THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE FINGER LAKES
From stunning fall foliage to summer water activities, the Finger Lakes offer something for every season. Find out the best time to visit with this comprehensive guide.
The Finger Lakes region of New York is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, foodies, and wine lovers alike. With so much to see and do, it can be hard to decide when to plan your visit. Here’s a guide to help you choose the best time to visit the Finger Lakes, based on your interests and preferences.
Consider Your Personal Preferences and Interests.
1. Choose which season you wish to visit
When choosing the best time to visit the Finger Lakes, it’s important to consider your personal preferences and interests. If you love outdoor activities like hiking and boating, then the summer months of June through August are ideal. If you prefer cooler temperatures and stunning fall foliage, then September through November is the perfect time to visit. And if you’re a wine lover, then the harvest season of September and October is a must-visit time, as many wineries offer special events and tastings during this time. Ultimately, the best time to visit the Finger Lakes is whenever works best for you and your schedule. Choose from Keuka Lake, Seneca Lake, Lamoka Lake or Waneta Lake for a great lake stay.
A quiet secret is the beauty of the Finger Lakes during the winter season. Choose to stay in a cabin or lake cottage with a lake view for a retreat that will not disappoint! Many of our homes will have a hot tub, which is a lot of fun during the colder weather! Drive around to wineries, experience local music and scenes that would otherwise be crowded during the summer and fall months. 2. Find all the spots you would like to visit!
We have got a lot of recommendations on what to do, broken down into categories over on our Things To Do page. Decide where the majority of the places are you would like to see, eat and drink at. Finger Lakes Wineries are well known and award winning, but it is always fun to end the day at a brewery or distillery to break things up. Choose a small downtown area for dinner and possibly live music for the ultimate Finger Lakes experience.Â
3. Book your home base.
Choosing a place that fits your group is the next on your agenda! Find something close to the majority of the spots you would like to visit, and make sure it fits all of your groups needs (read: lots of bathrooms, lakefront, a hot tub, cute cabin vibes, etc). We offer a selection of lakefront stays, cozy cabins, rural or urban homes that might fit what you are looking for. Send us a message if you can’t find what you are looking for!
4. Text everyone the details of the stay and allow the excitement to build!
A lot of the fun of vacation is looking forward to it, isn’t it? You should also follow along with local events happening in the Finger Lakes here, just in case there is something fun happening during the time youare in the area.Â
5. Enjoy your time in the Finger Lakes
We hope your time here in the Finger Lakes Region is filled with lots of fun and many memories to last you for years to come. If you ever choose to stay again, we would love to host you!