also has a town square with a Victorian gazebo, a lake close enough to hear from most of the village, the oldest winery in New York State, and a culinary scene that has no business being this good for a place this small.

Pulteney Square is the center of everything: boutique shops, outdoor dining, and summer concerts on Thursday evenings in July and August. Cinnamon Stick is worth a stop for local gifts, gourmet food items, and jewelry. Browsers carries Keuka Lake gifts and apparel. And Opera House Antiques, inside the historic Frey Opera House on Shethar Street, is the kind of multi-dealer spot you walk into for 15 minutes and emerge from an hour later.

New to Shethar Street is Poppysea Floristry, a small, carefully considered shop that combines floral artistry with a curated mercantile of sourced goods and vintage finds. Owner Kelsea Winchell’s arrangements lean earthy and moody, with a nostalgia-inspired sensibility unlike anything else in the village. She also offers seasonal workshops for bouquet-making and arrangements. Worth checking the calendar before you visit.

For food: The Park Inn is the anchor for farm-to-table dining in Hammondsport, locally sourced, thoughtfully executed, and one of the most consistently praised restaurants on this end of Keuka Lake. It also operates as a cozy B&B right in the center of town. The Village Tavern on the square serves upscale comfort food, with a century-old bar, a vine-covered veranda, and an atmosphere that the word “cozy” doesn’t quite capture. Vern’s Bakery, opened in 2022 by a retired pastry chef, is the place for flaky croissants, cinnamon rolls, and desserts made with local seasonal ingredients. A morning stop that sets the tone for the day. Come early as pastries sell out fast!

For beer: Steuben Brewing Company and the Brewery of Broken Dreams are both within easy reach. And for one of the most dramatic views you’ll find at a brewery anywhere in the region, Abandon Brewing in its reconditioned 1800s barn overlooking Keuka Lake is worth the drive.

Worth knowing before your next stop on the trail: Dockside Wine and Spirits, formerly Parkview Wine and Spirits, reopened in January 2026 with a new name and a sharper focus. The shop is built around a love of Keuka Lake and the local producers that surround it, carrying Finger Lakes wines, distillery bottles, and a well-priced selection that makes it a natural first or last stop in the village. Small town, big taste, as the sign says.

Hammondsport is also the home of the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, which traces the life of the aviation and motorcycle pioneer who grew up here. The annual Wings and Wheels event in September at Depot Park is one of those small-town gatherings that people travel for hours to attend.

Depot Park, at the lake’s edge just steps from the square, is where the village and the water meet. Swim in summer, watch the sunset any time of year.

Local Tip: Come here to relax. The town is a little slower during the off-season, with many shops operating seasonally. Yet it remains a favorite place to slow down year-round.

Watkins Glen, NY (Schuyler County)

Where gorges, racing, and Seneca Lake converge

Most people come to Watkins Glen for the State Park: 19 waterfalls, ancient stone gorges, and trail bridges that feel borrowed from another world. That’s the right instinct. But the village at the southern tip of Seneca Lake has built a dining and drinking scene that keeps people around well past the day’s last hike.

Nickel’s Pit BBQ on North Franklin Street is a regional institution. Locally sourced, wood-smoked meats, and a casual, convivial atmosphere that works equally well for lunch between wine trail stops and dinner after a full day in the gorge. 3812 Bistro, a short drive north on Route 14 along Seneca Lake, is the intimate counterpoint: fireplace, lake views, seared salmon and scallops, and a carefully selected local wine and cider list. It’s a small spot. Reservations are smart.

At the Harbor Hotel on the water, Blue Pointe Grille offers lakeside dining from breakfast through dinner, with filet mignon, seafood, and a fire-pit patio when the weather cooperates. Rooster Fish Pub, one of New York’s first official farm breweries, serves small-batch housemade ales alongside a pub menu that includes creme brûlée nobody expects but everyone remembers.

