THINGS TO DO

Find your artistic side

The Corning Museum of Glass (home.cmog. org) is one of the world’s finest glass museums, attracting artisans from near and far to study, create and collaborate. Set in the small city of Corning, it is home to the largest collection of art glass in the world, picking its way through over 3,500 years of glassmaking history. You can not only enjoy live demonstrations, but there is also the opportunity to create your own works of art and bring them back home.

Explore forest trails

Around 1,600km of marked trails make up the Finger Lakes Trail system (fingerlakestrail. org), which runs from the Pennsylvania-new York border in Allegany State Park to the Long Path in the Catskill Forest Preserve. Some 48 of these trails thread their way through the Finger Lakes National Forest, the only one of its kind in New York State. It lies deep in the heart of wine country, between Seneca and Cayuga lakes, and as well as walking its trails, visitors will find plenty to do, from camping and lounging by the lake waters to vineyard visits, birdwatching, horseback riding and winter snowshoeing.

Learn about Indigenous culture There is a long list of cultural sites to explore in the Finger Lakes, but to really immerse yourself in the heritage and history of its peoples, you can’t miss visiting the Ganondagan State Historic Site (ganondagan.org). It pays tribute to the indigenous Seneca community that founded the region and flourished here over 350 years ago. It is also based on the original site of a 17th century Seneca town, with guided and self-guided trails and tours offering valuable insights into its past.

Hit the waters

Driving the Finger Lakes offers a good taste of the region, but it doesn’t beat taking in the views from the water. There are a number of different ways to cruise the lakes, from public tours to private charters. Discover Cayuga Lake (discovercayugalake.org) offers a good selection, whether opting for an eco-tour to learn more about the wild habitat that thrives in the region, or a sunset cruise to spy the dying light bouncing off the early-evening waters. Some boat trips include visits to the Ithaca Farmers’ Market (ithacamarket.com), which is packed with local producers and street-food vendors. It’s a great way to connect with the community and slip into the slower pace of life found here.