9 Best Attractions To Visit In The Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes region is usually associated with its long, narrow lakes, but the region is just as interesting away from the water. A day here might mean walking through the gardens of a Gilded Age mansion, watching glass take shape in a furnace, or exploring a museum built around the history of play. There are also racetracks, historic estates, and sprawling state parks where scenery takes center stage. With so many different ways to spend a day, the Finger Lakes of New York offers plenty of reasons for visitors to keep exploring beyond its famous lakes.
Belhurst Castle & Winery
Combining different aspects into one destination is a splendid idea and Belhurst Castle & Winery provides exactly that. Enjoy a wonderful wine tasting experience while taking in the castle architecture at this Geneva, New York resort. If those two activities aren’t enough for you, consider that this resort also has three hotels, two restaurants, craft beer, and a spa & salon. Make a day of it or stay longer. Also, this resort is a popular wedding venue, partially because they don’t charge a venue fee.
Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park
Victorian-style summer homes were built during the Gilded Age, a time of splendor and lavishness. Sonnenberg is a prime example. The mansion and gardens were owned by Frederick Ferris and Mary Clark Thompson. The federal government purchased the property after Mrs. Thompson’s death from her inheritor. It was used as a Veteran’s Administration Hospital but the property wasn’t well maintained and was vandalized. In 1966, the estate became a non-profit and restoration began in 1973. In 2006, the state joined in and now Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion is a beautiful place to visit. There are nine historic gardens to enjoy, as well as events throughout the year. You can also view many of the 40 rooms in the Queen Anne Victorian-style mansion as two of the three floors are open to the public.
Seneca Lake Wine Trail
Along the 75-mile Seneca Lake shoreline is a concentrated area where there are over 30 wineries. Wine lovers find it easy to plan a day trip to experience several. This area of the Finger Lakes is well known for riesling wine, but there are many other varietals found here as well. There are often events in this area, including planned itinerary one-day excursions, holiday events, food and wine pairing events, and live music events. The incredible views of Seneca Lake add to the enjoyment of the wine trail.
Corning Museum of Glass
For those who favor attractions that expand one’s knowledge, the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York is a good choice. When you consider that glass and glassmaking has been around for 3,500 years, it is interesting to learn the history and how glass innovations continually change our world. Popular options include hot glass demos, flameworking demos, and even the opportunity to make your own glass. Visitors can also browse their comprehensive collections that include glass art, glass objects, and a ton of research materials. The Studio offers classes for artists and students who wish to dive in and learn everything they can about glass. This attraction is a great option for families as there is no entry fee for children aged 17 and under. There are also discounts for seniors, college students, military personnel, and local residents.
The Strong National Museum Of Play
Another family-friendly option is The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. The amazement starts the minute the attraction comes into view due to the colorful and creative architecture this museum expresses. The nearly 150,000 square-foot museum is filled with interactive exhibits and collections of everything that has ever been fun. Children and adults alike will enjoy exploring the historical collection of dolls, video games, books, board games, and toys. Other options include the play lab, butterfly garden, carousel and train, and Skyline Climb.
George Eastman Museum
Rochester, New York offers another museum option, namely the George Eastman Museum. It is located on the estate of George Eastman. His historic mansion and gardens are where he lived for nearly 30 years as the pioneer of photography and motion picture film. There are various exhibition galleries in the mansion. The 500-seat Dryden Theatre shows over 300 different films each year. The three gardens are perfect for a stroll and contemplation. Tours of the mansion are also offered. If you make an appointment, you can go into the literature library to learn more about cinema and photography.
State Parks and Recreation Areas
There are more than two dozen state parks and recreation areas in the Finger Lakes Region. They provide outdoor enthusiasts with numerous options. Each has its own claim to fame, but you’ll have no trouble regardless of whether your preference is hiking, boating, waterfalls, fishing, picnic tables, camping, cabins, nature trails, swimming, skiing, snowshoeing, paddling, playgrounds, lake and shoreline viewing, gorges, or golfing. Most have activities year-round, although some have limited access and options during the winter. Two notable locations with attractions are Taughannock Falls State Park and Seneca Lake State Park
Taughannock Falls State Park
When the glaciers retreated, they left behind huge amounts of meltwater which carved out several gorges throughout the area. One that fits the bill as a natural wonder attraction is the 400-foot gorge in Taughannock Falls State Park and its 215-foot single-drop waterfall. This park offers summer concerts near the water, overnight campsite and cabin stays, and winter activities, just to name a few of the things families enjoy here.
Seneca Lake State Park
The natural wonder attraction of Seneca Lake State Park is Seneca Lake itself. The lake is huge. So huge that it holds more than 50% of all the water in the Finger Lakes region. There is also a strange phenomenon that sometimes occurs which is known as "Lake Drums" where unexplained booming sounds are heard. Even the Iroquois noticed it, so its been happening for quite some time. This park does not have overnight camping, but it does have a beautiful 4.3-mile lakefront trail, a sandy beach swimming area, and two marinas.
Destiny USA
If shopping is more your style, head to Destiny USA in Syracuse, New York. It has more than 250 places to shop, dine, and be entertained. Besides its huge size and three levels, it is also unique that it has an antique carousel. It was crafted in 1909 and has been fully restored. The attraction is open 7 days a week and it is a good bet that it will take more than one day to thoroughly explore. Many of the shops are unique in some way, such as the suspended ropes course, which is the largest in the world, found at WonderWorks. And that is not all they have to offer, so be sure to check it out.
What Can You Find?
As mentioned at the beginning, this is just a small sampling of all the attractions found in the Finger Lakes region of New York. To be honest, this could be a list of two dozen and still leave out great options. It is great to live in this area and have nearly endless entertainment opportunities. There is no such thing as a dull day off or a boring retirement when you call the Finger Lakes home. Get out and see what you can find.
