The Finger Lakes

Class of 1977

Just four and a half hours from Hicksville, between Rochester and Syracuse, you will find 11 lakes. These 11 lakes were carved out by glacial ice 10,000 years ago. The gravel deposits left behind dammed the streams, and the depressions they left behind formed the lakes.  These would become the Finger Lakes. They got their name for obvious reasons; they look like outstretched fingers. 

Finger Lakes

What to See and Do

The Finger Lakes is one of our favorite places to go on vacation.  There is so much to see and do. There are museums, parks, hiking, camping, car races, waterfalls, water sports, cheese shops, and wineries. We like to stay in Watkins Glen. Watkins Glen is on the southern end of Seneca Lake.  It gives us access to Kueka and Cayuga lakes.  We have also stayed in Corning, which is located 30 minutes from Seneca Lake and Kueka Lake, and 50 minutes from Cayuga.

Corning, NY

Corning Museum of GlassOne of our favorite places to visit is Corning and the Corning Museum of Glass. Prepare to spend the whole day there.  Take a workshop or attend one or more of their  live demonstrations in their indoor or outdoor theaters. You may even win a one-of-a-kind piece of glass in their drawing during the last show.  The exhibits change, so everytime you go, you are greeted by new exhibits, as well as some old favorites.  They have 3,500 years of glassmaking history behind their walls. Take a walk through the town of Corning, known as the Gaffer District.  A Gaffer is a glassblower.  There are some wonderful restaurants and quaintThe Village of Corning, NY shops and boutiques to enjoy and purchase one-of-a-kind items. If you are lucky, you may catch some live music too.

Watkins Glen, NY

Watkins Glen is another favorite place of ours.  That's where we usually camp while we're there. KOA Campsite Watkins Glen Watkins Glen can be a sleepy little town, but not during race weekends. Watkins Glen is home to Watkins Glen International Raceway.  You can see NASCAR, and Watkins Glen State ParkVintage Car races are held throughout the year.  Watkins Glen is also home to Watkins Glen State Park. The state park has 19 waterfalls.  You can hike the gorge trail and take in the beautiful views along the way. The village itself is quaint, with wonderful stores and restaurants.  Stop into Ben and Jerry's for dessert, or check out a local shop. 

Seneca and Keuka Lakes

Keuka LakeFrom Watkins Glen, you can check out the Seneca and Keuka Lakes.  Both lakes offer amazing views. There is so much to do on either lake. Both are home to wine trails and distilleries. There is a wine for everyone, whether you like them sweet or dry. As for the distilleries, you can taste any type of distilled beverage.  If you are not a wine drinker, check out the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail. There are so many great cheeses to taste and pair with your favorite meats or beverages. You might also be interested in the grape juice tastings or craftMy Husband Phil and me at Hazlet winery soda tastings at the various wineries. Or, just commune with nature and go on a hike through the state park or the Finger Lakes National Forest. Take a cruise on one of the lakes or even bring your own boat for a day on the water.  Check out the shops and antique stores off the beaten path, or just have a picnic along the lake. Or, if you are lucky, you can take in a marshmallow harvest. Marshmallow Harvest

I hope that you get to visit the Finger Lakes and fall in love with all they have to offer. 

Some photos have long captions.  Just use the scroll bar to the right of the caption to read the whole caption.

Resources 

 History of the Finger Lakes

• https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/the-icy-origins-of-the-finger-lakes-82448/

Corning 

• https://www.cmog.org/   
• https://shorturl.at/fC8J6

Watkins Glen

• https://travelguidesfree.com/destinations/north-america/usa/new-york/schuyler-county/watkins-glen/visit/

 Seneca  and Kueka Lakes

• https://senecalakewine.com/
• https://www.keukawinetrail.com/
• https://www.fingerlakes.com/cheese/
• https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/finger-lakes-cheese-trail-new-york
• https://www.fingerlakes.com/distilleries/
• https://www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com/travel-guide/the-non-drinkers-guide-to-finger-lakes-wine-country/

Images

Finger Lakes - https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/the-icy-origins-of-the-finger-lakes-82448/

Other images taken by Wendy Elkis Girnis