Any time is the "best time" to visit New York’s Finger Lakes! The beauty of our area is a changing palette with touches of wonderful at every turn, especially during the winter holiday season. As one year ends and a new one begins, come and celebrate with us. From the leisurely pace of our villages to the eclectic beat of our cities, holiday road tripping in the Finger Lakes is a joy-filled experience.
Some of the world's renowned museums here in the Finger Lakes feature old Masters from around the world, as well as changing exhibits of local artists, local history, and U.S. historical events. Willard Memorial Chapel in Auburn is a work of art in itself-completely designed by Louis C. Tiffany, it's one of the few unaltered Tiffany Chapels known to exist.
Fish, swim, canoe, wind surf, snorkel, water ski, sail, kayak or go white-water rafting . . . your choices are limitless on the Finger Lakes, the canal, and rivers throughout the region. Prefer dry land? How about hiking, biking, rock climbing, bird watching, hunting, downhill or cross country skiing, snowboarding, or snowmobiling? Take to the skies in a hang-glider or a hot-air balloon, soar in a glider, or sky dive.
Our scenery is magnificent during all four seasons. The soft greens of emerging leaves, cascading waterfalls in state parks and along roadsides make spring sparkle. Green fields, acres of vineyards, deep blue lakes and quaint villages make summer a delight. Dominated by a mix of hardwoods, our fall foliage is an incredible array of golds, reds, and oranges against green fields reflected in the lakes. Winter blankets the region in a mantle of white, the smaller lakes and ponds freeze over, and those same waterfalls are natural ice sculptures beyond belief.
Savor the crisp whites, breathe in the nuances of the deep burgundies, celebrate with champagne—whatever tickles your taste buds, you'll find it here. The perfect and rare mix of climate, good geology and geography, along with experienced and gifted winemakers, combine to produce superior award-winning Finger Lakes vintages. Winery routes have been developed around, and named for five lakes: Canandaigua, Cayuga, Keuka, Ontario and Seneca. The wine trails all host special wine events throughout the year, celebrating the harvest, new vintages, wine and food pairings, as well as holidays. To really enjoy an elegant and hassle free winery tour, charter a chauffeured limo. Nearly all of the 70+ wineries offer tasting rooms, gift shops and some offer a unique look at the processes used in developing their own vintages. Several have restaurants, and Glenora has accommodations on site
The Civil War, the Underground Railroad, the Women's Rights Movement, the development of the United States government, advancements in agriculture and industry, the Erie Canal . . . all of these were influenced by people right here in the Finger Lakes and we celebrate those people and events at historic sites throughout our area. Come share our heritage. As you visit local history museums, you'll learn about numerous inventors, manufacturers, and men and women who have contributed to our present-day lives. A visit to Cortland's Suggett House Museum and Kellogg Memorial Library, the Oliver House Museum in Penn Yan, or the Bement-Billings Farmstead in Newark Valley will give you a taste of community life in days gone by.