The 10 Best Free Things to do in Finger Lakes, Finger Lakes

December 11, 2021 Nicolette Lion

New York’s Finger Lakes region takes its name from 11 freshwater lakes placed like a handprint between Lake Ontario and the Pennsylvania border. Skiing, hiking and biking trails traverse the landscape; visitors can also indulge in various wine, cheese and beer trails. The area offers a culinary bounty, with an emphasis on farm-to-table cuisine. Rich history and culture are found throughout the region, with one attraction more inviting than the next.
Restaurants in Finger Lakes

1. Finger Lakes Wine Country

1 W Market St, Corning, NY 14830-2680 +1 607-936-0706 [email protected] http://www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com
Excellent
84%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 532 reviews

Finger Lakes Wine Country

Reviewed By missys1960 - Norfolk, United States

Saturday was a beautiful, crisp fall day in the Finger Lakes ???? ☀️ and a Seneca Lake Wine Tour with American Limousine Company driver JP was the event of the day. H*A*P*P*Y B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y to me! Wineries visited: Wagner Vineyards, Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards, Leidenfrost Vineyards, Chateau LaFayette Reneau Note to self: Come back with more time & friends!

2. American Civil War Memorial

46 Washington St, Waterloo, NY 13165-1404 +1 585-703-6489 [email protected] http://www.americancivilwarmemorial.com/
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 15 reviews

American Civil War Memorial

The American Civil War Memorial pays tribute to the sacrifice made by citizens of Waterloo during the Civil War, and recognizes the soldiers from the North and the South who gave their lives in the conflict. The Memorial includes individual cenotaphs for each man from Waterloo who died in the Civil War and a North South Cenotaph constructed of stones sent from the 36 States of 1865.

3. City Market

401 Harrison St West Jefferson, Syracuse, NY 13204 +1 315-481-9960 [email protected] http://citymarketsyracuse.com
Excellent
90%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 67 reviews

City Market

City Market every Month is held on the 2nd Sunday of the month May to October In Syracuse . This year it is has moved to the Everson Museum of Art on Harrison Street.Features include Antiques, Art, Handmade, Clothing both Vintage and new local designers, Jewelry by local makers and vintage, Furniture by local makers and vintage,Repurpose, Mid Century Modern, Industrial Design, Mission, Local Food Vendors and so much more. Museum is open free on City Market Sundays A Market Designed for City Life

Reviewed By H3905PFkellyt

Great market for a Sunday afternoon activity in Downtown Syracuse. Unique shopping, food trucks, music, and even free admission to the museum. Free parking in the city on Sundays. No entry fee either.

4. Skaneateles Lake

Skaneateles, NY +1 315-685-0552 http://townofskaneateles.com
Excellent
79%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 554 reviews

Skaneateles Lake

This clean, serene lake is the easternmost of New York's Finger Lakes.

Reviewed By Besos43

We rented a house from Vrbo and were very happy with our experience. They had a dock and deck area for sitting and enjoying the beautiful lake. The water was very clear and clean. I was surprised that the temperature of water seemed warm for early July. We swam every day. Since travels were during Covid we did curbside takeout and were happy with food and service from Gilda's, Doug's Fish Fry, and The elephant and Dove.

5. Women's Rights National Historical Park

136 Fall St, Seneca Falls, NY 13148-1517 +1 315-568-0024 http://www.nps.gov/wori/index.htm
Excellent
58%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 425 reviews

Women's Rights National Historical Park

Women's Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women's Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls, NY on July 19-20,1848.

Reviewed By chasinUpstateNewYork - Romulus, United States

Everyone of us has a Mother. And many of us have sisters or wives. And 51% of the population is female. This museum is a MUST SEE! The Birthplace of Woman's Rights in the United States; come see where the battle was formalized. Read the declaration of sentiments. Understand why Woman's Rights are EVERYONE'S Rights.

6. Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

3395 Route 5/20 East, Seneca Falls, NY 13148 +1 315-568-5987 http://www.fws.gov/refuge/montezuma/
Excellent
55%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 232 reviews

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1938 in the scenic Finger Lakes region of New York, the refuge contains 7,068 acres for the resting, feeding and nesting habitat of waterfowl and other migratory birds.

Reviewed By traveltheworld012 - Rochester, United States

I was very happy to see this large expanse preserved for wildlife. The day we visited it was very hot, in the mid-90s. No one else around when we arrived, but a couple cars drove in while we were there. We walked a trail to the lookout tower and the viewing platform. Not a lot of wildlife to see from there on this day. however, we then drove the gravel road loop and saw an eagle, ducks and geese. The loop is a very quiet drive until you reach the north end which is abuts the busy freeway. Well worth a visit. The visitor center was closed due to the pandemic so we did not get to see what may have been offered there.

7. Cayuga Lake

Ithaca, NY +1 607-273-3440 http://cayugalake.com/
Excellent
73%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 384 reviews

Cayuga Lake

One of the largest of New York's Finger Lakes, this area is used for swimming, boating, fishing and other outdoor recreational activities.

Reviewed By L8945JQdavidd - Philadelphia, United States

Spend an afternoon at Sheldrake and Luca Vineyards on lake Cayuga. Beautiful drive and beautiful scenery

8. Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery

9749 Middle Rd, Hammondsport, NY 14840-9462 +1 800-320-0735 [email protected] http://www.drfrankwines.com
Excellent
71%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 672 reviews

Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery

Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery is one of the most prestigious and beloved wineries in the Finger Lakes. The winery's founder, Dr. Konstantin Frank introduced vinifera (classic European grape varieties) to the Eastern United States which ignited a winemaking renaissance in the region. Without the contributions of Dr. Frank, the Finger Lakes wine region would not be where it is today. The winery was established in 1962 and is now in its fourth generation of Frank family ownership. The winery's tasting room overlooks beautiful Keuka Lake and some of the oldest vinifera vineyards in America.

Reviewed By ekwestrein - Troy, United States

Summary: Best wines, breathtaking view, and the best history of any winery we visited. Can’t miss this one if you are taking a tour of this area! Wine: Absolutely fantastic wines! A bunch of cool varietals you don’t usually see from this area, plus some amazing blends (but with so many different kinds of fruit to work with, there’s really no surprise there!). Sweet, dry, whites, reds, roses, sparkling, and everything in between; really something for everyone. Ambiance/View: BEAUTIFUL lake views and a very nice tasting room. We were lucky that there weren’t many people visiting when we went, but it seemed like it’d have enough room to still get good service if it got busy. Another really nice thing about this place is that we were greeted by Steven as soon as we walked up! It was so nice to have someone to get direction from right off the bat. Plus he was so nice and welcoming! A definite plus. Education: The tasting room staff (our bartender Vinnie, and the other bartender Paul) were very friendly and knowledgeable about the wines and the history of the vineyards - and what a history it is! It was so cool to learn about Dr. Frank and his contributions; plus we heard his name pop up so many more times from other wineries in the area recognizing his contributions. We didn’t do a tour, but next time we come back, we will definitely try to get in on the tours - they seemed amazing and included food for the price.

9. Erie Canal

Fairport, NY +1 800-422-6254 http://www.eriecanalfacts.wordpress.com
Excellent
71%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 221 reviews

Erie Canal

The superhighway of pre-Civil War America, this marvel of human engineering and labor, built from Albany to Buffalo, opened up America's frontier to the west.

Reviewed By Hairguy52 - Fairport, United States

I’ve been living Fairport for 30+ years Love the canal We can walk for hours very relaxing and beautiful.

10. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY +1 607-254-4636 [email protected] http://www.cornell.edu/
Excellent
76%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 712 reviews

Cornell University

Reviewed By wanderlucky7

Visited and toured because my daughter is starting graduate school in the fall. What a spectacular campus!!! If you are driving through and want to see beautiful buildings, pretty views this is the place. Wow, make sure you see the Arts Quad!

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