8 Most Scenic Drives in The Finger Lakes
For many, the drive is as important as the destination. No matter the season, a scenic drive is always a pleasure and is often an important part of a trip. When considering a location such as New York’s Finger Lakes, with so much to see and do, adding some driving time within the district is worth the effort. Scenic drives allow you to get a feel for the area, take in some of the bigger vistas away from the more crowded destinations, and provide you with some time to yourself in an unforgettable setting. Here are eight of the most scenic drives in the Finger Lakes.
Route 54 on Keuka Lake
Located in upstate New York, the eleven Finger Lakes take their name from their long, narrow shapes, carved out by receding glaciers. Keuka Lake is a Y-shaped lake southwest of the city of Geneva. Routes 54 and 54A circle the lake, making the drive pretty straightforward. The west side of the lake features some of the best scenery, often hugging the shoreline or overlooking the lake from the bluffs. This area in particular is home to several breweries, wineries, and distilleries, such as Krooked Tusker Distilling. It's just a short drive off the path and is known for distilling bourbon, gin, and vodka in small batches.
The Kueka Lake Outlet Trail, located off of Highway 54A and near the city of Penn Yan at the top of the Y-shaped lake, is a great pit stop for stretching your legs. The sound of the waterfall is a welcome change from the hum of the car. If you need a snack, consider venturing toward the Keuka Lake Wine Trail, which features several wineries scattered throughout the lake, many with finger foods and gifts perfect for taking home. On the east side of the lake, you can find Keuka Spring Vineyards, McGregor Vineyards, and Hunt Country Vineyards, all featuring tastings, shopping, and food, with some great scenery.
Seneca Lake Circuit
On the northern shore of Seneca Lake lies the city of Geneva, New York. This attractive community is a good starting point for a driving route circuit around the lake. The old brick buildings that line the streets are filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants. The Water St. Cafe is a good casual spot for breakfast. If you’re planning on staying in Geneva more than a day, the most spectacular hotel is Geneva On The Lake. This Italian-style resort, built in 1914, offers dining, acres of gardens, and access to boats.
Heading east over the top of the lake and then traveling south on Route 96A, you reach Lodi Point State Park, which provides access to the lake. Traveling south from there, you reach Hector, New York, home to the Finger Lakes National Forest, a 16,000-acre woodland offering hiking, camping, fishing, and, in the winter, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. In Hector itself, you’ll find Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards, set right on the lake, and offering tastings with light snacks and a gift shop. At the southern tip of the lake is Watkins Glen State Park, notable for its 400-foot-deep and 1.5-mile-long gorge and 19 waterfalls. The Gorge Trail offers some spectacular views of the gorge and waterfalls. The village of Watkins Glen offers a number of places to eat, including Seneca Harbor Station, an 1876 train station converted to a restaurant with a beach patio on Seneca Lake.
Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway
The 87-mile loop around Cayuga Lake is one of the consistently beautiful drives in the Finger Lakes. Running close to the shore, there are unparalleled views of the water and the surrounding landscape. The primary drive loops around the lake. A great way to take in the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway is the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, credited as America’s first wine trail. Following Route 89 on the west side of the lake, the Wine Trail takes you through several wineries, including Americana Vineyards in Interlaken which occupies a 1820s swing barn that was relocated to its current location.
Traveling north, Thirsty Owl Wine Co. is in Ovid and is located on 150 acres right on the lake. They have a bistro, and the tasting room is water accessible for those exploring the lake by boat. Knapp Winery is located in Romulus and features tastings and an on-site restaurant, Field & Vine. Also in Romulus is Swedish Hill Winery, which started as a vineyard in 1969, supplying grapes to local wineries before opening their own winery in 1986. At the top of the lake, right on Route 20, sits Montezuma Winery in Seneca Falls. If you want to take a break from the car and explore the lake by water, there is also the Blueway Trail, a water recreation trail for non-motorized watercraft to visit local sites.
The Trumansburg-Ithaca Loop
Near the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway, the Trumansburg-Ithaca Loop starts at Trumansburg, on the southwestern side of Cayuga Lake. Trumansburg is a pretty village, and you can begin your trip at Hazelnut Kitchen, featuring locally sourced ingredients on its menu. You can also stop at Trumansburg Farmer's Market, open on Wednesdays from May through the end of October. Nearby, Taughannock Falls State Park features the tallest free-falling waterfall in the U.S. east of the Mississippi. Traveling south from Trumansburg, you head through Mecklenburg and Enfield, where you can stop at Enfield Falls in Robert H. Treman Park. From there, you continue to Ithaca. This is the best part of the drive, no matter what season you’re visiting, offering beautiful vistas overlooking Cayuga Lake and driving through the countryside towards Ithaca.
Known for its waterfalls and as the main campus of Cornell University, Ithaca and its surrounding area have over 150 waterfalls. There's even a hiking route through the falls that's around 10 miles. Downtown Ithaca contains what is known as Ithaca Commons, a four-block, pedestrian-only district with shopping and restaurants. You can try Tavern on the Commons for pub food or Milkstand Restaurant for breakfast or weekend brunch. The Commons is also known for hosting the Downtown Ithaca Apple Harvest Festival in the fall and the Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-Off in the winter. From Ithaca, you head north on Route 96 towards Trumansburg to finish your journey.
