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The Best Things to Do in the Finger Lakes Year-Round

The Finger Lakes has a way of filling your days without any effort at all. Wineries, waterfalls, hiking trails, farmers markets, lake swims, live music — there’s always something worth doing, and rarely enough time to fit it all in.

Our hotel sits right in the middle of it, which means whatever you feel like exploring on any given morning, you’re already well-positioned to go. Below are our favorite ways to spend the time — curated from years of sending guests out and hearing what they loved most.

The Finger Lakes Have Something for Everyone

The Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York invites you to relax and settle in, no matter the season. The list of things to do in the Finger Lakes is impressive. From culinary journeys and agritourism to immersive wine tastings and outdoor adventures, it’s time to start planning your next vacation.

Spring brings waterfalls back to life and vineyards awakening along Cayuga and Seneca Lakes, while summer days are made for boat rides, wine tasting, and leisurely dinners at the best restaurants in the Finger Lakes, filled with local flavor. Fall paints the hillsides in gold and crimson, perfect for scenic drives, harvest tastings, and cozy evenings by the fire. Even winter has its own quiet beauty, with frozen waterfall gorges, uncrowded tasting rooms, and spa days that feel especially indulgent when the snow begins to fall.

Stone Bridge crossover waterfalls, Rainbow Falls in Watkins Glen State Park, New York

A Region Shaped by the Elements

Shaped by ancient glaciers, the Finger Lakes region is defined by eleven long, deep lakes carved into rolling farmland, vineyard-covered hills, and dramatic gorges. These landscapes create endless opportunities to explore. Whether you come to reconnect with nature, enjoy exceptional food and drink, or simply escape the pace of everyday life, the Finger Lakes offer something special all year long, and with our Wine Country Hotel & Spa as your home base, you’ll be near it all.

Here are our favorite ways to spend your time exploring all the best things to do in the Finger Lakes. Each morning at our Boutique Hotel in the Finger Lakes will start with a delicious, local, and fresh breakfast. Plan your own by booking a guided tour or experience, then joining us back at our hotel with a Chef and Sommelier on hand to feed your soul with the wine and food of the region. Curated just for you.

Below are some itinerary ideas to make your stay even more memorable.

Itinerary: Waterfalls & Wine

  • Head southwest to Watkins Glen and enjoy a fun boat ride around Seneca Lake on the True Love, a 2-mast sailboat. Will not disappoint.
  • Adjourn to lunch at Red Newt Bistro, followed by wine, beer, and/or distillery tasting. 
  • There are so many choices for wineries in the Finger Lakes on Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. 
  • End the exciting and eventful day in the Finger Lakes with dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in the Finger Lakes. 
  • Return to the inn for a nightcap from one of your day’s adventures while you enjoy the hot tub included in your stay.

Itinerary: Biking & Boating

  • Bring your bike and ride the Black Diamond Trail to downtown Ithaca and explore the Ithaca Commons, where you’ll find shops, restaurants, and live music. 
  • Or head to Taughannock State Park and kayak, paddle board, or canoe around Cayuga Lake, or go hiking on the  Cascadilla Gorge Trail downtown Ithaca, always one of the most popular things to do in the Finger Lakes.
  • After you’ve worked up a good appetite, have lunch at one of our favorite Ithaca restaurants: Cafe Dewitt or Viva Taqueria (Rose’s favorite margarita is Mikey’s!). 
  • Return to the inn for a relaxing massage (included with your stay of 5 nights) or read a book in the hammock. 
  • Walk to a casual dinner with great locally brewed ales at Garrett’s Brewing Co.
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Itinerary: Yoga & Watkins Glen State Park

  • Catch a Yoga class in Trumansburg or at LIvely Run Dairy goat Yoga, or go to Ithaca to Mighty Yoga Studio, where there is always a great class happening.
  • Head to the Watkins Glen State Park for a hike, and drive to Montour Falls to see a waterfall literally in someone’s backyard. 
  • Next, enjoy lunch by the harbor at Lucky Hare Brewing for fantastic lake views. 
  • After lunch, travel up the west side of Seneca Lake to Fox Run Winery for wine tastings. Don’t miss the scenic stops on the way. 
  • End the evening with dinner at Graft Wine + Cider Bar in Watkins Glen.

