The Finger Lakes region of New York boasts breathtaking views and attractions perfect for any traveler looking to stay closer to home this year. Club Adventures, one of AAA’s key adventure tour operator partners, offers a line of independent road trips and its American Experiences: Explore the Finger Lakes is the best way to see the beauty of the region the way you want.
Club Adventures’ Adventure Specialists take care of all the details like flights, hotels and car rental so that you can focus on letting adventure happen. You choose what your day-to-day journey looks like, from choosing add-on adventures or simply getting lost in your destination. And rest assured that your package includes centrally located hotels, a Hertz rental car, breakfast daily, free hotel Wi-Fi and hotel parking.
Waterfalling for Upstate New York
One of the best parts about discovering the Finger Lakes on Club Adventures’ American Experiences road trip, is just that – it’s a road trip. This region is spread out over upstate New York with gorgeous rolling hills, glacially carved lakes and cascading waterfalls. So, by having an open itinerary, you can discover the region at your preferred pace. Stay for a week and check off one site per day or pack as much adventure into three days as possible – the choice is yours.
Since the Finger Lakes have such a unique landscape, they’re an amazing destination for fall foliage and easy-going hiking. Enjoy colorful falling leaves as you wander through the many parks in the area in search of mesmerizing waterfalls. From Taughannock Falls or Ithaca Falls to the Cascadilla Gorge Natural Area and Buttermilk Falls, there’s no shortage of beautiful sights.
World-Renowned Wines
Enjoy sipping local wines? Then the Finger Lakes must be on your list of wine regions to visit. Aside from the gorgeous scenery provided by the vineyards, the wine is simply delicious. The Finger Lakes is a highly acclaimed wine region because of the local climate and soil left behind by receding glaciers. And the locally made white wine, Riesling, rivals that of the original vintners in Germany.
For any wine lover, a visit to the Finger Lakes could be made exclusively for the wine. Stop off after a hike at one of the many wineries, follow along the Canandaigua Wine Trail or book a wine tasting add-on adventure for your road trip with Club Adventures.
Cities of the Finger Lakes
The quaint city of Watkins Glen truly shows off the beauty of the Finger Lakes. With Watkins Glen State Park displaying the spectacular glacially carved landscape and babbling waterfalls, it’s no surprise it’s one of the most visited parks in the area. Plus, being situated right on Seneca Lake, it’s a great spot to test out the Seneca Lake Wine Trail or just enjoy the views out on the water.
One of the most well-known cities of the region would be none other than Ithaca, home to Cornell University and the Dalai Lama’s only U.S. residence. It’s just a short drive from Watkins Glen and is filled with amazing restaurants and scenery along Cayuga Lake. Wander the grounds of Cornell, visit nearby waterfalls or simply stroll through the city stopping off at the many art galleries.
Corning, where you can choose to be centered on your road trip, is a charming small town with delicious local restaurants and unique culture. A visit to the Corning Museum of Glass is a must-do for both kids and adults. Learn the science and art behind glass blowing, shop incredible works of locally blown glass art and even try out glass blowing yourself in the workshop.
Wherever your road trip adventure may lead you, the Finger Lakes are sure to take your breath away through the incredible natural beauty and delicious cuisine this region provides.
For all your trip planning needs, talk to your AAA Travel agent or visit AAA.com/Travel.