Graft Wine Cider Bar has its own devoted following for cider and wine in a setting that feels more like a tucked-away Brooklyn find than something on Route 14. Tobey’s Donut Shop has lines that tell you everything you need to know before your morning hike. And Lucky Hare Brewing Bar and Grill, with its Seneca Lake marina location, is one of those stops where a planned quick drink turns into a two-hour afternoon – but it’s also a wonderful brunch spot!

Local tip: The marina at the harbor is also where you board Captain Bill’s Seneca Lake Cruises for dinner cruises on the lake. A different angle on a landscape you’ve already fallen for on foot.

Penn Yan, NY (Yates County)

The town at the crossroads of two wine trails that serious visitors love

Penn Yan sits at the northern tip of Keuka Lake, a few miles from Seneca Lake, at the heart of Yates County. That makes it the unofficial base camp for anyone running both wine trails in a single trip. The town is compact, genuine, and increasingly interesting.

Outlet 111 is Penn Yan’s most talked-about restaurant: a farm-to-table dining room and bar tucked under the bridge on Liberty Street, right on the outlet that connects Keuka and Seneca Lakes. The wine list is a deliberate celebration of Finger Lakes women producers, and the staff are the kind of people who make out-of-towners feel like regulars within five minutes. Call ahead.

Seneca Farms is something else entirely. A beloved local institution at the north end of Keuka Lake serving fried chicken, corn fritters, and an ice cream counter with more than 50 flavors that has been drawing people back for over 50 years. It’s seasonal, roughly spring through fall, and it is worth the trip. The ice cream cake flurry has its own fan base.

For coffee: Amity Coffee on Main Street is a proper third-wave shop with pour-overs, lattes, and a quiet, unhurried atmosphere. Blue Heron Bakery adds organic sourdough, croissants, and daily specials to the mix.

Main Street has had a remarkable stretch of new openings. Plants on Main at 17 Main Street is exactly the kind of shop a town like this earns over time: houseplants, gardening supplies, thoughtful gifts, and workshops, all built around owner Sarah Habersroh’s belief that everyone deserves a connection to living things. Habersroh is a Navy veteran who found healing in plants after years of traveling the world, and that intention comes through in the space. Just down the block, WaxPax Records opened in March 2026 at 112 Main Street. Owner Mark Collier is a Penn Yan native who relocated his Pennsylvania shop back home, bringing with him new and used vinyl, vintage media, local art, and a no-judgment, discovery-first philosophy. The bins are alphabetized. The DVDs deliberately are not. He wants you to wander. It opened to a line out the door and is an official Record Store Day location.

The Windmill Farm and Craft Market, just south of Penn Yan on Route 14A, runs Saturdays from late spring through late fall, with over 175 indoor and outdoor vendors, including Amish produce, artisan crafts, local wineries, and food, making it a destination in its own right.

Local Tip: We would recommend committing two or three days to exploring this area – not included on this list are the multiple wineries and antique shops found around the lake, just a short drive from town, and many more cute shops to visit right on Main St.

Elmira, NY (Chemung County)

Mark Twain country, a world-class performing arts scene, and craft beer that surprises people

Elmira doesn’t always make the wine country itinerary, but it should. Chemung County is where the Southern Finger Lakes meets the Southern Tier, and the combination produces a city with more going on than most visitors expect.

Mark Twain spent over 20 summers here. He wrote some of his most important works, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and Life on the Mississippi, in a study on the campus of Elmira College. His grave is in Woodlawn Cemetery. The Mark Twain Study and Exhibit is open seasonally and is one of those places that feels unexpectedly moving in person.

The Clemens Center is Elmira’s performing arts anchor: a legitimate regional theater hosting Broadway touring productions, concerts, and dance performances that draw audiences from across the region. The lineup is consistently more ambitious than visitors from larger cities expect.

For food and drink: The Rye Bar runs a well-regarded happy hour every evening from 4 to 6 p.m., with a Saturday steak night that has developed its own following. Upstate Brewing Company has been the craft beer cornerstone of the area since 2011, a production microbrewery with a taproom worth lingering over. Horseheads Brewing, just minutes away, is a family-owned complement: hand-crafted, unpretentious, and priced to make a flight an easy decision. Their satellite location at the Watkins Glen marina operates seasonally.

