The Finger Lakes' 10 Most Laid-Back Towns
In the Finger Lakes, the most rewarding towns are the ones built around slowing down. Geneva has wine bars and lakefront walking trails along Seneca Lake. Skaneateles has tree-lined streets and boat tours on one of the clearest lakes in the state. Trumansburg has bookstores, cafés, and a farmers market on Main Street. The region's lakes, wine trails, and walkable downtowns make it easy to fill a day without a rigid itinerary. A morning hike, an afternoon at a winery, and a lakeside dinner covers most of what these ten towns do best.
Aurora
Nestled on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake, Aurora is one of the Finger Lakes region’s most picturesque villages. But it wasn’t always this way. Beginning in 2001, a village-wide restoration plan updated the town’s grandest estates and town core into charming inns, shops, and restaurants, drawing visitors to its elegant but unhurried atmosphere. The town is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can stroll through Long Point State Park or visit MacKenzie Childs, one of the world’s best-known hand-made pottery manufacturers, while catching glimpses of the rolling hills surrounding Cayuga Lake. Aurora has emerged as not only as a gem in the Finger Lakes region, but perhaps one of the country’s best-kept secrets.
Hammondsport
Located at the southern tip of Keuka Lake, Hammondsport is known for its wine culture and compact downtown filled with historic buildings, quaint shops, and restaurants like the darling Crooked Lake Ice Cream Company, all within walking distance of the tidy and scenic Champlin Beach Park. The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum highlights the town’s rich aviation history, featuring 20th century aircraft and even a few historically important motorcycles, as well as a restoration shop and theatre. Hammondsport also boasts a rich maritime heritage as it was once a key hub for steamboats shipping goods to Penn Yan at the other end of Keuka Lake. The town’s maritime story can be found at the Finger Lakes Boating Museum.
For a quintessential, slow-paced, and quiet town full of things to do, Hammondsport is one of the region’s prettiest places that will encourage you to slow down and stay awhile.
Naples
Naples sits in a valley at the southern end of Canandaigua Lake and is a four-season’s attraction for nature lovers. Surrounded by rolling hills, thick forests with scenic trails, and hidden waterfalls, there is no shortage of outdoor activities that will take your breath away. Grimes Glen County Park has scenic forested walks and is home to the state’s oldest fossilized tree, while High Tor Wildlife Management Area is known for its rolling terrain and bird watching.
To complement its natural beauty, the town also has a keen affinity for the arts, inspired, of course, by the surrounding scenery. Sculptors, painters, actors, musicians, and even furniture makers all call Naples home, and the Bristol Valley Theatre attracts talent from the big city for plays and musicals from May to October. For a slower pace filled with culture, local wine, and natural beauty, Naples is unsurpassed.
Penn Yan
Located at the northern tip of Keuka Lake, Penn Yan combines lakeside scenery with a welcoming small-town atmosphere. The village has a walkable downtown filled with local restaurants, boutiques, and historic architecture. Visitors can spend the day strolling through Keuka Lake Outlet Trail, relaxing by the waterfront at Indian Pines Park, or visiting nearby wineries and farms. Penn Yan is also known for its Amish community, which adds to the town’s rural character and slower pace of life. Seasonal farmers markets and local events help bring the community together without making the village feel crowded. With its scenic setting and easygoing atmosphere, Penn Yan is an ideal destination for travelers looking to experience the quieter side of the Finger Lakes.
Skaneateles
Skaneateles is often considered one of the prettiest towns in the Finger Lakes thanks to its lakefront setting and beautifully preserved downtown. Situated along the northern shore of Skaneateles Lake, the village features tree-lined streets, charming shops, restaurants, and historic homes. While it is one of the region’s more upscale destinations, it retains a relaxed and welcoming feel. Visitors can enjoy boat tours, lakeside walks at Clift Park or Thayer Park, or simply spend an afternoon browsing the shops downtown. Seasonal festivals, including the Dickens Christmas celebration, add to the town’s year-round appeal. Despite its popularity, Skaneateles remains a place where people come to unwind and enjoy one of the Finger Lakes’ most scenic communities.
