The Finger Lakes Wineries, NY

There is quite a lot to see and do in the Finger Lakes. While they are best known for their wine trails (and of course their award winning wines), they also have fantastic museums, outdoor activities and events.

The wine trails are open year round and there are several different trails to consider. There is the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, which is the largest trail with over 35 wineries, a distillery, two breweries and a meadery. Several popular events on this trail include Chocolate and Wine Weekend, Crusin’ the Tropics Weekend, Spring Wine and Cheese weekend and Deck the Halls Weekends. There is also the Keuka Wine Trail is the oldest as it was around when wine first started being made in the Finger Lakes. It also hosts the most diverse groups of wineries in the Finger Lakes. There is also the Cayuga Wine Trail, which is the first organized and longest running wine trail in the US. One of the wineries on Cayuga Lake, Swedish Hills Winery, was named 2008 winery of the year. Also, it is rumored that Cayuga lake has a sea monster. So, why not come down and check it out!

Another great even is the Finger Lakes Wine Festival, held July 16th through July 18th at Watkins Glen International and hosted by Yancy’s Fancy NY Artisan Cheese. 80 wineries will be at the event with over 500 wines to taste. The Festival will also have arts and crafts vendors, jewelers, gourmet foods, live music and pace car rides around the racetrack. For more information, check out visit the Finger Lakes Wine Festival website.

Of course there are wine tours, limos, buses, trolleys, etc to bring you around so that you can relax and enjoy the wine. There are also hotel packages, bed and breakfasts and fantastic restaurants for all tastes and price ranges.

The Finger Lakes also have a variety of things to do and see outside the wineries. Those include learning the art of glass making – which includes watching and then making your own glass at The Corning Museum of Glass. If you are a race enthusiast, check out Watkins Glen International. It hosts IndyCar, NASCAR, and the historical Watkins Glen Grand Prix. You can even experience the “The Glen’s” road course with a Thunder Road Tour in your own car. Did you know that the Finger Lakes is known as the “Cradle of Aviation” and the “Soaring Capital of America?” Check out the National Soaring Museum or Glenn H. Curtiss Museum. Or if you are more adventurous, go flying in a sailplane, vintage airplane, or learn about warplanes at Wings of Eagles. Discovery Center. Outdoor enthusiast? There are literally hundreds of miles of trails and state parks and even a national forest to explore. Ride your bike, hike or launch a boat and explore nature. Kayaks and canoes are available for rental. You can even go on a geocaching adventure as there are thousands of caches hidden throughout the region.

The Finger Lakes has something for everyone and can be a great family vacation, a romantic getaway or a girls or guys weekend adventure! So check it out and explore all that the Finger Lakes has to offer!

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