Lakes, Wineries, and Castles in the Finger Lakes

Have breakfast at the hotel – you can have room service served directly to you while you get up and get ready to start your day or, if you find yourself with more time in the mornings, head downstairs to have a full, beautiful breakfast spread at the hotel's restaurant, Carmen's. You can also grab a coffee on your way out at the cafe. Book Now
If you are a TCS member and would like to book a hotel with 3% cashback, please follow the instructions via this link.

Head north to the Finger Lakes region. On your way up, take a stop off at the Salt Springs State Park, a tucked-away, yet beautiful 400-acre park. The park is filled with towering old hemlock trees – some are estimated to be over 500 years old – and a rocky gorge cut by three waterfalls.
You can see all the best parts of the park on a short hike, which will take you just under an hour to complete. The hike will charge you up for your day, which will bring even more natural beauty and jaw-dropping waterfalls.
View the trail map here for the recommended Falls, Wetland, and Gorge Trail Loop.
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Park here in downtown Ithaca so you can walk over to your lunch spot downtown. You'll also be able to walk a little through the town of Ithaca this way before lunch!

You're probably hungry after your hike! You can pick something small up on your way to Ithaca if you need it, but why not have lunch in downtown Ithaca at Simeon's American Bistro? It’s worth visiting Simeon's for its central location within downtown Ithaca and its fine American fare.
In the summertime, you can also enjoy their sidewalk seating. From the lunch or brunch menu, choose from classic seafood fare like oysters, lobster, and salmon, or choose from a non-seafood selection of main courses, salads, and sandwiches. The lobster mac and cheese is to die for! They also have a selection of craft cocktails, bubbly, and a wine list.
Call +16072722212 for a reservation and visit their official website. Note that the restaurant is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Friday 11:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Saturday – Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Monday – Tuesday: Closed

Walk back over to your car after lunch to head out to Taughannock Falls State Park, a sight you surely don’t want to miss while you’re traveling through Ithaca.

The Taughannock Falls take a 215-foot plunge, making it the highest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. The drop stands taller than Niagara Falls, which you’ll visit tomorrow on your trip!
The hike to the falls is very accessible and mostly flat, taking you on a three-quarter-mile walk on a flat, carved trail until you reach the falls. You'll hear the roaring falls as you approach and enjoy a cool, relaxing mist from the falls once you arrive. Nature's spa could not get any better than this.
For a map of the trail, click here. The trail is open year-round, weather permitting.
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Today has been filled with hiking and adventure. It's time to relax and enjoy one of the most notable aspects of the Seneca Lake region – the wineries! Seneca Lake's location and climate make for ideal conditions for grape-growing. According to the Seneca Wine Trail, the region specialises in sparkling wines, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and ice wine, and is also known for its Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc.
Located in a fully restored, century-old barn on Seneca Lake, this winery has an incredible view, award-winning wines, and a lovely deck to enjoy. Relax and soak in all you've seen so far before making your way towards Watkins Glen.
Visit the winery's official website if you need a reservation. Reservations are not required for groups of fewer than six people but remain highly encouraged.
Opening Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday – Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Pop into the Watkins Glen region, known for Watkins Glen State Park, which contains nearly 20 waterfalls.
You likely won’t have time to hike, but you’ll still be able to explore the region and visit nearby waterfalls accessible by car.
One of which is the Shequaga Falls, which flow right above a quaint little village called Montour Falls, and appear from a distance to be flowing right into town.
There is a 30-min parking spot in front of the falls, or you can park down the street and walk.
Fun fact! In 1820, Louis Philippe, who would later become King of France in 1830, sketched these falls as a young man – the sketch now hangs in the Louvre.

Head back into Watkins Glen and hang out in the area for the evening. Grab dinner at Blue Pointe Grille, situated within the Harbor Hotel, which serves fresh food and drinks with beautiful views of Seneca Lake. Enjoy patio dining with fire pits, and sit back to watch the sun melt down into the lake.
Opening Hours: For breakfast (Monday – Sunday): 7:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. For lunch (Monday – Sunday): 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. For dinner (Sunday – Thursday): 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. For dinner (Friday – Saturday): 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

As the sun goes down, head north up Seneca Lake towards Geneva, a town located on the north end of Seneca Lake. Here, you'll live like royalty for the night and stay in a 1880s castle. Yes, you read that right! The Vinifera Inn is an extension of Belhurst Castle, a historic mansion built from 1885 to 1889.
The property and castle are often used for events and weddings, so the grounds remain beautifully maintained for your stay. For a historical stay with beautiful views and grounds in the Finger Lake region, this inn fits the bill and is the perfect ending to your day in the region. Book Now
If you are a TCS member and would like to book a hotel with 3% cashback, please follow the instructions via this link.