Top Things to do in Finger Lakes Wine Country
Top Hotels in Finger Lakes Wine Country
- 1. Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel
- 2. The Statler Hotel at Cornell University
- 3. La Tourelle Hotel, Bistro, Spa
- 4. Hilton Garden Inn Corning Downtown
- 5. Best Western Plus The Hammondsport Hotel
- 6. Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca
- 7. Keuka Lakeside Inn
- 8. Hampton Inn Penn Yan
- 9. Best Western Plus Vineyard Inn & Suites
- 10. Hampton Inn Ithaca
The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Finger Lakes Wine Country, Finger Lakes
Discover the best top things to do in Finger Lakes Wine Country, United States including Watkins Glen State Park, Bahar Nature Preserve, Thayer Park, Skaneateles Lake, Cayuga Lake, Cornell Botanic Gardens, Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum, Robert Treman State Park, Cumming Nature Center, Buttermilk Falls State Park.
Restaurants in Finger Lakes Wine Country
1. Watkins Glen State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,539 reviews
The cascades of 18 waterfalls are the calling card of this state park.
Reviewed By marvi62 - Lafayette Hill, United States
We went to Watkins Glen (4th visit) on Tuesday, arriving around 11 am. The NY state Covid regulations in effect right now clearly state that masks are required, even outdoors, when passing within 6' of another person. These rules are posted at the entrance of the park, as is the one way direction for walking the Gorge trail right now. However, I would estimate 60% or more of park attendees did not put on masks when passing- and the Gorge trail is 2' - 3' wide in many locations. A number of hikers also ignored the one-way rule, coming back on the narrow Gorge trail instead of taking the designated trail back. It took us about 2-1/2 hours to hike the mile up the Glen, since my husband took a lot of photographs. The hike back down only took about 20 minutes. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes or good sneakers (the soles of your shoes will get muddy, even on a sunny day). There are bathrooms by the entrance, but none on the trail. Admission to the park is $8, payable by cash or credit card in a self-ticketing machine in the two parking lots (main lot plus 2nd lot across the street). Watkins Glen is an absolutely stunning gorge. I just recommend going really early to minimize close encounters with other hikers. The only park ranger I saw in our entire visit was the man in the Information Center near the park entrance.
2. Bahar Nature Preserve
3. Thayer Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By CapeSkan - Cape Coral, United States
This park in right in the village so you can combine your visit with shopping. There are park benches so grab a cup of coffee, sit and admire beautiful Skaneateles Lake. You will be looking down the lake so you can watch MidLakes Navigation tour boats leaving, locals enjoying the water from their boats and the all familiar ducks.
4. Skaneateles Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 554 reviews
This clean, serene lake is the easternmost of New York's Finger Lakes.
Reviewed By Besos43
We rented a house from Vrbo and were very happy with our experience. They had a dock and deck area for sitting and enjoying the beautiful lake. The water was very clear and clean. I was surprised that the temperature of water seemed warm for early July. We swam every day. Since travels were during Covid we did curbside takeout and were happy with food and service from Gilda's, Doug's Fish Fry, and The elephant and Dove.
5. Cayuga Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 384 reviews
One of the largest of New York's Finger Lakes, this area is used for swimming, boating, fishing and other outdoor recreational activities.
Reviewed By L8945JQdavidd - Philadelphia, United States
Spend an afternoon at Sheldrake and Luca Vineyards on lake Cayuga. Beautiful drive and beautiful scenery
6. Cornell Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 350 reviews
Cornell Botanic Gardens inspires people - through the cultivation of 150 acres of specialty gardens, conservation of plants and 3400 acres of natural areas, and the education of lifelong learners - to understand, appreciate, and nurture plants and the cultures they sustain. The botanic gardens are located at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and are open year-round, dawn to dusk, free of charge. The Nevin Welcome Center and Gift Shop is open Mon, Tues, Wed, Thu, and Sun 9:00 - 5:00 p.m. Fri - Sat 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Reviewed By jinxminx888 - Takoma Park, United States
This is one of the reasons it's worth spending a day on the Cornell campus. There's no conservatory associated with the gardens, but there is one on campus in the agriculture program. The gardens are beautiful. We didn't go to the arboretum or the wildflower garden. Usually I would be all over a wildflower garden but this is basically a forested spring one, and we were there in August. Also, we looked at all the steps down, and thought about all the steps back up - we'd already done some hiking in the area and we weren't feeling it. If it was spring I probably would have gone for it. The lilies were a standout - they had a lot of really tall ones that smelled amazing. The gardens outside the visitor center are pretty compact and then you can strike out on the trails through the arboretum and wildflower garden. There are a lot of stairs, it didn't seem very wheelchair accessible. There are little nooks with benches, shade and sun. There was also a new sculpture by UK blacksmith artist Jenny Pickford in steel and glass which was pretty special. It had just been installed a month or two before so I felt pretty lucky about that. The gift shop was nice - a little pricey but we bought some good gifts there. Honestly I wish we had more time and better hiking legs.
7. Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
Nine miles of scenic trails in the Finger Lakes area that begin at the Nature Center allow you to experience the natural beauty of the Chemung Valley first-hand. We offer hiking year-round and winter activities including snowshoe rentals and GPS rentals. Our 12,000 square foot building features a museum with 43 species of live animals. Our trails are open 365 days/year dawn to dusk. Our museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9-5 (May-October) or 9-4 (November-April). Admission is free but donations are appreciated.
Reviewed By JohnandJaneS - Elmira, United States
I confess that I'm prejudiced and that I am a frequent volunteer at Tanglewood. I maintain a glass walled observation beehive, do an occasional construction project, plus all sorts of things around the place. I do all this it because its a great place for kids and adults and I want to help them get even better. The facility has miles of beautiful walking/hiking/cross country ski/snowshoeing trails. There are trails for everyone.....a kids trail, moderate ones, long ones, short ones, you name it. The main building/museum has live animals (hawks, owls, other birds, tortoise, rattlesnake, other reptiles, cockroaches!, geckos, various rodents, etc) on display plus several very good mounted specimens including a mountain lion and a grizzly bear. there is even a tree-house and it has a great view of the surrounding countryside! The staff is ultra friendly and helpful and there's always something going on. No dogs are allowed on the trails at the main location but Tanglewood maintains a dog-friendly facility (Personious Woods) nearby. Both the main building and the lodge are available, for a fee, for parties, weddings, meetings, etc. Check out the website for upcoming events. Admission to the trails and building is free but joining and/or donating is money well spent.
8. Robert Treman State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,301 reviews
Reviewed By Passenger527561
This park was convenient to town and had great walking trails to the magnificent water falls.We spent a good part of our hiking to Lucifer Falls and encountered many families both coming and going along the trail.The Park is a true treasure for the area.
9. Cumming Nature Center
10. Buttermilk Falls State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 953 reviews
Reviewed By cshav10
Incredible natural beauty - breathtaking. If climbing stairs or a steep climb are an issue there is you can start up at the top and walk down. Not sure of the name of the road. We took the rim walk which was a stiff climb and came down that way.
