We visited Upstate New York for Nick's cousin's wedding in the early summer. Most of Nick's extended family lives in the (general) Buffalo to Syracuse region, so he had frequented Niagara Falls but had only been to the Finger Lakes once as a kid. The Finger Lakes are north-south linear features that geographically resemble, well, fingers. They were carved out by glacial movement during the last Ice Age, resulting in the aesthetically gorgeous and lush landscapes. The area is known for beautiful waterfalls, vineyards, and wineries (reminding us of the Texas Hill Country). We took our time to explore a few parks, stop at a brewery, and finish the day tasting some delightful wines. I can confidently say it's some of the best I've ever tasted.
What We Did
Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen State Park: About a 3-mile round-trip hike with 19 waterfalls to observe. It's a very popular spot, so expect a lot of people if visiting during the summer. The path is paved and well-maintained, making it accessible for all to enjoy.
Ithaca
Buttermilk Falls State Park: Much less visited than Watkins Glen, but the waterfalls here are incredible. We walked all the way to the lake, which ended up being about a 3.5-mile round-trip hike.
Food
Ithaca
Ithaca Beer Co.: Pretty good food and even better beer. It has a great patio and a really nice lawn.
Ports of New York Winery: At first, I thought we weren't in the right place when we were welcomed by the most friendly and adorable little poodle mix at what seemed like someone's house. But I'm so glad we visited this place. We were the only people there, so we were given a private tasting in this couple's cozy tasting room. The wines and ports are delicious, and the interesting family/winery history dates back to WWII Normandy. Absolutely worth a visit!
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