Chasing Waterfalls This Fall!
When it comes to weekend getaways in Upstate New York, nothing beats time in New York’s Finger Lakes Region. The area is not only home to some of the best wineries in the country but also to spectacular places like Taughannock Falls State Park. Upstate New York in general, and Taughannock Falls State Park in particular, is absolutely breathtaking during the fall.
Apart from being home to some of the state’s most breathtaking scenery, like that at Taughannock Falls State Park, the Finger Lakes is also one of New York’s leading destinations for wine and food lovers. You’ll definitely need plenty of fuel – and a glass or two of wine doesn’t hurt – after enjoying Taughannock Falls State Park, not to mention other waterfall-friendly parks like Watkins Glen State Park. Luckily, trips to the Finger Lakes are all about sipping, swirling, and sampling your way through local wineries and restaurants.
While you’re enjoying the best the Finger Lakes Region has to offer, don’t miss your chance to stay at one of the top-rated Upstate New York Bed and Breakfasts. When you partner with our exceptional properties, you aren’t just choosing a simple place to stay. You’re selecting an experience that comes with incomparable authenticity and hospitality and an uncompromising dedication to excellence.
Whether hiking to Taughannock Falls State Park or visiting the leading Finger Lakes wineries, an unforgettable adventure is waiting. Book your room today!
Visit Taughannock Falls State Park
As the name suggests, Taughannock Falls State Park is home to the sensational Taughannock Falls – one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in New York. That’s saying something, too, because this state is positively packed with waterfalls! Taughannock Falls State Park is unique, though.
Taughannock Falls State Park is located in the town of Trumansburg, just north of Ithaca. This spectacular waterfall plunges an impressive 215 feet into a beautiful river gorge of sandstone, shale, and limestone. It’s the tallest free-falling waterfall east of the Mississippi and is three stories taller than Niagara Falls – it’s easy to see why a visit to Taughannock Falls State Park is a must!
The hike to the falls is relatively short, at just about 0.75 miles. The path is fairly level, too, which means it’s adequately accessible. It can get wet and slippery sometimes, so we always recommend sturdy shoes when visiting Taughannock Falls State Park. Depending on how many pictures you take and how much time you want to just stare at this stunning waterfall, you can expect your total time at Taughannock Falls State Park to be around an hour.
Although Taughannock Falls is undoubtedly the highlight of any visit here, there are two more waterfalls worth visiting in Taughannock Falls State Park. They’re found along Taughannock Creek. From the park, you can also enjoy a bit of shoreline on Cayuga lake.
Though you can visit Taughannock Falls State Park any time of year, including when it’s iced over in the winter, we love it in the fall. There’s something extraordinary about witnessing the power of this waterfall, surrounded by the fiery hues of fall. Even as great as it is, visiting Taughannock Falls State Park is only one of the many amazing things to do in the Finger Lakes. Keep reading for more excellent travel inspiration!
More Things to do in the Finger Lakes
Taughannock Falls State Park is truly spectacular – and it’s reason enough to make the trip to Upstate New York. However, now that you’re here, we’d be remiss not to m mention the other great things to do in the Finger Lakes.
The Finger Lakes Region is surprisingly diverse. From tasting your way through the top Finger Lakes wineries to visiting the other great parks and natural areas in this part of the state, there are more things to do in the Finger Lakes than you’ll have time for.
Here are just a few recommendations for things to do in the Finger Lakes.
- One of the top things to do in the Finger Lakes is, unsurprisingly, to go wine tasting at various Finger Lakes Wineries.
- Wineries aren’t the only great options for tastings in the Finger Lakes area. There are also plenty of great breweries and distilleries in the area.
- Taughannock Falls State Park isn’t the only great park to explore in the area! Take a hike at one of the other great parks, including Robert Treman State Park, Watkins Glen State Park, or the Finger Lakes National Forest.
- Get out and enjoy a peaceful afternoon on any of the lakes themselves. There are plenty of rentals in the area!
- Go golfing on the Finger Lakes Golf Trail.
- Taking a bike ride through the beautiful countryside is one of the most popular things to do in the Finger Lakes. A great ride is the Between the Lakes Ride, but there are also many other scenic rural roads to bike and enjoy in the area.
- The Finger Lakes area is excellent for birdwatching at places like Sapsucker Woods Bird Sanctuary or the Montezuma Wildlife Sanctuary.
