Kelly & Gage's Guidebook
Where to Hike
The Finger Lakes Region is home to many parks, state parks, and scenic areas. It's hard to pick! But, these are some of our favorites:
Watkins Glen State Park is one of the top attractions for visitors. A simple, scenic, 15 minute drive directly south from our home will have you standing at the base of one of 19 waterfalls. The earlier in the day you can make it to the park, the better, as it has a tendency to get very crowded.
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Parco Statale di Watkins Glen
1009 N Franklin StWatkins Glen State Park is one of the top attractions for visitors. A simple, scenic, 15 minute drive directly south from our home will have you standing at the base of one of 19 waterfalls. The earlier in the day you can make it to the park, the better, as it has a tendency to get very crowded.
Green Lakes is for individuals who are perhaps staying a bit longer as it is about 1 1/2 hour drive from our house on the outskirts of Syracuse. There is a flat trail that goes around the perimeter of the lake(s) as well as a designated beach/swimming area for visitors. Absolutely beautifully blue-green lakes and very shaded - a nice break from the hot summer heat or a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some colorful fall foliage. A perfect stop if you're heading north to continue your adventure/vacation from our home.
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Parco Statale di Green Lakes
7900 Green Lakes RdGreen Lakes is for individuals who are perhaps staying a bit longer as it is about 1 1/2 hour drive from our house on the outskirts of Syracuse. There is a flat trail that goes around the perimeter of the lake(s) as well as a designated beach/swimming area for visitors. Absolutely beautifully blue-green lakes and very shaded - a nice break from the hot summer heat or a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some colorful fall foliage. A perfect stop if you're heading north to continue your adventure/vacation from our home.
If you're looking to dedicate an entire day to exploring a State Park - Letchworth is the largest in the area - 66 miles of hiking trails! Get lost exploring the "Grand Canyon of the East"
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Parco Statale di Letchworth
1 Letchworth State ParkIf you're looking to dedicate an entire day to exploring a State Park - Letchworth is the largest in the area - 66 miles of hiking trails! Get lost exploring the "Grand Canyon of the East"
Taughannock Falls is the tallest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains! That's right, that means it's even taller than Niagara Falls.
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Parco Statale di Taughannock Falls
1740 Taughannock BlvdTaughannock Falls is the tallest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains! That's right, that means it's even taller than Niagara Falls.
If you're looking for an easy and non-cumbersome walking trail, the Keuka Outlet Trail is our favorite, flat gravel path. It runs next to a creek bed so there is certainly a peaceful ambience. Pick your starting point tactfully to see a few small old mills and small waterfalls.
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Keuka Lake Outlet Trail
Keuka Lake Outlet TrailIf you're looking for an easy and non-cumbersome walking trail, the Keuka Outlet Trail is our favorite, flat gravel path. It runs next to a creek bed so there is certainly a peaceful ambience. Pick your starting point tactfully to see a few small old mills and small waterfalls.
Where to Recharge
Only about 2 blocks from the main entrance to Watkins Glen State Park, Mindy and her husband Jochen source organic coffee and roast it in-house. No-frills, no-fuss, lovely conversation and the best coffee in town.
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Seneca Sunrise Coffee
806 N Decatur StOnly about 2 blocks from the main entrance to Watkins Glen State Park, Mindy and her husband Jochen source organic coffee and roast it in-house. No-frills, no-fuss, lovely conversation and the best coffee in town.
If you find yourself near Penn Yan, Amity is the best spot for coffee
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Amity Coffee Co.
3 Main StIf you find yourself near Penn Yan, Amity is the best spot for coffee
Where to Eat
Delicious Thai food, wonderful service AND free BYOB (when you bring a bottle of Finger Lakes Wine!)
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Thai Elephants
133 E 4th StDelicious Thai food, wonderful service AND free BYOB (when you bring a bottle of Finger Lakes Wine!)
Tabora Farm and Winery is 2.5 miles from our home. A local favorite as it's a full-service deli as well as a from-scratch bakery. Tons of outdoor seating. Bring a blanket and stay a while!
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Tabora Farm and Winery
4978 Lakemont-Himrod RdTabora Farm and Winery is 2.5 miles from our home. A local favorite as it's a full-service deli as well as a from-scratch bakery. Tons of outdoor seating. Bring a blanket and stay a while!
We LOVE The Spotted Duck and wish it was closer to home (but it's a good thing it isn't). About a 35 minute drive from our house. "The best ice cream stand in New York State" -Judges' Choice
Hands down our favorite place to get "ice cream" but it's DUCK CUSTARD.
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Spotted Duck
999 NY-54We LOVE The Spotted Duck and wish it was closer to home (but it's a good thing it isn't). About a 35 minute drive from our house. "The best ice cream stand in New York State" -Judges' Choice
Hands down our favorite place to get "ice cream" but it's DUCK CUSTARD.
A local favorite walk-up ice cream stop right in the heart of Watkins Glen.
