Finger Lakes Region

Travel Guide

Geneva showing a house and heritage elements
Geneva which includes tranquil scenes and a lake or waterhole
Highland Park featuring a garden
Robert H. Treman State Park showing a cascade
Rosamond Gifford Zoo showing bird life and zoo animals

Eleven sparkling lakes, miles of hiking trails and striking gorges make this area of New York state a true natural paradise.

Visit the Finger Lakes Region in central New York state for unspoiled natural beauty. Taste local wines on the winery trails, splash under cascading waterfalls and head to museums for a cultural education in everything from art to airplanes to women’s rights.

Experience scenic beauty in state parks and along the waterways leading to Lake Ontario. Hike through Watkins Glen State Park to see its stunning waterfalls, go boating in Erie Canal and watch birds from the Main Pool Observation Tower in Montezuma Wildlife Refuge. Other natural highlights include Taughannock Falls State Park in Ulysses, home to a 215-foot (20-meter) waterfall, one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains.

Foodies will enjoy browsing the Ithaca Farmers’ Market, while children will go wild for the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse. Try your hand at glassmaking at the Corning Museum of Glass and admire photography exhibits at the George Eastman Museum in Rochester.

Taste the quality red and white wines produced in the region on the Canandaigua Wine Trail, the Seneca Lake Wine Trail and the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. Stop at wineries along the way to learn about the winemaking process.

Seneca Falls was one of the hubs of the women’s suffrage movement in the U.S. Visit the National Women's Hall of Fame to find out more about this historic campaign. In Auburn, see Harriet Tubman’s home and learn how she helped hundreds of slaves to freedom.

Finger Lakes is easily accessible with two regional airports, two international airports and train stations in both Rochester and Syracuse. Most visitors arrive some time between June and August when the weather is the warmest, but don’t rule out the winter months for beautiful snowy landscapes and accommodations deals.

Arrive in Finger Lakes in any season and it will soon be obvious just why this region is such a popular escape for East Coast city dwellers. Choose to relax and unplug, or strap on your gear for an outdoor adventure.

Where to stay in Finger Lakes Region

Genesee River\'s High Falls showing a city and street scenes as well as a couple

Downtown Rochester

4/5(63 area reviews)

Economic center with an urban setting, Downtown Rochester offers a variety of shops, bars, and restaurants. Enjoy the Mary Jemison Boat Tour on Genesee River or explore attractions like Strong National Museum of Play and High Falls.

Downtown Rochester
Clinton Square which includes heritage architecture, a park and a city

Downtown Syracuse

4/5(89 area reviews)

Economic center with a bustling nightlife, Downtown Syracuse features the lively Armory Square, luxury condos, and high-end office spaces. Explore historic Clinton Square and relax in Forman Park.

Downtown Syracuse
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Irondequoit

Nestled between the Genesee River and Irondequoit Bay, this picturesque suburb boasts a colonial-style Town Hall and stunning waterfront views. Explore the scenic shoreline of Lake Ontario or delve into Rochester's nearby attractions.

Irondequoit
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Lakefront

4.5/5(58 area reviews)

Bordering Downtown Syracuse, Lakefront features the charming areas of Franklin Square and Inner Harbor. Explore the historic O.M. Edwards Building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Lakefront
Carrier Dome which includes modern architecture

Eastside

4/5(6 area reviews)

Bordering Downtown Syracuse and University Hill, Near Eastside boasts historic gems like the Gustav Stickley House and Collins House. Explore the rich history while staying close to downtown attractions.

Eastside
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Rochester Central Business District

If you're spending some time in Rochester Central Business District, Genesee River and Blue Cross Arena are top sights worth seeing.

Rochester Central Business District
Baymont by Wyndham Henrietta/Rochester

Baymont by Wyndham Henrietta/Rochester

2 out of 5
905 Lehigh Station Road, Henrietta, NY
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $115 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
CA $115
CA $131 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Henrietta. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
6.4/10 (376 reviews)
"Above"

Reviewed on Aug. 10, 2025

Baymont by Wyndham Henrietta/Rochester
LivAway Suites- Syracuse

LivAway Suites- Syracuse

2 out of 5
6595 Thompson Rd, Syracuse, NY
The price is CA $113 per night from Sep 9 to Sep 10
CA $113
CA $133 total
Sep 9 - Sep 10
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Syracuse. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Destiny USA and JMA Wireless Dome are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (434 reviews)
"This hotel is very new, spotlessly clean, and very comfortable. It's perfrect for families, with a small kitchenette, a small gym downstairs, and laundry facilities - all very convenient."

Reviewed on Aug. 11, 2025

LivAway Suites- Syracuse
The Statler Hotel at Cornell University

The Statler Hotel at Cornell University

4 out of 5
130 Statler Dr, Ithaca, NY
The price is CA $310 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
CA $310
CA $366 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Ithaca. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,006 reviews)
"The food was great. The beds were so comfortable. It does need a self parking garage"

Reviewed on Aug. 10, 2025

The Statler Hotel at Cornell University
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Charming 3-bedroom house in Rochester/UofR & RIT

Charming 3-bedroom house in Rochester/UofR & RIT

2 out of 5
Rochester
Stay at this vacation home in Rochester. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Strong and Genesee Valley Park are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (25 reviews)
Perfect for our stay in Rochester
"The house was adorable and so clean. We made ourselves at home, slept great,"

Reviewed on May 8, 2025

Charming 3-bedroom house in Rochester/UofR & RIT
 Enjoy A Restful Experience FLX Wine Trails Garden Studio + Deck + BBQ

Enjoy A Restful Experience FLX Wine Trails Garden Studio + Deck + BBQ

2 out of 5
Interlaken
Stay at this apartment in Interlaken. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Lucas Vineyards and WeBeTilin' Studios are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (22 reviews)
"Good communication, small but clean, downside was only 1 sink in the bathroom."

Reviewed on Jul. 31, 2025

Enjoy A Restful Experience FLX Wine Trails Garden Studio + Deck + BBQ
The Flatts at North Shore

The Flatts at North Shore

3.5 out of 5
414 Exchange St, Geneva, NY
Stay at this 3.5-star spa condo in Geneva. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Smith Center for the Arts and Finger Lakes ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (90 reviews)
"The property itself is absolutely stunning and pristinely clean, great location to experience everything the city has to offer, however directly behind the property is a sketchy bus stop, we watched a bunch of shady things happen, cops and ambulances etc. the host was kind but this is definitely ..."

Reviewed on Aug. 4, 2025

The Flatts at North Shore
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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