Upstate and western New York is a beautiful place to take an RV trip and if you haven't visited the Finger Lakes, you are in for a real treat. This region has 11 narrow lakes that are situated west of Syracuse in a north-south pattern making them look like fingers on a map. Comprising 9,000 square miles, the whole area is filled with award-winning wineries, amazing outdoor activities, and interesting historic sites.
Anytime between late spring and fall is a great time to visit the Finger Lakes. In the spring all of the winter runoff fuels the area's many waterfalls. In the summer there are watersports and lake fun to enjoy, as well as fresh farm produce and amazing wines. Don't count out autumn where you can enjoy dramatic fall foliage, scenic drives, and more farm products.
Guest Post by Robin Buck
Beautiful Lakes for the RVer who likes Relaxing
The lakes are of course the key feature of the Finger Lakes region. These narrow bodies of water are all less than 3.5 miles wide, but they do vary in length. Because they were formed by glaciers scraping the earth many years ago, Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake are two of the deepest lakes in the United States.
There are many things to do around the different lakes. Lakeside parks offer a place to walk or have a picnic lunch and many restaurants have a great view out over the water while you dine. You might like a boat tour on the lake--some even offer dinner cruises. The 3-story Finger Lakes Boating Museum has over 200 boats and is dedicated to preserving the boating history of the region.
Mesmerizing Waterfalls for Adventurers
Along with the lakes, another thing this region is known for are all the waterfalls. So many state parks offer stunning scenery and beautiful views of the falls. Letchworth State Park, nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the East, has a series of spectacular large waterfalls where the Genesee River flows through the gorge. Another beautiful waterfall is at Taughannock Falls State Park. It plunges 215 feet over the edge, which is taller than Niagara Falls.
Every waterfall I saw was amazing, but my favorite was at Watkins Glen State Park. Here you can see 19 different waterfalls along a 2-mile stretch of Glen Creek as it flows through a deep canyon. We walked the 1.5-mile Gorge Path that contains 823 steps (we counted!). It was stunning to walk over and under waterfalls and see features like Rainbow Falls, Spiral Gorge, and Cavern Cascade.
Award-Winning Wineries
The Finger Lakes is the largest wine-producing region in the eastern United States. There are over 100 wineries in the area, many of which have produced award-winning wines. We love visiting different wineries, learning about the grapes and winemaking process, and tasting the many great wines. Learning about how wine glass shapes affect the wine's taste as well as how ice wine is made were two new and interesting processes we learned about.
One easy way to explore the various wineries is by driving one of the wine trails. The Keuka Lake Wine Trail has 5 wineries, the Seneca Lake Wine Trail has 27 wineries, and the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail has 12 wineries all located around their respective lakes. In addition, the region is also home to a growing number of craft breweries, cideries, and distilleries.
Fruitful Farms
The Finger Lakes area has rich farmland that produces many wonderful fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and even ice cream. We really enjoyed all of the pick-your-own farms where we collected fresh cherries, blueberries, and strawberries. If you visit in the fall, you can pick apples and pumpkins. The wildflowers are also amazing; we saw one of the biggest sunflower fields I have ever seen.
Interesting Historic Sites for RVers to Visit
There is no shortage of historic sites to visit in the Finger Lakes. The Women's Rights National Historic Park, Harriet Tubman's Home and Historic Park, and Susan B. Anthony Museum & House all celebrate the roles women played in shaping our nation. Fans of Mark Twain can visit his study and burial site, and aviation lovers will savor time in the National Soaring Museum and the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum.
The Watkins Glen International Racetrack is a fun stop for motor racing enthusiasts. We loved learning more about the actors and the classic movie at the It's a Wonderful Life Museum. Another favorite was the Corning Museum of Glass where we spent several hours seeing glass blowing demonstrations, viewing the world's largest collection of glass, and even trying our hand at making a glass ornament.
Take Your Pick
No matter when you visit or what activities you like, you will surely find many things to love in the Finger Lakes. The beauty of the area alone is enough reason to visit: the lakes, the waterfalls, the farms, and lush countryside. Take your pick of the many charming towns and their delicious food and wine options, as well as interesting fun and historic sites to see. You'll want to come back to the Finger Lakes again and again.
Robin and her husband, Mike, are Air Force veterans and empty nesters who travel full-time in their Entegra Anthem motorhome. Always ready to explore, they love nature and wildlife, meeting new friends, and discovering America's many hidden gems. Robin chronicles their adventures and experiences on her travel blog RVing with Robin.
