Finger Lakes, NY

[Vishenka69]

We're planning on going to Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York for a week in August with another couple. I'm looking for any kind of suggestions or recommendations or even warnings. Has anyone been there recently or lives nearby?

[twainny]

DH's family owns a cottage up there. We go up there ALL THE TIME.. it is awesome!!! Go to the state park in Watkins Glen and do some wineries... when we go there we don't go out alot, we spend all our time on the water.

Good Luck!

[dionysia]

DH and I were in Elmira/Horseheads last weekend!

Go visit Bully Hill winery. ;)

Di

[tinkerbelljenny]

Love love love the Finger Lakes Area. I own a small piece of land right outside of that area. I totally agree with going to Watkins Glen park, take the hike, it is fun. We took the shuttle one way and hiked the rest, it is nice. Also, do you like wine? They have some awesome wineries there.

[Vishenka69]

I can't believe I haven't been getting notification of new posts! Do any of you know how far Watkins Glen park is from Corning (the B&B I like is near Corning)? I'd love winery recommendations. They are part of the reason we're visiting the region. If anyone has a house to rent, please let us know too. :)

[berry]

My husband and I went to the Elmira area. We stayed here Painted Lady (http://www.thepaintedlady.net/)

We also went hiking at Watkins Glen. We were there in the fall of 2002 and it was gorgeous!

[FEIrider]

DH & I went to Seneca Lake last fall for a long week-end. It was fantastic! Lots of hiking & drinking wine. Here's where we stayed:Seneca Springs (http://www.senecasprings.com/) I highly recommend it. :)

[Vishenka69]

FEIrider and berry, thanks for your recommendations. Those B&B's look great, but they're a bit out of our budget. The two I've found for much less are Country Gardens and Halcyon. Has anyone been to either? They look very pretty on the web and the innkeeps are very friendly over the phone, so I'm not anticipating any problems.

Also if anyone has any dinner/lunch recommendations in the Bath/Corning/Elmira area, please suggest away.

[elladee]

Not sure which week in August you're planning on going, but I just wanted to warn you that the annual NASCAR race in Watkins Glen is August 14th. Unless you want to go to the race and be around all the race fans, I'd stay out of Watkins Glen that weekend (and even the Thurs and Fri before).

[nekopie76]

I live in the Northern part of the Finger Lakes region (by the Thruway). I don't get down to the Corning area much but I can try to help. In my experience all the wineries are good. In my neck of the woods (Cayuga Lake), Swedish Hill is one of the best.

There are tons of State Parks in the Ithaca region. Taughannock Falls State Park is my favorite. It is a very simple walk to the falls (you can even walk in the river bed in some spots).
http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/images/taughannockfalls.jpg

Buttermilk Falls State Park is another one I suggest. It is very hard climbing. I am in so-so shape and have never made it to the top. But the falls are at the bottom and very cool. :D
http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/images/buttermilk.jpg

Also Niagara Falls isn't that far away.

elladee is right about NASCAR weekend. Stay away from Watkins Glen that weekend. Otherwise I would go to the Glen. Very pretty.

There is another park that I hadn't been to but plan on going soon. Letchworth State Park. It is very close to you and I heard beautiful.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[twainny]

Letchworth is beautiful. DH took me there on a date when we were dating!! Highly recommend it too!
My BMs and I went to Taughannock falls on our lunch retreat (had lunch at Glenora winery and went to the falls). It was a lot of fun. Very easy to get to.

[dionysia]

Letchworth is really neat.

As for restaurants, we went to Jellybeans (iirc) in Painted Post. It was tasty!

Di

[Photobug]

I second (third?) Letchworth. It's a gorgeous park! I used to go there all the time with friends when I was in college.

[KrissyCat7]

Definetly check out Letchworth, my parents have a cottage right near by and its gorgeous!

Taughannock Falls State Park is also awesome. I havent been there in a few years but it is so much fun to spend a day there.

Another suggestions would be Fairhaven State Park on Lake Ontario. I basically grew up there. Its a great park!

[BuffaloBlondie]

bumping this up...
My Dh & I always go to Skaneatlas for our wedding anniversary, which is in the beginning of December. This year, we are considering trying another lake in the Finger Lake region. Any recommendations? We like to shop, & drink wine.

[twainny]

we were married at Belhurst Castle, in Geneva, NY. They have a great like hotel (more like a B&B). There are great wineries on Seneca Lake too.