The Finger Lakes

4 hours from Poughkeepsie

Do & Dine Spanning 14 counties, the Finger Lakes region has a little bit of everything — wineries, waterfalls, miles of waterfront (and scenic byways to showcase them), and historic landmarks — framed by rolling hills and swaths of farmland.  - Advertisement - Start by scratching the surface of the local viticulture. Try the orange wine at Shaw Vineyard; discover Cornell-developed grapes at Goose Watch Winery; and don’t miss Hermann J. Wiemer, the can’t-miss vineyard for the area’s most popular wine, Riesling. Between tasting rooms, soak up American history. In Auburn, the homes of Harriet Tubman and William Seward, Lincoln’s secretary of state, have been converted into popular museums. Seneca Falls celebrates its role in the famed women’s rights convention throughout town. And at Watkins Glen State Park, you’ll find hiking trails and 19 Insta-worthy waterfalls. In Dundee, F.L.X. Table is the reservation to (try and) get. If you can’t snag a seat for its seasonal tasting menu, give the artisanal sausages at F.L.X. Wienery or the fried-chicken sandwiches at F.L.X. Fry Bird (slated to open this year) a try. There’s more than just wine, too. Bar Argos in Ithaca shakes up excellent craft cocktails while Auburn’s Prison City Pub and Brewery has more than a few medals for its craft beers.

 

Photo courtesy of Inns of Aurora - Partner Content - Faces of the Hudson Valley 2025 At the Intersection of Locally Grown Produce, Exquisite Cuisine, and Celebrations Stay Comprised of four boutique properties overlooking Cayuga Lake, the Inns of Aurora eschew all your floral-wallpapered expectations. Owned and designed by American Girl creator Pleasant Rowland, each property blends historic charm with modern design. Wallcourt Hall, the newest, boasts a funky mix of black-and-white graphic patterns and pops of bright orange, while E.B. Morgan House preserves historic mantels, but adds unexpected splashes of hot pink and bold works of modern art. Don’t miss the Aurora Inn, where dinner is served in the dining room or on the lake-view terrace. Summer weekend rates from $300; www.innsofaurora.com

 

Photo courtesy of The finger lakes tourism council - Advertisement - Get out on the water! 1. Rent a SUP (or take a lesson) from one of the Paddle-N-More’s three locations along Cayuga Lake. 2. Water to Wine Tours runs five-hour cruises, launching from Aurora, to wineries and restaurants along Cayuga Lake. 3. Take a dip in the family-friendly, waterfall-framed swimming hole at Ithaca’s Robert H. Treman State Park.