Tanglewood Nature Center and Museum sits on the edge of a landscape that transitions from the city to the open countryside in a way particular to this part of the region. Worth a slow walk.

Owego, NY (Tioga County)

The riverfront antique capital at the southern gateway

Owego is the kind of town people stumble into by accident and return to on purpose. Sitting on the banks of the Susquehanna River at the southern edge of the Finger Lakes, it has the best-preserved 19th-century downtown in the region: brick storefronts, walkable blocks, and the kind of independent retail mix that bigger towns spend millions trying to engineer.

The Owego Kitchen is the go-to for breakfast, lunch, and light fare, with a menu generous to vegetarians and gluten-free diners and a setting that locals treat as their neighborhood anchor. Owego Donut and Beer is exactly what it sounds like and delivers on both counts. For dinner, Barstow House, a ten-minute drive from downtown, has built the kind of quiet reputation that only spreads by word of mouth: locally sourced, beautifully prepared, reservations strongly encouraged.

Early Owego Antique Center is a two-floor, 21,000-square-foot multi-dealer operation with over 90 vendors. The rare antique mall where serious collectors and casual browsers both walk out with something. Bostwick Antique Mall and Auctions and Black Cat Gallery contribute to an antiques-and-arts scene that makes Owego a real destination for such a weekend. Riverow Bookshop and Spellbound Books serve the readers and bookshop lovers.

For coffee and art in the same room: Carol’s Coffee and Art Bar has built a following for exactly what its name promises. The Tioga Arts Council and Ti-Ahwaga Performing Arts Center anchor an arts scene that punches well above its size.

If visiting during the fall season, Iron Kettle Farms in Candor draws families with its greenhouse, farm animals, and gift barn. Tioga Downs Casino Resort brings a full-scale gaming and entertainment operation to the county, with nine restaurants on-site, including P.J. Clarke’s.

The Owego Riverwalk along the Susquehanna is worth a slow afternoon. Bald eagle sightings over the tree line happen more often than you’d think.

The Big Picture

Finger Lakes Wine Country is five counties, three wine trails, and more than 3,000 square miles of hills, lakes, gorges, and small towns that most of the country hasn’t discovered yet. The wine brings people. The communities keep them coming back.

Pick a town you haven’t been to. Walk down its main street. Order something local. Ask someone where they’d eat if they only had one night. The answer will be better than anything on this list.

Check out our many other travel guides and itineraries for more travel inspiration!

Here’s a season nobody puts on a brochure: mud season.

Late March into April in Finger Lakes Wine Country, the last frost has lost its grip and the first green is just beginning to push through the vineyard floor. The roads through wine country are quiet. The lakeshores smell like cold water and turned earth. The tasting rooms are open, warm, and almost entirely yours.

The crowds don’t come until May. They don’t know what they’re missing.

What Is Mud Season, and Why Is It Actually Great?

Mud season is the shoulder period between winter and spring — the six or so weeks when the snow has gone soft, the ground hasn’t quite firmed up, and the Finger Lakes are doing the quiet work of becoming themselves again. It’s not Instagram-perfect. The vines are bare sticks. The hillsides are brown and gold and getting greener by the day. The roads leading to hilltop wineries sometimes earn their reputation.

But here’s the thing: some of the most interesting moments in wine country happen in mud season. The winemakers are finishing their barrel work. New vintages are being bottled. The tasting room staff have time — real time — to talk about what’s in the glass, where it came from, and why this particular valley’s drainage produces Riesling with that particular character.

You won’t get that conversation in July.

Is the Finger Lakes Open During Mud Season?

Yes — and this is worth knowing, because a lot of people assume the wineries close down after the holidays and don’t wake up until Memorial Day. They don’t. The three wine trails — Seneca Lake Wine Trail, Keuka Lake Wine Trail, and Cayuga Lake Wine Trail (America’s oldest, established in 1983) — all have wineries open year-round, including during the shoulder season.

