8 Best Towns In The Finger Lakes For A Two-Day Recharge
New York is a state of extremes. To the south, there’s New York City, with its bright lights and bustling sidewalks. About 250 miles north of New York City lies the idyllic Finger Lakes, a restorative retreat where the waters are calm and the communities are rooted in simpler times. It’s where you can sip chilled white wine at one of their many scenic wineries, many of which are nationally recognized. You can explore themed gardens in Canandaigua or take a calming cruise in Watkins Glen. Whatever you need to unwind after a long week, you’re bound to find it in the Finger Lakes.
Penn Yan
Time moves a little slower in Penn Yan. With a large Amish community, it’s the type of town where you may see an Amish horse-drawn buggy traveling down Main Street. It has plenty of scenic Amish farms where you can shop for cheeses and hand-stitched quilts, like the Weaver-View Farms Amish Country Store. If your ideal two-day recharge involves wine and a view, Penn Yan has those, too. Located on Keuka Lake’s wine trail, there are quite a few family-owned wineries to choose from. The Keuka Spring Vineyards is a local favorite, with a wide variety of wines and an outdoor deck with a view of the water.
If you’re up for outdoor adventure, the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail is a relaxed, easy trail that traces Keuka Lake. Expect shaded, winding paths that travel by waterfalls, over bridges, and through old ruins. After a long day of adventures in Penn Yan, one of the best places to stay for the night is the Laurentide Inn. Located on Main Street, this historical Inn puts you within walking distance to some of the best shops and cafes in Penn Yan. Plus, it has an on-site brewery/tap room and gourmet breakfasts every morning.
Geneva
Nestled along the banks of Seneca Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes, Geneva is one of the more popular towns in the Finger Lakes. The most restorative park in Geneva is Seneca Lake State Park, a 141-acre lakeside hamlet with playgrounds, sandy beaches, docks to set out onto Seneca Lake, and paved hiking trails that trace the water. It highlights the natural beauty of Geneva and Seneca Lake, and it’s a great place to let your worries melt away.
While Geneva is awash in natural beauty, its downtown is always jumping with something new to see or do. You can travel back in time by visiting the historic Geneva History Museum, with its unique exhibits and period rooms. Or if you prefer to unwind at a beautiful winery, the Ravines Wine Cellars is an award-winning winery that’s listed on the Wine and Spirits Top 100 Winery of the Year by Wine and Spirits magazine. Geneva is also a foodie hub, with so many locally owned restaurants that are locally loved, like the upscale FLX Table. If you want to feel like royalty for the weekend, the Geneva on the Lake is one of the best places to stay. It’s an Italianate villa with water views, manicured gardens, and a top-tier restaurant on site.
Hammondsport
On the southern tip of Keuka Lake is the sleepy community of Hammondsport, a wonderful blend of historic old-world charm, delightful wineries, and waterside views. It’s one of those small towns that feels locked away in time, untouched by commercialization. One of the locals' favorite spots is Depot Park, located in the heart of Hammondsport. As a former train depot, the park is a great spot for swimming, hiking along the water or sitting on a bench to take in the peaceful water views.
If you’re in the mood for scenic wineries, there’s none better than Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery. The vineyard is on the site of Dr. Konstantin Frank, who earned his PhD in viticulture and ignited the “Vinifera Revolution” of the Finger Lakes in the 1950s. Today, the winery is an idyllic place with sweeping views that are as amazing as the wine. If you love boating, the Finger Lakes Boating Museum is a must-see. It has interesting exhibits of vintage boats from the Finger Lakes and offers boat-making classes. When you’re ready to call it a night, the Keuka Lakeside Inn is universally loved. With lakeside views and cozy accommodations, it's a great place to rest after a long week.
Canandaigua
There’s something dreamlike about the idyllic community of Canandaigua. The views in town are some of the best in the Finger Lakes, where visitors can take a stroll down the Canandaigua City Pier to watch the sunset. Situated in the heart of Canandaigua, its public parks highlight the natural beauty of the area while keeping you within walking distance to cozy cafes and restaurants (like the amazing Nolan's on Canandaigua Lake)
What makes Canandaigua so dreamy and peaceful is the Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park. The mansion was built in the late 1800s in Queen Anne style and boasts over 40 rooms decorated in period-accurate decor. Outside, the gardens are absolutely stunning. There are nine themed gardens, like the Japanese garden or the Italian garden, each with its own unique aesthetic style. After exploring Canandaigua, the best place to stay in the area is the Lake House on Canandaigua. Just imagine walking up in the morning with fantastic views of Canandaigua Lake with a lakeside bar, pool, and full-service spa.
