The Best Small Towns in the Finger Lakes for a Weekend Retreat

Once in a while, it's nice to get away from it all; to dash to a quiet spot near a sparkling lake and just enjoy nature’s pristine beauty. And there is no need to travel out of the country. The Finger Lakes Region in New York state, with its 11 lakes, towering falls, and lush wineries, can make a weekend end before it starts. You will not miss New York City — or whatever city you have escaped from. If looking for a jumping-off spot, discover the best small towns in the Finger Lakes for a weekend retreat.

Ithaca

If Ithaca hosted nothing else but Cornell University, it would still be a fantastic venue for a weekend retreat. Aside from being one of the world’s top-performing universities academically, Cornell is incredibly stunning. Architectural Digest, for example, ranks Cornell’s campus, which is perched on a picturesque hillside above Cayuga Lake, among the most beautiful university campuses in America. There is a mix of old architectural styles and modern touches, including Collegiate Gothic, Neoclassical, and Victorian. Spectacular gorges and scenic waterfalls wind through the campus, imbuing it with a cool, rustic ambiance. One will enjoy exploring the free-to-visit Cornell Botanic Gardens if just to relish a colorful adventure for the senses.

Close by, the 100-acre F. R. Newman Arboretum, voted the #1 most beautiful college arboretum, features a lovely collection of trees including maples, oaks, and dogwoods. Stay at the Startler Hotel, which provides fantastic views of the campus and is run by the School of Hotel Management in Cornell, the world’s No.1 hospitality program. Ithaca's Museum of the Earth hosts one of America's largest fossil collections — while the Macaulay Library, at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the largest natural sound archive on Earth.

Skaneateles

Skaneateles is on the shores of a lake by the same name, one of the cleanest in the United States. Stay at the Skaneateles Boutique Hotel, whose lovely porches are ideal for people-watching. Packwood House, on the north shore of Skaneateles Lake, offers 19 comfortable guest suites, many of which provide heart-melting views of the lake and the village. While Patisserie is known for bread, almost every food offering here is incredibly delicious.

Alternatively, one may want to sample the fresh-made donuts at the Skaneateles Bakery. On the lake, Cliff Park is where to enjoy free live music every Friday in July. Other outdoor venues include the Charlie Major Nature Trail, an easy walking trail that hugs a beautiful stream — as well as Anyela's Vineyards, known for both heart-warming peonies and impossibly delicious wine.

Geneva

For a name that transports the mind to Switzerland, Geneva is among the best small towns for a weekend retreat in the Finger Lakes. Visitors often enjoy the heart-stirring views around the picturesque Seneca Lake on whose northern end the town reclines. Geneva hosts several outdoor venues, including the Seneca Lake State Park, where one will enjoy paddling an afternoon away or walking barefoot on soft, fluffy grass.

Stay at the Belhurst Castle and Winery, a lovely spot with nice views across the lake and a fire pit to sit around. Enjoy a round of golf at the Big Oak Golf Course — or a Saturday afternoon sampling a delightful range of flavors at the vast and scenic Three Brothers Wineries and Estates. Before ending your weekend trip, glimpse 19th-century rural life at the Rose Hill Mansion.

Seneca Falls

More than 40 years before Susan B. Anthony’s presidency of the National Woman Suffrage Association, about 300 women and men gathered at Seneca Falls to debate The Declaration of Sentiments, the foundational document for women's rights in the United States. To catch the spirit of the revolutionary times and live in the spiritual shadow of history makers, spend some time at the Women's Rights National Historic Park, one of this town's most famous attractions. A visit here comes with the chance to tour Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s home, the author of the Declaration of Sentiments.

Sauders Store, run by the Mennonite community, features a yummy selection of meats in the deli section and is the place to be, especially when hunger pangs begin to set in. Also, It's A Wonderful Life Museum highlights what could be the most famous Christmas movie of all time and should be part of any trip to this town. For a pampered stay, Barrister's Bed & Breakfast is just over a mile from the Women's Rights National Historic Park and is known to provide luxurious accommodation.