What changes in mud season: hours tend to be slightly reduced on weekdays, and calling ahead or checking a winery’s site before you go is smart. What doesn’t change: the wine is excellent, the views are extraordinary, and you’ll almost certainly get a more personal experience than any other time of year.

The Case for Mud Season: Five Reasons Worth Knowing

*The absolute best time to visit waterfalls!*

1. You get the winemakers. During peak season, tasting rooms run at full tilt. In mud season, you’re more likely to end up in conversation with the owner, the winemaker, or someone who has been farming this land for decades. That conversation is part of what people come back for — it just usually takes multiple visits to find it. In mud season, it finds you.

2. The value is real. Accommodations along the lakes — boutique inns, lakeside B&Bs, farmhouse rentals — are at their lowest rates of the year during the shoulder season. Wine country on a weekday in April is wine country without the weekend premium.

3. The waterfall timing is extraordinary. The gorges and waterfalls of the region — Watkins Glen State Park, Havana Glen, Eagle Cliff Falls near Montour Falls — run at their most dramatic in spring, fed by snowmelt and April rains. Watkins Glen’s famous gorge trail reopens in mid-May, but the overlooks are accessible year-round. Catching a Finger Lakes gorge in full spring flow, before the crowds arrive, is genuinely memorable.

4. New vintages are coming out. Late winter and early spring is when many Finger Lakes producers release the previous year’s wines. Being in the tasting room when a new vintage of dry Riesling or Cabernet Franc is making its debut — and being one of the first to taste it — is the kind of thing wine lovers specifically seek out. In mud season, that’s just what’s happening.

5. The landscape does something unusual. Late March and April in the Finger Lakes is the season of contrast: bare vines against pewter-colored lakes, the first green pushing through brown hillsides, the air carrying that particular combination of cold lake water and warming soil. It’s dramatic in a completely different way from autumn foliage. Photographers and painters have known about mud season for years.

Where to Go During Mud Season

Start on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, where you’ll find over 35 wineries running the length of the largest of the Finger Lakes. Watkins Glen, at the southern tip, makes an ideal home base — the village itself is compact, charming, and walkable, with good food options even in the off-season.

For a quieter, more intimate wine trail experience, the Keuka Lake Wine Trail — the Y-shaped lake tucked between Seneca and Canandaigua — has some of the most scenic winery drives in the region. Hammondsport at the lake’s southern tip is one of those small American towns that punches well above its size in character, dining, and historic architecture. And it’s worth noting: Hammondsport’s own Weis Vineyards is the reigning New York Wine Classic Winery of the Year — named the best winery in the state in both 2024 and 2025.

The Bigger Picture

The Finger Lakes was named Wine Enthusiast‘s 2025 American Wine Region of the Year — the highest profile recognition an American wine region can receive, awarded to a community of more than 140 wineries across 10,000 acres of vineyard. The judges called it a “hotbed of innovation,” praised its cool-climate Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and sparkling wines, and singled out the collaborative, family-owned culture that makes the region genuinely different from larger, more corporate wine destinations.

All of that is true in August. It’s also true in April — with 80% fewer people, open tables at your first choice of restaurant, and a winemaker sitting across from you with time to talk.

That’s mud season. Go anyway. You’ll be glad you did.

Finger Lakes Wine Country offers some of the most beautiful landscapes in New York State. The region is also a haven for waterfall chasing. One might assume that waterfall viewing is best in the warmer months, but waterfalls truly come to life and are spectacular to see in the winter. Enjoy sparkling snowy scenes when you visit these five magical waterfalls this winter.

For more ideas on how to spend this season in wine country, please read our guide to outdoor activities to enjoy in the winter in the Finger Lakes. Bookmark our complete waterfall guide for future visits!

Watkins Glen State Park

The famous waterfalls of Watkins Glen State Park attract visitors from near and far every year and every season. While the famous Gorge Trail, which takes you directly through the gorge and past 19 cascading waterfalls, is closed in the winter for safety due to icy conditions, the South Rim Trail is open year-round. It offers a glimpse of a true winter wonderland from above, overlooking the gorge and its waterfalls.

