9 Towns in the Finger Lakes with Vibrant Downtown Areas
The Finger Lakes region of New York is well-known for its beautiful natural landscapes, rolling vineyards, and, of course, magnificent lakes. Beyond its breathtaking scenery, however, the area is also home to a collection of enchanting towns that mix historical appeal with modern amenities. The downtown areas of these charming villages are bustling with activity, offering unique shopping experiences, delicious local eateries, thought-provoking art galleries, rousing entertainment, and a variety of cultural attractions. Visitors seeking weekend getaways will discover that these towns offer a mixture of small-town warmth and larger-city energy.
Watkins Glen
Although the town of Watkins Glen has a population just under 1,900 and is only 2.2 square miles in area, it receives millions of visitors each year. Located on Seneca Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes, Watkins Glen not only has a vibrant downtown area, it also is home to Watkins Glen State Park and Watkins Glen International, two famous landmarks which each attract their share of tourists annually.
The Glen's stream at Watkins Glen State Park falls 400 feet, past 200-foot-high cliffs, creating 19 waterfalls. In addition to its many hiking trails and abundant natural beauty, the park features an Olympic-size pool, guided tours through the gorge, camping facilities, picnicking facilities, and fishing on Catherine Creek or Seneca Lake.
Watkins Glen International draws hundreds of thousands of racing fans annually as it hosts the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) races. The raceway is also the site of the annual Finger Lakes Wine Festival and Ticket Galaxy Beer Festival, among other events.
The downtown area of Watkins Glen is walkable and offers many stores, restaurants, and other attractions. A variety of shops are available on Franklin Street and in Ithaca Commons. Arnot Mall also hosts stores, a food court, and a movie theater. Restaurants abound in downtown Watkins Glen. If sweet treats are more to your liking, you will enjoy Ben & Jerry's and Colonial Inn & Creamery, both in downtown Watkins Glen.
Seneca Falls
Described as a hamlet, Seneca Falls sits at the northern tip of Cayuga Lake and has a population of just over 6,800. The town is rich in history, and its downtown area is a lively 362-acre historic district made up of buildings and neighborhoods from the 19th century.
Part of Seneca Falls' historic district is the Women's Rights National Historical Park. This park commemorates the first Women's Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls in 1848. Each year, the park holds Convention Days in July to mark the anniversary of the convention and to celebrate women's suffrage. The park includes a visitor center, historic homes (some of which are open for tours), and the Wesleyan chapel.
Another highlight of Seneca Falls is the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge. Located on Rt. 20 East, this refuge is an Audubon Important Bird Area and is home to marsh birds, waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, warblers, woodpeckers, bald eagles, and more. Hiking trails of various lengths and difficulty, as well as automobile trails, are also found within the refuge.
Seneca Falls' downtown area hosts many community events, including Canal Fest in June and "It's a Wonderful Life" Festival in December (although the movie was not filmed in Seneca Falls, the town is said to have inspired the movie's fictional town of Bedford Falls). There are also multiple town parks and playgrounds in Seneca Falls, providing outdoor recreation and fun for all ages.
Canandaigua
The county seat of Ontario County, Canandaigua's population is just over 10,500. The town's name is Native American for "the chosen spot," possibly referring to its location on the northwest end of Canandaigua Lake. Created in 1791, many of the buildings in Canandaigua's downtown area date from the 1800s to the 1900s.
Two historic sites that are essential to visit are the Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park and the Granger Homestead & Carriage House Museum. The Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park includes public gardens and a magnificent mansion, both of which may be toured. The Granger Homestead & Carriage Museum is a federal mansion dating from 1816 and a carriage museum, which features a large collection of early carriages.
Canandaigua's Main Street features small, independently-owned shops and art galleries. Another popular Main Street attraction is the New York Kitchen, which includes a farm-to-table style restaurant, hands-on kitchens, a Wine Spectator Educational Theatre, and tasting rooms.