Canandaigua Lake
The town of Canandaigua, at the north end of Canandaigua Lake, is 28 miles south of Rochester. The town itself offers several amenities before beginning the Canandaigua Lake scenic drive, including cruises on Canandaigua Lady, a replica 19th-century steamboat. Driving the loop around the lake takes about an hour, with plenty of places to stop along the way. On the east shore of the lake at the southern edge of the town is Onanda Park. Sitting on the lake, the 7-acre lower section of the park has cabin rentals, as well as pavilions and lodges. Circling the upper section of the lake are East Lake Road and West Lake Road, both of which connect to highway routes, creating a loop. The upper route stays close to the shore, offering great views.
As you move south, the landscape turns to rolling country hills and farm land. Below the southern tip of the lake is the town of Naples, host to the Naples Grape Festival, taking place each September. Viticulture has been thriving in this area for over a hundred years, and Canandaigua Lake has its own wine tour route. Wineries worth visiting include Acquilano Wine Cellars in Canandaigua, 20 Deep Winery in Mendon, and Arbor Hill Grapery & Winery in Naples, all featuring tastings and food. Also in Naples, you can visit Grimes Glen State Park, featuring a scenic gorge and waterfall. If wine isn’t your thing, Wohlschlegel's Naples Maple Farm is a great alternative, a working maple farm with an onsite shop.
South Bristol Overlook
Carolabarb Park is located in Ontario County and is also known as the South Bristol Overlook. This offers you a gorgeous vantage of Canandaigua Lake. The hills surrounding the lake make for both great driving and hiking. The park has basic amenities for parking and picnicking. If driving from Canandaigua, you can drive right through Carolabarb Park into Naples. The South Bristol Scenic Overlook entrance is about 2.5 miles down County Road 12. The town of Naples and its surrounding area are worth an extended stay, with forest, rolling, dramatic hills through the countryside, plus plenty of fishing opportunities in the many streams.
Throughout the area, there are a number of waterfalls that can be discovered only on foot. Naples is also an artistic community and is home to many painters, sculptors, and furniture makers. There are galleries and open studios in Naples, alongside the shopping and restaurants. For breakfast and lunch, there’s Old School Cafe, and for something more filling, there’s Grove Barbecue Company. Winemaking is also part of the area’s heritage, going back over 150 years. The oldest winery that's still standing is Widmer Wine Cellars, founded in the 1880s. In 2011, Widmer was acquired by Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards, which operates Hazlitt Red Cat Cellars and offers wine and cider tastings, a gift shop, and a hiking trail.
Elmira to Skaneateles
Driving from Elmira to Skaneateles takes you through the historic farmlands of Elmira and the surrounding countryside. Ithaca, located at the southern point of Caruga Lake, acts as a great half-way spot to stretch your legs. In Elmira, you can visit Eldridge Park, an amusement park founded in the 1860s. The centerpiece of the park is the Charles Looff Carousel, originally built in the 1890s and installed in Eldridge Park in 1924. It is one of only 20 remaining carousels that have an operating brass ring feeder, a mechanism that dispenses rings to carousel riders who can try to catch them for prizes. Dining options in Elmira include Garage at Rye and Janette's Fine Dining, both offering casual fare. The Hill Top Inn opens for dinner and has a large outdoor seating area and patio overlooking the town of Elmira and the Chemung River.
Through Ithica, you'll continue on toward Mandana, located right along the Skaneateles Lake. The Carpenter Falls waterfall is a must-see before continuing on. A 3.2-mile round trip hike takes visitors to see a 90-foot plunging waterfall yearround. The city of Skaeateles is only 15 minutes down the road from there, located at the norhern tip of the lake. There, you can embrace the history of the area with a stay at 34 State - Historic Luxury Suites and a meal at The Krebs, a restaurant founded in 1899 and now serving up an elevated dining experience.
Owego to Corning
Owego is known as the southern gateway to the Finger Lakes, making it an excellent start to your journey. The drive from Owego to Corning is espeially pretty, with the route following the Chemung River for part of the drive. The historic village of Owego was established in 1791, and is known for its locally owned shops, restaurants and antique spots in the downtown area. A great place to stop for breakfast or a light lunch is The Owego Kitchen. In the town of Owego, much of the commerce and culture is centered around Front Street, including the Riverwalk, along the Susquehanna River, which offers great views while connecting parks, dining, and shopping.
Along your journey west toward Corning, you'll drive close to the Newtown Battlefield State Part in Elmira. If you enjoy camping, this can be a great option. But even if not, it's worth checking out to see the memorial monument honoring the site of a Revolutionary War battle that happened on the grounds. Continuing on, there's amazing views of the Chemung River. Just after you cross through Pine Valley on Highway 14, you'll make a hard left toward Corning, the home of Corning brand cookware. The Gaffer District is Corning’s downtown core, offering shopping, dining, and museums, all in a walkable historic district. There's also the Corning Museum of Glass, a museum celebrating the history of glassmaking in the region, plus interactive exhibits, glassblowing demonstrations, and hands-on activities.
Driving Around the Finger Lakes
Upstate New York is renowned for its year-round natural beauty. The Finger Lakes are justifiably well-known as getaway spots, vacation spots on the water, and for the scenic drives around the lakes. Whether the Finger Lake wine country, the foliage, or the outdoor winter activities, the region is ideal as a destination. The scenic drives around the lakes are some of the most popular activities and are worth the trip to the area.
