Things To Do in the Finger Lakes

Seneca Lake Wineries, Watkins Glen State Park & More

Are you looking to have some fun? From hiking to water sports, there is an endless supply of great things to do in the Finger Lakes. Watkins Glen located on the South shore of Seneca Lake, is a quaint little village that has wonderful eateries, a marina and several parks. Check out our blog if you are looking for more great Finger Lake Activities.

Watkins Glen State Park

Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound. Within two miles, the glen’s stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Rim trails overlook the gorge.

Seneca Lake Wineries

Holy cow! Wine, wine and more wine to experience! With over 55 wineries surrounding Seneca Lake, this lake produces more wine than all the other Finger Lakes combined. In fact, there are more than 20 wineries within a 10 minute drive of Magnolia. Seneca Lake is known for its distinct offering of world-class wines. The Vintners are committed to producing wines made from grapes grown and harvested in the unique terroir surrounding Seneca Lake. The tasting rooms are generally open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, 7 days a week.

Farm Sanctuary

Nestled in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York, the rolling green pastures of Farm Sanctuary’s 275-acre New York shelter are home to more than 800 rescued farm animals. Spend the day with us and take an hour-long guided tour, browse our unique gift shop, learn more about farm animals in our Visitor Center, or enjoy a snack on our scenic deck. We are located next door to Sugar Hill State Forest, just West of Watkins Glen

True Love Schooner Excursions

True Love has a storied past. From her hosting famous people in the 1930’s, to her sailing in the Virgin Islands for over 40 years, to her place in Hollywood, the True Love is ready to make memories for you as well.

Regardless of the occasion, True Love can make your event a memorable one. Whether you choose to enjoy a casual sail with others, charter a private tour, or you want to make True Love a part of your special day, we’re here to make every moment incredible.

Summit to Stream Adventures

From kayak and canoe rentals to guided fishing tours, Summit to Stream offers an adventure you won’t soon forget! The primary guide founder, Mark Moskal, has spent most of his life dedicated to studying wildlife and the outdoors. His goal is to share his passion of the outdoors with all who join him and have people experience all that the Finger Lakes has to offer. Fishing tours can be chartered on both Seneca and Cayuga Lakes.

Seneca Lake Kayak

Launching from the South end of Seneca Lake in Watkins Glen, Seneca Lake Kayak offers Kayak and SUP board rentals as well as several tours, all providing a fun and unique experience. Choose one that meets your needs and your guide will be sure to make it an enjoyable adventure. All tours originate in historic Watkins Glen, New York. Seneca Lake Kayak is fully mobile so if you have a special destination in mind for your group they will most likely accommodate you.

Corning Museum of Glass

Established in 1951 by Corning Glass Works (now Corning Incorporated) as a gift to the nation for the company’s 100th anniversary, The Corning Museum of Glass is a not-for-profit museum dedicated to exploring a single material: glass. The Museum’s campus is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of glass, the world’s foremost library on glass, and one of the top glassworking schools in the world. Over 50,000 objects representing more than 3,500 years of history are included in the Museum’s collection; items range from the portrait of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh to contemporary sculpture. Make your own glass! From hot glassworking, to flameworking, to fusing, to sandblasting—you and your family can do just about anything with glass, with the help of our experienced glassworkers.

Finger Lakes National Forest

Just up the hill behind Magnolia is one of Schuyler County’s best hiking areas, the Finger Lakes National Forest. The Finger Lakes National Forest lies on a ridge-called the backbone-between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes in the Finger Lakes region. New York State’s only national forest, this multi-use land is reminiscent of western national forests with a great deal of open land and free-ranging cattle. The forest has over 30 miles of interconnecting trails that traverse gorges, ravines, pastures and woodlands. The forest is managed to provide a diversity of native forestlands, shrublands and grasslands, including areas of native older forests, diverse wildlife habitats, quality recreation areas and forage for livestock.

Southern Tier Balloon Tours

There is no better way to see all the beauty Upstate New York and the Finger Lakes has to offer than from a hot air balloon! Our flights are scheduled twice daily, morning and evening, seven days a week and are weather permitting. Give us a call, email or text and let us set up your balloon experience. Balloon flights depart right at sunrise and a couple hours prior to sunset.

Captain Bill’s & Seneca Lake Cruises

A visit to Seneca Lake is not complete until you experience it on the water. Captain Bill’s, located at the Southern end of Seneca Lake has two vessels, the Stroller IV, offering hour long tours all day long. The other vessel in the fleet is the Seneca Legacy, offering sunset dinner cruises, this is a must do while in the Southern Finger Lakes.

Painted Bar Stables

Located just down the road from Magnolia in Burdett the Painted Bar offers Trail rides you can enjoy every season. The rides are carefully crafted to take riders across fields, into woods, up hills and through creeks. They cater to all levels and their horses are carefully selected to ensure the best match possible between horse and rider.

The Rockwell Museum

Located in Corning, New York, the Rockwell Museum tells the story of the American experience. As the only Smithsonian Affiliate in Upstate, New York, they challenge perspectives and foster conversations through fine art.

Falling Waters Boat Tours

Spectacular, amazing, extraordinary, beautiful, magnificent, breathtaking, heavenly, paradise, gorgeous, exhilarating are just a few expressions that describe this tour. Our boat tour is 1.5 hours covers 13.4 nautical miles of the lakes east, west and south shores most scenic sites, including the majestic 250’ top to bottom Hector Waterfalls, multi million dollar estates, 100 -300 ft. shale cliffs, state parks, rolling hillside vineyards and Watkins Glen views ,that can only be experienced by boat.

Your tour continues another 1 hour on land, from our lake dock it’s a short walk to our exclusive natural shale patio that meets Hector Waterfalls edge.

Enjoy a complimentary Finger Lakes beverage while viewing the beauty of the majestic 165 ft. lower Hector Falls from our patio or explore the waterfall just steps away. Bring your water shoes and get up close walking the flat shale at the base of the falls as the refreshing waters roll over your feet. As you look up and watch the tumbling waters drop, there is nothing more exhilarating! Don’t want to get in the water; stay on the patio or sit on the side of the falls while admiring its pure beauty and energy. There is nothing more relaxing than watching and listening to the falling water; daydreaming, you might ask: “Is this heaven”?