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Where are the Finger Lakes?

The Finger Lakes are located in western, upstate New York, so-named because the 11 glacial lakes are long and thin, like fingers. The region is known for its amazing gorges and waterfalls as well as picturesque lakeside wineries. I spent an October week here with my family, and the fall foliage in the hills and gorges was absolutely breathtaking, particularly on the drive around Keuka Lake and from Hammondsport to Watkins Glen.

Watkins Glen State Park is home to 19 waterfalls, beautiful trails, and plenty of beautiful nature to explore. 

Best Things To Do in the Finger Lakes with Kids

1. Watkins Glen State Park – Watkins Glen

The amazing gorge trail in Watkins Glen State Park ranks No. 1 on the list because of its uniqueness. Within two miles, the Glen's stream descends 400 feet, past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course, including one you can walk under. Note: To tackle this trail, you'll need to handle a lot of stairs! The park also features an Olympic-size pool open in the summer, a playground, tent and trailer campsites, picnic facilities, and excellent fishing in nearby Seneca Lake or Catherine Creek, which is renowned for its annual spring run of rainbow trout.

2. Letchworth State Park – Castile

This park was voted the No. 1 state park in the US, and we can't disagree. Known as the Grand Canyon of the East, Letchworth State Park features a breathtaking glacial gorge with three main, large waterfalls. Even in fall, the waterfalls were roaring and forming rainbows with the spectacular fall colors as the backdrop. There are trails to all the main viewpoints, or you can drive and park at the different points. On a busy weekend, I recommend arriving early and hiking more since the parking can fill up fast and the roads in the park get congested. A popular way to see the park is on a hot air balloon ride.

3. Corning Museum of Glass – Corning

As the world's largest glass museum, the Corning Museum of Glass is an impressive attraction. It offers glassworking demonstrations, make-your-own-glass experiences, and a variety of family programs that offer kids an opportunity to experience glass through storytelling, music, crafts, and much more. Plus, kids and teens receive FREE admission.

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Autumn Mist Alpaca Farm offers reasonably priced DIY tours. 

4. Autumn Mist Alpaca Farm – Prattsburgh

My family had a great time petting alpacas, baby goats, rabbits, and more animals at this beautiful farm near Keuka Lake. No reservations are required and a self-guided tour is a reasonable $10 per person. One of the goat pens opens up so you can really get up close and personal. Bags of feed are $2.50 each. It also has a cute shop selling all sorts of things made from alpaca fleece.

5. Taughannock Falls State Park – Trumansburg

The beautiful Taughannock Falls State Park is located right on Lake Cayuga and features Taughannock Falls, the tallest waterfall in New York—even taller than Niagara Falls. The bottom of the falls can be accessed by an easy 3/4-mile trail, and there is also a lookout point with a great view of the falls that you can drive to. The park rents canoes and paddleboards, has several docks for fishing, and an area to swim in the crystal clear water in the summertime.

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Consider tackling the Gorge Trail and the Rim Trail at Robert H. Treman State Park for the best views.

6. Robert H. Treman State Park – Ithaca

This top attraction in Ithaca offers nine miles of hiking trails through Enfield Glen, featuring 12 waterfalls, including the 115-foot Lucifer Falls, where visitors can see a mile-and-a-half down the wooded gorge as it winds its way to the lower park. Campers can choose from tent or RV sites or cabins. There is also a designated swimming area in a stream-fed pool beneath a waterfall. Swimming is allowed in lifeguarded areas only. Pro tip: The most beautiful section of the Gorge Trail is closer to the upper parking lot, but the Rim Trail offers stunning views of the gorge and waterfalls from above, so we suggest doing the trails as a loop.

6. Buttermilk Falls State Park – Ithaca

Named for its foaming cascade, Buttermilk Falls State Park is a popular place for camping. Visitors can swim in the crystal clear natural pool and explore the gorge trail. However, the biggest waterfall can be seen directly from the parking lot, no hike required.

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The Ithaca Commons is a pedestrian's paradise, and has a quaint play area for kids, too. 

7. Ithaca Downtown & Waterfalls – Ithaca

We've likely all heard the phrase Ithaca is gorges, and it's definitely true! Ithaca, N.Y., and the surrounding area have more than 150 waterfalls—carved by glaciers that formed gorges millions of years ago—within 10 miles. There are multiple waterfalls in the city itself, including the stunning Ithaca Falls and the Cascadilla Gorge Trail that winds through the Cornell campus. Cascadilla is just a short walk from Ithaca Commons, a pedestrian-only area featuring shops, restaurants and cafes, and toy stores including The Brain Shoppe and Alphabet Soup. Ithaca is also known for its many murals spread throughout the downtown. You can take a walking or bike tour of Ithaca's murals with a guide or on your own.