- The Finger Lakes also has excellent museums, including the Corning Museum of Glass and the George Eastman International Museum of Photography.
- Visit Women’s Rights National Historic Park in Seneca Falls, known as the birthplace of Women’s Rights.
- Visit the gorgeous Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park. This 50-acre estate features a majestic late nineteenth-century Victorian Estate with a Queen Anne-style mansion and nine formal gardens.
- Where there is great wine, there is often great food. Explore the many great chefs in the Finger Lakes on the Finger Lakes Food Tours.
It goes without saying, but one of our favorite things to do in the Finger Lakes Region – and #12 on our list – is to relax and unwind at one of our three magnificent Select Registry Bed and Breakfasts in New York. Each property is unique and located in a different part of the Finger Lakes, allowing you plenty of time and space to thoroughly explore this wonderful area of Upstate New York. Book a room at one of these top-rated places to stay in New York today!
Best Places to Stay in the Finger Lakes
Inn at Gothic Eves
Our Bed and Breakfast Inn has 8 suites designed for the discerning traveler with custom tiled bathrooms, heated bathroom floors, fireplaces, jetted tubs, large vanities, and showers with body sprays. Each room has soft cozy bathrobes, fluffy thick towels, 600 count sheets, hybrid mattress for support and comfort. The suites also offer speakers for their music, plenty of outlets, smart TVs with Rokus to enjoy NETFLIX and Hulu plus on us or you can use your own accounts to enjoy other entertainment.
Guest choose our Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast because of its access to nature, our spa, our breakfasts, and of course to explore the Fingers Lakes of New York State. Outside we have multiple terraces with seating and tables to enjoy the fresh air The grounds are landscaped to offer lots of flowers through the season and also room for you to enjoy a grassy area to throw a frisbee. Behind the property are tennis courts, a track and fields for larger areas. At night, the stars can be enjoyed in the jacuzzi tubs or around the fire pit.
Geneva on the Lake Boutique Resort Hotel
Settle into luxurious comfort at Geneva On The Lake, a historic boutique resort hotel and restaurant in Geneva, New York, situated on 10 beautiful acres overlooking Seneca Lake in the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country. A landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Geneva On The Lake’s charming past and long-time history as a AAA Four-Diamond Award Winner in hospitality are evident the moment you walk through the door.
Rich with history, filled with beauty and inspired by a family passion for hospitality, Geneva On The Lake was founded by Norbert H. Schickel Jr. in 1981 to be “an oasis, a little island of beauty, peace and friendliness in a busy world.” Truly a haven for visitors, the gorgeous Italianate villa offers 29 guest accommodations, all appointed with beautifully handcrafted Stickley furniture. A variety of suites and studios offer breathtaking views, wood-burning fireplaces, Jacuzzi tubs and cathedral ceilings. Find spacious comfort in the two-story townhouses situated 25 feet from the main villa, each featuring private furnished lakeside patios and two bedrooms, perfect for a reunion or family vacation.
At Geneva On The Lake, luxury and beauty are perfected in every accommodation, from the stunning architecture and thoughtful amenities to the warm hospitality that extends beyond the comfort of your room.
Chalet at Canandaigua
Be our guest at this 30-acre luxury boutique B&B rated #1 in Canandaigua and in the Finger Lakes and one of the TOP 25 Best B&B’s in the U.S. by Trip Advisor in 2014-2019. The Chalet is tucked into the wooded hills of Canandaigua, NY providing a private location and a peaceful retreat complete with a grand pond and walking trails, yet the attractions of wine country and the Finger Lakes are within easy reach.
Enjoy your stay in one of our three bedroom suites which are elegantly decorated with warm colors and beautiful Pottery Barn bedding. All suites have private baths with full walk-in showers, soaking tubs, king sized beds, individually controlled air conditioning and fireplaces, and full of amenities for our guests to avail themselves of.
Enjoy sitting by the fire in front of the Great Room’s cobblestone fireplace, cozy up in the living room before the wood burning stove or relax on our Chalet covered porch, which overlooks the grand pond with a glass of wine while enjoying the surrounding view. We offer a unique three-course gourmet breakfast that accommodates guest’s dietary needs, as well as a delicious dessert each evening. Our 7600 sq. ft. log cabin combines rustic elegance with a touch of contemporary, so our guests find all the comforts of home while being pampered while away. We anticipate that your Chalet B and B experience will be….Beyond Breathtaking!
