Have you ever wanted to experience the beauty of waterfalls coupled with the tart taste of New York wine? If you’ve ever wanted to unleash your inner wine critic, look no further than the beautiful Seneca Lake, just a short drive from Ithaca, NY. While New York is host to many gorgeous and beautiful sights, such as Niagara Falls and Lake Placid, I have to shout out this lesser-known gem in the Finger Lakes region.

There are two main towns on Seneca Lake to host your wine and waterfall adventures: Watkins Glen and Geneva (no, its not THAT Geneva). Geneva is a town on the northern tip of the finger, and Watkins Glen is found on the southern tip. For this post, I will be focusing on Watkins Glen and the surrounding wineries, parks, waterfalls, and eateries that we visited on our trip. As for Geneva, that will have to wait for our next trip to the finger lakes region!

Travel and Lodging

First things first, if you are coming from the Binghamton area, there is no direct way to get to Seneca Lake. My boyfriend Spencer and I went through several towns and villages on our way to the bed and breakfast, only driving on the highway for thirty minutes out of our hour and thirty minute journey. Odds are that no matter where you start from, you will have to go through small, winding roads with a lot of traffic (especially during tourist season in the summer and early fall). Phone data is also somewhat hard to come by, so try to plan ahead and download directions and tickets before you leave. In the same vein, make sure to have some bottles of water in the car with you, especially if you plan on going to Watkins Glen State Park (more info on the 832 step trail below; I highly recommend :)).

As a general rule of thumb, I would highly recommend that when you travel to any new town / city / state / country, you choose to stay somewhere locally run, like a small, family run hotel or a Bed and Breakfast. As an outsider in a new place, you probably won’t know what the best restaurants are, what time is best to avoid tourists while visiting a popular destination, or the secret spots only locals know of, so what better way to learn and explore a new place by having an experienced hand point the way? For our trip to Seneca Lake, we ended up choosing the Burdett House B&B, about ten minutes away from Watkins Glen. The house itself was charming and old, paying homage to the Victorian style from the time it was built in the 1880s. Inside were locally crafted soaps and goods and an open dining area fit to accommodate four couples and a boombox. Our hosts, Ashley and Dave, and their adorable dog Hudson (who made his rounds to every table during breakfast), greeted us like family and brought us to the Roosevelt guest room.

The room was decorated with antique and vintage furniture, further adding to the overall charm to the house, and on the bed was a lovely tray with a charcuterie board and a bottle of local sparkling wine with two glasses (this does not come with the guestroom, however I had added the service on to celebrate Spencer’s graduation, and let me tell you that it was well worth the money)! The bathroom was elegant, with black and white tiles and an old fashioned sink, and the bed sheets were clean and warm. The door to our room was a large, sliding oak panel to which we were given an antique key to, and seeing as the Roosevelt was on the first floor, we did not have to share a wall with any other guests except in the morning for our breakfast.

Our breakfasts at the Burdett House B&B were as amazing as the house itself. Dave and Ashley were very kind and accommodating to me as I have dietary restrictions (as I am vegetarian), and not only was the food they made delicious, but it was also plated with care and precision so that it looked almost too pretty to eat (*almost*). They acted as hosts, servers, cooks, and guides, and we were given many recommendations for food, waterfalls, and wineries. Ashley and Dave made it look so easy, I left thinking I could open a Bed & Breakfast in Saratoga! Overall, I can not recommend the Burdett House B&B enough, so when you plan a vacation to Seneca Lake, check the availability at the Burdett House first! Now, let’s take a peek at the highlights of our trip to Seneca Lake, beginning with Watkins Glen!

Watkins Glen: What to See

Watkins Glen is a quaint and charming town just at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. As any small, tourist town, the main street is full of businesses and large houses. Several beaches adorn the roadways in and out of town while the Pier, tucked behind the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, offers unparalleled views of the lake (and boat tours for those with “water”lust). You truly don’t realize how big the finger lakes are until you step out onto the rocky shelf diving the lake from the inlet. You might as well be looking out over the Loch Ness in Scotland! Rolling hills cradle the lake’s pointed finger, with the sky and water becoming indistinguishable the farther you look into the heart of the lake. It is a charming sight, but when you catch the last rays of sunlight dancing on the water, you truly lose your breath.

While Seneca Lake is one of the most beautiful sights in Watkins Glen, another tourist destination comes in at a close second. The Watkins Glen State Park is perhaps as beautiful as it is wet, and one trip under Rainbow Falls would confirm it. Watkins Glen State Park is certainly not for the faint of heart, especially those planning on walking all trails along the gorge. With 832 steps, this park rivals many easy mountain hikes. As of my visit, dogs were not allowed on the trail as it is too narrow and dangerous for dogs to tag along, although there are other parts of the park that do not include walking on the gorge trails. the gorge trails are certainly worth an attempt, however grueling they may be for those out of shape (such as myself). I believe we ended up making it halfway before turning back, which at that point both of us could barley keep our legs steady. It was quite an adventure though, and the natural beauty of the gorge was well worth sore muscles the next day.

I will note that the state park is pretty busy, so I would highly recommend you begin your journey along the gorge as early as possible to avoid congestion and so you can get the best parking spots (while walking the gorge’s trails is free, parking at the state park did cost $10 when we went). I would also recommend that you do not start where we began our walk via Couch’s staircase and use the main entrance to begin your journey at the end of Glen creek where the gorge begins. Bring plenty of water as well, and prepare to be hungry when you leave! Side note: the Burdette House offers a picnic lunch for purchase with your stay; it was delicious and filling after our hike on the gorge trail!

While Seneca Lake and Watkins Glen State Park are two of the most popular (and understandably so) landmarks to visit on a trip to Watkins Glen, there are two underdogs I feel the need to mention as well. First is Lake Side park which is located east of Watkins Glen on the rocky beach of Seneca Lake. Spencer and I chose to eat our picnic lunch here after our grueling walk on the Gorge trail, and let me tell you that the views here are just as lovely as those on the pier. It was surprisingly quiet when we arrived, and though we had to pay a five dollar parking fee (although you would absolutely be able to get free parking on the streets in Watkins Glen), it was a beautiful and calm park to rest our feet and fill our bellies. This is also a great park for families, with so many picnic tables, swing sets, and grills to rival any park’s outdoor barbeque accommodations.

Also on the honorable mentions list was Hector Falls. It is a little off the beaten path, and there is no parking to get out and view the falls, but if you pull over off the side of the road you can take a moment and marvel at their beauty. As a side note, the road on which you can view the falls is a little dangerous in terms of the speed limit and visibility, so if you choose to visit this site, please be careful and allow plenty of room between yourself and the road.

Thus, we come to the end of the first part of our adventures. If you are loving what you are reading, please leave a comment or share with those encountering wanderlust! I hope this inspires your next big adventure and, if you want to learn more about Seneca Lake’s wine and food scene, join me in part two where I let you in on the best wineries and eateries in the area! Thank you for reading, and let the wind guide you on your next big adventure!

• Instagram

Autumn Leaves