The 9 Best Towns To Stay In While You Enjoy New York’s Finger Lakes Region

The Finger Lakes Region in the US state of New York sprawls 80-miles from west to east, 50-miles north to south, and includes eleven lakes of various sizes (but all similar, finger-like shapes). These include Conesus, Hemlock, Canadice (which is the smallest), Honeoye, Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca, Cayuga (the largest), Owasco, Skaneateles, and Otisco. Picking a town to base out can be difficult, as each region is worth annual visits. Here are nine communities to consider based on their natural, historical, social, geographical, and architectural appeals. 

Hammondsport

Hammondsport is a village within the Town of Urbana, in Steuben County, at the southern aspect of Keuka Lake. Though its population hovers at less than a thousand, Hammondsport adopts several intriguing designations: "Cradle of Aviation," the "Heart of Wine Country," and boldest of them all, the "Coolest Small Town in America." The first title makes sense since acclaimed aviator Glenn H. Curtiss was born in Hammondsport. It is also tough to contend with the history and flavor-backed reputation of the village's wineries. And finally, when one combines those designations with a charming community that is ideally located on one of the region's prettiest and uniquely-shaped lakes, it becomes clear why readers of Budget Travel voted Hammondsport as the top dog. 

Skaneateles

This Onondaga County hamlet sits at the top of Skaneateles Lake - an Iroquois term meaning "Long Lake." The upscale town offers a relaxing, waterfront atmosphere where one can unwind for a couple of nights in the town's one of the many cute B&Bs, or old-timey Inns and enjoy the rocking-chair-pace of life for a while. Skaneateles is also a great spot to appreciate history. Many of the homes throughout town are hundreds of years old and were part of The Underground Railroad. 

Aurora 

Aurora is a quaint college-town, in Cayuga County, on the eastern shores of Cayuga Lake. With a population of only 700 inhabitants, Aurora is the smallest of the small towns that are featured on this list. More specifically, Aurora is a village in the city of Ledyard. One must take the opportunity to appreciate the close-knit community and infrastructure dating back to the 1790s. Aside from the expected charm of the lake, make sure to take a tour of Wells College and maybe stay at one of the five distinct properties of The Inns of Aurora. 

Elmira 

The Town of Elmira is in Chemung County and serves as a gateway to the Southern Finger Lakes region. Though a little over 20-miles South of Seneca Lake, Elmira still affords water activities as it straddles the Chemung River. That being said, the charm of Elmira might be best uncovered in the fall, after a summer of splashing around the lakes. The colorful foliage still draws one outdoors, but the cooler temperatures also beckon one to look at the tales inside. Author Mark Twain spent much of his adult life in this region, and hence his final resting place is in Elmira. A visit to his study on the grounds of Elmira College will strike anyone's muse. Another must-see is the National Soaring Museum, where the early years of motorless flight are showcased. 

Penn Yan

The Village of Penn Yan is an idyllic settlement in Yates County, situated just north of the eastern arm of the tuning-fork-shaped Keuka Lake. The name, Penn Yan, replaced the original designation for the village (which was Union) and represented a merger that stemmed from the desire to represent both the state of Pennsylvania and the Yankees of New England. Visitors are often drawn to Penn Yan, and rightfully so, for its wine-making reputation (which it shares with its Keuka Lake neighbor, Hammondsport. One must make sure to also take a stroll to the Seneca Mills Falls to see the tall waterfalls that used to power the mill - the ruins of which are still standing today. 

Ithaca

Ithaca, located in Tompkins County, is the second of three Cayuga Lake gems to make this list (this time situated at the Southern tip). The classic Ivy League town features champion iconic buildings throughout Cornell's campus. The charm continues into the downtown Ithaca Commons and out into the lush natural surroundings, including gorges, waterfalls, and inspiring lookout trails. The population of Ithaca nearly doubles during the school year, which gives this town vibrant energy separating it from some of the more laid-back communities in the Finger Lakes region. 

Canandaigua

Canandaigua is a town and city, in Ontario County, at the northern tip of Canandaigua Lake. Oddly enough, the 4.8 square mile city is surrounded by the 62.5 square mile town (both similarly populated). The name Canandaigua is derived from the Seneca word Ganandogan. The city is aptly referred to as "The Chosen Spot," which translates from the modern Tuscaroran title. Canandaigua offers another up-scale laketown experience, from the pristine shoreline to its classy Main Street, to the well-kept and captivating Sonnenberg Gardens. 

Trumansburg

The Village of Trumansburg is set within the town of Ulysses and makes for this list's third Cayuga Lake entry. The cozy settlement is just over 11-miles northwest of Ithaca, also within Tompkins County, and just slightly inland of the southwestern shoreline. Trumansburg is a lovely spot itself, but it also serves as a great jumping-off point for nearby attractions. These include, but are not limited to, Taughannock Falls State Park (featuring the titular 215-foot waterfall), the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, also known as "America's first wine trail," and a side-trip to Ithaca for a change of scenery and a boost in the youthful social energy. 

Watkins Glen 

This Schuyler County village, situated on the southern end of Seneca Lake, is home to barely 2,000 residents yet a major tourist draw. As with many communities in the Finger Lakes region, Watkins Glen is rife with natural beauty. The charming pier welcomes boaters and swimmers alike to the long, straight, and splendid base of Seneca Lake. Watkins Glen State Park reveals another side of the scenery - complete with 19 waterfalls (some of which you can get up close and personal with), hundreds of campsites, and many memorable hiking trails. This humble village also packs some surprising action with the Watkins Glen International, a vital racetrack that roars of the auto-racing history in Watkins Glen.

As discussed above, there is no dearth of pristine and charming settlements around the Finger Lakes region. Lovers of the lake will be in heaven almost anywhere they go, as well Winos, nature-buffs, and fans of tidbit historical facts. This is a special region to hunker down in, and there are simply too many great small towns to choose from.