Seneca Lake
Seneca Lake, once part of the proud Seneca Nation, is among the most popular of Finger Lakes due to the natural, scenic beauty of the lake as well as its many attractions, ranging from the heralded Seneca Wine Trail to the race track at Watkins Glen. The hills that surround Seneca Lake are dotted with vineyards that cover hundreds of well-tended, picturesque acres, and Seneca Lake draws water sports enthusiasts from all over who come to enjoy boating, fishing, sailing and swimming.
Small towns and villages line the shores of Seneca Like: Geneva, Watkins Glen, Waterloo and Dresden are among the destinations visitors to Seneca Lake should explore.
Geneva, population 13,202, is at the northern tip of the lake, in Ontario and Seneca counties, and it proclaims itself "The Lake Trout Capital of the World." Watkins Glen, at the southern tip of the lake in Schuyler county, is a small village of just over 2,000 residents, but it's best known as the home of the Watkins Glen International Racetrack.
Don't Miss
Seneca Wine Trail - Over half a million wine lovers can't be wrong. The wineries and vineyards around Seneca Lake are a big deal in the region, drawing 600,000 visitors each year to sample the local juice.
Waterfalls - In Montour Falls, just south of Watkins Glen, check out the stunning SheQuaGa Falls. The Falls are lit up at night, and the view from downtown Montour Falls is breath-taking.
Fishing - Seneca Lake boasts some of the best fishing in the Finger Lakes.
Cruising - catch the big cruise ship out of Watkins Glen and enjoy a day of leisure on water.
What To Do
Bicycling
The area around Seneca Lake is especially good for bicyclists, as a well-maintained bike path lines the eastern and western shores of the lake. The Seneca Lake Loop is a 77 mile route, with Lakeshore Park in Geneva being the most convenient starting and ending point. It's a moderate ride, with only one grade to climb coming out of Watkins Glen.
Boating
Seneca Lake is very popular for sailing and other recreational boating, as Seneca Lake is one of the deepest of the Finger Lakes. Marinas in Waterloo and just south of Geneva offer boat rentals, campgrounds and marine supplies. The big double-decker cruise boats that depart from Watkins Glen are popular with visitors. You're sure to spot these ships if you're on the lake for the day.
The Seneca Lake State Park in Geneva features public boat launches and a marina, as well as a picnic area and a swimming beach.
The Municipal Campgrounds and Marina in Montour Falls is a great spot off the lake with campgrounds, public boat launches and plenty of boat slips. Boaters can access the lake through the Old Barge Canal.
Farming
Farming in general - and viticulture in particular - is a big industry in the area around Seneca Lake, as these rolling hills, the lake-effect climate and favorable exposure make Seneca Lake ideal for wine production and other agriculture.
There's a good Farmers Market in Geneva, and you'll find farms open for tours in Watkins Glen and Romulus. If agriculture is your thing, check out the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva. It's part of Cornell University's Agricultural College, and you can arrange tours through the university.
Fishing
Seneca Lake is famous for its fishing. Catherine Creek, at the southern tip of the lake, is a particularly favorable spot for trout fishing, though trout (especially brown trout and rainbow trout) is a prime catch all over Seneca Lake. Perch, pike and bass are also abundant. Small-mouth bass are especially good in the warmer waters of the more shallow areas of the lake.
Golf
Big Oak (in Geneva) and Silver Creek (in Waterloo) are the two 18-hole public courses on Seneca Lake. Big Oak features an especially challenging - and scenic - back nine. Seneca Lake Country Club (18 holes) and Geneva Country Club (9 holes) are the private courses on the lake.
Hiking
Watkins Glen State Park is a beautiful canyon with waterfalls galore - and it's very popular with visitors as a result. The hiking trails around Montour Falls are especially appealing to hikers. While you're there, be sure to check out the Queen Catherine Marsh and Havana Glen.
The Interlaken Trail, a 12-mile marked trail that runs past two ponds and traverses varied terrain, is one of the trails to check out in the Finger Lakes National Forest.
