Photo: Heather Ainsworth
11 fun things to do in the Finger Lakes during summer
From outdoor activities to shopping to wine to America's pastime, there's no shortage of things to do this summer in the Finger Lakes. If you're looking for something to do, here are a few suggestions.
By Marisa Enzinna | Contributing writer
For a fun, family-friendly way to spend the day – and cool off – you can check out Roseland Waterpark in Canandaigua. The water park features a wave pool, a raft ride that can accommodate up to four people at a time, an "Adventure River" as well as several water slides. Younger guests can play in the Splash Factory, which Roseland calls "the playground of their dreams" with water cannons, small waterslides and a giant bucket of water that dumps every minute.
Collegiate baseball
The region is home to two collegiate baseball teams – the Geneva Red Wings, members of the New York Collegiate Baseball League, and the Newark Pilots, members of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League. Each team will host opening day games June 1 – the Pilots at Colburn Park in Newark and the Red Wings at McDonough Park in Geneva. The regular season runs through July 31.
Photo: David Lassman | dlassman@syracuse.com
The region is home to more than 100 wineries and no visit to the Finger Lakes is complete without stopping at one – or more! The region was ranked the best wine region in America by a panel of sommeliers. Besides regular tasting hours, many wineries also host events throughout the year, such as the Keuka Wine Trail's Fire It Up! barbecue weekend in June.
The Windmill
The Windmill Farm & Craft Market, on Route 14 between Penn Yan and Dundee, features about 200 shops with items ranging screen printed T-shirts to candles to wine to resin items and more. The Windmill is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays as well as Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day.
Photo: Nick Canedo | ncanedo@syracuse.com
Most people know about the Finger Lakes wine trails, but they may not realize there's also a Finger Lakes Beer Trail. The trail includes more than 75 craft brewers and spans about 210 miles across the central part of the state. Most breweries with tasting rooms charge a small fee for tasting, and most brew pubs offer tasting flights for purchase.
Photo: Stephen Cannerelli | scannerelli@syracuse.com
Boat cruises
Experience the beauty of the Finger Lakes on a boat cruise, such as through Mid-Lakes on Skaneateles Lake or the Canandaigua Lady on Canandaigua Lake. Mid-Lakes offers daily sightseeing and dinner cruises on Skaneateles Lake all summer long. They'll also host Dress Like a Pirate Day Aug. 10. The Canandaigua Lady offers lunch, afternoon and dinner cruises as well as special event cruises, such as the Mermaid Princess July 17.
Provided photo
See the region by air – in a hot air balloon. Liberty Balloon offers a standard flight package, which includes Canandaigua launch sites, and a Finger Lakes Wine Country Balloon Tour, which includes six private flights – each over a different lake. Rides start at sunrise or near sunset and last about an hour, but the actual landing time depends on variables such as wind and weather.
Hot air balloon rides in Upstate NY
Photo: Stephen D. Cannerelli | scannerelli@syracuse.com
Stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking
Explore one of the many lakes by kayak or stand-up paddle board. (Some wineries even have docks, so you can paddle up for a tasting.) You can bring your own watercraft or rent one. Reagan's Canoe & Kayak Livery in Himrod offers canoe, kayak and stand-up paddle board rentals, while Canandaigua Sailboarding in Canandaigua offers windsurfing, kayak, stand-up paddle board, hyydrobike and scuba rentals. For the windsurfing or scuba novice, Canandaigua Sailboarding also offers lessons.
Best spots for stand-up paddle boarding in Upstate NY
Photo: David Lassman | dlassman@syracuse.com
The region is home to a bounty of fresh fruits and some would say these taste best when they're freshly picked. Luckily, you don't have to go far to find a farm where you can pick your own strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries and more. A few to check out are Grisamore Farms in Locke for strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries and currants; Sugar Shack Blueberry Farm in Penn Yan; and Tomion's Farm Market in Penn Yan for berries, rhubarb and tomatoes. Contact the farm directly for picking times and prices.
Where to go strawberry picking
Photo: Kevin Rivoli
Whether you like to unplug from it all and camp out in a tent or prefer the comforts of a recreational vehicle, the region is sure to have the perfect campground.
There are dozens of state parks in the area and many offers camping facilities -- Sampson, Cayuga Lake, Watkins Glen, Keuka Lake and Taughannock Falls to name a few. The Blueberry Patch Campground also is inside the Finger Lakes National Forest.
Photo courtesy of Finger Lakes Visitors Connection
Hiking
Hundreds of miles of trails, including Ontario Pathways and the Finger Lakes Trail, run through the Finger Lakes region. Many of them are easy enough for the whole family and offer views of Finger Lakes flora, fauna and even some waterfalls. Locals also recommend hiking in and along Flint Creek, which runs from Middlesex to Phelps.
Photo: Joed Viera
READ MORE: Day hiking in Upstate NY
One of the best things to do in Upstate New York is spend the day hiking. Here are 9 fun hiking trails to explore.
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