I live in SW VA. My wife wants to take a road trip to the Finger Lakes in NY.
Aug 30, 2017 11:36:35 #
jbmauser wrote:
She turned to me and asked me if there was anyplace I would like to go to in PA or NY state to photograph or tourist site to work my camera. I have no clue. I grew up in northern NJ and have no interest in returning. Anly suggestions?
There are a lot of beautiful areas around the finger lakes. It will be hard to visit every possible place unless you are going to be there quite a while. Suggestion is to look at some websites and decide on where you want to go, and then visit all attractions in the area. Here are some that are heavier on information, light on ads/promotions:
If you want to go to some state parks, here is a link - look under the "Visit" tab: https://parks.ny.gov/
This article from the New York Times has a good map pinpointing some attractions: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/06/08/travel/what-to-do-36-hours-in-finger-lakes-region-new-york.html
This article from the NY Daily News is not too in-depth, but it does have different areas mentioned with links you could check out: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/15-reasons-visit-finger-lakes-article-1.2410414
Another site with its own view of what to see in the finger lakes: https://www.iloveny.com/places-to-go/finger-lakes/
Aug 30, 2017 11:40:10 #
Aug 30, 2017 11:41:45 #
Corning NY is at the lower end of the finger lakes. 2Dogs is a nice, home restaurant.
The Corning Company has an excellent modern Museum which is well worth 2-3 hours of your time.
Then head N.W and go to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls (the U.S. side does not enable you to see the horseshoe-shaped falls).
All kinds of subjects to photograph.
Be sure to take your passports or drivers licenses with pix to get into Canada and back into the U.S. .
Excellent photographic views, and there are some fine wineries just north of there there with 1/2 day tours reasonably priced.
Enjoy!
The Corning Company has an excellent modern Museum which is well worth 2-3 hours of your time.
Then head N.W and go to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls (the U.S. side does not enable you to see the horseshoe-shaped falls).
All kinds of subjects to photograph.
Be sure to take your passports or drivers licenses with pix to get into Canada and back into the U.S. .
Excellent photographic views, and there are some fine wineries just north of there there with 1/2 day tours reasonably priced.
Enjoy!
Aug 30, 2017 11:46:35 #
This site: https://delawareriver.natgeotourism.com/ is very interactive and will also help you plan a trip to the Delaware River where New York, Pa. and New Jersey all come together.
Once there, you can easily get to Cooperstown (Baseball hall of fame, Farmers Museum, Fenimore House, the lake, the village) then over to Syracuse and back down following the Susquehanna River south through central Pa.
Pick a couple of hotels to serve as your headquarters and make day-trips out from there.
And, being from New England originally, try to follow the "back" roads, rather than the interstates, especially if you want to stop and get pictures.
Once there, you can easily get to Cooperstown (Baseball hall of fame, Farmers Museum, Fenimore House, the lake, the village) then over to Syracuse and back down following the Susquehanna River south through central Pa.
Pick a couple of hotels to serve as your headquarters and make day-trips out from there.
And, being from New England originally, try to follow the "back" roads, rather than the interstates, especially if you want to stop and get pictures.
Aug 30, 2017 12:21:40 #
Before giving advise, I suggest people know where the finger lakes region is in New York State. It falls south of Rochester and Syracuse; it is no where by Niagara Falls or the borders of New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, nor the New England states.
Aug 30, 2017 12:25:42 #
Watkins Glen is absolutely beautiful, then you can go a bit south to Corning museum. Try to go on a weekday in Watkins Glen park and park at the top of Glen, makes it easier walking down the gorge but the climb up is not that bad. Check and make sure the shuttle bus is running for the day if you don't have another ride to retrieve vehicle from topside of park.
You can even add Steamtown Railroad Museum in Scranton, PA if you have any interest in old trains. One of the Big Boy is on display there. I mentioned this if you will be driving up I-81.
You can even add Steamtown Railroad Museum in Scranton, PA if you have any interest in old trains. One of the Big Boy is on display there. I mentioned this if you will be driving up I-81.
