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Finger Lakes

Waterfalls, wine and pristine lakes

The Finger Lakes region in upstate New York features eleven long, narrow lakes surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards. The area is known for its clean air and clear waters, making it popular with locals and visitors alike. Towns like Ithaca and Geneva provide easy access to outdoor activities such as hiking, boating and wine tasting. In summer, farmers’ markets offer fresh produce, while fall brings colorful foliage along scenic drives. The region balances natural beauty with small-town charm without relying on flashy attractions or crowded events.

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Region in United States

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.2

General Safety:	5
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	8
Tap water:	10

Read details

5/5

English is the primary language spoken throughout the Finger Lakes region. All businesses, attractions, and services operate in English, making communication seamless for English-speaking visitors regardless of where you go in the region.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Finger Lakes Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

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Great for wine tasting and lake scenery. Visit vineyard wineries, kayak calm lakes, hike waterfalls and explore charming small towns.

Place score

8.0

Best at:

Wine

Lakes

Natural sites

Spotless

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 9

Families

🧓 9

Seniors

❤️ 10

Couples

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Finger Lakes, United States

🌨️

Jan

🌨️

Feb

❄️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

🌤️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌥️

Nov

🌨️

Dec

High season:	June - Oct.
Shoulder season:	April - May
Crowdedness:	5 (Moderate tourist numbers)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Many wineries, restaurants and lake cruises cut hours or close November to April, main season May to October

Watkins Glen gorge trail is open mid May to early November and closed in winter

Don't miss

🥾 Hike the scenic Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park
🖼️ Tour the Corning Museum of Glass and watch live demos
🌊 Visit Taughannock Falls, one of the tallest in the East
🍷 Explore vineyards and taste local wines at Finger Lakes wineries
⛵ Boat or fish on one of the 11 pristine Finger Lakes

You've been here?

Why travel to Finger Lakes?

What makes the Finger Lakes truly special is its incredible diversity of experiences packed into one accessible region. The area boasts some of the most dramatic landscapes in the eastern United States, with state parks featuring towering waterfalls and breathtaking gorges. Watkins Glen State Park alone offers 19 waterfalls along its famous Gorge Trail, while Taughannock Falls stands at an impressive 215 feet – taller than Niagara Falls. These natural wonders provide endless opportunities for hiking, photography and simply reconnecting with nature. Beyond its natural beauty, the Finger Lakes has emerged as one of America's premier wine regions, particularly known for its world-class Rieslings and ice wines. With over 100 wineries spread across several wine trails, you can spend days sampling award-winning vintages while enjoying stunning lake views. The region's rich agricultural heritage also translates to an exceptional food scene, from charming farm-to-table restaurants to artisanal cheese producers. Add in the cultural attractions like the Corning Museum of Glass, historic small towns and four distinct seasons offering everything from summer water sports to fall foliage and you have a destination that rewards multiple visits throughout the year.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Corning Museum of Glass
2 Glenn H. Curtiss Museum
3 George Eastman Museum

🎡Places for activities

1 Watkins Glen State Park

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Buttermilk Falls
2 Cayuga Lake
3 Taughannock Falls
4 Seneca Lake
5 Keuka Lake

🛍️Shopping

1 Ithaca Commons
2 Destiny USA
3 Mackenzie Childs
4 Finger Lakes Welcome Center
5 Finger Lakes Premium Outlets

🎈Events

Finger Lakes Wine Festival
Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival
Naples Grape Festival
Finger Lakes Cheese Festival
Seneca Lake Wine Trail Events
Keuka Lake Wine Trail Events
Ithaca Festival
Watkins Glen Italian American Festival
Finger Lakes Lavender Festival
Finger Lakes Cider Week

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Knowledge before you go

Plan a loop drive; attractions are spread across multiple lakes.
Pack layers for changeable lake weather, especially evenings near the water and gorges.
Book wineries and tastings ahead on weekends; popular routes fill quickly during fall foliage season.
Arrive early at Watkins Glen trails; narrow gorge paths get crowded and can close after heavy rain.

