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

The cascades of 18 waterfalls are the calling card of this state park.

The Strong is a highly interactive, collections-based museum devoted to the history and exploration of play. It is one of the largest history museums in the United States and one of the leading museums serving families. The Strong houses the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play and is home to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, the National Toy Hall of Fame, the World Video Game Hall of Fame, the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play, the Woodbury School, and the American Journal of Play. Together, these enable a multifaceted array of research, exhibition, and other interpretive and educational activities that serve a diverse audience of adults, families, children, students, teachers, scholars, collectors, and others around the globe.

From children looking for an adventure to artists looking for inspiration, there is something for everyone at The Corning Museum of Glass. The world's largest glass museum offers the opportunity to browse 3500 years of glassmaking history in the collection galleries. See works ranging from a small Egyptian pharaoh head to enormous works by Tiffany and discover the wonder and artistry behind glassmaking. Explore the day-lit Contemporary Art + Design Galleries which house the best of the last 30 years in glass, and a 500-seat Amphitheater Hot Shop, a space dedicated to live glass demos and design sessions. See glass created before your eyes during a live, narrated Hot Glass Demo, and be inspired to experience glassmaking for yourself during a Make Your Own Glass experience, with projects for all ages for an additional fee (reservations available online). Best of all, kids and teens 17 and under are free! Advance tickets required. Tickets are valid for two consecutive days.

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

Located in the Finger Lakes region of northwestern New York, these 15,374 acres of forest are located between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes.

Founded in 1914, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park is home to more than 700 animals representing 275 species, many of them endangered or threatened in the wild. As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), we are among only 236 zoos and aquariums in the nation proven to meet the highest standards of animal care, conservation and guest experience. We are dedicated to connecting people to the natural world by providing engaging experiences, exceptional animal welfare, and unparalleled conservation education. The zoo is co-operated by Onondaga County Parks and the Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo with the mission to provide guests “the best day ever,” ensuring experiences that excite, memories that endure, and knowledge that inspires world wildlife conservation.

The Erie Canal Museum houses the National Register 1850 Syracuse Weighlock Building, the only structure of its kind in the United States. The unique building where canal cargo was once weighed is the Museum's most important artifact and a centerpiece for interpretation of Erie Canal history. The Museum shows visitors 200 years of Erie Canal history through interactive displays, hands-on exhibits, a full-size replica canal boat, narrative audio tracks and original artifacts. The gift shop offers historic maps, books for children and adults, T-shirts, Canal-inspired toys and more. Admission is by reservation with a suggested $10 donation per party. Hours are Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. with the exception of major holidays. Free parking in Visitor Center spaces in lot on Erie Boulevard East.

The Great New York State Fair is America's first and oldest state fair. It is a massive music festival, with more than 500 free performances over 13 days, highlighted by the daily shows by national touring acts on the Chevy Court stage. It features one of the largest midways, with approximately 90 rides and many games. The Fair is a food festival, with more than 200 vendors offering everything from the standard to unique and crazy food creations. Signature foods include the cup of perfectly chilled chocolate or white milk at the Rainbow Milk Bar, the $1 baked potato or sweet potato with all the fixings, and the sausage sandwich with peppers and onions that every politician absolutely must have before leaving. Animals of all kinds. Jugglers, characters, and all types of street entertainment. Fine arts. You can witness the miracle of birth in the Dairy Cow Birthing Center. Sample for free and buy some of the best foods made in New York State. And so much more.

Destiny USA is a 2.4 million square foot tourist destination in Syracuse, NY that includes a strong mix of luxury outlet tenants, restaurants and entertainment. New brands are continuing to open to create a unique and dynamic consumer shopping experience. A stunning three-story glass atrium provides perfect weather year round. Oxford Economics has projected an annual visitation rate of over 29 million visitors from throughout the U.S. and Canada. Destiny USA is expected to be the second most visited shopping center in the country, according to Travel and Leisure magazine. It is the largest LEED Gold certified retail commercial building in the world.