Work Archives | Finger Lakes Wine Country

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!

Five Magical Waterfalls Travel Guide

A Finger Lakes Wine Country Travel Guide

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