How to travel to Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes region is most commonly accessed by car, located within a few hours' drive from major Northeast cities. It's approximately 4-5 hours from New York City, 3 hours from Buffalo, 2 hours from Syracuse and 6 hours from Boston or Philadelphia. The region is well-connected by highways, with I‑90 (New York State Thruway) running along its northern edge. For those flying in, several regional airports serve the area. The closest options include Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC), Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) and Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ITH). From these airports, renting a car is highly recommended to explore the region effectively. Limited bus service is available to major towns in the region through companies like Greyhound and Trailways, but a car is essential for experiencing the area's diverse attractions.

Access summary

From Ithaca Tompkins (ITH) or Rochester (ROC): Rental car, about 1 hour.
From Syracuse: Drive or bus into the lake region, roughly 1–1.5 hours.
From New York City: Car or bus upstate, typically 4–5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes offers diverse accommodation options to suit various preferences and budgets. Charming bed and breakfasts in converted historic homes provide authentic local experiences, while lakeside cottages and vacation rentals offer privacy and direct water access. Several boutique hotels and inns can be found in towns like Geneva, Watkins Glen and Skaneateles, many featuring wine-themed amenities. For budget travelers, chain hotels are available in larger towns and numerous campgrounds and RV parks cater to outdoor enthusiasts. During peak season (summer and fall foliage), accommodations fill quickly, so booking well in advance is essential.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Gorgeous View Motel

7.4

Savannah House Wine Country Inn & Cottages

Longhouse Lodge Motel

9.2

Longhouse Manor B&B

4.8

The Fox and the Grapes

Diamond on Seneca

Burdett House Bed & Breakfast

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Finger Lakes

Having your own vehicle is the most practical way to explore the Finger Lakes, as the region is spread out and public transportation is limited. The area's scenic roads make driving a pleasure, with routes like Route 414 along Seneca Lake offering stunning views. A car also gives you the flexibility to visit multiple lakes, state parks and wineries at your own pace. If you're planning to visit wineries, consider hiring a local tour service or joining an organized wine tour to avoid drinking and driving concerns. Companies like Finger Lakes Winery Tours, Wine Wagen Tours and PALS Wine Tours offer guided experiences with transportation included. For those staying in larger towns like Ithaca, local bus services and rideshares are available for getting around town, but not ideal for regional exploration.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-3 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 3% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Auburn, United States - 38 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£64	£146	£383
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£26	£68	£150
🍝 Food per day	£31	£71	£203
🚕 Transportation per day	£7	£7	£30

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£28
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£14
🍟 Fast food combo	£8.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£11.50
☕ Cappuccino	£4.10
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.60

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.70
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£18
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.65

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£10.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£80
🤧 Cold medication	£6.50
💇 Basic haircut	£13

Safety information overview

General safety

The Finger Lakes region is generally very safe for tourists with low crime rates, particularly in small towns and rural areas. Exercise standard precautions in more populated areas. The main safety concerns relate to outdoor activities - be cautious on hiking trails, especially after rainfall when gorge trails can become slippery.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities are readily available throughout the region, with hospitals in larger towns like Ithaca, Geneva and Canandaigua. Urgent care centers are accessible in most populated areas. The region has no specific health risks, though tick awareness is recommended when hiking during warmer months.

Accessibility

Accessibility varies throughout the Finger Lakes. Major attractions like the Corning Museum of Glass offer excellent accessibility features, while natural areas present more challenges. Many wineries have made efforts to accommodate visitors with mobility issues, but historic buildings and some state parks with steep trails may be difficult to navigate.

Tap water

Tap water throughout the Finger Lakes region is safe to drink and generally of good quality. Public drinking fountains can be found in parks and public buildings in towns and cities. When hiking in remote areas, carrying your own water is recommended.