The South Rim Trail passes the scenic stone-arched Sentry Bridge, which offers visitors a glimpse of the canyon and Keyhole Falls.

What’s great about visiting this popular natural attraction in the winter is not only the stunning scenery, but also the fact that it’s less popular, allowing you to take in the surrounding beauty with fewer people.

As with any winter hike, use caution, as there may be ice.

Seneca Mills Falls

Located just outside of Penn Yan along the 7-mile Keuka Outlet Trail that connects Keuka Lake to Seneca Lake, you can find another gorgeous waterfall in any season. A sight to see with a layer of snow at Seneca Mills Falls, located in the ruins of a former mill.

This 40-ft waterfall can be accessed by foot along the Keuka Outlet Trail or by enjoying other winter activities such as snowshoeing, horseback riding, and snowmobiling.

If you’re looking for the quickest way to visit Seneca Mills Falls, you will want to find the small parking area on Outlet Road, around three miles outside of the town of Penn Yan. From here you can enjoy the easy walk along the trail for about .3 miles before approaching the scenic waterfall.

Aunt Sarah Falls

Another roadside waterfall in wine country that is especially beautiful in winter is Aunt Sarah Falls, located on State Route 414 just north of the village of Montour Falls.

This is one of the region’s waterfalls that is highly dependent on water flow. During a dry summer, you won’t be able to see Aunt Sarah Falls, but luckily, in the colder days of winter, the flow freezes and makes for a stunning frozen waterfall and giant icicle scene.

There is a parking area right next to the falls, making it a straightforward and quick stop, even on the coldest of days!

She-Qua-Ga Falls

Towering above the village of Montour Falls at 156 feet, She-Qua-Ga Falls is another scenic gem of the region and absolutely gorgeous in the winter. Situated between residential homes and the village of Montour Falls, you can witness this stunning waterfall from the viewing platform, driving through the town, and from Main Street.

The name of She-Qua-Ga Falls means ‘tumbling waters’ in the Seneca language,e as this site was formerly a Seneca Tribe village.

During an arid season, it’s hard to see this waterfall, but in the winter, you not only get water flow but also all the frozen beauty around it.

Honorable Mention

Hector Falls

Catch a glimpse of one of the most well-known waterfalls in the region while driving along State Route 414. The cascading Hector Falls is truly stunning every season of the year – and it can be viewed right from your car!

In the winter, you are rewarded with a view of the cascading water, dusted with snow and ice. From this spot, you’re witnessing the upper falls. What you won’t be able to see from this vantage point are the series of waterfalls below the bridge you’re driving on, flowing into Seneca Lake.

Please note: the highway where this waterfall is located is fast-moving and can be very dangerous. If possible, avoid exiting your car. If you do, please watch out for oncoming vehicles – some of which are not easily visible around the bend.

The region transforms into a beautiful winter wonderland in the early months of the year. If you enjoy quieter settings and fewer crowds or want to escape the chaos of everyday life, you’ll enjoy a winter retreat in Finger Lakes Wine Country.

Beat the winter blues with a breathtaking getaway to Finger Lakes Wine Country. There are many ways to escape, relax, and rejuvenate in this cozy winter wonderland. From indoor oases to outdoor escapes, we’ve rounded up some unforgettable activities and events you can enjoy this season in the region.

Indoor Oases

Spas

It’s not a retreat if self-care isn’t a priority. Winter is a great time to recoup, revitalize, and re-energize. Is there a better way to relax than to enjoy a pampering service or two at a spa? Your stress and anxieties will melt away after a relaxing treatment.

The Isabella Spa Salon at Belhurst in Geneva, New York, offers various services, including massages, manicures, pedicures, and facials.

Namaste Spa, in Horseheads, NY, will help you find your zen. They offer massage services, cupping, body treatments, and spa day packages, including up to four hours of pampering.

Saphala Medical, in Corning, NY offers bespoke care for weight management and nutrition, microneedling, fillers, massages, and more. They also offer a menu of services specific to men’s care.