Wine enthusiasts will love the Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail, a 22-mile-long trail that takes visitors to various wineries and breweries in the area. Tastings, tours, and even lodging can all be found along the trail. To satisfy your appetite, restaurants from French bistros to brew pubs are also located on the trail.
Geneva
Sitting on the northern rim of Seneca Lake is the historic, quaint town of Geneva, with a population just over 12,800, spanning 4.5 square miles. Even though it might be described as quaint, Geneva has a dynamic downtown area that's not to be missed.
Downtown Geneva hosts farm-to-table restaurants, craft breweries, wineries, farmers' markets, and more. Linden Street in downtown Geneva is closed to traffic on weekend nights during warmer months, so that its culinary choices can be offered to visitors in an urban village setting. There are a whopping 32 restaurants within four blocks in the downtown area.
For those seeking recreational opportunities, there are over 12 public parks, eight playgrounds, a full turf arena and ice rink, a disc golf course, and places to swim in Geneva as well. The festivals and events that are held in the town year-round are designed to please visitors of all ages.
Activities supporting culture and the arts are also popular in Geneva. Arts and culture supporters will want to check out the Smith Opera House and the many music events held in the town each year. Another cultural event, Geneva Night Out, is held on the first Friday of each month and features the arts, local businesses, music, and food.
Elmira
The larger town of Elmira, in the Chemung County River valley near the Pennsylvania border, has a population of just under 26,000. Although not technically located on the Finger Lakes, Elmira is considered part of the Finger Lakes region.
The Chemung River provides multiple water-based activities for residents and visitors alike. This popular fishing spot is stocked by the state with American shad fry and tiger muskellunge. The river area also provides great kayaking, canoeing, swimming, hiking, and bird watching.
Elmira hosts many city parks, including Blandford Park on Judson Street, Grove Park on Grove Street, and Wisner Park on North Main Street. Situated in the heart of downtown Elmira, Wisner Park spans both sides of Main Street and includes war memorials, statues, and picnic areas. During the summer, the Farmer's Market and Wisner Market in the park feature vendors selling produce, crafts, food, and homemade goods.
Downtown Elmira is packed with plenty of things to do. For those interested in art and culture, there are art galleries such as the Arnot Art Museum and Marc Rubin Gallery 421. History buffs will enjoy visiting Mark Twain's Study and Mark Twain's Grave Site. Eateries abound in Elmira, from Chinese to fast food to cafes to bistros. A variety of shops of all kinds are in the downtown district, including independently-owned shops as well as chain stores. Books, shoes, jewelry, wall coverings, furniture--you name it, you can buy it in Elmira.
Ithaca
Do not let Ithaca's population of just over 32,000 fool you. Downtown Ithaca has a small-town feel even though it is within a larger city. Located at Cayuga Lake's southern end, Ithaca is a college town, a fact that lends itself to the liveliness of its downtown area. Both Cornell University and Ithaca College call the town home.
Downtown Ithaca features the Ithaca Commons, a mall designed for pedestrians and closed to vehicle traffic. Here, you will find plenty of shopping, food, and the cultural arts. Ithaca Gallery Night is held on the first Friday of each month and features art from Ithaca and Tompkins County area galleries, showcasing local, regional, and international visual artists. Another unique art feature, Ithaca Murals, a network of street art found throughout the city, totals over 400 murals today, and its numbers are continuing to grow.
In addition to these attractions, the downtown area also hosts Cinemapolis, an independently-owned movie theater; State Theatre, offering live performances; and Kitchen Theatre, featuring diverse artists and performances.
If you are interested in exploring the natural beauty of Ithaca, you will find 150 waterfalls within 10 square miles. They include Ithaca Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Forest Falls, and Triphammer Falls. Those intrigued by the local flora and fauna may want to visit the Cornell Botanic Gardens on the campus of Cornell University.
Waterloo
Positioned between the northern parts of Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake, Waterloo is just four miles from Seneca Falls and seven miles from Geneva. With a population just over 4,800, this small town's proximity to two Finger Lakes, as well as to other Finger Lakes towns, makes it a popular vacation spot.
