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Exploring
New York State’s scenic Finger Lakes region
Maybe it’s the ‘been-there-done-that’ syndrome but
whatever the reason a repeat visit to a particular vacation spot is
often less impressive than the first time around when everything was
new and wonderful.
However, this was not the case when I
took a nostalgic trip through the Finger Lakes region in western
upstate New York just a few weeks before the area’s abundant
forests
would be turning into a blaze of fall colours. In fact, my three-day
drive trip was even more pleasurable that it was 40 years ago when I
was too young to fully appreciate the region’s many assets.
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The spectacular scenic
gorge of
Letchworth State Park
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Situated south of Lake Ontario, about a
three hour drive from Montreal, the area is best known for its 11
glacier-carved, finger-shaped lakes.
The region is also defined by
charming towns and villages, neat Amish farms, outstanding scenery, one
of a kind attractions and endless options for outdoor recreation. The district is divided into 14
counties and notwithstanding each of their distinctive attributes; here
are five top attractions well worth including in a Finger Lakes drive
tour.
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The elegant and
historic Geneva-on-the-Lake
has full resort facilities
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Skaneateles
Not only is Skaneateles the eastern gateway to the Finger Lakes, it is
arguably the prettiest village in the entire region. Situated on the
north shore of Skaneateles Lake, this jewel of a community in Onondaga
County could easily be the subject of a Norman Rockwell painting. Its
historic downtown is filled with unique shops, art galleries, antique
emporiums and various eating establishments. From the town dock, the
Mid-Lakes Navigation Company, whose fleet includes a double-decked
vintage vessel, offers a variety of narrated excursions on Skaneateles
Lake.
There’s everything from one-hour
sightseeing cruises to champagne
dinner cruises. The village also has a roster of year-round festivals
and events including a fall Oktoberfest and beginning Nov. 28th the
community will launch its annual Dickens Christmas when Skaneateles
will adopt a delightful Victorian England atmosphere that lasts for
four weeks.
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Well-maintained
grounds of Geneva-on-the-Lake
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Wineries
With more than 70 wineries and 10,000 acres of vineyards, the Finger
Lakes region is the second largest wine producing area in the country
after California. With a reputation for world-class wines, the region
produces over 40 billion bottles a year. Throughout the lakes system
there are five different wine trails where visitors can enjoy tours,
tasting rooms and memorable meals in winery restaurants.
A
service
offered by several regional companies called “limo touring”
allows
visitors to take wine tasting tours in a chauffeured limousine
eliminating any concern about drinking and driving. Not only has the
area achieved a reputation for award-winning wines, a more recent focus
on high quality cuisine using fresh, locally produced ingredients makes
a fine pairing for Finger Lakes wining and dining.
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The Wine and Culinary
Centre
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Letchworth State Park
Widely known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” this park
in Livingston
County is a must-see Finger Lakes site.
As the name suggests, it
contains a 17-mile-long gaping gorge with three awesome waterfalls and
the mammoth Mount Morris Dam (largest of its type east of the
Mississippi) where tours are given daily. There’s rafting on the
gorge’s Genesee River and for a bird’s eye view of the
canyon there are
hot air balloon rides. A highlight of the park is the historic Glen
Iris Inn that has been welcoming visitors since 1914. Overlooking the
stunning Middle Falls, the inn has 16 rooms and suites but the big
attraction is its Caroline’s restaurant. Here you can expect to
dine on
some of the Finger Lakes finest cuisine.
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Seward House remains
the same since its
construction in 1816; including a tunnel
as part of the Underground Railroad to
liberate southern slaves
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Seward House
Located in the town of Auburn just north of pretty Lake Owasco, the
elegant Seward House is a National Historic Landmark. The Federal-style
building was the former home of William H. Seward, Secretary of State
to President Abe Lincoln and the man responsible for the purchase of
Alaska from Russia. One of the significant features of this Cayuga
County home is that unlike many museum homes every last stick of
furniture, household goods and personal effects are the original
belongings of the Seward family.
The house is exactly the same as it
was when Seward took possession of it in 1816. The Sewards were
dedicated abolitionists and visitors can view the cellar room that was
a link in the Underground Railroad for slaves on the run to freedom.
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A magnificent man-made
structure spans a natural gorge in Letchworth State Park
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New York Wine & Culinary Center
Launched in 2005, the Centre was established to showcase New York
State’s dynamic food and wine industries. Located in Ontario
County in
the town of Canandaigua on the north shore of Canandaigua Lake, this is
anything but a static attraction. Rather it’s a hands-on,
state-of-the-art facility where visitors can take cooking lessons from
top notch chefs or watch demonstrations led by culinary masters.
Classes of varying durations are geared to
people of all ages and skill
levels and there’s even a class for husband and wife teams.
General
tours of the place are free and paid tours include wine and beer
tastings, a cheese and wine experiences or guests can simply enjoy the
wines and gourmet cuisine offered in the Centre’s
restaurant.
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The Judge and Barbara
classic tour boats are ready to take tourists for a tour of Lake Owasco
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Corning Museum of Glass
Located in the southern Finger Lakes region, the Steuben County town of
Corning is the home of the Corning Museum of Glass, one of New York
State’s most popular attractions. Internationally renowned, it
contains
the most extensive collection of art glass in the world. Visitors can
observe a Hot Glass Show where master glassblowers turn molten gobs of
glass into splendid works of art. Catering to all ages, there are
one-day and weekend workshops where people can create their own
one-of-a-kind souvenir. Touring the museum’s galleries reveals a
vast
collection of priceless glass objects representing every country and
historical period in which glass making has been practiced. In
addition, from Nov. 2009 through Oct. 2010, the museum will feature a
collection of 60 hand-wrought pieces by Louis Comfort Tiffany, the most
famous glass artist of all time.
| TRAVEL PLANNER |
Information:
Call 1-800-548-4386 or see www.fingerlakes.org
Where to
stay: Geneva on the Lake, Geneva, N.Y. Situated at the northern
tip of Seneca Lake and owned by the famous Stickley Furniture Company,
this gracious property has a full roster of resort amenities. Check
hotel and package rates at www.genevaonthelake.com or call 1-800-3-GENEVA. |
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