11 Nicest Small Towns In The Finger Lakes
Stretching across upstate New York, the Finger Lakes region is shaped by eleven glacier-carved lakes that run long and narrow, like ribbons cut into the land. This landscape sets the stage for small towns that thrive on both natural beauty and year-round activity. Vineyards climb the slopes, waterfalls tumble through deep gorges, and trails cut across forests that blaze with color in fall. Winter brings skiing, while summer fills the lakes with kayaks and sailboats. From wine country villages to historic communities built along the water, these American towns offer their own take on the Finger Lakes experience, but they all share a nice energy that is undeniably attractive.
Skaneateles
Skaneateles leans against the northern tip of its namesake lake, often called the cleanest of the Finger Lakes, so clear it supplies unfiltered drinking water to Syracuse. That purity is part of the town's allure: from the pier in Clift Park, the water runs a blue so sharp it feels almost alpine. Genesee Street follows the shoreline, lined with stately 19th-century buildings and boutique shops. The main street stretches inland to the French-inspired Mirbeau Inn & Spa, the perfect place to use as a basecamp as you explore this stunning town.
Narrated cruises with Mid-Lakes Navigation slip past wooded slopes and storied estates, while village festivals spill out along the waterfront through summer and fall. Yet, it is always the lake, calm, crystalline, and endlessly reflective, that defines the rhythm of this New York state town.
Aurora
Aurora rises along the eastern edge of Cayuga Lake, where mornings begin with the water throwing back soft light and evenings settle into quiet shoreline walks. This beautiful village is best known for the Inns of Aurora, a collection of 19th-century homes turned into a resort that blends historic architecture with lakefront relaxation. Just down the road, MacKenzie-Childs takes over a Victorian farm, where artisans handcraft ceramics and furniture in bold colors and patterns that are instantly recognizable. For fresh air, Long Point State Park offers a sliver of beach, shaded trails, and easy access to the lake itself.
Just outside of Aurora is a prime destination for wine tasting, as there are numerous wineries part of the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. Most of these wineries sit around the lake or within the countryside, giving visitors and locals alike uniquely beautiful ways to enjoy some of the Finger Lakes' finest glasses of vino.
Trumansburg
Cayuga Lake's western hills hide Trumansburg, a small village with a big reputation for scenery. The town itself is threaded with 19th-century architecture. Walk Main Street in this Finger Lakes town and you will spot Italianate cornices and brick storefronts that give the place its easy character. Right in the middle of things, Gimme! Coffee pours strong brews beside a quiet creekside patio, the kind of place where locals hang out as long as the weather allows.
A few blocks away, the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts keeps music alive inside an 1851 Greek Revival church, its stained glass framing every performance. Just beyond the village, Taughannock Falls State Park delivers one of the most dramatic natural scenes in the Northeast: a 215-foot waterfall that drops into a gorge taller than Niagara. On the opposite side, the Finger Lakes National Forest opens into rolling pastures and forested trails.
Penn Yan
Penn Yan's name tells its story: part Pennsylvania, part Yankee, and that mix of roots still shows in its atmosphere. Keuka Lake's northeastern tip sets the stage where the Keuka Outlet river and accompanying trail cut through town and winds past waterfalls and stone ruins, giving the village a built-in soundtrack of rushing water. On Main Street, historic brick storefronts stand tall, while Seneca Farms dishes up fried chicken and homemade ice cream that locals swear by.
A short walk away, Indian Pines Park opens right onto the lake, with a sandy swim spot and open skies that slow everything down. And if you want Penn Yan at its most colorful, the Windmill Farm & Craft Market brims with Amish quilts, cheese, and produce each weekend through late fall, tying the area's agricultural backbone to its easygoing present.
Watkins Glen
Water laps up against downtown Watkins Glen on the southern tip of Seneca Lake. Clute Memorial Park gives visitors and tourists a great spot to jump in the lake when the weather allows. Otherwise, it is a wonderful location to walk to and from the downtown area and Seneca Harbor Pier House, where nearby docks offer seasonal cruises across the lake, from relaxing sunset sails to small-group tours. Not far away, Watkins Glen State Park is the village's heartbeat. Here, Glen Creek twists through a 400-foot-deep gorge, dropping over 19 waterfalls along the 2.2-mile Gorge Trail. Walk under Cavern Cascade, pause at Rainbow Falls, or climb the stairs to get close to Central Cascade.
If you are looking for more than nature, Watkins Glen International, just a few minutes from town, is known for its world-class racing events, bringing energy and excitement year-round.
