Finger Lakes Adventure: Waterfalls and Wineries

In May 2026, we made our first visit to the Finger Lakes region of New York, and it quickly became one of those trips where we kept saying, “We need to come back.” The area has a great mix of outdoor adventure, small towns, lake views, local food, and wineries. We based much of our exploring around Seneca Lake and used the trip to sample a little bit of everything: gorge hikes, waterfalls, cheese, coffee, breweries, and, of course, Finger Lakes wine.

This was not a “see everything” trip. It was more of a first pass through the region, and that worked well for us. We left with a better sense of the area, a few favorite stops, and a growing list of places we’d like to explore more slowly next time.

Watkins Glen: A Great Place to Start

Watkins Glen was our introduction to the area, and it made a strong first impression. The town sits at the southern end of Seneca Lake and has the kind of walkable, small-town feel that makes you want a little more time than you planned. There were several local restaurants, the lake was close by, and the entrance to Watkins Glen State Park is right near town.

The highlight here is the Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park. New York State Parks notes that the gorge trail passes 19 waterfalls in about a mile, and it is easy to understand why this park gets so much attention. The trail follows Glen Creek through a narrow gorge with stone pathways, bridges, waterfalls, and plenty of steps. It was not a technically difficult hike, but it is one where you should be ready for stairs, wet stone in places, and crowds if you visit at a popular time.

One section of trail was closed during our visit, but we were still able to walk enough of the gorge to get the full effect. The views were fantastic. If you enjoy waterfalls, shaded trails, and dramatic rock formations, Watkins Glen State Park belongs on your Finger Lakes list.

Getting Out on Seneca Lake

We also wanted to actually get out on the water, so we took a boat ride on Seneca Lake aboard the Seneca Spirit. It was a beautiful day, and we sat outside on the upper deck of the two-story boat. The ride was relaxing and informative, with commentary about the lake, the surrounding area, and the salt mining operations that are part of Seneca Lake’s story.

There are other ways to get on the water, including schooner and pontoon options, but for us this was an easy, low-effort way to enjoy the lake and see the shoreline from a different perspective. If your trip is mostly focused on hiking and wineries, a boat ride is a nice change of pace.

Robert H. Treman State Park: Gorge Views and Lucifer Falls

Robert H. Treman State Park was another great stop, especially if you enjoy gorge hiking. The park has waterfalls, a swimming area, and trails through Enfield Glen. We walked part of the gorge area, and the first section was simply beautiful. “Sublime” might sound like a big word for a hiking trail, but that was the word that came to mind as we walked through it.

The gorge trail includes plenty of elevation change and stone steps, so this is another place where good walking shoes are helpful. Ithaca Trails describes the Robert H. Treman Gorge Trail as a moderate trail with 12 waterfalls, including 115-foot Lucifer Falls. If we were doing it again with limited time, we might focus on the loop near Lucifer Falls to get the views from both above and below. That would still involve steps, but it would give a good return for the effort.

Taughannock Falls: A Short Stop with a Big View

After walking at Robert H. Treman State Park, we were not looking for another long hike, but we still wanted to see Taughannock Falls. I’m glad we made the stop. The main waterfall drops 215 feet, which makes it one of the most impressive waterfall views in the region and taller than Niagara Falls by more than 30 feet.

We kept this visit simple. We parked, took a short walk to the overlook, checked out the gift shop, and moved on. Even with that quick visit, it was worth seeing. Next time, I’d like to allow more time for the gorge trail and lakefront area.

Local Food and Drink Stops

One of the fun parts of a Finger Lakes trip is mixing outdoor stops with local food and drink. Muranda Cheese Company was a great example. It is a working dairy farm with a relaxed tasting experience and a deck overlooking the pasture. We tasted a dozen cheeses and brought several home, including aged British cheddar, Red Buddy, and gouda.

We also stopped at Overlook Coffee Co., a small coffee shop with tables overlooking a waterfall. The coffee was tasty enough that we bought two bags of beans to take home: Equinox, described with milk chocolate, cinnamon, and floral honey notes, and Yulieth Mora Pink Bourbon Washed, described with lychee, brown sugar, and orange blossom notes.

