These 11 Towns In The Finger Lakes Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2026
The towns along the Finger Lakes have been drawing travelers for well over a century. Each one built its reputation slowly, one waterfall and wine trail and historic landmark at a time. Some are known for their lakes. Others are known for their gorges and glass, or for a piece of American history that started on Main Street. In the past two years, national travel rankings have singled out several of them by name. These 11 communities show why that recognition keeps coming.
Skaneateles
First thing's first: Skaneateles is pronounced "Skin-ee-AT-less." This little town takes pride in proper pronunciation and keeping it clean. The lake's water is so pure it supplies unfiltered drinking water to the city of Syracuse. Get properly hydrated and enjoy the village's very walkable downtown, lined with boutiques, historic galleries like the Barrow, and farm-to-table fare from restaurants like The Krebs. For the water bugs, Clift Park at the water's edge offers a community dock, swimming area, and a gazebo. On the water, visitors can kayak, fish, or join the annual Antique and Classic Boat Show each July. This show draws more than 10,000 visitors to watch a parade of restored wooden vessels on the lake. Upgrade your stay with a visit to The Mirbeau Inn and Spa, which earned a Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Award in 2026, making it a stellar choice.
On the water: kayaking, boating, fishing, and swimming from Clift Park's community dock. Off the water: Anyela's Vineyards, the Skaneateles Historical Society Museum, boutique shopping, and the Antique and Classic Boat Show each July.
Aurora
Aurora, the next tiny town to visit, occupies the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake in Cayuga County. Imagine a place so quiet there is not even a stoplight to slow you down. Enjoy a short walk through the town, which covers less than a square mile, and take in the Aurora Village-Wells College Historic District. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and you will get an education while you are there. The Inns of Aurora is a unique stopping point, consisting of a collection of beautifully restored historic homes turned boutique hotel. The lake is directly accessible for kayaking, boating, and fishing, while the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail puts numerous wineries within easy reach of the village, many with vineyard views over the water.
On the water: kayaking, boating, and fishing on Cayuga Lake directly from the village waterfront. Off the water: the Inns of Aurora, the Aurora Village-Wells College Historic District, and the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.
Trumansburg
If you love getting close to nature, visit Trumansburg, just above the western shore of Cayuga Lake. This nicely situated town is just four miles from one of the most dramatic natural features in the entire Northeast. Taughannock Falls State Park drops 215 feet, even more than Niagara Falls, making it one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains. The state park also offers camping, swimming, a marina, boat launch, and kayak storage through the summer months. Back in the village, 19th-century Italianate storefronts line Main Street, and the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts presents performances inside an 1851 Greek Revival church.
On the water: swimming, boating, kayaking, and canoeing at Taughannock Falls State Park's marina on Cayuga Lake. Off the water: Taughannock Falls, Finger Lakes National Forest trails, and live music at the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts.
Penn Yan
Penn Yan's unusual name reflects its origins, paying homage to both Pennsylvanians and Yankees. Its location, perched on the northeastern tip of Keuka Lake, is one of the most scenic in the region. Hikers and bikers both love the Keuka Outlet Trail, which winds past waterfalls and stone ruins before reaching Dresden. Keuka Lake is one of the most distinctive of the Finger Lakes with its unique Y shape, and the water in Penn Yan is ideal for boating and paddling. The Keuka Lake Wine Trail connects visitors to some of the region's most celebrated wineries, many perched on the hillsides overlooking the lake.
On the water: boating, kayaking, and paddling on Keuka Lake, plus fishing for trout and bass. Off the water: the Keuka Outlet Trail past waterfalls and ruins, the Keuka Lake Wine Trail, and the Yates County History Center.
Watkins Glen
On the shores of the largest Finger Lake by both surface area and volume, Watkins Glen is a must-visit for nature lovers. Watkins Glen State Park is the most visited park in the area because of its scenery. The Gorge Trail runs 1.5 miles through a glacier-carved canyon and passes 19 waterfalls. For those looking for excitement below the surface of Seneca Lake, an amazing collection of sunken canal barges near the village has been preserved and made accessible by the Finger Lakes Underwater Preserve Association. Seneca Lake reaches depths near 618 feet, and divers who crave wreck dives can explore the preserved barges in its cold, clear water. Fall is a great time to plan a trip. The Watkins Glen International racetrack hosts the NASCAR Cup Series each August, and the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival in September recreates the spirit of the original 1948 village street race.
On the water: kayaking, boating, and paddling on Seneca Lake, plus scuba diving on preserved canal barges (dry suit recommended, with bottom temps near 39 degrees Fahrenheit). Off the water: Watkins Glen State Park's Gorge Trail with its 19 waterfalls, Watkins Glen International racetrack, the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, and the Grand Prix Festival each September.
Geneva
Want a fresh angle on vacation? Geneva, NY calls itself the Lake Trout Capital of the World. Every Memorial Day weekend, the National Lake Trout Derby draws anglers from across the country to test their tension against the trout. Seneca Lake State Park covers about 140 acres at the edge of the city, featuring a swimming beach, boat launches, picnic areas, and waterfront walking trails. History buffs will love Belhurst Castle, a stone estate right on the lakeshore that operates as both a hotel and a working winery with tastings on site. Geneva's downtown, anchored by the Smith Opera House, comes alive on weekend evenings when Linden Street closes to traffic for outdoor dining and live music. The city also serves as part of New York State's Underwater Blueway Trail, one of the country's few non-ocean underwater scuba routes.
