Things to see and do in the Finger Lakes? (New York: real estate, hotels)

[fishinginasuit]

Havn't been up this way much but have been thinking about giving in another visit in the coming months.
Any recommendations on what to see or do (general things and festivals) in the Finger Lakes region throughout the late Summer and Fall?
Thanks.

[rubygreta]

The gorge trail at Watkins Glen State Park. A must see!

[ckhthankgod]

Well......there is a lot to do. You can check out the Ithaca area:Complete guide to Ithaca, NY hotels, attractions, dining, shopping and recreation with maps and driving directions. The official web site of Ithaca, New York and Tompkins County Convention and Visitors Bureau in the Finger Lakes.. A very nice and "progressive" city on Cayuga Lake that is small(just over 30,000), but cosmopolitan. There are many wineries throughout the Finger Lakes as well. Skaneateles is a beautiful village on Skaneateles Lake. If you like history, check out the Harriet Tubman house in Auburn, a city of about 30,000 very close to Owasco Lake:Underground Railroad | Harriet Tubman | William H. Seward | Historic & Cultural Auburn, NY | (877) 343-0002. Here's more information about the Finger Lakes:NY Tourism & Travel- Finger Lakes wineries vacations packages events | Real estate summer rentals

[Sgoldie]

There's a zillion things to do and see.

Considering your name you may want to take advantage of the fall salmon run on the river in downtown Oswego. You can fish along the modern walkways or hire a drift boat or go out on the big lake. Fish as big as a small person. Check out the fort at the top of the harbor.

There are apple fests in October all over CNY, pumpkin fests, harvest fests, farmers markets, antique shows, and viewing the fall colors. You can take self directed winery tours or drive around the perimeter of several of the Finger Lakes to discover what they have to offer. Stop in Watkins Glen for an auto race and a day sail on the way. The scenery is fantastic. There's a pavillion park along the water in Auburn where there's also a theatre, a nice art museum in town, and some historical mansions open to the public.

Tour the Cornell college grounds and visit the Ithaca Commons. Stop for a picnic along the lakefront park, bring your kayak, drive up the lake past Wells college and stop at the municipal waterfront park in Union Springs for a swim. Canandaigua, Geneva both have waterfront parks often more than one (sometimes hidden and sometimes not) and mansions with impressive gardens. There are historical museums all over including the one at Seneca Falls.

The best thing is to pick a general area and poke around a bit while you're there.

[kmbell]

The New York State Fair is always worth a trip. I'll let someone else explain what to do there, there is plenty to keep a family busy for at least 2 full days.
The Great New York State Fair | August 21 - September 1, 2008

[citydated]

Visit the wine trails, stay a bed and breakfast. You could easily spend a whole week doing this. Can be very affordable although if you bought wine at each winery and visited them all it would add up very quickly! I've been to Seneca and Cayuga and both are beautiful.

Gorge trails in Ithaca are lovely, Buttermilk Falls state park is great and has swimming and diving which is wonderful this time of year.

Watkins Glen attracts the NASCAR set but there's a beautiful lake with wine trails there too, and my favorite attraction, the Farm Sanctuary. (farmsanctuary.org). This is a really underappreciated and unique place; they have a B&B too. Right now they're rescuing dozens of pigs abandoned in the Iowa floods, among other things. Watkins Glen also has some good dining and a nice brewpub.

[ckhthankgod]

I think there are some Amish communities around Penn Yan and Seneca Falls too. Seneca Falls also has the Woman Museum there too.