THINGS TO DO IN THE FINGER LAKES THIS WINTER

Looking for fun ways to get out and enjoy winter in the Finger Lakes? In short, you can’t go wrong. If you need a little direction, here are some of our favorite Finger Lakes activities to enjoy, even when a chill is in the air.

Pamper Yourself at Isabella Spa~Salon in Belhurst Castle

Isabella Spa & Salon is commited to providing a safe environment following guidelines and protocols around COVID-19, with your health and wellness as first priority. Haircuts, color and styling services, as well as massage services, manicure/pedicure services and eye makeup applications are available by appointment. Visit Isabella Spa & Salon for the latest specials, reservations and information, or purchase a gift certificate for when you are ready to travel.

Book the Home-Away-from-Home Special at Geneva on the Lake Resor

Celebrate the New Year with a restful getaway to Geneva On The Lake Boutique Resort Hotel in Finger Lakes Wine Country. Enjoy one night in a beautiful spacious suite, a voucher for a candlelit dinner with live music or room service, and a bottle of Finger Lakes wine in your suite upon arrival. Situated on a 10-acre bluff above Seneca Lake, enjoy quiet walks, warmth at the outdoor firepit, or a bonfire on the bluff upon request. Please visit Geneva On The Lake for details, or call 315-789-7190 to reserve your Home-Away-from-Home Special.

Visit Taughannock Falls

Weather permitting, hike 3/4 mile along the gorge on a flat, wide trail to the base of one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains, cascading from 215 feet above the trail in Ulysses, New York. If the trail is closed due to weather conditions, or if you are not up for the walk, take in the breathtaking view from the overlook and Visitors’ Center above the gorge.

Let Finger Lakes Winery Tours do the Driving

Sit back, relax, and let a professional do the driving while you take in the sights and flavors of Finger Lakes Wine Country. Rent a chauffeured vehicle to accommodate you and a small group, or purchase a gift card to travel when you are ready. Contact Finger Lakes Winery Tours regarding limitations due to Covid-19.

Explore the Waterfalls or Frozen Falls of the Finger Lakes

Waterfalls are like hidden gems all over the Finger Lakes–from small cascades to hundred-foot high drops. In winter, falls can be even more spectacular. Found within State Parks, along roadsides, beside trails, and tucked away in the middle of a city like stunning Ithaca Falls, you can spend a whole day exploring the falls of the Finger Lakes.

Visit the Birthplace of the Women’s Rights Movement in Seneca Falls, NY

Walk along the Seneca-Cayuga Canal and explore the charming Main Street of Seneca Falls. Visit the Women’s Rights National Historic Park, and see where local suffragettes hosted the first Women’s Rights Convention in 1848, when Elizabeth Cady Stanton presented her “Declaration of Sentiments” modeled on the “Declaration of Independence.” Call ahead to find out if the Visitors Center and National Women’s Hall of Fame are open.

Go Birding at the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge

View a spectacular abundance of birds, mammals and reptiles at the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge in Seneca Falls, NY, covering 7,068 acres and serving as a crucial migratory stopover for shorebirds, waterfowl and other birds. The diverse ecosystem makes it a perfect place for feeding, breeding and resting. Call ahead to see if the Gift Shop, Visitor’s Center, and observation platform are open. Hike the 1.5 mile trail loop, or explore via car on the 3.5-mile driving loop.

Visit the Grand Canyon of the East!

Often called the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park is an impressive 14,000 acre park on the Genesee River, featuring deep ravines and three major waterfalls ranging from 70 to 107 feet. Enjoy incredible vistas, deep scenic gorges, 66 miles of hiking trails, snowmobiling trails, cabins and more.

Walk, Run, Bike or Cross Country Ski on the Black Diamond Trail!

Take in the beauty of the Black Diamond Trail on foot, by bike, or cross-country skis, surrounded by views of Cayuga Lake, cascading waterfalls and gorges. The Trail connects Taughannock State Park to Cass Park in Ithaca and eventually will connect to Buttermilk Falls State Park and Robert Treman State Park, providing over 15 miles of safe pathways for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Visit the Finger Lakes Wineries

Visiting the Finger Lakes wineries via a Wine Trail is a scenic and tasty way to sample a variety of the region’s award-winning wines. Call ahead to inquire which wineries are offering tastings at this time and whether a reservation is required.

Ice Skating at Cass Park in Ithaca, New York

Cass Park Skating Rink is open by reservation and limiting guests to avoid overcrowding. Visit https://www.casspark.org/ice-rink.html to book your time to get out and skate this winter.