Waterloo is known as the "Birthplace of Memorial Day," and the entire downtown area celebrates this fact each Memorial Day with festivals, parades, car shows, and more. The town's history dates way back to 1500 when it was the Cayuga Indian village of Skoi-Yase. Today, the Waterloo Library and Historical Society on Williams Street maintains a collection of archives of the town's history as well as Native American artifacts.
The Cayuga-Seneca Canal Trail in Waterloo spans almost seven miles, following the pathway of an old railroad bed beside the canal linking the two largest Finger Lakes. Plans are being made to expand the trail to 19 miles. Currently, the unobstructed tree-lined trail is perfect for walking, biking, or running.
The downtown area of Waterloo is located where Routes 5 and 20 and Route 96 intersect. Main Street is the central focus of downtown Waterloo, offering a variety of shops and eateries. This street has recently been rehabbed to promote walkability, sustainability, and livability. Access to the downtown area is possible from the Cayuga-Seneca Canal Trail as well as from neighboring communities. The downtown area also features many hiking and biking trails.
Corning
Perhaps best-known for its glass works and glass museum, the town of Corning, with a population just over 10,500, has a vibrant, historic downtown area. Called the Gaffer District, this downtown area features picturesque streetscapes, small businesses, eateries, and more.
Corning's historic district within the downtown area features a Buildings Alive Historic Walking Tour, in which tourists can learn about the history of the town. It also offers visitors a Chocolate Trail, taking visitors past not only chocolate shops but also shops with chocolate-scented soaps, chocolate cigars, chocolate martinis, and more.
Centennial Sculpture, at the intersection of Market and Wall Streets downtown, includes brickwork pavement with narratives about the town as well as coloring-book-style metal sculptures. These sculptures and narratives tell the history of Corning, its Fallbrook Coal Company, the Corning Glass Works building, and the General Sullivan Canal boat.
The Centerway Bridge, Corning's historic walking bridge, recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. This bridge connects both sides of downtown Corning and crosses the Chemung River. Centerway Square, which was named the Best Public Square in the US by USA Today, features honey locust trees, a clock tower, a covered stage, benches, and cafe seating areas. It epitomizes the charm of downtown Corning.
Trumansburg
Contrary to what some might believe, the village of Trumansburg, population 1,714, was not named after President Harry Truman. The founder of Trumansburg was Abner Treman, and the town was originally called Treman's Village. A misspelling by the US Postal Service likely changed the town's name to Trumansburg.
Taughannock Falls, located within Taughannock Falls State Park, is perhaps the most famous landmark in Trumansburg. The highest falls east of the Rocky Mountains, Taughannock Falls features a three-quarter-mile Gorge Trail that will take you to the base of the falls. Picturesque views of the falls from the Overlook are also enjoyed by visitors. Trails, a boat launch on Cayuga Lake, and campsites are available in the park.
The Black Diamond Trail, at 8.4 miles long, is a stone dust trail that connects Trumansburg and Ithaca and is popular with bicyclists and hikers. It was a former rail trail used by the Black Diamond Express, a luxury passenger rail service that ran from New York to Buffalo from 1896 to 1959.
Within the village of Trumansburg, an easy 2.5-mile historic walking trail along Main Street and adjacent streets displays buildings and architecture from the early 1800s. Downtown Trumansburg has an artistic feel to it, with cafes, pubs, eateries, and shops of all sorts. Lively entertainment can be experienced at the town's local bars and restaurants. The Truman Conservatory of Fine Arts, also downtown, provides year-round entertainment to residents and visitors alike.
Whether you are looking for a vacation to one of these charming towns or planning to relocate, these Finger Lakes gems will not let you down. These extraordinary villages are utilizing modern art, commerce, and culture to breathe new life into their historic streets. Towns like Watkins Glen, Ithaca, and Waterloo offer something for everyone. Check out the downtown areas of these Finger Lakes towns for an energizing, fun-packed holiday.
