Learn the best things to do and see on a family weekend in the Finger Lakes region of New York.
What, you haven’t heard of the Finger Lakes? That’s okay, not many of my friends had either before we set off for a family getaway in central New York and came back raving about it.
The Finger Lakes region gets its name from a group of 11 narrow lakes surrounded by wineries. But what’s really special about the area are the deep gorges that create waterfall after glorious waterfall. There’s just no memory card big enough to capture all the stunning scenery.
A trip to the Finger Lakes region is ideal for families looking for a quick break – there are cool little museums and hands-on activities, lake views and wine, and lots of amazing hikes.
Best Things to Do in the Finger Lakes Region
You’ve got options, people. But honestly, you do not want to skip visiting the state parks. They’re the numero uno reason you should go to the Finger Lakes. Everything else is gravy. Build your vacation about this list of the best things you and your family can do in the Finger Lakes:
#1: Hike to waterfalls
Sometimes you stumble upon a place so incredible it’s hard to believe it’s not crowded. That’s how I feel about the four Finger Lakes state parks. The whole area is covered with rivers that turn into waterfalls as they rush down steep and narrow valleys. You can go on mist-filled hikes next to waterfalls and through mossy woods and then cool off with a dip in natural pools. It’s like a Jurassic garden of Eden.
The state parks are all within a short distance of each other and include:
Watkins Glen State Park
The most popular park, Watkins Glen State Park has multiple trails to hike, but the Main Gorge Trail has 19 waterfalls within two miles, all created by a gorge that quickly descends 400 feet. It’s usually open to hikers between May and October, depending on the weather and trail conditions. Unfortunately, when we went only a small part of the trail was open due to a recent rainstorm. But still, we got to walk behind a gushing waterfall.
Robert H. Treman State Park
What we most loved about the Robert H. Treman State Park was the huge swimming hole created by water streaming down the most beautiful cascades you ever saw. Seriously, they’re so perfect they look manmade.
The park has five hiking trails, but the natural pool is just a short walk from the parking lot. So even if you’re not up for another hike, you can at least dip your toes in the chilly water here and soak up the scene. There are bathrooms so you can change into your swimsuit, a lifeguard and a grassy area where you can spread out a blanket and make an afternoon of it.
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Buttermilk Falls State Park was our favorite stop. At times, it felt like we were the only ones in the park (and we went in summer!). Puh-leeze don’t go to the Finger Lakes area without hiking the Gorge Trail at this park – you’d be totally missing out.
It’s less than a mile long and has a trillion, calf-burning steps but a payoff that’s completely worth it: a spectacular double waterfall. It also has long, beautiful cascades and a small natural pool near the parking lot.
Taughannook Falls State Park
We didn’t get the chance to explore Taughannook Falls State Park, but we did turn off at the overlook on Taughannook Falls Park Road to see the namesake waterfall spilling over the face of a 215-foot rocky cliff.
#2: Sip wine at family-friendly vineyards
Just because you’re with your kids doesn’t mean you can’t stop at a winery or two. I mean, c’mon, you’re in one of the world’s greatest regions for Riesling. Plus, there are a handful of family-friendly wineries here that have things for kids to do while you sip, including:
- Lakewood Vineyards: The outside tasting bar overlooks vineyard-covered hills and kids can toss a Frisbee to the winery’s pack of friendly dogs. The inside tasting room has a small toybox to occupy little ones.
- Arbor Hill Grapery & Winery: You and your kids will be happy campers at this winery where children can sample several varieties of sparkling grape juice, chow down on grape pie, and pocket grape-flavored gummy bears or licorice made with the vineyard’s Concord grapes. They also have a café that serves brats and beer.
- Swedish Hill Winery: Wine slushies are a fun, grown-up treat to sip here while your kids pet Doobie, the winery’s donkey, and say hi to Sven, the miniature horse.
- Barrington Cellars: Kids can do their own grape-juice tasting here and run around outside while you sample their special ice wines.
#3: Go sailing on the lake
When the sky is blue and the sun makes the water sparkle, it’s hard to resist setting sail on Seneca Lake. Just go with it. The crew at True Love Schooner Excursions will take good care of your family during a two-hour ride around the largest and deepest of the Finger Lakes.
Older kids may even get to help with hoisting the sails while you sit back and sip a local hard cider, hear about the area’s history, or even take a snooze on the cushioned seats while the wind and sun wash over you.
#4: Try your hand at glassblowing
There’s nothing better than making your own souvenir – it’s a twofer (a fun activity and a keepsake). We signed up to make a glass creation at the art studio at Corning Museum of Glass (it’s next to but separate from the museum).
My husband Bryan and youngest daughter, Marissa, learned about glass fusing while making their own clock. My oldest daughter Sophia and I suited up in protective gear and tried flameworking, which involves using a small torch to melt and twirl different colors of glass into beads.
If you want to work with the fiery furnace, choose the flower-making experience. It’s the most hands-on of the options. While you wait for your turn with the fire, be sure to check out the beautiful collection of glass in the exhibit hall next door (it’s free).
#5: Learn about art, space and dinosaurs
A great way to spend a rainy day in the Finger Lakes region is walking through some of the area’s small, but lovely museums including:
- Corning Museum of Glass, Corning: There’s plenty to catch your eye at this museum with nearly 50,000 objects, from a portrait of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh to hot glassblowing demonstrations. Kids get in free.
- Rockwell Museum, Corning: A Smithsonian affiliate museum, the small-but-mighty collection here focuses on the American experience through art. There’s everything from Native American artifacts to Andy Warhol. Kids can touch animal pelts, beadwork and minerals.
- Kids Rockwell Art Lab, Corning: Just around the corner from the Rockwell Museum, this interactive space lets kids create their own visions with drawings, collages and helping build a cardboard city. Entry to the Art Lab is included in the Rockwell Museum admission.
- Sciencenter, Ithaca: This hands-on children’s museum teaches kids through play about animals, the ocean, physics and weather. Make sure you check out of the astronomy section (space mission, anyone?) to pay tribute to the town’s famous astronomer Carl Sagan, who was a professor at Cornell University here.
- Museum of the Earth, Ithaca: Kids who are into prehistoric stuff will geek out watching paleontologists uncover dinosaur bones in the museum’s open-view lab. You can also see the most complete mastodon skeleton ever discovered along with lots of other fossils.
Ready for a Weekend in the Finger Lakes?
I don’t blame you – for an outdoorsy family getaway, the Finger Lakes can’t be beat. You can even stay in a cushy cabin in the middle of woods (where they deliver a delicious, hot breakfast to you every morning!).
Wanna know more? Get my Finger Lakes Weekend Itinerary Guide! It’s an easy-to-follow plan for an awesome weekend away! You get everything you need – itineraries, when to go, how much to budget, where to eat, a highly curated list of places to stay, and so much more!
Because why make things harder for yourself?
Happy travels,
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