Finger Lakes Blog

The holiday season in Finger Lakes Wine Country is one of the most festive and exciting times in the region. As the weather cools and the days become shorter, the holiday spirit fills the air and the region bursts with merry surprises!

Here's the scoop on celebration-worthy wines, local arts and hand-crafted products perfect for gifting, and festive decorations and traditions. We've created this guide to help you enjoy the best of the holidays in Finger Lakes Wine Country.

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Watkins Glen State Park and Other Hikes

One of the most enchanting places for a leisurely hike in New York State is Watkins Glen State Park. Located steps from Watkins Glen’s main street, the two-mile Gorge Trail boasts 19 cascading waterfalls. Visitors can also hike the rim trails overlooking the 200-ft cliffs from above. The state park is closed during the winter months. However, hikers and outdoor lovers can still explore by visiting the year-round Catherine Valley, which allows visitors to

Market Street

Shop, eat, and drink along Market Street in the heart of Corning’s Gaffer District, where you’ll find independently owned local shops, cafés, restaurants, and places to grab your favorite local beverage along this quaint, tree-lined street. Learn more about the Gaffer District’s gorgeous 19th-century buildings through their Buildings Alive self-guided historic architecture tour. For your home away from home, check out the Radisson Hotel Corning, conveniently located at the east

The Village

In the summer, the Village of Hammondsport is bustling with lake house residents and vacationers who enjoy the village's small-town feel and welcoming community. There is live music and art shows in the park, as well as boat shows and other festivities to engage locals and visitors alike. Depot Park is a popular hangout spot for beachgoers and boaters and a beautiful place to take in the sunsets.

In the winter, the village is a bit quieter and still, and reminiscent of those beloved

The holiday season is one of the most festive and exciting times to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country. As the weather cools and the days become shorter, the holiday spirit fills the air, and the region transforms into the set of a Hallmark holiday movie.

From where to cut your Christmas tree to Santa sightings and holiday performances, we’ve created this guide to help you enjoy the most wonderful time of the year in Finger Lakes Wine Country. We’ve included family-friendly festivities,

'Tis Giftgiving Season and there’s no better time to shop small and locally. This Updated Shop Small Holiday Gift Guide highlights some of Finger Lakes Wine Country's best local businesses and boutiques. We also thought outside the box and included gift certificates, community memberships, and places to consider gifting donations to.

Looking for gifts for the Travel Lover on your holiday shopping list? How about some Romantic Gift suggestions? Not only are we telling you what to gift the

Keuka Lake Wine Trail

Penn Yan is located on the north end of the east branch of Y-shaped Keuka Lake, one of the premier locations for exploring the region's best wine along the Keuka Lake Wine Trail. The family-owned member wineries of the Keuka Lake Wine Trail are dedicated to producing wines of the highest quality and making your visit to our area truly enjoyable and memorable. Before visiting the wineries, call ahead when traveling with larger groups, and though many of the wineries are

Mark Twain Country

One of the most famous figures in American literature, Samuel Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, spent his summers in Elmira for more than 20 years. Learn more when you visit the Mark Twain Study and Exhibit on the beautiful campus of Elmira College. Twain spent his summers in Elmira and where he penned some of his most famous pieces of literature in the octagonal study, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Life on the

The beautiful town of Owego features great independently and locally owned shops, restaurants, and cafés, as well as some of the best antique shops and impressive bookstores in the region. It is surrounded by stately Victorian homes and 19th-century architecture. Curiosity seekers can’t miss the Early Owego Antique Center or Bostwick Antique Mall & Auctions for great treasure finds. Grab a sandwich or soup at The Owego Kitchen, or satisfy your sweet tooth at Owego Donut and Beer. Grab a drink

Autumn is undoubtedly one of the most exciting seasons in Wine Country. For our farmers and winemakers, it is the moment when harvest reveals what delicious treats we can expect to see and taste in a year or two to come. Our roadside stands are often filled with sweet grapes, corn, and other fresh produce, ready to take home and serve at your table. And, though the air may be chillier, the scene starts bursting with colors, welcoming leaf-peepers and photographers who have long recognized our