On the water: fishing, swimming, and boating at Seneca Lake State Park, plus scuba diving on the Underwater Blueway Trail. Off the water: Belhurst Castle and Winery, the Smith Opera House, the Hobart and William Smith Colleges campus, and the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.
Montour Falls
Want to see cascading waters without putting in the steps? Visit Montour Falls, a small village with a natural centerpiece that stops most visitors in their tracks. Chequaga Falls is a 156-foot waterfall that tumbles directly into the heart of downtown, making it easily walkable from Main Street shops and restaurants. The village sits just south of Watkins Glen and provides easy access to Seneca Lake and the Finger Lakes Trail system. Catherine Creek, which runs through town on its way to Seneca Lake, is a well-known fishing destination, particularly for trout during the spring run. If you like going off the beaten path, visit the hills just outside of town for secluded hiking and uncrowded scenery.
On the water: trout fishing on Catherine Creek, plus kayak and canoe access to Seneca Lake. Off the water: Chequaga Falls walkable from downtown, Finger Lakes Trail hiking, and proximity to Watkins Glen State Park.
Ithaca
CNN named Ithaca America's Best Town to Visit in 2025, calling it a showstopper for scenery, and the accolades continue today. The city sits at the southern end of Cayuga Lake and is home to Cornell University. The campus is smart to visit, as the hillside above it and the campus gorges Cascadilla and Fall Creek thread waterfalls right through the heart of the grounds. Buttermilk Falls State Park and Robert H. Treman State Park both sit within minutes of downtown, offering swimming holes, hiking trails, and some of the most photographed waterfalls in the state. On the lake, the Cayuga Lake waterfront provides access to paddling, sailing, and fishing, with the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway looping the entire shoreline. Visit the Ithaca Farmers Market in season and find out why this town has earned a bright national reputation.
On the water: kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and fishing on Cayuga Lake, plus swimming at Buttermilk Falls State Park. Off the water: the Cornell University campus and gorges, the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art in its I.M. Pei building, the Ithaca Farmers Market, the Cornell Botanic Gardens, and the Museum of the Earth.
Canandaigua
Canandaigua, "the chosen spot" in the Seneca language, sits at the northern end of Canandaigua Lake. You can choose one of the many amenities in this spot, including Kershaw Park on the lakefront for swimming, picnicking, a public dock, and a beach, or The Lake House for a resort-style lakeside experience with spa services and summer boating activities. Enjoy the finer things at Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park. The 50-acre space boasts a Queen Anne-style Victorian mansion and nine formal gardens. Get your groove on at the CMAC outdoor amphitheater, which hosts major acts through the summer, and the Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail connects visitors to wineries along and near the lake's shores.
On the water: swimming, boating, and fishing on Canandaigua Lake, plus boat tours aboard The Canandaigua Lady, a replica 19th-century paddlewheel steamboat. Off the water: Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park, the CMAC amphitheater, the Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail, and Bristol Mountain Ski Resort for winter visitors.
Seneca Falls
USA Today ranked Seneca Falls seventh on its 2026 list of the best historic small towns in the nation, thanks to its designation as the birthplace of the American women's rights movement. The Women's Rights National Historical Park and the Wesleyan Chapel, where the first women's rights convention was held in 1848, anchor the town. Seneca Falls sits between Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake, connected to both by the Cayuga-Seneca Canal, a 12-mile waterway that also links the town to the Erie Canal. Bring your binoculars to enjoy the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, which covers nearly 10,000 acres and provides habitat for migratory birds with opportunities for fishing, hunting, and boating at May's Point.
On the water: boating and fishing on the Cayuga-Seneca Canal and at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, plus canal boat tours connecting to Seneca and Cayuga lakes. Off the water: the Women's Rights National Historical Park, the Wesleyan Chapel, the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, and the annual "It's a Wonderful Life" Festival each December.
Corning
It's crystal clear why USA Today's 2026 Readers' Choice Awards ranked Corning fourth among the best small towns in the Northeast and fifth for best small-town cultural scene. A must-see is the Corning Museum of Glass, one of the most visited museums in New York State. Known as "America's Crystal City," Corning has built its identity around glass innovation since the Corning Glass Works established itself here in the 19th century. The Rockwell Museum, also in Corning, holds one of the finest collections of American Western art in the East. The Market Street Historic District downtown offers galleries, restaurants, and shops in beautifully restored 19th-century buildings. While Corning sits south of the main lake corridor, it provides easy access to both Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake, and the surrounding Chemung River valley offers fly fishing and kayaking.
On the water: fly fishing and kayaking on the Chemung River, plus day trips to Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake. Off the water: the Corning Museum of Glass, The Rockwell Museum, the Market Street Historic District, and the Benjamin Patterson Inn Museum.
A Region Worth The Return Trip
From the gorges above Ithaca to the glass galleries of Corning, these 11 towns make the case that the Finger Lakes region is one of the most rewarding corners of the American Northeast, whether you come for the water or for everything that surrounds it.
