The Best Small Towns in the Finger Lakes to Chill Out In 2024
A fascinating place to explore, the Finger Lakes region is filled with peaceful sites for one to decompress, especially after a hectic work season, and many gasp-inducing locations where the heart will purr with ecstasy at almost every turn of the eye. Think of glorious sunsets, tree-dappled ridges, and turquoise waters. Looking for a place to chill out? Hold it here. Starting with Geneva, discover below the best small towns in the Finger Lakes region to chill out in 2024. Slide into your flip-flops, rev up your car’s engine, and enjoy the time of your life. One more tip: pack a good camera.
Geneva
Geneva — whose lakeside locale inspired a smitten land promoter to name it after Geneva, Switzerland — reclines on the northern rim of Seneca Lake, the largest of the glacial Finger Lakes. You will have the Lake Trout Capital of the World to yourself, a sweet and beautiful downtown area (one of the most remarkable in the Finger Lakes), and more bars and restaurants than many cities of Geneva’s size. Amble through South Main Street with a map picked from the historical center on Main Street — and admire the many beautiful, lovingly restored old homes that line this stretch. Follow this route to the lake and enjoy delicious views on every side before heading to Hobart and William Smith Colleges, situated along the lake’s northern tip. Remember, Geneva is home to the famous row houses and a swoon-worthy stretch around Pulteney Park. Catch a show at the handsomely restored Smith Opera House before indulging in the romance of Belhurst Castle, a dreamy space filled with incredible natural beauty.
Ithaca
Architectural Digest — and they are not alone — believes Ithaca is the most beautiful town in New York. Cornell University in Ithaca is a lovely place to chill out. For its broad range of attractions, it can effortlessly steal an entire weekend. To know that Cornell’s campus is gorgeous, Architectural Digest ranks it among America’s most beautiful college campuses. A first-time visitor will find it perched on a picturesque hillside above Cayuga Lake, the longest of central New York's glacial Finger Lakes. Admire Cornell’s mix of old architectural styles and modern touches, a space interspersed with spectacular gorges and scenic waterfalls.
Cornell Botanic Gardens, which is free to visit, will likely evoke every sense of feeling. Close by, the 100-acre F. R. Newman Arboretum, known for its picturesque beauty, features a noble collection of maples, oaks, and dogwoods. Stay at the Startler Hotel, run by Cornell’s School of Hotel Management, the world’s No.1 hospitality program. Squeeze some time for Ithaca's Museum of the Earth, which houses one of America's most extensive fossil collections. As if that's not enough, the Macaulay Library — still in Cornell — is the largest natural sound archive on Earth.
Skaneateles
Skaneateles, Iroquois for "Long Lake," is beautifully positioned on the northern edge of Skaneateles Lake, one of America’s cleanest. A first-time visitor will enjoy exploring the multimillion-dollar lakeside cottages, some of which serve as summer hideouts for jet-setting celebrities. Patisserie, though small, serves the best stretch bread and croissants in the area. Alternatively, the donuts at Skaneateles Bakery are typically soft and buttery and usually make for a filling breakfast. After this energy boost, walk out on the pier and take a boat ride on the lake's crystalline waters. Alternatively, chase waterfalls at the Guppy Falls Trail, a rim trail where one can walk above a creek to a scenic overlook and inhale beautiful views on every side. Clift Park, a lovely venue for a refreshing dip — and the dog-friendly Anyela's Vineyards — known for its excellent selection of red wines, are other sites worth chilling out at.
Watkins Glen
Although one will enjoy chilling out at Watkins Glen State Park, known for its mesmerizing symphony of sights, this Finger Lakes treasure features many other delightful sites and attractions. It boasts a beautiful downtown area, one of the best in the Finger Lakes, where chic boutiques and inviting restaurants flank quaint streets and neat rows of Revival architecture. Need something to bite? Grab some pig wings at Nickel's Pit, a vibrant outpost on N Franklin Street, where barbecue meals are washed down with local craft beers. Alternatively, Seneca Harbor Station, whose history goes back more than 140 years, is today a picturesque waterfront eatery known for fresh clam chowder and heart-warming lake views. Outdoor sites where one can chill out include Cavern Cascade, one of the most sought-after natural attractions in western New York. Spend the night at Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, named “Best Waterfront Hotel in the Nation” by USA Today.
Canandaigua
Many towns find it hard to hold a candle to Canandaigua, a swoon-worthy town whose captivating allure often leaves first-time visitors completely blown away. “The Chosen Spot” was where Susan B. Anthony, wearing a new blue silk bonnet, was put on her defense for voting in the U.S. presidential election of 1872. Today, Canandaigua’s downtown area is a lovely place to chill out, especially at one of the many inviting restaurants on the stretch. These include Simply Crepes Craft Kitchen, known for its fresh strawberry crepes and delicious mimosa flights. For some retail therapy, including a thoughtful memento, Renaissance Goodie II Shoppe has no peer. For wine connoisseurs, the Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail features more than 20 miles of Finger Lakes wine and food experiences. Just don’t miss Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park, one of the nation's most extensively preserved country estates from the Victorian era.
Hammondsport
Hammondsport — or Hammond’s port — rests at the south end of the Y-shaped Keuka Lake, one of the most majestic freshwater lakes in the world. People love chilling out at Keuka Lake because it is shallower and, hence, warmer than many of the other lakes in the region. Although the town itself is tiny, it packs a punch. One can while away the time at Pultney Square, a beautiful village green and national historic district that spans just about 140 square feet. With eateries such as Verns Bakery, which serves top-notch cinnamon rolls, a first-time visitor here should not have to endure the faintest whiff of hunger pangs.
The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, named for the town’s most loved son, contains a priceless collection relating to the beginning days of aviation, vintage motorcycles, and other unique automobiles. Taking the cue, the Finger Lakes Boating Museum specializes in the Finger Lakes boating history — and is often a nostalgic spot to chill out. Do not miss the boat ride on the Pat II, a roomy, vintage boat that offers delicious waterfront views on every side. Alternatively, chill out at Champlin Beach, where a magical sunset will crown a fun-filled day.
Corning
Do you know the one spot you will want to chill out at in Corning? It has to be the largest glass museum in the world. The Crystal City also hosts The Rockwell Museum, the only Smithsonian Affiliate in Upstate New York. One of the best-designed small museums in the Northeast, The Rockwell is an excellent place for a first-time visitor to immerse himself in art, admire evocative paintings from the Hudson River era, and enjoy an excellent variety of Native American art. Numerous glass-cutting shops dot the town and display pieces any first-time visitor will want to pick as a memento. Chemung River meanders through downtown Corning, a picturesque venue for fun-filled boating adventures. Paddle the Palisades takes visitors through a series of hulking cliffs and should be part of any itinerary. Just book a cozy room at the Gaffer Inn — and be a heartbeat away from most of Corning’s delights.
Your Perfect Chill-Out Spots in the Finger Lakes
Do you want to get a break from concrete jungles, crowded streets, soulless architecture — all the hassle and bustle? There is no need to book a flight to Switzerland. The Finger Lakes region, with its glimmering lakes, is a low-key version of Switzerland in every way but one: The ice-clad peaks. Dotting this unspoiled stretch of the country are several adorable small towns, most of which have fun, peaceful sites to chill out and decompress. For specific suggestions, check out the small towns highlighted here, including Geneva, Ithaca, and Skaneateles.