Geneva
Water glints off the northern edge of Seneca Lake in Geneva, a small city where historic streets meet the deep blue of the Finger Lakes. Belhurst Castle, right on the lakeshore, draws visitors for its Old-World architecture, wine tastings, and spa, while the adjacent pier offers boat access for an afternoon on the water. Seneca Lake State Park spreads along the eastern city limits, with beaches, hiking trails, marinas, and a disc golf course that make it easy to slow down. Downtown, Linden Street pulses on weekend nights with closed-off traffic, live music, outdoor dining, and brick roads that encourage wandering between the Smith Opera House, historic row houses on South Main Street, and local coffee spots.
Fishing enthusiasts know Geneva as the "Lake Trout Capital of the World," and the National Lake Trout Derby brings anglers from across the continent every Memorial Day weekend.
Montour Falls
Shequaga Falls, a 165-foot showstopper of a waterfall, plunges water dramatically at the end of Main Street in downtown Montour Falls. Catharine Creek threads through the village as the falls tumble into a green park where picnics, frisbee, and quiet pauses by the water feel like necessities. North of town, Havana Glen Park offers trails, pavilions, and a playground. Eagle Cliff Falls sits a short walk or drive away, a tucked-away drop with a hushed, musical charm that rewards those seeking a moment of serenity.
History also seeps into Montour Falls just as naturally as nature: the Brick Tavern Museum provides a lens into the village's past, including its roots as the home of Queen Catherine Montour.
Ithaca
Ithaca sweeps along the southern shore of Cayuga Lake, where gorges carve dramatic paths through the city and more than 150 waterfalls drop in wooded pockets and city streets alike. Start at Ithaca Falls, a 150-foot cascade with a natural pool at its base, then wind through the Cascadilla Gorge Trail, which threads from downtown up to Cornell University's campus. Cornell itself is impossible to ignore; its Botanic Gardens and Johnson Museum of Art offer fragrant green spaces and striking architecture. South Hill Cider sits just beyond downtown, blending orchard views with handcrafted cider in a serene setting that feels worlds away.
For a more immersive outdoor experience on the Finger Lakes, Buttermilk Falls State Park puts its 165-foot namesake waterfall right at the entrance, alongside trails that curve past summer swimming holes and shaded picnic spots.
Canandaigua
In Canandaigua, the City Pier juts into Canandaigua Lake, a prime spot to wander, watch sunsets, or stumble onto live music while the lake reflects the soft evening light. Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park rises nearby, with its spectacular 40-room Queen Anne mansion and nine themed gardens spilling into 50 acres of meticulously tended green. The park also hosts the Finger Lakes Wine Center, which offers local wine tastings. South of downtown, Kershaw Park hugs the lakefront with a beach, picnic pavilions, walkways, and a public dock.
Beyond its natural beauty, Canandaigua boasts a thriving arts and dining scene that makes it one of the nicest places in the Finger Lakes area. Downtown is lined with over 100 shops, galleries, and unique dining experiences. A stay at the luxurious Lake House on Canandiagua puts you close to the action while enjoying amenities like the restaurants and spa.
Seneca Falls
Cinematic nostalgia and history intertwine in Seneca Falls. The Women's Rights National Historic Park stands at the heart of Seneca Falls, commemorating the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, the first women's rights convention in the United States. The park encompasses several visually incredible historic sites, including the Wesleyan Chapel, where the convention was held, and the Elizabeth Cady Stanton House, the former residence of one of the movement's key figures. Just a short walk away, the It's a Wonderful Life Museum celebrates the village's connection to the beloved 1946 film.
The town even hosts an annual "It's A Wonderful Life" Festival, attracting fans from around the world. The town itself is located near Cayuga-Seneca Canal and the Seneca River, part of the larger Finger Lakes system. This combination of history, movie fandom, and nature makes Seneca Falls one of the nicest places in the Finger Lakes area.
Corning
Corning pulses with creativity and history along the Chemung River in Steuben County. This calm riverfront intersects with art, history, and nature in a uniquely Finger Lakes way. The Corning Museum of Glass dominates downtown, where centuries of glassmaking come alive through live demonstrations and hands-on workshops. A short walk away, the Rockwell Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, showcases American art and Native American pieces in the former City Hall.
Downtown, the Gaffer District stretches along Market Street, featuring quaint brick storefronts, galleries, and artisan shops, with the Centerway Clock Tower marking the heart of the neighborhood. Nature isn't far away from Corning either. The Spencer Crest Nature Center, just south of the city, spreads over 250 acres of trails, ponds, and woodlands.
The Finger Lakes don't just belong to New York state; they help define it. From waterfalls thundering through Ithaca's gorges to the glasswork legacy of Corning, the lakefront sunsets of Geneva, and the history-making streets of Seneca Falls, each town carries a spark that is uniquely Finger Lakes. Together they weave a region where beauty and character meet on every corner, whether in a vineyard, a canal-side stroll, or a lively downtown. These towns aren't just nice; they are the heart of what makes the Finger Lakes unforgettable.
