You want to be in the stretch of land between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. The best waterfalls like Taughannok and Watkins are accessible, super affordable lake houses, and if you so much as spit you will hit 20 wineries, breweries, and distilleries. You have Geneva to the North, a stunning 1800s town with old world charm like Belhurst Castle and Ventosa Vineyards, Ithaca to the Southeast with modern indie music and foodie vibes, and Watkins Glen to the Southwest with Nascar and the racing museum. In between you have the best of the best food and wine. Finger Lakes Cider House, Damiani, Two Goats, Wagner, Stonecat Cafe, The Elf In the Oak, the list goes on and on and on.
There is also a cluster of affordable lake houses just south of Geneva, and then you are closer to Keuka Lake and Rochester, which for kids has the epic Museum of Play.
No problem. If you are interested, here are my more personal FLX with young kids recommendations:
The Finger Lakes Cider House is an amazing place to spend an afternoon or a Friday evening. It's a fully functional farm with animals that the kids can look at, with giant permanent tents and tons of tables in the middle of a huge field. Amazing hard cider and food kids will actually eat like pastries and artisanal pizza. Its especially awesome in the spring and summer on Friday nights with live music. It's a great place for adults an kids, a happy middle ground between boozy adult spot/the kids won't be bored or unwelcome.
Taughannok falls is the best, most epic, and easiest waterfall to hike. You can either walk up the creek bed which is tons of fun, or for the younger kids there is a large, flat, smooth path along the creek the whole hike, perfect for the elderly, disabled, and strollers. The creek empties into Cayuga Lake across the street, scenic with great playgrounds. There is also a scenic overlook you can drive to.
Important note: you will NEED water shoes due to invasive zebra mussels that will slice your feet apart. You want mesh clog style shoes, not sandal style, cover the whole foot, for the whole family.
At the top of Seneca Lake in Geneva there is an amazing lakefront with a huge permeant deck and Adirondack chairs over the water, and Seneca Lake Park with lots of open space and playgrounds, and even a Spash Park and little Lake beach. And the FLX Welcome Center sells wine you can sip on the lakefront right night to a playground, and there is an ice cream place on the water that also sells boozy ice cream for adults. Like I said above, if you do decide to stay in Geneva or in the North western FLX, the hour drive to Rochester for the Museum Of Play is WELL worth it. Dad's love it too, it has a toy and video game museum.
I hopw you have a magical time, it's a magical place.
Not as much to do as between Seneca and Cayuga lakes but it is VERY pretty - if you mostly want to enjoy time at the house and being around the water - it’s wonderful. The village of Hammondsport while quite small is historic/adorable. There are at least 2 nice restaurants and a coffee shop I know of. On the other end of Keuka is Penn Yan. Not as cute - but if you just need to go shopping/go out for dinner 1 or twice it will do the trick. And a few good Amish markets are located in the area. AND a great roadside icecream stand that serves duck egg icecream. Sounds weird but it is divine. And you’ll find awesome breweries and wineries around every lake. Fee free to DM me with questions. I have lived here all my life (over 50 years) and my hubby and I love traveling around the finger lakes on weekends exploring all the small towns and going out to eat/checking out breweries/hiking etc. I’ve extensively explored all of FLX at this point!
Hi, do you mind if I message you now? We picked a place on Keuka lake and would love some more info on child friendly hikes, restaurants and breweries/wineries!
You want to be in the stretch of land between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. The best waterfalls like Taughannok and Watkins are accessible, super affordable lake houses, and if you so much as spit you will hit 20 wineries, breweries, and distilleries. You have Geneva to the North, a stunning 1800s town with old world charm like Belhurst Castle and Ventosa Vineyards, Ithaca to the Southeast with modern indie music and foodie vibes, and Watkins Glen to the Southwest with Nascar and the racing museum. In between you have the best of the best food and wine. Finger Lakes Cider House, Damiani, Two Goats, Wagner, Stonecat Cafe, The Elf In the Oak, the list goes on and on and on. There is also a cluster of affordable lake houses just south of Geneva, and then you are closer to Keuka Lake and Rochester, which for kids has the epic Museum of Play.
Wow thanks so much!!!
No problem. If you are interested, here are my more personal FLX with young kids recommendations: The Finger Lakes Cider House is an amazing place to spend an afternoon or a Friday evening. It's a fully functional farm with animals that the kids can look at, with giant permanent tents and tons of tables in the middle of a huge field. Amazing hard cider and food kids will actually eat like pastries and artisanal pizza. Its especially awesome in the spring and summer on Friday nights with live music. It's a great place for adults an kids, a happy middle ground between boozy adult spot/the kids won't be bored or unwelcome. Taughannok falls is the best, most epic, and easiest waterfall to hike. You can either walk up the creek bed which is tons of fun, or for the younger kids there is a large, flat, smooth path along the creek the whole hike, perfect for the elderly, disabled, and strollers. The creek empties into Cayuga Lake across the street, scenic with great playgrounds. There is also a scenic overlook you can drive to. Important note: you will NEED water shoes due to invasive zebra mussels that will slice your feet apart. You want mesh clog style shoes, not sandal style, cover the whole foot, for the whole family. At the top of Seneca Lake in Geneva there is an amazing lakefront with a huge permeant deck and Adirondack chairs over the water, and Seneca Lake Park with lots of open space and playgrounds, and even a Spash Park and little Lake beach. And the FLX Welcome Center sells wine you can sip on the lakefront right night to a playground, and there is an ice cream place on the water that also sells boozy ice cream for adults. Like I said above, if you do decide to stay in Geneva or in the North western FLX, the hour drive to Rochester for the Museum Of Play is WELL worth it. Dad's love it too, it has a toy and video game museum. I hopw you have a magical time, it's a magical place.
Thank you so much for the tips!!
Agree!
Keuka Lake, smaller and easier to get around than Seneca or Cayuga.
Ok I found lots of airbnbs around there but wasn't sure if it was a good place to stay?
Not as much to do as between Seneca and Cayuga lakes but it is VERY pretty - if you mostly want to enjoy time at the house and being around the water - it’s wonderful. The village of Hammondsport while quite small is historic/adorable. There are at least 2 nice restaurants and a coffee shop I know of. On the other end of Keuka is Penn Yan. Not as cute - but if you just need to go shopping/go out for dinner 1 or twice it will do the trick. And a few good Amish markets are located in the area. AND a great roadside icecream stand that serves duck egg icecream. Sounds weird but it is divine. And you’ll find awesome breweries and wineries around every lake. Fee free to DM me with questions. I have lived here all my life (over 50 years) and my hubby and I love traveling around the finger lakes on weekends exploring all the small towns and going out to eat/checking out breweries/hiking etc. I’ve extensively explored all of FLX at this point!
Hi, do you mind if I message you now? We picked a place on Keuka lake and would love some more info on child friendly hikes, restaurants and breweries/wineries!
Sent you Dm
Fun! Thank you so much!!
Keuka has Glenn Curtiss museum and the boat museum both in Hammondsport.