Itinerary: Spa & Summer Swims

  • After your nourishing breakfast at the hotel, walk over to the spa for your sauna and massage (part of the Footloose & Fancy Free Package). 
  • For lunch, take a short drive up Rte 89 to the Finger Lakes Cider House for an organic meal and games on the lawn (and maybe dessert at Cayuga Lake Creamery? You’re on vacation!). 
  • Head to Taughannock Falls State Park for a hike and swim. 
  • Then, for dinner, we suggest The Heights or Gola Osteria, two of the best restaurants in the Finger Lakes, for a romantic dinner.

Itinerary: Best Rainy Day Activities

  • Walk over to the spa for a relaxing sauna and massage, part of the Footloose & Fancy Free Package in the summer or the Hot, Hot, Hot specials in the winter.
  • Take a scenic drive to Corning and spend the afternoon exploring the Corning Museum of Glass. One of the top-rated things to do in Ithaca!
  • Enjoy dinner along Market Street, choosing from one of Corning’s inviting restaurants. The Cellar is a popular choice for date night.
  • Grab tickets to the Kitchen Theater, Hangar Theater, Bailey Hall at Cornell, or the State Theater for amazing entertainment.
  • Or return to Trumansburg for a casual evening, grab pizza from NY Pizzeria, and a bottle of wine from one of the best Finger Lakes wineries. 

More Things to Do in the Finger Lakes

There are so many places we love and recommend in our area that it is hard to choose, so we’re leaving it up to you! All of these things to do in the Finger Lakes listed in these itineraries are places we have been to and enjoy. If you have any questions, please let us know.

Shopping in the Finger Lakes
Cheese Tasting & Farms
Ice Cream & Treats

Get Outdoors in the Finger Lakes

Outdoor adventures are at the heart of the Finger Lakes, where dramatic gorges, deep blue lakes, and rolling hills invite you to explore at your own pace. From hiking waterfall trails and swimming beneath cascading falls to kayaking, boating, and cycling scenic back roads, the region offers endless ways to enjoy fresh air and natural beauty in every season. Here are our favorite things to do in the Finger Lakes in the great outdoors:

Make The Most of Your Time Outside

Marinas & Boat Launches
Boat Rentals & Tours
Swimming Holes
Natural Areas & Hiking
Unique Activities

Day Trip Ideas from Trumansburg, NY

If you’re staying at our Boutique Hotel in the Finger Lakes for an extended vacation, there is so much to explore in the other nearby lakes, with charming small towns, farms, fantastic cuisine, and more iconic waterfalls! These nearby destinations are a short car ride away, with plenty to see and do along the way. So turn on your favorite tunes, pack up some road snacks, and discover the best things to do in the Finger Lakes.

Depending on your passion, head to these lake-side towns, explore the Keuka Lake Wine Trail, hike at these hidden gem state parks and forests, and be ready to take in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Fantastic Day Trip Ideas from Trumansburg:

Now Plan That Getaway

The best part about everything you just read? It’s all right outside the door. Inn at Gothic Eves sits at the center of it all — minutes from Taughannock Falls, surrounded by wineries on two lake trails, and walking distance from Trumansburg’s best casual nights out.

After a day of waterfalls, wine tasting, or time on the lake, coming back to a plush pillow-top bed, a glowing fireplace, and a private hot tub waiting just outside your suite is a pretty extraordinary way to end it. And waking up to a farm-fresh breakfast each morning means you’ll be ready to do it all over again.

Eight beautifully appointed suites, each one designed for couples who want to slow down and actually enjoy where they are.

View Our Suites

An Ideal Location

The Gothic Eve goes beyond the traditional understanding of a Bed and Breakfast. The rooms are comfortable, and well appointed. We stayed in the Cayuga Suite which had its own sitting room which was an oasis in the blistering 90 degree heat at the pounding thunder storms that popped up each afternoon. There were common rooms downstairs as well. This was our first trip to the region and the Gothic Eve, situated in Trumansburg, was an ideal location. There was easy access to Ithaca itself as well as the state parks hiking trails, and wineries. There is a supermarket, pharmacy, and several stores nearby as well. An ample, delicious breakfast was served each morning. Rose, the host, was accessible and helpful in planning what to see and do. 

— TripAdvisor Review