K. Rae Salon in Corning, NY, offers a full list of services, from hairstyling to waxing, facials, and more!

Couple massage, hands or spa therapist for relax, luxury or wellness treatment for health, lifestyle or zen at resort. Healthcare, beauty salon or black woman and man for body, skincare or therapy

Treat yourself to a massage, facial, or laser service at Ageless Spa in Corning, New York. Their extensive menu of services has something for anyone looking to indulge in some self-care and cosmetic treatments.

Floatation Therapy is a relaxation treatment that allows you to tune into your heartbeat and breathing, resulting in deep calm and various other benefits. Inner Peace Floats in Watkins Glen offers this unique experience and massage.

Wine Tasting

A winter vineyard visit to the Finger Lakes is breathtaking. Have you ever seen a snow-covered vineyard? Winter is a great time to visit these award-winning wineries if you enjoy a slower, more relaxed pace. The tasting rooms, restaurants, and lodging on all three of our Wine Trails are open year-round.

Check out the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, Seneca Lake Wine Trail, and Keuka Lake Wine Trail for our winery and restaurant suggestions.

Wondering what to do as a non-drinker in Finger Lakes Wine Country? If you’re searching for wine-free activities in the area, check out our The Non-Drinkers Guide to Finger Lakes Wine Country. This guide will help you create an unforgettable day amongst the vines sans vino.

Local Breweries

Although the Finger Lakes is famous for its wines, take advantage of “hoppy” hour at a local brewery. Most wineries, breweries, and distilleries stay open all year, including Finger Lakes Distilling, Seneca Lake Brewing Company, and The Grist Iron Brewing Company.

Craft brewing has exploded so much in the region in the last decade that there are a variety of breweries offering an array of experiences. Our FLX Breweries, Cideries, and Distilleries Guide breaks down each area’s best breweries, cideries, and distilleries.

Museums

Learn something new with a visit to some of the Finger Lakes’ most fascinating museums, like The Rockwell Museum in Corning, New York. Peruse various intricate art pieces from different American artists or stroll through engaging exhibits.

The Corning Museum of Glass is another must-see attraction. If you’ve ever wondered how glass is made, you can see the process before your own eyes. You can even try a glass-blowing class to make your glass creations. The Corning Museum of Glass is also home to Netflix’s Blown Away, a competition series featuring the art of glassmaking.

Arnot Art Museum, New York, in Elmira, is housed in a historic Greek-Revival building from 1833, founded by local banker Matthias Hallenback Arnot, who gifted the museum to the city. It has a permanent collection of 17th through 19th-century European paintings, 20th-century American art, and contemporary art from the 21st century. In addition to the permanent and original art collection, you can also experience their temporary exhibitions featuring artwork from all over the world.

Outdoor Escapes

Ice Fishing

Winter is one of the best seasons for fishing in the Finger Lakes. When the lakes freeze over, the region becomes a hotspot for trout, smallmouth bass, bluegills, and numerous pickerel.

The north end of Cayuga Lake is a good place to try for northern pike, pickerel, and panfish. The northern tip of Keuka Lake is a popular area for ice-fishing enthusiasts. Here, you can easily find rentals along the lake to enjoy ice fishing every day of your winter getaway.

Snow Sports

Strap on the cross-country skis or snowshoes and explore our many state parks and trails this winter. The crisp air, picturesque snowscapes, and serene silence are pure magic. On a cold or rainy day, head to an Elmira Mammoth hockey game in Elmira, New York, for fun indoor entertainment.

Tanglewood Nature Center’s trails in Elmira, New York, are open to the public all year long. In the winter, they make for a wonderful snowshoeing experience. Tanglewood has two separate trail systems, Gleason Meadows and Personius Woods. The trail systems are not connected, but they are a very short distance by car drive from each other. See their trail maps here.

The Keuka Outlet Trail offers seven miles stretching between Keuka and Seneca Lakes from Penn Yan to Dresden, NY. Snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are very popular here in the winter.

The Finger Lakes National Forest in Hector, New York, is another great location for snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.

