Why New York’s Finger Lakes Are America’s Best Destination

Close your eyes and picture a place overflowing with natural beauty, romantic small towns, world-class wineries, and picturesque lakes. It’s not a fantasy, it’s the Finger Lakes! Western New York is gifted with all of the best qualities of your favorite vacation. Here is why New York’s Finger Lakes Are America’s Best Destination.

Four Seasons of Fun

There really isn’t a bad time of year to visit the Finger Lakes. Summertime is filled with sunny beach days and boating fun. Restaurant patios are filled with flowers and grassy meadows offer picturesque picnic spots. If you visit during autumn you’ll find rolling hills filled with the color of changing leaves. Red, orange, and yellow dot every surface and you can take part in annual autumn activities. Explore the haunted trail, visit a corn maze, or enjoy the fall grape harvest at any of the local wineries. Winter is perfect for skiing, snowshoeing, or simply a romantic getaway next to a fire. Spring brings flowers and a chance to catch the annual migration of birds on any hike around town. 

 

Quaint Small Towns

Dotted all across the lakes are charming towns, each with their own unique character. The most well known, Ithaca, is home to Cornell University and lies at the southern end of Cayuga Lake. The regal buildings of the university create a European village feel. You’ll also find quaint Geneva, historic Seneca Falls, and the gorgeous small town of Canandaigua. Visit one or visit them all! Learn more about our favorite spots with 5 Finger Lakes Towns to Put on Your Bucket List. 

Hiker’s Paradise

Long treks, short trails, waterfalls, and mountain tops, the Finger Lakes is home to it all. Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake are surrounded by dozens of stunning waterfalls. There are also several mountains nestled in between the lakes with panoramic views from the top. The trails around the lakes can be used almost any day of the year. Along the trails, you’ll have ample birding and wildlife spotting opportunities. 

 

World-Class Wineries

The rolling hills surrounding the Finger Lakes offer the perfect conditions for growing grapes. You’ll find wineries just about anywhere in the region. USA Today even named the Finger Lakes one of the 10 best wine regions in the country. The Finger Lakes specializes in aromatic white varieties like Riesling and Gewurztraminer as well as cool-climate reds like Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. Plan your wine tour with A Wine Lover’s Guide to the Finger Lakes to taste the best wineries in the region. 

 

Fascinating History

The Finger Lakes were created more than 550 million years ago when giant glaciers carved the deep valleys and rolling hills in Western New York. There are fascinating geological formations all around and each town holds a unique history. Seneca Falls held the first women’s rights convention, known as the Seneca Falls Convention, and launched the women’s suffrage movement. You can find historical sites, museums, and art collections in every community of the lakes with these 7 Unique Finger Lakes Museums

 

Delicious Restaurants

New York City isn’t the only place to find delicious food in the state. Because of its close proximity to fresh meat and produce you’ll find several farm-to-table restaurants serving up delicious entrees. Enjoy rustic Italian eateries with traditional cooking techniques and Finger Lakes ingredients, burger bars with locally sourced beef, and plenty of upscale restaurants with world-class flavor. Taste the Finger Lakes with Our Favorite Restaurants in Canandaigua

 

Charming Bed & Breakfasts

The Finger Lakes are dotted with charming bed & breakfasts. You’ll find Victorian-era homes, cozy cottages, and historic mansions. Sutherland House Victorian Bed & Breakfast in Canandaigua is a perfect example of Finger Lakes hospitality. A colorful Victorian mansion rests on private grounds just outside of town. You’ll wake to a delicious breakfast handmade especially for you before you head out to explore the area. 

 

You can hear about how incredible the Finger Lakes are, but until you see it for yourself you won’t believe how amazing they are. Come for a visit and experience the magic of the Finger Lakes. Stay at Sutherland House Bed & Breakfast during your next trip to the Finger Lakes.