9 Lovely Small Towns To Visit In The Finger Lakes This Summer

Do not stay indoors this summer, even if you don’t have the money to tour the pastel-colored towns along the coast of Greece, including Santorini. Right here in the Finger Lakes region of the United States, you will find quaint lakefront towns — serving delicious views and a world of outdoor fun. One of these towns is even named Geneva, suggesting Switzerland, one of the most picturesque countries on Earth, will not be far from the mind. For specific recommendations, discover nine lovely small towns to visit in the Finger Lakes this summer.

Watkins Glen

Watkins Glens, or just “the Glen,” provides a delightful range of summer fun that often leaves first-time visitors spoilt for choice. Start your adventure by chasing the sunset on the vintage 1926 Schooner "True Love." This world-famous ship was built in 1926 and has been associated with movies such as The Philadelphia Story — and celebrities such as Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong. Wash down a plate of Carolina Pulled Pork with some delicious craft beer at the Nickel's Pit BBQ, conveniently located right on Main Street.

This town is a road-racing mecca and hosts Watkins Glen International, many times voted the Best NASCAR Track by readers of USA Today. The high-octane IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship typically arrives in late June with Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen. A month later, in July, the Finger Lakes Wine Festival, billed as the largest wine festival in the Northeast, offers more than 90 New York State wines and must not be missed. And that is without mentioning the spellbinding Watkins Glen State Park, whose stream descends 400 feet past heart-sinking cliffs, generating nearly 20 waterfalls along its noisy course.

Ithaca

Ithaca, which hosts the beautiful Cornell University campus, is another lovely small town that packs a punch and is worth visiting this summer. Those tagging children along should not miss Sciencenter (a one-of-a-kind children's museum jammed-packed with many interactive exhibits), the well-laid-out Ithaca Children’s Garden, and the Museum of the Earth. One can also dash to Taughannock Falls State Park, especially to catch a glimpse of the tallest free-falling waterfall east of the Mississippi.

Alternatively, Ithaca Falls is close to downtown and acknowledged as the region’s most powerful and impressive. Yet this is just the tip of the iceberg. Ithaca and the surrounding area feature more than 150 waterfalls. A first-time visitor can also go up to Cornell University as well, and explore interesting sites such as the ROTC museum in Barton Hall, the Heasley Mineralogy Museum (to touch a fossilized dinosaur footprint), the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, and the adjacent Cornell Botanic Gardens.

Corning

If there were no other attractions in Corning, the Corning Museum of Glass would still make the town travel-worthy. Founded in 1951, this iconic landmark has a gallery that features 35 centuries of glass art and history. There is a whole floor dedicated to glass science — and the largest hot glass demonstration space on Earth. We are also talking about one of the largest museum shops in the United States, the chance to make your own glass, and a wide variety of narrated demonstrations every day, including that of glassblowing and flameworking.

Corning also hosts the Rockwell Museum, the only Smithsonian Affiliate in Upstate New York. Housed in Corning's former City Hall, it will be nice to sample paintings from the Hudson River era and a tasty variety of Native American art. Traipse through Corning’s Gaffer District, popping inside the many antique shops, galleries, and boutiques that line the area around Market Street. Also, Southern Tier Kayak Tours offers the popular “Paddle the Palisades,” which takes visitors through a series of hulking cliffs spread along the beautiful Chemung River.

Seneca Falls

On a summer morning in 1848, about 300 women and men gathered at Seneca Falls to debate The Declaration of Sentiments, the original document for women's rights in the United States. The participants listed down a long list of wrongs against women, including the fact women had been denied all the facilities for obtaining a thorough education - “all colleges being closed against her.” This summer, it will be great to catch the spirit of these history makers at the Women's Rights National Historic Park, the site of the consequential 1848 meeting.

One will want to tour Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s home as well, the author of the Declaration of Sentiments. Grab a filling meal at Sauders Store, then spend some hours exploring a delightful array of unique shopping items in the store’s precincts. This done, traipse through It's a Wonderful Life Museum, which highlights arguably the most famous Christmas movie of all time. When darkness envelopes the town, slide inside soft and clean bedsheets at Barrister's Bed & Breakfast, conveniently located just over a mile from the Women's Rights National Historic Park.

Geneva

Geneva is on the northern edge of Seneca Lake and features what could be the best public lakefront in the Finger Lakes region. To kickstart your adventure, enjoy a hearty breakfast at either the El Morro Restaurant, one of the best authentic Hispanic restaurants in the region — or Dana's Time Out — a wonderful establishment known for impossibly delicious desserts.

