6 Picturesque Towns In The Finger Lakes For A Weekend Retreat In 2024
Known for its wineries, waterfalls, and 11 stunning glacial lakes, the Finger Lakes region is one of New York’s most-visited attractions outside New York City. Its breathtaking landscapes, free from the hustle of urban life, make it a favored getaway for city dwellers and travelers seeking a refreshing escape from their daily routines.
With just a few months left in 2024, you may be finalizing plans for the year’s final weekends. Even if you have landed on this fabulous region as your destination of choice, choosing the perfect Finger Lakes town can still be overwhelming, whether booking a solo trip, a romantic escape, or a family retreat.
With that being said, these 6 picturesque Finger Lake towns promise to provide an unforgettable weekend experience. Boasting waterfront inns, breathtaking state parks, quirky local attractions, and everything in between, whether you are after an active weekend of waterfall hikes or a restful weekend of spa days, these picturesque Finger Lake towns have it all.
Hammondsport
With several holidays right around the corner, Hammondsport is the perfect place for a quiet weekend away to disconnect from the chaos. Located along beautiful Keuka Lake, the Y-shaped body of water offers breathtaking vistas and vineyards, including the region’s oldest winery (The Pleasant Valley Wine Company). Hammondsport also boasts many of the region’s top-rated wineries, including Tripadvisor’s top picks: the Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, Bully Hill Vineyards, and Weis Vineyards, to name a few.
Since wine and relaxation are among the town’s main lures, Hammondsport is not necessarily known as a family vacation town—but it certainly calls for romance. Whether booking a cozy bed and breakfast like the Historic Champlin House or a charming waterfront stay like Keuka Lakeside Inn, this village of less than 1,000 residents is the perfect place to slow down, unplug, and appreciate life’s simple pleasures.
One of those pleasures is Hammondsport’s stunning natural scenes. In addition to the jaw-dropping Finger Lake, the season’s lingering fall foliage makes the waterfront scenes that much more enchanting. Pack your favorite novel, don a warm sweater, and savor the burgundy backdrop-shore at scenic spots like Depot Park.
Aurora
Aurora is another darling village with less than 1,000 locals, located along the shores of Cayuga, the longest lake in the region, at 38-miles-long. Like Hammondsport, this makes Aurora one of the best places in New York to unwind and disconnect from the stresses of everyday life. But what truly sets this picturesque lake town apart is its reputation as an outdoor retreat.
Along its anchor lake, Long Point State Park boasts nearly 5 miles of wooded and waterfront trails to reconnect with nature. The park is especially famous for its vibrant sunsets over Cayuga, so if you time your adventure through hiking paths like the Long Point State Park Loop just right, you can view the skyline in all its glory.
While tempting to set up camp for a night under the stars, it might be a bit too chilly for the remainder of 2024. As a blissful alternative, The Inns of Aurora “combines history with modern luxury” in their unique collection of restored historic homes. Along with its peaceful atmosphere and lakefront views, visitors can make use of the holistic spa.
Watkins Glen
For the ultimate nature weekend, the village of Watkins Glen is a gateway to Watkins Glen State Park, one of the prettiest parks in the country. Welcoming over 1.2 million visitors in 2023, people continue to travel from across the United States (and beyond) to witness the wonders of this majestic Finger Lakes park. Famous for its 19 spellbinding waterfalls, 200-foot cliffs, and majestic gorge, visitors describe the park as nothing short of ethereal.
With summer being the park’s busiest season, autumn is one of the best times to experience the splendor without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Bear in mind, the popular Gorge Trail (which leads past all 19 waterfalls) is closed during the winter, so if you want to experience it in 2024, you will want to visit in the upcoming weeks. Book a room at cozy accommodations like the Colonial Inn & Creamery or splurge on a waterfront stay at the slightly more expensive Anchor Inn & Marina, overlooking the south end of Seneca Lake.