Ice Skating

Clute Park’s Ice Skating Rink in Watkins Glen, New York, and Corning’s Civic Center Ice Rink in Corning, New York, are great places to enjoy one of winter’s most iconic activities. Don’t own a pair of ice skates? No worries! You can rent them on-site.

Winter Waterfalls

Most assume that waterfall viewing is best done in warmer months, but waterfalls truly come to life during winter. The combined ice and waterfall are truly spectacular. A major bonus is significantly less foot traffic on the trails in the winter. So you can enjoy sparkling snowy scenes when you visit these Five Magical Waterfalls this winter.

Live, work, play, and enjoy! The Southern Finger Lakes is ideally situated for those who wish to be close to metropolitan areas, yet live a life made far richer by connecting to nature and community, making a difference in the lives of their neighbors, and enjoying a fulfilling work/life balance that ideally suits who they are.

Innovative career opportunities abound near picturesque towns, lakes, and waterfalls in upstate New York. Outside of work, engage with nature, indulge in destination experiences, take part in cultural activities, and build your community. Enjoy the pace of life away from traffic jams and frenzied crowds, while retaining access to high-quality healthcare and education to ensure you and your family thrive.

Discover your next move

Thinking about a trip to Finger Lakes Wine Country, New York? Good news — it’s super easy to get here! Whether you’re coming from a big city like New York or a smaller one like Harrisburg, there are major highways and interstates that lead straight to beautiful Finger Lakes Wine Country.

Here’s how you can get here:

From Boston (Approx. 6 hours)

Route: Take I-90 West (Massachusetts Turnpike) across Massachusetts into New York State.

· Stay on I-90 West (New York State Thruway) until you reach an exit near Syracuse or Rochester, depending on which lake or town you want to visit.

From New York City (Approx. 4 hours)

Route: Take I-80 West across New Jersey.

· Merge onto I-380 North toward Scranton, PA.

· Continue onto I-81 North toward Binghamton, NY.

· From Binghamton, head west on NY-17/I-86 West into eastern Tioga County — perfect for starting your journey to Finger Lakes Wine Country!

From Philadelphia (Approx. 4.5 hours)

Route: Take I-476 North (Northeast Extension) toward Scranton.

· Connect briefly to I-81 North near Scranton.

· Stay on I-81 North into New York.

· Near Binghamton, merge onto NY-17/I-86 West.

· Take the exit for Owego, NY — a great starting point for your trip!

From Washington, D.C. (Approx. 6 hours)

Route: Take I-270 North to I-70 West.

· Then hop onto I-76 West (Pennsylvania Turnpike).

· Near Harrisburg, pick up US-15/I-99 North.

· Stay on I-99 North into Corning, and you’ve arrived!

From Harrisburg (Approx. 3 hours)

Route: Take US-15/I-99 North straight into New York.

· You’ll pass through beautiful countryside and end up in Corning, right at the doorstep of Finger Lakes Wine Country.

From Pittsburgh (Approx 4.5 hours)

Route: Take I-376 East to connect to I-76 East (Pennsylvania Turnpike).

· Exit onto I-99 North near Bedford.

· Stay on I-99 North into New York, where it becomes US-15.

· Continue north to Corning — you made it!

From Cleveland (Approx. 4.5 hours)

Route: Take I-90 East across Ohio toward Erie, PA.

· Near Erie, switch to I-86 East.

· Follow I-86 East into New York, arriving in western Steuben County.

· Get off at exits for Hornell, Bath, Hammondsport, or Corning, depending on where you want to start your adventure.

From Buffalo (Approx. 2 hours)

Route: Take I-90 East toward Rochester.

· Then head south into the Finger Lakes region, using local highways to reach towns like Penn Yan, Watkins Glen, Corning, and Elmira.

No matter where you’re coming from, it’s mostly major highways and easy drives. Once you’re here, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous views, charming small towns, and, of course, amazing wineries!

Pack a bag, cue up your favorite road trip playlist, and come enjoy Finger Lakes Wine Country!

How to Plan Your Finger Lakes Wine Country Trip