27 Best Things to do in Finger Lakes NY

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If you are looking for the best things to do in Finger Lakes NY this is the list for you. There is so much to do I didn’t even get to everything on my list. What I did get to see what just amazing and I wish I had more time in the area. One thing is for sure, I will be back!

Best Things to do in Finger Lakes NY

Finger Lake NY State Parks

Watkins Glen State Park – I did the Gorge Hike here. It was amazing with 19 waterfalls it was 3 miles round trip and 832 stairs! OUCH but so worth it!

Chimney Bluff State Park – Located on Lake Ontario, there are plenty of spots to sit and picnic by the water. You can also hike along the shore to take in the bluffs.

Letchworth State Park – Labeled one of the best State Parks in the country there are waterfalls, hikes, wildlife, museums, camping, lodging, and even the Gelen Iris Inn to eat at by the waterfalls.

Related: 18 Free Things to do in Niagara Falls New York

Auburn NY Underground Railroad

Harriet Tubman House – This is one of the newest NPS sites and still under renovation. This is where Harriet Tubman lived the rest of her days out after the Civil War.

Seward House – The basement there was an underground railroad stop among all the other history here.

Underground Railroad Stops In Auburn NY – There is a whole underground railroad trail in Auburn!

Related: The Ultimate Guide to The National Park Service Junior Ranger Program – Junior Ranger Badges

Women’s Right in Seneca Falls

Elizabeth Cady Stanton House – One of the important buildings in the Women’s Right movement many meeting were held here. Now you can tour the building and take in the history.

Women’s Rights National Park – This park includes several buildings, the church and the visitor center with the museum and ranger info.

Seneca Falls – The is so much history around town from the Women’s Right Movement that many places have embraced it. You can walk along the river, or walk the downtown shops and more.

Related: The Ultimate 5 Day Itinerary of New York City Things To Do

Things to do in Finger Lakes NY

Corning Downtown – The Corning NY downtown has some amazing places to eat and shop along with several museums. Most known as the home of the Corning Museum of Glass.

Corning Museum of Glass – Mentioned above a must see when in the Corning NY area. They have an amazing tour and the history of glass, classes, shopping and more.

Watkins Glen International – Even if you aren’t a huge NASCAR fan this track should catch your attention as it isn’t just the classic over with 4 left turns. It zigzags and puts a drivers skills to the test. Outside of the races, they have camping and experiences on the track.

Greek Mountain Peak Resort – The resort has rooms, a spa, indoor mini water park, and adventures center with a mountain coaster, zip lining and in the winter skiing.

Mackenzie Childs – Hand painted ceramics known for their black and white checkered pattern. On the property is the house to tour and shop to take in we even got to see them paining some of the ceramics!

Willard Memorial Chapel – Known as the Tiffany Chapel because everything but the organ was made by the Tiffany Glass company. The windows, lights, floors, walls, pews, everything.

White Dear Tours – Located in an old WWII Army Bunker in the middle of no where are these protected white deer. You can tour the Army Bunker a see where they stored bombs and ammunition along with catching glimpses of the white deer and other wildlife.

Seaside Town of Pultneyville – This town isn’t really on the sea but it on on the lake and has a seaside feel with boards and the buildings. I stumbled along this old post office with the old boxes and the postmaster told us some amazing stories!

Long Acre Farms – Know for their fall festival and corn maze they also have JD win cellars on the property.

Abbey a Genesee – A Trappist Monk monastery you can tour the public side of the chapel, and purchase the famous Monks Bread here. I tried the sunflower bread, the apple spice, and pumpkin spice and loved them all!

National War Plane Museum – This little-known place is home to Whiskey 7 is a historic WWII plane that flew in the D Day invasions of Normandy France. You can see it and other planes on the property.

Related: 59 Amazing and Free Things to do in Philadelphia PA

Places to Eat in Finger Lakes NY

New York Kitchen – They have cooking classes her where you can make your own food or you can eat at the restaurant with food from amazing local chefs.

Oak and Vine at Springside Inn – This place is right across from one of the Finger Lakes, it has an amazing Inn on the property. They do weddings and has so much history to take in. Plus they serve bone bread. Trust me you have to try it.

New Hope Mills Cafe – This cafe is on the Sweet Treat trail and it’s easy to see why. Pancakes as big as your head, homemade pancake batter, homemade syrup and more. Plus they have a cafe where they sell many of their products.

The Gould – Located in a hotel in downtown Seneca Falls right across from the river the lobster mac and cheese was amazing and enough to feed at least 2 people!

Cafe 19 – Known for amazing breakfast the true gem is the decor inside. It is all from local artists and all based on the Women’s Rights Movement. The cafe is right cross the street from the river and the statue picture further up the post when I mentioned Seneca Fall earlier is right there too.

Pultneyville Deli – Located in that small town mentioned earlier this deli has amazing sandwiches and homemade bakery items. Plus there is a museum right down the street.

Glen Iris Inn – Located in the Letchworth State Park mentioned above this inn is situated right near one of the waterfalls so you can take that in and have an amazing dinner. The park museum is also right across the street.

Make sure to take in some wine tasting at one of the many wineries on the Finger Lakes Wine Trail.

Have you visited the area? What were your favorite things to do in Finger Lakes NY I’d love to know!

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