Belhurst Castle and Winery is a top-notch accommodation option and has reportedly been voted one of the Most Romantic Places in the Empire State. One can enjoy beautiful views around the picturesque Seneca Lake, paddle the day away, or walk barefoot on soft, fluffy grass. For avid golfers, the 18-hole Big Oak Golf Course has a layout that offers something for athletes of all skill levels.

Canandaigua

Known as the “Chosen Spot,” Canandaigua’s array of offerings will leave a first-time visitor completely blown away. On arrival, you will want to head to the lakefront to stroll along the beautiful pier — or just to sit on a bench — to people-watch or soak in the waterfront view. The Lake House on Canandaigua, where you should have already booked a room with a lake view, is right on the water and steps from the pier. Visit the Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park, once the summer home of Frederick Thompson, a co-founder of what is today Citibank. This stunning property spans 50 acres of lush greenery and features a large mansion and spectacular gardens, including an incredibly beautiful rock garden.

From here, you can walk to the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum, a restored 1816 Federal-style mansion built by the first Postmaster General in the United States. There is also the chance to shop the day away in a town whose Main Street is among the widest in the country. And no — Eric’s Office is not some cozy C-suite studio like those in Midtown Manhattan. This fancy spot is all about finger-licking chicken wings and delicious mushroom soups.

Naples

This summer, it should be time to discover Naples, a dainty town of about 2,500 residents on the southwest of Canandaigua Lake that is obsessed with grapes. At the tail end of summer, as leaves begin to put on colorful dresses, Naples plays host to The Naples Grape Festival, a fun, two-day event filled with music, art, and of course, delicious grape pies. The architectural design of the St Januarius church is inspired by the grape, with an outfloor plan resembling the outline of a grape leaf. Also, each of the stained glass dots represents the different types of grapes grown in the area.

For those who cannot pass the chance to stay in an old inn, The Naples Hotel will come in handy. It was built in 1895 and is believed to be haunted by, among others — a female ghost named Alice and her two children. Plus, Bristol Valley Theater opens June through September and is a nice place to catch a mood-lifting show.

Auburn

A problem with the bottle. A crime of passion. And a history-making execution. This is arguably the most-known story of the Auburn Prison, where an alcoholic man, convicted of murdering his lover with an axe, was electrocuted to death. It was the first execution by electrocution in the history of mankind. Today, the Auburn State Prison is known as the Auburn Correctional Facility and is the oldest maximum security prison in the Empire State.

But something else makes the town travel-worthy: the Seward House Museum. It celebrates the memory of William Henry Seward, Abraham Lincoln’s first and only secretary of state and the principal antislavery voice in the Senate of the day. Seward opposed Slavery, arguing that it was at odds with the Constitution — and with “a higher law than the Constitution, which regulates our authority…” Grab a filling meal and wash it down with some craft beer at the Prison City Pub and Brewery, a vibrant brewpub in an industrial-chic space. Finally, since you are coming this summer, check out Owasco Lake, especially for a refreshing dip in the water or just a quiet time by the shore.

Skaneateles

Skaneateles is on the shores of Skaneateles Lake, arguably the clearest in the Finger Lakes region and the easternmost. Stay at the Packwood House, a contemporary lakeside retreat whose cozy suits provide tasty views of the lake and the town. Alternatively, Skaneateles Boutique Hotel is just one-half block from Clift Park — and close to the delightful array of stores and restaurants. Grab a hearty breakfast at Patisserie, especially if you have a thing for stretch bread and desserts.

For fresh-made donuts, however, the Skaneateles Bakery is the go-to place. On the lake, Cliff Park is where you can enjoy free live music every Friday in July. Skaneateles hosts other outdoor venues, including the Charlie Major Nature Trail, an easy walking trail that hugs a beautiful stream — as well as Anyela's Vineyards, known for its great and enjoyable wine selection.

The Takeaway

Summer is not the time to stay indoors. The sun — as is often mentioned — has a way of making us happy and healthy and lifting away the gloom. It is that time of the year to check off items on a travel bucket list, wander through charming small towns, and enjoy the great outdoors. For this, the Finger Lakes region provides an experience that is hard to beat. To prove this, spend just a day or two in Watkins Glens, Ithaca, Corning, or Seneca Falls. Here is the truth: America’s beauty is often criminally overlooked.