Union Springs
Union Springs is a quiet village on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake that often escapes the attention given to larger Finger Lakes towns. Its laid-back atmosphere comes from its waterfront setting, tree-lined streets with antebellum homes, and beautiful vistas. Visitors can stop by Frontenac Park for views of the lake or explore gorges and waterfalls at Great Gully. The village is also close to wineries, notably the Heart and Hands Wine Company, and scenic rural roads that wind through the surrounding countryside. Unlike some of the region’s busier destinations, Union Springs feels peaceful and residential, making it a good choice for travelers who want a quieter experience. Small but scenic, it captures the relaxed spirit that defines much of the Finger Lakes.
Seneca Falls
Seneca Falls offers a mix of small-town charm, canal-side scenery, and important history. Best known as the birthplace of the women’s rights movement, the town is home to several historic sites connected to the first women’s rights convention in 1848. Beyond its history, Seneca Falls has a pleasant downtown with shops, restaurants, and walking paths along the Cayuga-Seneca Canal. Visitors can spend time at local parks, explore nearby wineries, or take a short drive to Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge which is ideal for day hikes and birdwatching. The town is also known for its connection to the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life, which many believe was inspired by the community. Seneca Falls combines a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of interesting ways to spend the day while relaxing later with a glass of wine along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.
Trumansburg
Trumansburg, located near the western shore of Cayuga Lake, is a small village with a creative spirit and a relaxed pace. Its walkable downtown includes bookstores, cafés, galleries, and independent shops that give the community a distinctive personality. The village is perhaps best known for nearby Taughannock Falls State Park, home to the 215-foot Taughannock Falls, the tallest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. Visitors can hike scenic trails at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, picnic by the lake, or attend local festivals throughout the year. Trumansburg also has easy access to wineries and breweries, and farmers bring their goods regularly to the Main Street farmers’ market. Though it is close to Ithaca, the village feels quieter and more laid-back, making it a favorite for travelers seeking a peaceful retreat.
Montour Falls
Montour Falls is a tiny village just south of Seneca Lake that offers plenty of scenery without the crowds found in nearby Watkins Glen. The community is best known for Shequaga Falls, a striking waterfall that drops beside the village’s downtown area. Historic buildings, quiet streets, and small local businesses give Montour Falls a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere. Visitors can also explore nearby hiking trails and other waterfalls at Havana Glen Park, Deckertown Falls, and Aunt Sarah’s Falls, all of which are free and open year-round. Montour Falls’ location makes it easy to enjoy the region’s natural beauty while avoiding the busier tourist centers. For travelers looking for a slower pace and a more local feel, Montour Falls is one of the Finger Lakes’ most underrated destinations.
Geneva
Situated at the northern end of Seneca Lake, Geneva blends lakefront beauty with a lively but still relaxed atmosphere. The town’s downtown district features restaurants, wine bars, boutiques, and historic architecture on Exchange Street while the waterfront offers parks, walking trails, and marina views. Geneva is also a major hub for Finger Lakes wine country, with dozens of nearby wineries and tasting rooms. Despite being one of the larger communities in the region, it still feels approachable and easygoing. Visitors can explore Seneca Lake State Park, visit the haunted Belhurst Castle, or take in a performance at the historic Smith Opera House. Geneva offers a balance of small-town charm and modern amenities, making it an appealing addition to any Finger Lakes itinerary.
The Finger Lakes region is filled with towns that encourage visitors to slow down and appreciate the scenery, local culture, and quieter pace of life. Whether it is a lakeside village like Aurora, a wine-country favorite like Hammondsport, or a hidden gem such as Union Springs or Montour Falls, each of these communities offers its own version of relaxation. Together, they highlight what makes the Finger Lakes so appealing: beautiful landscapes, friendly downtowns, and plenty of opportunities to unwind. For travelers seeking a more peaceful side of New York, these towns are among the region’s best destinations.