Watkins Glen
If an ideal long weekend consists of peaceful nature hikes, Watkins Glen is a must-visit. Located on the south shores of Seneca Lake, it's home to one of the most popular parks of the Finger Lakes: Watkins Glen State Park. Many view the park as the crown jewel of the Finger Lakes, with hiking trails that take you through shaded paths, deep mossy gorges, and by 19 waterfalls. It's where you can take a sound bath, listening to the water rush onto the rocks and the wind billow through the trees. If your battery level is low, the Watkins Glen State Park will surely recharge you for the week ahead.
While Watkins Glen may be known for its stunning parks, the downtown area has plenty to discover. The Seneca Harbor Park Pier House offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to snap amazing photos of the sunset over the water or catch a cruise on Seneca Lake. From the pier, you can walk to the Lucky Hare Brewing Bar and Grill for a cocktail and a burger on its picturesque patio overlooking the water, or a coffee and sweet treat at Central Sip. The best place to stay while visiting is the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, which is just a 5-minute drive from Watkins Glen State Park.
Skaneateles
Situated on the northern tip of Skaneateles Lake is the underrated gem of Skaneateles. Downtown Skaneateles has idyllic walkable tree-lined streets, highlighted by cozy cafes and shops like Doug's Fish Fry that feel like they’re plucked from old-world New York. After a good meal, a short walk south will lead you to the Skaneateles Pier, which offers some of the best views of the area.
If you want to pretend that this dreamy lakeside village is your home for the weekend, the Skaneateles Boutique Hotel is a great place to stay. Located on Fennell Street, it keeps you within walking distance to all of the popular shops and restaurants in the area. Plus, its modern rooms and friendly staff make it feel like a home away from home. Bonus points: the hotel is within walking distance to Clover's, a colorful neighborhood diner that serves the best breakfast in town.
Aurora
Along the east shores of Cayuga Lake is the small community of Aurora, known for its historical inns in the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. There are plenty of high-end inns and cottages in Aurora, but few hold a candle to the Inns of Aurora Resort and Spa. It’s a lakeside retreat where you wake up to calming water views in an updated historical inn built in 1833. It’s the kind of hotel where you could just spend the entire weekend enjoying the view with a cup of coffee or relaxing at its high-end spa.
If you were to spend the entire weekend at the hotel, you’d miss out on all the fun in the surrounding countryside. There are fantastic wineries, like the popular Long Point Winery, located on 72 acres of blissful countryside on the eastern shores of Cayuga Lake. Or inland from the lake is Howland Farm Museum, a charming historical escape that often hosts tea parties, live music, and nature yoga classes. Or, if you just want to go on a nature walk along the lake, Lake Glass Beach is a popular spot to hike along the water, or launch a canoe or kayak.
Seneca Falls
If exploring museums in a historical setting sounds like a great weekend, Seneca Falls is worth checking out. As the birthplace of the women’s rights movement, it has unique museums like the National Women's Hall of Fame and the kitschy It's A Wonderful Life Museum. And as you walk from museum to museum, there are classic restaurants like Sackett's Table Restaurant and Market serving up farm-to-table cuisine sourced from local ingredients to round out your day.
You can’t throw a rock in Seneca Falls without hitting a charming bed and breakfast or a quaint, historical inn. There are plenty of places to choose from, all of which will make you feel right at home. However, for a two-day recharge, the best place to retreat at the end of a long day in Seneca Falls is the Gould Hotel. Conveniently located in central Seneca Falls, it’s within walking distance to all the best museums and restaurants.
Relax and Recharge in the Charm of the Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes have a way of making a quick weekend getaway feel more like a week-long retreat. Time moves a little slower in these quiet communities, where there’s always a cozy coffee shop or a peaceful park to help ease the stress of the work week. Whether you want to blend in with the locals at a quaint bed and breakfast or indulge in a full spa retreat at the Inns of Aurora Resort and Spa, these Finger Lake towns are made for good old-fashioned rest and relaxation.
