These Towns In The Finger Lakes Come Alive In Winter
The eleven long and narrow Finger Lakes of central New York—Otisco Lake, Skaneateles Lake, Owasco Lake, Cayuga Lake, Seneca Lake, Keuka Lake, Canandaigua Lake, Honeoye Lake, Canadice Lake, Hemlock Lake, and Conesus Lake—have been popular tourists destinations for well over a century. When winter comes to the Finger Lakes region, the beaches close down, and the hillside grape vines go dormant, but its small towns are still full of life. Discover seven great Finger Lakes towns for a winter escape.
Watkins Glen
Set at the southern tip of Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen is known to car enthusiasts as the home of Watkins Glen International Raceway. While the track is silent during the winter, the town’s other main attraction, Watkins Glen State Park, stays open year-round. The park’s Gorge Trail closes due to icy winter conditions, but visitors can still get spectacular views of the 19 waterfalls that populate the long, narrow, deep gorge. The numerous wineries along Seneca Lake also remain open for business, including Castel Grisch Winery, which sets up an impressive holiday lights display.
Skaneateles
The town of Skaneateles (pronounced “Skanny-atlas” or, often by locals, “Skinny-atlas”), which shares a name with the lake on which it sits, was renowned as a center for antislavery activity before the Civil War. Historic structures from that era, such as the 1832 Community Place, make Skaneateles great for a winter walking tour. The town becomes even more charming between Thanksgiving and Christmas, during its old-time Dickens Christmas celebration. Then, in late January, Skaneateles hosts its popular annual Winterfest, which includes ice carving, a polar plunge into the icy lake, and much more.
Seneca Falls
Seneca Falls is considered to be the inspiration for Bedford Falls in the 1946 holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life, so of course, the town is a great place to visit in winter! The museum dedicated to the film hosts a great winter festival each December, and walking through the classic downtown area always feels like a step back into the past. Seneca Falls also holds a strong claim as the birthplace of the women’s rights movement since it hosted the 1848 Women’s Rights Convention. The Women’s Rights National Historic Park preserves key buildings from this time period.
Penn Yan
Penn Yan’s odd name comes from a contentious compromise between its early Pennsylvania (“Penn”) and New England “Yankee” (“Yan”) settlers. Birkitt Mills, which displays the “world’s largest pancake griddle,” has been in operation since those early settler days in 1797, and the region’s first wineries opened nearby not long after that. Winter is a great time to visit the local wineries and to walk through the classic small-town Penn Yan Historic District. Or, for those who prefer to experience the natural beauty of Keuka Lake during winter, opt for a walk along the 6-mile-long Keuka Lake Outlet Trail.
Geneva
Geneva, which sits at the northern tip of Seneca Lake, is known for its historic downtown (including the still-in-use 1894 Smith Opera House) and for being the home of Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Fans of winter wine tours (and great lake views) can drive south from town and stop at several great wineries as well as two architectural gems, the 1884 Belhurst Castle and 1910 Geneva on the Lake resort. Or, visitors can head in the other direction to Seneca Lake State Park, which offers snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and other outdoor recreation options during winter.
Canandaigua
Canandaigua, which means “the chosen place” in the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) language, is an apt name for both the beautiful lake and the charming town that sits at its northern tip. The town’s Main Street Historic District looks better than ever during winter, with its dozens of Victorian-era buildings dusted with snow. In mid-January, Canandaigua hosts the Finger Lakes Winter Carnival, which includes wine and food tastings and much more. For visitors who are new to winter sports, Powder Mills Ski Park, which is only 25 minutes outside of town, offers skiing lessons for kids and adults alike.
Auburn
Auburn, a town of about 27,000 perched at the top of Owasco Lake, is among the largest communities in the Finger Lakes region. The homes of two key abolitionist figures, Harriet Tubman and William Seward, are now museums, making a winter walking tour of Auburn both beautiful and educational. The surrounding area is also great for cross-country skiing, especially the popular Auburn-Fleming Trail. For those who prefer downhill skiing, Skaneateles Ski Club is only 20 minutes away, while Song Mountain Resort is about a 40-minute drive from Auburn.
The convenient location of the Finger Lakes region contributes to its popularity as a tourist hub, but the beautiful lakes and charming small towns that sit alongside them are what keep bringing tourists back. The tourist crowds decrease during winter, but there are still plenty of great reasons to come to the Finger Lakes when the weather cools and the snow starts falling. So do not delay in making your winter travel plans!