Two Goats Brewing was another memorable stop. It has a huge deck, a great view of the lake, interesting décor, and tasty beer. I especially enjoyed the Kölsch. It is the kind of place that works well when you want to slow down, enjoy the view, and talk through the day’s adventures.

Finger Lakes Wineries: Our Seneca Lake Tasting Notes

There are a lot of wineries in the Finger Lakes, especially around Seneca Lake. We visited several during this trip, and it was a great reminder of how much place matters in wine. Varietals we’ve enjoyed in other regions tasted different here. Many of the reds were lighter bodied than what we might expect from warmer regions, but we found plenty to enjoy and brought a few bottles home.

Shalestone Vineyards was our favorite winery stop of the trip. It is a family-run operation now in its second generation, and we had a great conversation with the daughter of the founders. Their focus is on reds, and the personal stories and hospitality made the tasting stand out.

Hector Wine Company / Sawmill Creek was an easy stop from Finger Lakes RV Resort. The tasting room was across the road from the lake, with vineyards between the building and the water. The building was a little louder than some of the other stops, but our server was knowledgeable and helped make it a good experience.

Red Newt Cellars was tucked behind the campground and set a little farther back from the main road. While they do not have their own vines, we found several enjoyable reds and bought a Cabernet Franc to share with friends back at the campsite.

Fox Run Vineyards had a nice facility and offered tasting flights. There is also a restaurant on site, which could make it a good longer stop if you want to pair a tasting with lunch.

Fulkerson Winery, on the west side of Seneca Lake, was quiet during our visit. A local wine server shared stories about the area while walking us through the tasting, which gave the stop a relaxed, personal feel.

Atwater Vineyards offered a beautiful setting with lake views, outdoor deck space, and an indoor restaurant-style area. It is close to Two Goats Brewing, making it easy to pair a winery visit with a brewery stop.

A Seneca Lake Loop: Seneca Falls and Geneva

We also did a loop around Seneca Lake, which gave us a chance to see a little more of the region beyond the wineries and state parks. In Seneca Falls, we visited the Women’s Rights National Historical Park. It is a worthwhile short stop and an important place to reflect on a key part of American history. Seneca Falls is also associated with the inspiration for Bedford Falls in It’s a Wonderful Life, adding another layer of interest to the town.

We stopped in Geneva as well, which felt like a pleasant small city at the northern end of Seneca Lake. There is a great park with a paved path along the water, places to sit and enjoy the view, and an I LOVE NY sign that makes for an easy photo stop. Seneca Lake State Park is also here, but we did not have time to explore it on this trip. That goes on the “next time” list.

Tips for a Finger Lakes Visit

• Bring good walking shoes. The gorge trails are beautiful, but they include steps, wet stone, and uneven surfaces.
• Expect crowds at the most popular parks. Watkins Glen is worth visiting, but the trail can get congested.
• Build in lake time. A boat ride, lakeside walk, or quiet deck with a view helps balance the hiking and tasting stops.
• Plan winery stops thoughtfully. Many wineries sit along the main roads, so watch traffic when pulling in and out.
• Leave room for a return trip. The Finger Lakes region has more parks, towns, wineries, and lakefront areas than we could cover in one visit.

Final Thoughts

Our first Finger Lakes visit gave us a little bit of everything we enjoy: scenic hikes, waterfalls, lake views, local flavors, and time with friends. Watkins Glen was every bit as memorable as people say, Robert H. Treman surprised us, Taughannock Falls gave us a big view with minimal effort, and the Seneca Lake wineries showed us a different side of familiar grape varieties.

This was a great first trip, but it felt more like the beginning than the end. Next time, we’d like to spend more time in Watkins Glen, explore more of Taughannock Falls State Park, visit Seneca Lake State Park in Geneva, and continue working our way through the long list of wineries, breweries, coffee shops, and local stops that make the Finger Lakes such an easy place to enjoy.

Finger Lakes Adventure YouTube Video

Check out more information on our visit in our Finger Lakes Adventure YouTube video.

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