The finger lakes region of New York has some of the best gorge hikes and waterfall views in the country (in my opinion). It also has tons of cute book stores, restaurants, and museums.
Sections
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Waterfalls 🌊
Bookshops 📚
Wine and Dine 🥗
Sight seeing 🚗
Waterfalls 🌊
If you stay at a state park in the area you get FREE entry to all the other state parks for the duration of your stay just fyi
I mean just look at the picture… it literally looks like that irl. I’d suggest going in the morning or evening hours for less people. I’ve been here several times and am still in awe of this place.
Watkins Glen State Park
Stunning. An easy and accessible hike in plus an observation area up the road. Trumansburg is also an adorable little town to stop in.
Taughannock Falls State Park
A lesser known but still amazing hike in the area. Less people generally plus an amazing swimming area.
Fillmore Glen State Park
A wonderful and quick hike with great glen views and a swimming area.
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Another slightly less known hike with amazing views and a great swimming area.
Robert H. Treman State Park
This town is just south of Watkins Glen and packed with waterfalls plus the most incredible little library with Tiffany Glass windows. The whole place is worth a stop.
SheQuaGa Falls (Chequaga Falls) in Montour Falls, NY
Called the “Grand Canyon of the East” for a reason and it really lives up to the name. Easy to hit on a day trip and worth spending a few days at!
Letchworth State Park
Bookshops 📚
The coziest bookshops and best vibes
Off the beaten path and very worth the journey. This place is charming with a unique collection of antique and used books and bookish things.
Ulysses Books
Open off hours but a cute shop none the less
GREEN HORSE BOOKS - Updated September 2025 - 9 E Main St, ...
Very small, very cute, very good
Odyssey Bookstore
A beautiful book store with a great used and an antique collection + local art.
Stomping Grounds
Wine and Dine 🥗
The finger lakes region is known for its amazing vineyards and cook eatery’s
I had the best Poke bowl of my life here and would be doing a disservice by not mentioning it.
Taichi Bubble Tea – Your Bubble Tea & Bites Destination
Great food and drinks right in downtown Seneca Falls.
Fall Street Brewing
There are so many wineries in the fingers lakes a tour is a must!
2025 Seneca Lake South Wine Tastings Tour (Watkins Glen) - with Trusted Reviews
If not a wine person the breweries are also very cool and worth a stop!
2025 Farms, Flights: Finger Lakes Brewery Tour (Geneva) - with Trusted Reviews
Sight seeing 🚗
Such an important place in history with a very cool museum. Certainly worth a stop!
Women's Rights National Historical Park
This visitors center is a great stop in the finger lakes to look at local shops, products, places, etc plus it’s very clean and has a little cafe in it!
Finger Lakes Welcome Center | Geneva, NY
We have been recommended this place by so many locals and it is on our list the next time we go to NY!
Corning Museum of Glass
This is a very cool way to see the finger lakes especially because you can’t always swim in the lakes because of algae blooms!
2025 NEW 80 Minute Cycle Boat Tour of Seneca Lake in Watkins Glen - with Trusted Reviews