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Glen Dairy Bar
433 S Franklin StA local favorite walk-up ice cream stop right in the heart of Watkins Glen.
The counterpart of Kemmeter Wine is Sans Dumplings - a husband:wife duo where he makes the wine and she makes the dumplings and we cannot decide which we would choose, so we always get both.
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Sans Dumplings
1030 Larzelere RoadThe counterpart of Kemmeter Wine is Sans Dumplings - a husband:wife duo where he makes the wine and she makes the dumplings and we cannot decide which we would choose, so we always get both.
Need we say more? An easy 10 min drive from our house where hot 'n juicy BBQ awaits.
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Nickel's Pit BBQ Watkins Glen
207 N Franklin StNeed we say more? An easy 10 min drive from our house where hot 'n juicy BBQ awaits.
Glenora is a mile down the hill from our house and is a great spot to dine for anyone with dietary restrictions and/or requests i.e. gluten, vegan, vegetarian. Glenora has a beautiful facility and view of Seneca Lake from the dining room.
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Veraisons Restaurant at the Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars
5435 NY-14Glenora is a mile down the hill from our house and is a great spot to dine for anyone with dietary restrictions and/or requests i.e. gluten, vegan, vegetarian. Glenora has a beautiful facility and view of Seneca Lake from the dining room.
Ports Cafe
4432 W Lake RdThe best fine-dining on this side of Seneca Lake.
We LOVE Fry Bird
Fried chicken, mac 'n cheese, chicken 'n waffles, boozy milkshakes... southern but with a seriously fun twist
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F.L.X. Fry Bird
60 Seneca StWe LOVE Fry Bird
Fried chicken, mac 'n cheese, chicken 'n waffles, boozy milkshakes... southern but with a seriously fun twist
One of our favorite winter spots for hot n cozy food - think Shepherd's Pie, Beef & Stilton Pie (my favorite, drool!), and lamb chops, to name a few. Over 160 varieties of beer and 50 draft choices.
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Beef & Brew
293 S Main StOne of our favorite winter spots for hot n cozy food - think Shepherd's Pie, Beef & Stilton Pie (my favorite, drool!), and lamb chops, to name a few. Over 160 varieties of beer and 50 draft choices.
Are you visiting for a special occasion or do you value a fine dining experience? Pleasant Valley Inn is our favorite place to make dinner reservations for top-notch indulgence. Exquisite food and beverage, the coziest of historical space with friendly service.
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Pleasant Valley Inn
7979 NY-54Are you visiting for a special occasion or do you value a fine dining experience? Pleasant Valley Inn is our favorite place to make dinner reservations for top-notch indulgence. Exquisite food and beverage, the coziest of historical space with friendly service.
Dano's on Seneca combines the traditional Viennese Winery Restaurant concept with the region's award winning wines and the superb Viennese-inspired cooking.
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Dano's Heuriger On Seneca
9564 NY-414Dano's on Seneca combines the traditional Viennese Winery Restaurant concept with the region's award winning wines and the superb Viennese-inspired cooking.
Where to Drink
If you're looking for a top-notch experience and fine wine, Hermann J. Wiemer is one of the most established wineries on the West side of Seneca Lake (about a 10 minute drive from our home).
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Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard
3962 NY-14If you're looking for a top-notch experience and fine wine, Hermann J. Wiemer is one of the most established wineries on the West side of Seneca Lake (about a 10 minute drive from our home).
Thirsty? Hungry? Tabora has it all. Visit to do a tasting, stay for lunch, buy a bottle and spend as much time as you'd like on the extensive lawn.
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Tabora Farm and Winery
4978 Lakemont-Himrod RdThirsty? Hungry? Tabora has it all. Visit to do a tasting, stay for lunch, buy a bottle and spend as much time as you'd like on the extensive lawn.
Looking for fine-cocktails in a comfortable local setting?
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18th Amendment
7 Main StLooking for fine-cocktails in a comfortable local setting?
Miles Wine Cellars is one of the most beautiful wineries located right on the lake ( a bit of a rarity) with boat access.
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Miles Wine Cellars
168 Randall Crossing RdMiles Wine Cellars is one of the most beautiful wineries located right on the lake ( a bit of a rarity) with boat access.
Clean wines with minimal intervention and a beautiful outdoor setting. Barnstormer is about a 7 minute drive south of our home. A smaller more boutique-style winery with a large lawn and plenty of outdoor seating.
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Barnstormer Winery
4184 NY-14Clean wines with minimal intervention and a beautiful outdoor setting. Barnstormer is about a 7 minute drive south of our home. A smaller more boutique-style winery with a large lawn and plenty of outdoor seating.
Laurentide Beer Company is a newer brewery right in the town of Penn Yan that is checking all of the boxes. Plenty of tasteful seating both inside and outside. Delicious beers and many local collaborations with local wineries, cideries, and distilleries.
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Laurentide Beer Company
12 Maiden LnLaurentide Beer Company is a newer brewery right in the town of Penn Yan that is checking all of the boxes. Plenty of tasteful seating both inside and outside. Delicious beers and many local collaborations with local wineries, cideries, and distilleries.
