Ah, summer. It's the time of year when for once, finally, and hopefully upstate New York is finally warm. People begin to crawl out of their homes and are able to enjoy the gorgeous outdoor weather. Growing up in the Finger Lakes area, we are fortunate enough to be surrounded by so many beautiful places to go for a little day trip or even a vacation.
There are a plethora of places to hike, fish, eat, camp and shop, you name it. The rolling hills of beautiful wine country are where you should be spending your time. Whether you're from Rochester, Albany, Buffalo, etc., pass on through the good ole Finger Lakes.
Here is just a small list of my personal favorite places to go:
1. Watkins Glen State Park
I took this photo myself and let me tell you, the beauty of the glen is not even nearly exhibited in this photo. I have been to Watkins Glen a million times and each time I am still in awe of the beauty. It's only about a little over an hour from where I live (the Canandaigua area), so it's perfect for a nice day trip or a weekend getaway. If you love camping as much as I do, you'll love the fact that the gorge trail is accessible from the campground. It also is a short drive from the town of Watkins Glen, banked at the mouth of Seneca Lake. There is much to do there: hiking, fishing, camping, shops and food. The drive in is far from disappointing. Rolling hills and vineyards cascading around farmland and the beautiful Seneca Lake. It's not a bad view if you ask me.
2. Canandaigua Lake
I actually took this photo on a nice evening walk with my mom. On Lakeshore Drive there are plenty of places to eat, grab ice cream, picnic or just enjoy the beautiful views. There are plenty of places to kayak, paddleboard and canoe as well.
3. Downtown Canandaigua
Just a short drive from the lake itself is downtown Canandaigua. It is not exactly as big as your average city, but there are a bunch of good places to eat and some shops to browse. The atmosphere is friendly, just like the rest of the city.
4. Buttermilk Falls
One of my personal favorites. A nice and quiet place to camp, nestled in the hills surrounding Ithaca. About an hour and a half drive from Canandaigua. There are plenty of cascading waterfalls and pools. It's also a pretty breathtaking hike. Don't miss out.
6. Taughannock Falls
One of the easiest, yet most breathtaking hikes. Taughannock Falls has much to do right across the road from the gorgeous Cayuga Lake. You can swim, hike, camp, kayak, and fish — you name it. My family loves to come here in the summer, and you're not too far from Ithaca, Buttermilk Falls or Robert H. Treman State Park. It's worth the drive and the views.
7. Ithaca
Many places to shop and so much to do.
8. Seneca Lake
Seneca Lake Park in Geneva has plenty of places to picnic and enjoy the scenery. Just another of the gorgeous wonders of Finger Lakes.
9. Grimes Glen