Less well-known but certainly worth your time is the Hector Land Use Area - it has 25 miles of hiking trails and a handful of camp sites.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Ballooning enthusiasts should check out the Festival of Balloons in nearby Dansville - it will be held on Labor Day Weekend 2009. Several hot air balloon operations offer rides in the Finger Lakes region:
High Hopes Balloon Co. offers flights in the Finger Lakes and surrounding area. (585-377-7768, highhopesbaloon@aol.com, http://www.highhopesballoon.com/) For ballooning enthusiasts, the Festival of Balloons in nearby Dansville will be held on Labor Day Weekend 2009.
Finger Lakes Ballooning offers flights in the Finger Lakes and surrounding area. (315-594-8946)
Liberty Balloon Company offers flights in the Finger Lakes and Letchworth Park. They have a special wine country tour that launches from Canadaigua. (1-800-777-2FLY, office@libertyballoon.com, http://www.libertyballoon.com)
Sunset Adventures, based in Auburn, offers balloon flights in the Finger Lakes area. (315-252-7768, http://www.fingerlakes-ballooning.com/)
Public Parks
The Finger Lakes National Forest, a 15,000 acre woodland in Hector, offers hiking trails, horse trials, camping and fishing, as well as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in winter.
Havana Glen Park and Campground in Montour Falls has tent and trailer sites.
Wine
The Finger Lakes is the largest and most well-regarded winemaking region in the eastern United States, and it owes much of its acclaim to the lakes themselves. The plunging depth of the lakes (especially Cayuga Lake, Seneca Lake and Keuka Lake) moderates the effect of cold weather, and the steep slopes of the surrounding hills make for fortuitous air patterns that whisk away pockets of cold air, making it possible for a longer and more stable growing season. These and other factors make for top-notch viticulture in the Finger Lakes. Many varietals thrive in this climate, but the Finger Lakes Rieslings are especially esteemed by oenophiles.
Seneca Lake has some of the most beautiful vineyards that stretch for hundreds of acres on the sloping hills that ring the lake. The Seneca Wine Trail is so well regarded, it draws more than half a million visitors each year to sample the fruits of the local vintners' labors.
The Seneca Wine Trail plays host to tasting events throughout the year. Food and wine pairings are based around themes such as "Pasta and Wine" and "Spring Wine and Cheese." Each of these events affords the opportunity to visit as many wineries as you can in two days. With a growing number of wineries participating in these events, it can be quite a challenge, but you're sure to have fun trying.
Wineries on the Seneca Wine Trail
Belhurst Winery
White Springs Winery
Fox Run Vineyards
Red Tail Ridge Winery
Seneca Shore Wine Cellars
Anthony Road Wine Company
Prejean Winery
Torrey Ridge Winery
Earle Estates Winery & Meadery
Miles Wine Cellars
Villa Bellangelo
Hickory Hollow Wine Cellars
Glenora Wiine Cellars
Fulkerson Winery
Rock Stream Vineyards
Arcadian Estate Winery
Lakewood Vineyards
Cascata Winery
Castel Grisch Winery
Ventosa Vineyards
Stony Lonesome Wine Cellars
Rogue's Hollow Winery
Passion Feet Vineyard
Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars
Wagners Vineyards
Caywood Vineyards
Penguin Bay Winery
Tickle Hill Winery
Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards
Leidenfrost Vineyards
Red Newt Cellars
Bloomer Creek Vineyard
Chateau LaFayette Reneau
Atwater Estate Vineyards
Catherine Valley Winery
Where To Stay
There are plenty of places to stay when visiting Seneca Lake, ranging from lakefront splendor to chain hotels, as well as a wide selection of charming country inns and B&B's. At the high end, you've can stay at Belhurst Castle and Geneva on the Lake, both of which are in Geneva and rank among the finest hotels in all of the Finger Lakes. The Ramada in Geneva is a less extravagant lakeside option.
The towns and villages that line Seneca Lake also provide some hospitality options - you'll find plenty of charming B&B's and country inns in Geneva, Waterloo, Dresden, Watkins Glen and, just south of the lake, in Montour Falls.
Where to Eat
When you're visiting Seneca Lake, you'll have no trouble finding good local eateries. For the finest of fine dining, you should check out the restaurants in the two high-end resorts in Geneva, Belhurst Castle and Geneva on the Lake. You'll find world-class cuisine there. Aside from these two place, most of the dining options tend towards the casual side.
find delicious food from local eateries in Geneva, Waterloo, Dresden and Watkins Glen, many of which offer lake views.