A large wine selection - always solid, awesome people, beautiful view and outdoor area. About 10 minutes south of our home.
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Lakewood Vineyards
4024 NY-14A large wine selection - always solid, awesome people, beautiful view and outdoor area. About 10 minutes south of our home.
The Beerocracy is an English pub with cask ales, a local wine and cocktail selection, and is one of few places open past 9pm! Kelly and Gage are friends with the owner and this is the kind of atmosphere where anyone can sit back, chat, and have a few.
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Seneca Lake Brewing Company & The Beerocracy
4520 NY-14The Beerocracy is an English pub with cask ales, a local wine and cocktail selection, and is one of few places open past 9pm! Kelly and Gage are friends with the owner and this is the kind of atmosphere where anyone can sit back, chat, and have a few.
Close by in a beautifully renovated space in the heart of Penn Yan. Two and a half million years ago in the midst of the Ice Ages, the Laurentide Ice Sheet and Glacier was formed which ultimately created the largest freshwater lakes in North America including New York's Finger Lakes. From Ice comes Water, from Water comes Beer.
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Laurentide Beer Company
12 Maiden LnClose by in a beautifully renovated space in the heart of Penn Yan. Two and a half million years ago in the midst of the Ice Ages, the Laurentide Ice Sheet and Glacier was formed which ultimately created the largest freshwater lakes in North America including New York's Finger Lakes. From Ice comes Water, from Water comes Beer.
Maximize your escape from the grind with one stop. Three Brothers offers three unique wineries, a microbrewery and cafe all on one estate. An expansive selection of hand-crafted Wines, Beers, Hard Ciders, and Craft Sodas there's bound to be something for everyone who visits.
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Tenute e Vigneti dei Tre Fratelli
623 Lerch RdMaximize your escape from the grind with one stop. Three Brothers offers three unique wineries, a microbrewery and cafe all on one estate. An expansive selection of hand-crafted Wines, Beers, Hard Ciders, and Craft Sodas there's bound to be something for everyone who visits.
City/town information
Ithaca is about a 40 minute drive from our home. It is where we met! Home to Cornell University, Ithaca College (our alma mater) and a super foodie-centric location. Ithaca is also home to many beautiful hiking trails and waterfalls - Treman State Park and Buttermilk State Park to name two of our favorites.
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Ithaca
Ithaca is about a 40 minute drive from our home. It is where we met! Home to Cornell University, Ithaca College (our alma mater) and a super foodie-centric location. Ithaca is also home to many beautiful hiking trails and waterfalls - Treman State Park and Buttermilk State Park to name two of our favorites.
Penn Yan is about a 15 minute drive from our home. A quaint town on Keuka Lake home to one of our favorite breweries - Laurentide, and cocktail lounge - The 18th Amendment.
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Penn Yan
Penn Yan is about a 15 minute drive from our home. A quaint town on Keuka Lake home to one of our favorite breweries - Laurentide, and cocktail lounge - The 18th Amendment.
Geneva is about a 40 minute drive from our home and sits at the northern tip of Seneca Lake. Geneva has plenty of restaurants and a lovely walking path that hugs Seneca Lake from the Welcome Center.
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Geneva
Geneva is about a 40 minute drive from our home and sits at the northern tip of Seneca Lake. Geneva has plenty of restaurants and a lovely walking path that hugs Seneca Lake from the Welcome Center.
Corning is about a 40 minute drive from our home and is home to the Corning Museum of Glass and has a downtown area.
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Corning
Corning is about a 40 minute drive from our home and is home to the Corning Museum of Glass and has a downtown area.
Museums/Tours
If you're curious on the history of wine in the Finger Lakes, Pleasant Valley Wine Co is where a lot of it began! We HIGHLY recommend booking their guided tour, as it is 100% worth the time (and very modest fee) to get a real feel for the heart of the origin of FLX wine and the industry that has since evolved.
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Pleasant Valley Wine Company
8260 Pleasant Valley RdIf you're curious on the history of wine in the Finger Lakes, Pleasant Valley Wine Co is where a lot of it began! We HIGHLY recommend booking their guided tour, as it is 100% worth the time (and very modest fee) to get a real feel for the heart of the origin of FLX wine and the industry that has since evolved.
A great half-full day trip for rainy weather. Live glass-blowing demos, classes, and a stunning museum that walks visitors through the history and significance of glass in Corning, NY.
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Museo del Vetro di Corning
1 Museum WayA great half-full day trip for rainy weather. Live glass-blowing demos, classes, and a stunning museum that walks visitors through the history and significance of glass in Corning, NY.
Dedicated to the memory of pioneer aviator, Glenn Curtiss, the museum contains a priceless collection relating to early aviation and regional history.
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Museo Glenn H. Curtiss
8419 NY-54Dedicated to the memory of pioneer aviator, Glenn Curtiss, the museum contains a priceless collection relating to early aviation and regional history.