Canandaigua

While one can enjoy a day out at the beautiful Canandaigua Lake or a slow morning strolling Canandaigua’s downtown area, one of the most pedestrian-friendly downtowns in the Finger Lakes Region, Canandaigua packs a lot more. Known as “The Chosen Spot,” a first-time visitor will be torn between exploring the 22-mile Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail, relishing the Sylvan splendor of Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park, admiring the Ontario County Courthouse, where Susan B. Anthony was tried for voting in the 1872 presidential elections — and inhaling tasty views around the precincts of the Canandaigua City Pier.

There is no need to look for another hotel. Sutherland House Victorian Bed & Breakfast has previously been ranked among the Top 10 Most Romantic Inns in the United States.

Watkins Glen

If you are a foodie or just hungry, your first step in Watkins Glen should be at the Graft Wine + Cider Bar, where delightful flavors are served hot, fresh, and sizzling. It is conveniently located on the main strip. “The Glen,” as this town is fondly called, is on the picturesque shores of Seneca Lake, the lake trout capital of the world. Watkins Glen State Park, the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, is transversed with lovely trails, sparkling cascades, and spectacular gorges.

It would be a huge mistake to miss exploring this delicious slice of paradise. A September visit will come with the chance to participate in the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival, an event that cements the town’s legacy as a road-racing Mecca. Located in the center of it all is the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, a highly-ranked hotel just by the marina.

Hammondsport

Don't miss out on Hammondsport, the winery capital of New York. To test this claim, spend a slow afternoon at the Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, one of the most sought-after wineries in the Finger Lakes Region. This winery’s founder is credited with introducing classic European grape varieties to the Eastern United States.

Aside from this winery, the Glenn H Curtiss Museum, which celebrates the life and work of pioneer motorcyclist and self-taught engineer Glenn Curtiss, is a treasure trove of historic planes, cars, and engines. Sit down to a plate of cream salmon with mashed potatoes and broccoli at the Union Block Italian Bistro before spending the night at the Keuka Lakeside Inn, where hotel windows open out to shimmering views of Keuka Lake.

Corning

South of Watkins Glen and Hammondsport, with easy access to Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake, Corning is a buzzy town of about 10,000 residents nicknamed Crystal City and mostly associated with all things glass. No surprise that this town hosts the Corning Museum of Glass, which styles itself as the world's largest space dedicated to the display of contemporary art and design in glass. The Rockwell Museum, Corning’s other unique attraction, is the only Smithsonian Affiliate in Upstate New York. Chemung River flows through the town and is a lovely venue for fun-filled boating adventures.

Paddle the Palisades, for example, which takes visitors through a series of hulking cliffs along the waterway, should be part of one's itinerary. If scoping for an exceptional dining experience, the Cellar, a casual but famous establishment in Corning's beautiful Gaffer District, should never be skipped. Book a cozy room at the Gaffer Inn — in the center of historic Market Street — and have easy access to all the town’s delights.

Ellicottville

Southwest of Geneseo and Conesus Lake, Ellicottville is a top-notch skiing destination. It provides access to HoliMont Ski Resort, the largest private ski resort in North America. Holiday Valley also features scenic cross-country trails and a lovely summer adventure park. Secreted in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, Ellicottville is a perfect venue for a nature-themed weekend retreat. One will want to wake up their artistic self at the Griffis Sculpture Park, conveniently located just about 8 miles from town.

The park spans more than 400 acres of rolling hills, forests, and ponds, contains over 250 sculptures crafted by both big names and emerging artists, and is among the first and largest sculpture parks in America. Wash down a delicious meal with super smooth beer at the Gin Mill — and spend peaceful nights at the Wingate by Wyndham, conveniently located in the middle of town and within walking distance of numerous eateries.

If you want to take a break from the rat race and enjoy some of nature’s most spellbinding sceneries, a weekend retreat to the Finger Lakes Region should be on the cards. With up to 11 beautiful lakes, some of which are as clear as crystal, who needs an ocean? But it is not just lakes. The Finger Lakes Region is home to awesome wineries, unique museums, rugged mountains, and charming small towns. For the best weekend experience, consider visiting Ithaca, Geneva, Corning, and Watkins Glen.