The Finger Lakes region, known for its beautiful nature, wineries and historic sites, is the perfect place to celebrate the beauty of springtime in New York. Spring is often considered one of the best times to visit the Finger Lakes as you can relax and explore before it’s flooded with the busy summer crowds.
Whether you are looking for a family vacation, an adults-only weekend or even just a relaxing solo trip, the Finger Lakes has something for everyone. It’s time to tuck away the winter boots and begin planning your next spring getaway.
Here are five popular spring getaway spots in the Finger Lakes to add to your itinerary.
Taughannock Falls State Park
Taughannock Falls State Park is located in Ulysses, Tompkins County, right near the shores of Cayuga Lake. This park is a very popular Finger Lakes destination as it is home to the is the tallest free-falling waterfall east of the Mississippi, according to the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. It is also a popular stop along the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway, which was recently named one of the top ten best road trips in New York.
This park offers an array of scenic sites including the blooming wildflowers along Gorge Trail, and stunning views of Cayuga Lake at the North Point. You can stay overnight at the campgrounds or book a reservation at The Inn at Taughannock Falls, a popular 12-acre hotel and wedding venue surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the state park.
More: World Atlas names the top 10 road trips to take in New York. See the list
Skaneateles
Skaneateles is a very popular small town along the northern tip of Skaneateles Lake. This Onondaga County town was even chosen as the most charming small town in New York State. Founded in 1830, this vibrant lake town is known for its unique shops and eateries in the historic district, bed-and-breakfasts and the beautiful, clear waters of Skaneateles Lake.
According to World Atlas, Skaneateles Lake has the cleanest waters of all the Finger Lakes, and the second cleanest water in the entire United States. The lake may be too cold for lots of water activities during the spring season, the surrounding area offers many distilleries, wineries, art galleries, shopping spots and stunning natural sites to explore including Bahar Nature Preserve and Carpenter Falls.
More: HGTV named this Finger Lakes town as the ‘most charming’ in New York
The 2W Lake, the Sherwood Inn and the Mirbeau Inn & Spa Skaneateles are just a few of Skaneateles’ many luxury spas, inns, hotels and bed and breakfasts. If you’re looking to stay on the lake, Airbnb offers a plethora of spacious lakefront homes and even unique tiny homes to stay in, making it the perfect vacation spot for both families or adult adult-only getaways.
Keuka Lake Wine Trail
The Finger Lakes is often considered the wine country of New York due to it being the largest wine-producing region in the Eastern United States and its three distinct wine trails on Keuka, Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. The Keuka Lake Wine Trail, located in Penn Yan, is known for highlighting its six family-owned and operated wineries and its fruit flavor wines.
More: Finger Lakes ranked seventh best wine region in U.S. by USA Today
This trail along the uniquely y-shaped Keuka Lake offers three yearly signature immersive food and wine events. Its next event will be the Wine and Cheese Lovers experience on Saturday, April 26- a perfect opportunity for a quiet spring getaway before the summer crowds.
Outside of the wineries, Keuka Lake’s surrounding area is home to many other popular Finger Lakes attractions like the aviation and motorcycle Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, hiking trails at the Keuka Outlet Trail and the campsites at Keuka Lake State Park.
Canandaigua
Canandaigua, a beautiful historic city located along the northern tip of Canandaigua Lake, is also known as “The Chosen Spot” deriving from the Seneca word “Kanandarque.” Noted as one of the eight oldest Finger Lake Towns by World Atlas, Canandaigua is home to many historical sites including the Ontario County Courthouse where Susan B. Anthony was tried in 1873,
Though the one ice-covered lake is still thawing out from this year’s bitter winter, you don’t have to wait until the busy summer season to enjoy the beauty and charm Canandaigua has to offer. The spring is the perfect time to take a quiet weekend trip to the Lake House on Canandaigua, visit the blooming flowers at Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park and see all of the unique shops and eatieries within Canandaigua’s historic Downtown District.
Watkins Glen State Park
More: World Atlas names 8 of New York’s best lakeside towns. See the list
Watkins Glen State Park, located near the southern end of Seneca Lake in Schuyler County, is considered the most famous Finger Lakes State Park with 19 waterfalls and spectacular gorges, according to the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website. The park is open year-round, but it’s best to go in the spring when the beloved Gorge Trail and campsites open up in May.
The Village of Watkins Glen, just northeast of the state park, was named one of the best lakeside towns in New York by World Atlas. It is known for the Seneca Harbor Park, a lakeside park that features City Pier and its iconic pier house, the very popular Watkins Glen International race track and the many shops and restaurants within its vibrant downtown area. Watkins Glen is also home to the annual midsummer wine festival, which is now being replaced by the family-friendly F.L.X. Summer Fest at the Glen.
— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who edited our Weld Street Project and also did reporting for it. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: 5 popular spring getaways in the Finger Lakes. See the list
Reporting by Madison Scott, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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