Finger Lakes Region: New York’s Year-Round Playground

341

Kathy Horowitz facilitates a monthly women’s writer’s group at the Life Center in Huntington.  Her work has appeared in The Long Islander, Long Island Woman, Calyx, Blue Unicorn, and is forthcoming in Seventh Quarry.  She recently self-published a collection of poems and completed the 50,000-word novel-writing challenge during November’s NaNoWriMo.  Kathy offers freelance writing, editing, and proofreading services (kahorowitz@gmail.com)
www.kathyhorowitz.com.  

The Finger Lakes region encompasses 9,000 square miles and rests between Lake Ontario and the Pennsylvania border (www.VisitFingerLakes.com).  Named for its series of long, thin lakes (“fingers”), it is home to 11 glacial lakes and one Great Lake. Known for its vineyards with over 100 wineries, the region has been described as an all-year playground for those who love to sail, hike, bike, horseback ride, fish, ski, tour wineries, shop, and visit historic museums.

History:  The region is a central part of the Iroquois homeland.  Seneca and Cayuga are lakes named after their tribe nations.  Some major towns include Geneseo (home to Seneca Castle), Catherine’s Town (near Watkins Glen), and Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor.

What to do:  One of the deepest and longest Lakes, Cayuga, is home to Cornell University in Ithaca.  The surrounding area is known for its high gorges and dramatic waterfalls including Taughannock and Buttermilk Falls. Take a boat ride with Canandaigua Lady, a 19th century replica of a double-decked paddlewheel boat.  Choose a cruise that features lunch, dinner, narrated history or some other special theme (www.cdgaboatcruises.com).  In Geneva, visit the Belhurst Castle at this historic lakeside resort, which boasts an on-site winery. You can cruise the Rose Lummis to these sites. If you love to bike, visit www.genevabikes.com where there’s an endless network of country roads with changing scenery that takes you through apple orchards, forests, valleys, and rolling hills.  Visit Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor, New York’s official Native American historic site, and  explore Bark Longhouse and ethnobotanical trails.  If it’s shopping you prefer after a day’s activities, the Eastview Mall in Victor has more that 170 stores such as GUESS, J. Crew, LEGO, Lord & Taylor to name a few.  For a complete list of wineries, breweries, distilleries, and cheese factories, visit www.WineandBeerJunky.com. If it’s museums you’re interested in visit the Corning Museum of Glass, the Johnson Museum of Art, the Finger Lakes Boating Museum, the Rockwell Museum, the Seward House Museum, and the Women’s rights National Historic Park in Seneca Falls which includes the home of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Wesleyan Chapel where she held the first convention on women’s rights in 1848.

The Finger Lakes region has something for everyone.  For discounts, visit www.fingerlakes.com.  For lodging/camping/spas/hotels/B&Bs/vacation rentals go to www.fingerlakes.org/lodging. Happy Lake Travels!