Aug 30, 2017 12:43:48 #
whitewolfowner wrote:
Before giving advise, I suggest people know where the finger lakes region is in New York State. It falls south of Rochester and Syracuse; it is no where by Niagara Falls or the borders of New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, nor the New England states.
Note, the OP lives in VA. And asked specifically about PA. If driving they will probably be going through Central PA. My suggestion of Hawk Mountain is a bit of a detour, but not too much. Especially if he wants to shoot birds. Also, a side trip to Pennsylvania Dutch Country is easy. He will also probably drive right through Hershey, Pa. If either of them likes chocolate. Any of these is a good halfway stop on the trip.
Aug 30, 2017 13:02:12 #
Aug 30, 2017 13:04:23 #
tripwest
Loc: Rochester, NY (Kodakland)
I have been lucky enough to summer on Canandaigua Lake for almost 40 years now. I highly recommend the Finger Lakes region. There is definitely too much to do in a one week trip.
You could do some research on local day trips, pick a lake, and rent a cottage on the water to use as a base. Or do inns and B&Bs.
Corning Museum of Glass and the George Eastman Museum of Photography are AMAZING. So is the Memorial Art Gallery just around the corner from the GEH.
A self guided wine tour will have you seeing some of the best of God's green Earth. Photo ops around every corner! Spectacular world class rieslings to sample and enjoy.
Watkins Glen, Ithaca and Letchworth deserve a look.
Automobile, boat, train, plane, and steam museums abound. Even a rocket club, I think.
If you come, I would be happy to take you on a boat tour of "My" lake.
New England and Vermont are grand, but that's not what your wife asked for. Get her into the Finger Lakes! Happy Wife, Happy Life.
-TJ
You could do some research on local day trips, pick a lake, and rent a cottage on the water to use as a base. Or do inns and B&Bs.
Corning Museum of Glass and the George Eastman Museum of Photography are AMAZING. So is the Memorial Art Gallery just around the corner from the GEH.
A self guided wine tour will have you seeing some of the best of God's green Earth. Photo ops around every corner! Spectacular world class rieslings to sample and enjoy.
Watkins Glen, Ithaca and Letchworth deserve a look.
Automobile, boat, train, plane, and steam museums abound. Even a rocket club, I think.
If you come, I would be happy to take you on a boat tour of "My" lake.
New England and Vermont are grand, but that's not what your wife asked for. Get her into the Finger Lakes! Happy Wife, Happy Life.
-TJ
Aug 30, 2017 13:32:43 #
Depending on your age (are you old enough to forget the 60's), the Moosewood in Ithaca is a must stop, even if you are no longer a vegetarian.
Aug 30, 2017 13:44:58 #
SteveR wrote:
I was raised in Michigan, but northern New York is gorgeous, esp. in the Adirondack Park area, which actually encompasses 102 towns.
Yes, the Adirondack area is beautiful. It's like going back to the 1950s. I stayed in a hotel a couple of years ago with no TV, phone, or A/C. Nice rustic experience. One tiing I thought was was the names of the lakes. Lake Seven, Lake Ten, etc. - not very picturesque.
Aug 30, 2017 13:54:29 #
Definitely the Finger Lakes. You have the wine country, Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, Watkins Glen, Naples and the Corning Glass Museum. I would go in the fall, much less tourist traffic.
Aug 30, 2017 14:29:33 #
Grew up in the Finger Lakes region - Stony Brook State Park near Dansville, NY...unbelievably beautiful...
Aug 30, 2017 14:44:56 #
Seneca Lake is one of the Finger Lakes and very picturesque, especially from the Glenora Inn and Winery. And if you are into wine some of the best wineries in NY are on that Lake. We go every few years to replenish our wine cellar.
Also Watkins Glen State Park ( at the one end of Seneca Lake) has some scenic waterfalls.
Also Watkins Glen State Park ( at the one end of Seneca Lake) has some scenic waterfalls.
Aug 30, 2017 14:59:21 #
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