One of our favorite activities in the Finger Lakes region is chasing the Watkins Glen waterfalls. This spectacular state park is a picturesque 30-minute drive southwest of our Bed and Breakfast in the Finger Lakes and is worth every second of your time. Watkins Glen State Park has been ranked as one of the top three State Parks in the US, and for a good reason! This one park is home to 19 spectacular Watkins Glen waterfalls, each located along its scenic and walkable Gorge Trail with stone steps and bridges.
As a guest at our Bed and Breakfast in the Finger Lakes, you’ll be just a short distance from Taughannock State Park, a must for waterfall lovers. This park is known for the tall crowing jewel 215-foot Taughannock Falls, but the Watkins Glen waterfalls offer a unique collection in a short two-mile journey. The water of Glen Creek drops 400 feet into a gorge with 200-foot walls. As it falls, it cascades down, creating 19 different waterfalls along the way, each just as intriguing as the next. A few Rim trails overlook the gorge, and the Gorge Trail winds alongside, over, and under the falls.
Discovering the natural beauty of the Watkins Glen waterfalls is the perfect addition to any romantic getaway to the Finger Lakes region. And when you stay at our Bed and Breakfast in the Finger Lakes, the most luxurious accommodations await your return. Our beautifully appointed Inn is in the charming village of Trumansburg, just 20 minutes from Ithaca, NY, set back from the hustle and bustle for a quiet retreat in Upstate NY. Reserve your room today and start planning your next getaway to the Finger Lakes region.
Your Guide to the BEST Watkins Glen Waterfalls
Waterfalling at Watkins Glen State Park is one of the highest-rated activities in the Finger Lakes region, holding the number four spot on Tripadvisor for things to do in this area—of the 4,700+ reviews, more than 4,000 are five stars. The park welcomes more than one million visitors per year. Many of these reviews are written by visitors who weren’t expecting to be so impressed by the Watkins Glen Waterfalls, and it’s always nice when your expectations are exceeded on vacation!
From our Inn, you’ll head out for your adventure on a leisurely drive down NY-227 to NY-79, which sometimes drives along the edge of the beautiful Finger Lakes National Forest. As you arrive at the village of Watkins Glen, the parking area is right downtown. Be sure to get your $10 parking pass, lay it on your dashboard, and head out to explore the 19 Watkins Glen waterfalls.
Along the two-mile trek at Watkins Glen State Park, the Gorge Path is the most popular route, and it winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade and Rainbow Falls, which is the most iconic spot in the park.
On the wooded Rim Trails, you’ll find many incredible scenic outlooks and bridges overlooking the 200-foot gorge and cascading water below. Grab the Watkins Glen waterfalls map at the visitor’s center. All the trails are considered moderate due to the amount of climbing on stone stairways, and they vary in length from shorter under-a-mile options to nearly five miles for the whole experience.
Watkins Glen State Park is open year-round, but the famous Gorge Trail is generally open from late May through early November —during the Autumn months, this is a favorite destination for fall foliage, the golden hues setting a beautiful backdrop for the cascading Watkins Glen waterfalls.
The Most Romantic Bed and Breakfast in the Finger Lakes
The Seneca Suite (pictured above) is one of only two spacious and luxurious suites at our Bed and Breakfast in the Finger Lakes located above The Spa at Gothic Eves. This is a perfect suite for guests looking for a romantic getaway,y including adventures seeking the Watkins Glen waterfalls and returning for spa treatments and relaxation. The massage rooms are located two floors below and will not disturb the room’s quiet space or private feel.
Inside this suite, you’ll find beautiful wide plank flooring, a pine cathedral ceiling, and ample windows bringing in natural light (all equipped with black-out curtains for leisurely mornings). The modern decor allows our guests to sink into complete relaxation, allowing everyday stresses to melt away. The custom-tiled private bathroom offers a large shower with stone and glass tile and is equipped with a rain shower head. Curl up on one of the comfy zebra-print chairs by the gas fireplace or sink into your big, comfortable mirrored four-poster bed.
If you’re in the Finger Lakes to celebrate a milestone, anniversary, or even your honeymoon, you’ll find that all of our guest rooms are tailored for spending special time together. We’ve thought of every little detail, so all you have to do is sit back, relax, enjoy our excellent breakfast each morning, and plan your adventures in the area. Book your room today and start filling up your itinerary today!
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