Geneva
On the northern shore of Seneca Lake, about a 40-minute drive from Watkins Glen, Geneva offers a more laid-back retreat. While also home to a state park, unlike Watkins Glen’s famous Gorge Trail, Seneca Lake State Park boasts a far more easygoing route. The paved 4.4-mile Geneva Lakefront Trail is a picturesque path with countless benches along the way, making it a great way to take in lake views without breaking a sweat.
For those who like fishing, Geneva’s reputation as the “Lake Trout Capital of the World” is another reason to choose this Finger Lakes town as your weekend destination. As the deepest of the Finger Lakes (over 617 feet at its lowest), Seneca Lake is one of the best year-round fishing spots since the lake seldom freezes through entirely. Passionate anglers can book trips with companies like Roy's Boys Fishing Charters for a truly unforgettable experience.
Alternatively, for those looking to enjoy lake views from land, Belhurst Castle and Winery is a unique lakefront accommodation. With 3 historic hotels, 2 restaurants, an award-winning winery, and an on-property spa, it is easy to see why this Geneva attraction was “voted one of the Most Romantic Places in New York State.”
Penn Yan
Back on the shores of Keuka Lake, Penn Yan is a great destination for families, blending a whimsical past with jaw-dropping nature. With its name derived from a combination of "Pennsylvania” and “Yankee" in the 19th century, this charming town has always been destined for whimsy. The quirkiness continued in 1987 when Birkett Mills (one of the oldest mills in the country) used the world’s largest pancake griddle to make what was then the world’s largest pancake. The griddle can still be visited today at Birkett Mills, which has been continuously operating since 1797.
But Penn Yan is also known for its natural beauty, primarily at the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail. The beautiful path follows a canal linking Keuka Lake to Seneca Lake, a route once used by farmers in the 1800s for transporting their goods. Today, the 7-mile trail boasts gorgeous views of the historic canal and 2 fabulous waterfalls along the way: Cascade Falls and Seneca Mills Falls. Rent a bike from Penn Yan’s Shoreline Rentals or travel by foot to take in the scenes at a slower pace.
Penn Yann’s Windmill Farm & Craft Market is another attraction you will want to savor at a slower pace. Boasting nearly 200 vendors and shops, this town staple runs every Saturday until the last Saturday in November. As for accommodations, many prefer to embrace Penn Yan’s quaint small-town feel, opting for B&Bs like the Trimmer House Bed & Breakfast and Los Gatos Bed & Breakfast over the town’s big chain hotels.
Corning
If you love out-of-the-ordinary attractions, Corning is another town that embraces whimsy. Unlike the other communities on this list, Corning does not have a lake as its main attraction; the nearest Finger Lake, Seneca, is approximately 20 minutes away. Instead, “America's Crystal City” is known for all things glass.
With a history of glass inventions and innovation stretching back to the 1800s, the town celebrates its past at the Corning Museum of Glass. Welcoming over 300,000 visitors annually, the museum showcases “Over 50,000 objects representing more than 3,500 years of history,” along with daily glasswork demonstrations. Through hands-on exhibits, people of all ages can learn about the scientific process of glass innovation, even offering Make Your Own Glass sessions.
Adding to the town’s allure, visitors can appreciate the beauty of Corning’s Historic Market Street and Centerway Square, which Travel & Leisure dubbed one of “America’s Most Beautiful Town Squares.” Also downtown, visitors can dine, shop, and indulge in over 100 shops, galleries, and restaurants at Corning’s Gaffer District. Accommodations like the downtown Hilton Garden Inn are a short walk from the area’s museums and top attractions, making it a great choice for those looking to explore Corning by foot.
Final Thoughts
If you find yourself struggling to choose the perfect Finger Lake town for your getaway, start by asking yourself what you want to experience most in one of your final weekends of 2024. Are you envisioning a winery-themed girls' getaway in Hammondsport, or are you after a more outdoorsy Saturday in Watkins Glen? From charming bed and breakfasts to luxurious waterfront hotels, whether you are planning quality family time, a romantic escape, or a solo retreat, these Finger Lake towns will cater to each traveler’s unique desires for the ultimate weekend of memories.
