Finger Lakes in 5 days

New York's wine country of gorges, waterfalls, and glacier lakes Best time to visit: May to October. Average daily budget: $150 to $240.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Ithaca, The lively southern base on Cayuga Lake, with gorges, Cornell University, and the region's best food scene.

Morning: Walk the Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen. Two miles of stone paths pass 19 waterfalls, including the iconic Rainbow Falls where you walk behind the cascade. Go early to beat the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Ithaca, The lively southern base on Cayuga Lake, with gorges, Cornell University, and the region's best food scene.

Evening: Sail or cruise on a lake. Schooner cruises on Seneca and dinner cruises on Skaneateles show the lakes from the water they are named for.

Eat: Moosewood in Ithaca, the legendary vegetarian restaurant that changed American cooking

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Seneca Lake, The deepest lake and the heart of the wine trail, with the most wineries along its shores.

Morning: Taste Riesling on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. Dr. Konstantin Frank put Finger Lakes Riesling on the world map. Combine it with Hermann J. Wiemer and Ravines for a masterclass in cool-climate wine.

Afternoon: Explore Seneca Lake, The deepest lake and the heart of the wine trail, with the most wineries along its shores.

Evening: See Taughannock Falls. At 215 feet, it is taller than Niagara and drops into a dramatic gorge ten minutes from Ithaca. The rim and base trails are both easy.

Eat: FLX Table in Geneva for a chef's counter tasting menu

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Geneva, A historic town at Seneca's north end with a lovely lakefront and Belhurst Castle.

Morning: Explore Ithaca's gorges and farmers market. Cascadilla and Buttermilk Falls gorges sit right in town, and the weekend Ithaca Farmers Market on the Cayuga inlet is a regional institution.

Afternoon: Explore Geneva, A historic town at Seneca's north end with a lovely lakefront and Belhurst Castle.

Evening: Grimes Glen in Naples, a creek-walk gorge where you wade between two waterfalls. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Stonecat Cafe on Seneca Lake for seasonal lakeside dining

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Skaneateles, The jewel-box village on the clearest lake, upscale and walkable, closest to Syracuse.

Morning: The Corning Museum of Glass just south of the region, worth the detour. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Skaneateles, The jewel-box village on the clearest lake, upscale and walkable, closest to Syracuse.

Evening: Anyela's Vineyards for sunset tastings over Skaneateles Lake. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: The Ithaca Farmers Market for a DIY lunch of local everything

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Ithaca, The lively southern base on Cayuga Lake, with gorges, Cornell University, and the region's best food scene.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Ithaca, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Ithaca, The lively southern base on Cayuga Lake, with gorges, Cornell University, and the region's best food scene.

Evening: Dinner at Moosewood in Ithaca, the legendary vegetarian restaurant that changed American cooking, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Ithaca.

Eat: Moosewood in Ithaca, the legendary vegetarian restaurant that changed American cooking

Hidden gems

Grimes Glen in Naples, a creek-walk gorge where you wade between two waterfalls
The Corning Museum of Glass just south of the region, worth the detour
Anyela's Vineyards for sunset tastings over Skaneateles Lake

Getting around

A car is essential, as wineries and gorges are spread across a large rural region. Designate a driver or book a wine tour shuttle. Ithaca and Syracuse have small airports.

Safety

Very safe rural region. Gorge trails can be slippery after rain and close in winter; wear proper footwear. Swim only in designated areas, as some gorges have dangerous currents.

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