One Week and Four Lakes Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca Cayuga

Day 1: Letchworth State Park to Rochester

Arrive at Letchworth State Park for a guided hike. Letchworth State Park, often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East” is a must-see destination, featuring deep gorges, dramatic waterfalls, a museum, picnic areas, whitewater rafting, kayaking and hot-air balloon ride opportunities. Post-hike, dine at the Glenn Iris Inn and Restaurant – a landmark that is an architectural centerpiece of the park. In the afternoon, travel to Rochester and get in touch with your inner child at the Strong Museum of Play – home to the international toy and video game halls of fame. Take in the views of Downtown Rochester and High Falls from the rooftop dining area of Genesee Brewhouse for dinner.

Hotel Options:

Woodcliff Hotel & Spa

Comfort Inn & Suites Farminton-Victor

Day 2 - Canandaigua

Arrive at the New York Kitchen in Canandaigua. Opened in 2006 as a way to highlight the agricultural and culinary bounty of the Finger Lakes region, it serves as a way for people to have a variety of food and beverage experiences New York style. You can grab a great meal at the restaurant, sip on a local craft beverage or regional wine at the tasting room, learn something new at a cooking class in the beautiful kitchen, and then finish with a purchase of goodies at the store to remember your visit. After your culinary experience, head to Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park. This 50 acre estate is only one of two historic gardens in the New York State Park system and just one step onto the grounds will blow you away! Home to the Queen-Anne-style Sonnenberg mansion amidst 9 formal gardens, tens of thousands of annual visitors enjoy the sights and smells of the property. Lazily walk through the perfectly tamed gardens and then stroll a few blocks to downtown Canandaigua. This main street shopping district is filled with lovely dining options and quaint shops filled with hidden gems. Overnight accommodation at the Inn on the Lake boasts an onsite restaurant as well as stunning views of Canandaigua Lake.

Hotel Options:

The Lakehouse on Canandaigua

Day 3- Naples

Inspire Moore Winery is located in beautiful Naples New York and is just a 30 minute drive from Canandaigua. With over 12 cool-climate Finger Lakes wines to choose from in their tasting room, this sustainable boutique winery with perfectly crafted small batches chose the village of Naples as their home due to the abundance of grape history. Continuing with the local flavors, make a stop at Joseph’s Wayside Market. Fresh fruits and vegetables, gourmet groceries, fresh flowers and a gift shop make this an unforgettable stop along your route. Your last stop of the day would be at Red Cat Wine Cellars. A local’s favorite, the tasting room visit is only one part of your afternoon. Take a facility tour to learn the history of the region and see how their wine is made, enjoy a hike on their one-mile loop trail, have a picnic on their winery grounds or enjoy an overnight option at their historic 1852 House. Not into wine? Check out local breweries to include Naples Brewing Co. and Engine 14 (just across the street from Red Cat Wine Cellars). Cap off the day with a short hike to see the waterfalls at Grimes Glen.

Hotel Options:

Hampton Inn Penn Yan

Best Western Vineyard Inn & Suites

Day 4 - Penn Yan

Wake up with a beautiful view of Keuka Lake and head downtown to the Penn Yan Diner, voted best diner-judges’ choice in Best of New York Upstate, for homemade breakfast served hot off the griddle. Upstate’s best pancakes and home fries are served all day, as you can get breakfast anytime. After breakfast, walk down to Longs’ Cards and Books for Keuka Lake memorabilia, a large variety of one-of-a-kind gifts, books and office supplies. Spend a few hours perusing the books, which include many local authors writing about Finger Lakes history. Once your sweet tooth hits, take a few steps to Keuka Candy Emporium for a selection of nostalgic candies from the past, fudges, cotton candy and more. A trip down memory lane is all in one candy shop. Silverbird Woodfired is a great stop for lunch as their wood-fired pizzas and coffeehouse style coffees, as well as other lunch options, will leave you wanting to pick more than one thing off the menu! Walk off your lunch on the Keuka Outlet Trail. Starting just outside of downtown, this seven mile hiking trail connects Penn Yan to nearby Seneca Lake’s town of Dresden. Running alongside the Keuka Creek, this trail is a combination of paved and gravel walkways and can be accessed from sunset to sunrise. Head back to Hampton Inn Penn Yan for another night’s rest.

Hotel Options:

Hampton Inn Penn Yan

Best Western Vineyard Inn & Suites The Gould Hotel (Seneca Falls)

Day 5 - Seneca Falls to Geneva

Arrive at Seneca Falls, the birthplace of women’s suffrage in America for a visit to the Women’s Rights National Historical Park, site of the first Women’s Rights Convention in 1848. Connect past and present by following your visit with a tour of the National Women’s Hall of Fame. Take a short drive to Geneva and get a taste of the Finger Lakes at the NYS Finger Lakes Welcome Center/Taste NY Market. Have a snack on the shores of Seneca Lake, followed by a stroll down the boardwalk to the trails of Seneca Lake State Park where you walk will turn into a hike. In the late afternoon, explore Geneva’s Downtown Business District where you will find souvenirs, antiques, and gifts from Finger Lakes Goods to remind you of your Finger Lakes visit for years to come. Stop into Vinifera and inquire about purchasing Finger Lakes Wine from one of the region’s most artisanal retailers. Have a true farm-to-table dining experience at FLX Table for dinner and if time permits, consider hitting the casino floor at del Lago before heading to your hotel.