Finger Lakes Region Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Geneva featuring heritage elements and a house
Geneva featuring tranquil scenes and a lake or waterhole
Highland Park showing a park
Robert H. Treman State Park featuring a cascade
Rosamond Gifford Zoo which includes bird life and zoo animals

Eleven sparkling lakes, miles of hiking trails and striking gorges make this area of New York state a true natural paradise.

Visit the Finger Lakes Region in central New York state for unspoiled natural beauty. Taste local wines on the winery trails, splash under cascading waterfalls and head to museums for a cultural education in everything from art to airplanes to women’s rights.

Experience scenic beauty in state parks and along the waterways leading to Lake Ontario. Hike through Watkins Glen State Park to see its stunning waterfalls, go boating in Erie Canal and watch birds from the Main Pool Observation Tower in Montezuma Wildlife Refuge. Other natural highlights include Taughannock Falls State Park in Ulysses, home to a 215-foot (20-meter) waterfall, one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains.

Foodies will enjoy browsing the Ithaca Farmers’ Market, while children will go wild for the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse. Try your hand at glassmaking at the Corning Museum of Glass and admire photography exhibits at the George Eastman Museum in Rochester.

Taste the quality red and white wines produced in the region on the Canandaigua Wine Trail, the Seneca Lake Wine Trail and the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. Stop at wineries along the way to learn about the winemaking process.

Seneca Falls was one of the hubs of the women’s suffrage movement in the U.S. Visit the National Women's Hall of Fame to find out more about this historic campaign. In Auburn, see Harriet Tubman’s home and learn how she helped hundreds of slaves to freedom.

Finger Lakes is easily accessible with two regional airports, two international airports and train stations in both Rochester and Syracuse. Most visitors arrive some time between June and August when the weather is the warmest, but don’t rule out the winter months for beautiful snowy landscapes and accommodations deals.

Arrive in Finger Lakes in any season and it will soon be obvious just why this region is such a popular escape for East Coast city dwellers. Choose to relax and unplug, or strap on your gear for an outdoor adventure.

Where to stay in Finger Lakes Region

Genesee River\'s High Falls featuring a city and street scenes as well as a couple

Downtown Rochester

4/5(1 area review)

Live music, theatres and museums highlight some of the noteworthy features of Downtown Rochester. Make a stop by Blue Cross Arena or Genesee River while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Downtown Rochester
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Irondequoit

While visiting Irondequoit, you might make a stop by sights like Seabreeze Amusement Park and Irondeqouit Bay State Marine Park.

Irondequoit
Clinton Square featuring heritage architecture, a park and a city

Downtown Syracuse

3/5(1 area review)

Downtown Syracuse is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Landmark Theatre and Clinton Square while you're in town.

Downtown Syracuse
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Lakefront

If you're spending some time in Lakefront, Destiny USA and NBT Bank Stadium are top sights worth seeing.

Lakefront
Carrier Dome showing modern architecture

Eastside

While visiting Eastside, you might make a stop by sights like JMA Wireless Dome and Syracuse Stage.

Eastside
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Downtown Ithaca

While visiting Downtown Ithaca, you might make a stop by sights like State Theatre of Ithaca and Ithaca Commons.

Downtown Ithaca
LivAway Suites- Syracuse

LivAway Suites- Syracuse

2 out of 5
6595 Thompson Rd, Syracuse, NY
The price is AU$147 per night from 6 Aug to 7 Aug
AU$147
6 Aug - 7 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Syracuse. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Destiny USA and JMA Wireless Dome are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (395 reviews)
"Service is more than our expectations"

Reviewed on 4 Aug. 2025

LivAway Suites- Syracuse
The Statler Hotel at Cornell University

The Statler Hotel at Cornell University

4 out of 5
130 Statler Dr, Ithaca, NY
The price is AU$411 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$411
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Ithaca. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,005 reviews)
"Simply the best hotel on the beautiful Cornell campus. Great location, service, food, and located in the heart of central campus."

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

The Statler Hotel at Cornell University
Baymont by Wyndham Henrietta/Rochester

Baymont by Wyndham Henrietta/Rochester

2 out of 5
905 Lehigh Station Road, Henrietta, NY
The price is AU$136 per night from 6 Aug to 7 Aug
AU$136
6 Aug - 7 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Henrietta. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
6.4/10 (359 reviews)
"Liked breakfast..waffle machine was good"

Reviewed on 4 Aug. 2025

Baymont by Wyndham Henrietta/Rochester
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Charming 3-bedroom house in Rochester/UofR & RIT

Charming 3-bedroom house in Rochester/UofR & RIT

2 out of 5
Rochester
Stay at this vacation home in Rochester. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Strong and Genesee Valley Park are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (25 reviews)
Perfect for our stay in Rochester
"The house was adorable and so clean. We made ourselves at home, slept great,"

Reviewed on 8 May 2025

Charming 3-bedroom house in Rochester/UofR & RIT
The Flatts at North Shore

The Flatts at North Shore

3.5 out of 5
414 Exchange St, Geneva, NY
Stay at this 3.5-star spa condo in Geneva. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Smith Center for the Arts and Finger Lakes ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (89 reviews)
"The property was in a great location and had everything we needed. The bedrooms and bathrooms are spacious and the owners were great !"

Reviewed on 11 Jul. 2025

The Flatts at North Shore
Sub Level Effiency

Sub Level Effiency

Geneva
Stay at this vacation home in Geneva. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Smith Center for the Arts and Finger Lakes Welcome Center ...
Sub Level Effiency
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Finger Lakes Region