Seneca Lake for Real People
sui5te
Learning the place of my origin like my parents knew it
26 May 2007
based on 1 vote
Whether you need to shed some suburbia, shed some commercialism, get closer to the one you love, get closer to the one you WANT to love, need some mother earth for the soul, or need to just plain get lost, you can do it around Seneca Lake, NY
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Explore locations featured in this Traveler List:
Geneva, Watkins Glen, Montour Falls, Trumansburg, Ithaca
- Category: Roadtrip
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Traveler type: Sightseeing, Active/Outdoors, Never been before, Repeat visitors
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Appeals to: Couples/romantics, Honeymooners, Singles, Families with teenagers, Budget travellers , Active/adventure, Tourists
- Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Tags: Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen, Finger Lakes, New York, Geneva, Road Trip, Winery
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| Whether you land in Syracuse or Rochester, you need to get to Geneva, NY to open the door to the Seneca Lake adventure. See the architecture and history of the old churches, catch some trout, rent a sailboat, get some awesome views of the lake while scooping up some ice cream at the waterfront park, get some brochures from the chamber of commerce, or at least get to the historical district on Highway 14 and take that pretty lady for a stroll down the sidewalk at sunset to get some awesome views!!! |
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2. Seneca Lake Wine Trail
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| Starting from Geneva, drive down Highway 14 towards Watkins Glen for a real treat. With breathtaking views, farm settings, and too many wineries to visit, if you don't fill your day with stopping for pictures or wine tasting - you need professional help. |
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| About half way down Highway 14, take a moment to pause, or stay even, at rainbow cove. There is a small motel, B&B's, and some cottage rentals in the cove. There is also a quaint restaurant to grab a bite to eat, and around the corner is a certified organic winery! The solitude of sitting on the dock and taking in the solitude is worth it! |
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| You definately have to make a stop and launch from here for your other activities. This quiet town is full of surprises and is close to everything. |
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| Want more than a hotel, don't want to pay for a B&B? Check this place out. |
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6. Seneca Lake Waterfront
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| Check it out! Eat at Captain Bill's, take a boat cruise, and/or watch the marina. |
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| If you like Italian, make a stop here. I can't speak for the nice restaurant in the front because I can't stop going to the takeout counter around back to get the absolutely best calzone I have ever had!!! |
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| If you love the outdoors - you will love this place. The atmosphere alone will bring you back every time you visit - but whether you hike, fish, hunt, or just plain stand outside - you can get outfitted with cool outdoor brands you know like Woolrich, Columbia, Red Wing, Carhartt, The North Face, Rocky Boots, and more. |
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9. Watkins Glen State Park
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| You want to walk right into a gorge? This is definately a place you can't miss - but be careful - the rocks can be slipery!!! I don't think they still do it, but as a kid - Grandma would take us to see a laser light show here during the summer. |
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| Take a quick little jaunt over to Montour to check out Shequaga Falls. Very, Very nice. |
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11. Watkins Glen International
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| Rev up the rental car and make a reservation to run the same race track that racing legends have. Plan a visit around a Nascar Nextel Cup race, or the IndyCar Grand Prix. There is much fanfare during the annual wine festival as well!! It is Awesome!!!!! |
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12. Taughannock Falls State Park
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| I know it isn't on SENECA lake and instead on CAYUGA lake, but it is not that far and it is a beautiful place to take an easy or hard day hike - the choices are all there and the falls at the end are beautiful!! The lakefront park on the other side has a playground and a concession stand. |
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| Feeling naked without some urbanism yet? Trek over to Ithaca and check it out. |
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14. Cornell Lab of Ornithology
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| Since you've decided to trek over to Ithaca DO NOT MISS the opportunity to visit Sapsucker Woods and the most renowned Ornithology Dept. in America. Over 100,000 folks a year can't be wrong!!!! |
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15. Back on the Wine Trail
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| Get back on the Wine Trail up the east side of Seneca Lake back to Geneva on highways 414 to 96A to take in more wineries and beautiful views of the lake |
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| Not as spectacular as the other parks, but definately a nice place to get out and stretch the old legs and take in some nice lakefront views |
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Compliment sui5te