8. Ithaca Children's Garden – Ithaca

With multiple playgrounds and a giant turtle as its centerpiece, the Ithaca Children's Garden is a beautiful destination in the spring and summer when the flowers are in bloom. The garden also hosts special events throughout the year, including International Mud Day in the summer and the Festival of Fire & Ice in the winter.

9. Ithaca Sciencenter and Sagan Planet Walk – Ithaca

The Sciencenter is an interactive, hands-on science museum in downtown Ithaca. The museum features an outdoor, multi-level science park and playground that features steel drums and bells, the world’s only Kevlar cable suspension bridge, a sand table, and more. Sciencenter is also known for its Sagan Planet Walk, a 1,200-meter-long scale model of our solar system created in 1997 by the Sciencenter in honor of the renowned astronomer and Ithaca resident, Carl Sagan.

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The Strong National Museum of Play is home to a sprawling collection of toys plus plenty of hand-on opportunities to play. Photo by Jody Mercier

10. The Strong National Museum of Play – Rochester

The Strong Museum is a 150,000-square-foot highly interactive play destination for all ages. Read our detailed review of our visit to The Strong National Museum of Play.

11. Cornell Botanic Gardens – Ithaca

Located at the edge of the Cornell University campus, Cornell Botanic Gardens is a 3,600-acre outdoor space featuring gardens, an arboretum, and hiking trails to ponds, waterfalls, and multiple scenic views. The gardens can be explored with a guided or self-guided tour and are a great place to relax and enjoy a family walk or picnic.

Family-Friendly Restaurants in the Finger Lakes

12. FLX Wienery – Dundee

This family-friendly spot specializes in "high-end, low-brow" food, featuring standard foods such as burgers and hot dogs done with high-quality ingredients. Unique offerings include the PB&A hot dog with peanut butter, bacon, cheese, and crispy onion; a peanut butter Nutella milkshake; and an Oreo stout (for 21+).

13. Moosewood – Ithaca

Moosewood is famous for its extensive menu that is entirely vegetarian, with ingredients sourced in the Finger Lakes region. The restaurant also features local wines, craft beers, and unique cocktails. Conveniently located in the Ithaca Commons, Moosewood offers indoor and outdoor seating and a kids' menu.

14. The Switzerland Inn – Hammondsport

Situated right on Keuka Lake, the Switz as locals call it, serves a variety of American favorites, including steak, pasta, seafood, pizzas, and burgers. This family-friendly restaurant features a game room for kids, outdoor seating on two large decks overlooking the lake, and live music on summer evenings.

15. Cayuga Lake Creamery – Interlaken

Cayuga Lake Creamery specializes in small-batch, homemade ice cream churned on-site at its store in Interlaken. Commonly referred to as “The Creamery,” it's located on the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway in the heart of Finger Lakes wine country and offers lunch items and ice cream in its indoor dining room and attached deck. The outdoor dining area includes a waterfall feeding into a pond with fish and frogs plus a wooden train play structure. Seasonal flavors and unique offerings include lavender, maple bacon, ultimate fudge brownie, and Seneca salt caramel. Non-dairy vegan options, sorbets, and gluten-free offerings are always available.

16. Grist Iron Brewing Company – Burdett

Grist Iron is a family-friendly microbrewery on a 150-acre property with breathtaking views of Lake Seneca and the surrounding area. The brewery offers a full food menu, including snacks for kids and lawn games to keep them entertained. The brewery also offers lodging and hosts frequent live music events.

Wineries in the Finger Lakes that are Family Friendly

The Finger Lakes region of New York boasts more than 100 wineries, breweries, and distilleries. The climate around the lakes is ideal for growing grapes for high-quality wines, which is why wine tasting is a favorite thing to do in the Finger Lakes. We have picked out some wineries that offer something for the kids while you enjoy your wine-tasting experience.

17. Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery – Lodi

Wagner Vineyards was the first winery on the east side of Seneca Lake. The property includes a winery, brewery, and restaurant with a stunning Seneca Lake view. Kids can choose between smooth and creamy root beer or blush grape juice, while adults sip on the estate-grown riesling, chardonnay, and more.

18. Swedish Hill Winery – Romulus

Swedish Hill Winery is situated on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. This winery offers tastings as well as signature wine slushies for adults. Kids can choose between two grape juices. The Concord grape juice is thick, sweet, and tart and the white grape juice is sweet and dry. Kids can also say hi to Sven, the miniature horse who lives at the winery.

19. Bully Hill Vineyards – Hammonsport

Located on the south end of beautiful Keuka Lake, Bully Hill Vineyards offers tastings of more than 40 wines. The winery's full-service restaurant features a deck overlooking the lake. Children are welcome, and there is plenty of space to run around.

20. Arbor Hill Grapery – Naples

Kids can join in the tasting experience at Arbor Hill Grapery, sampling multiple sparkling red and white grape juices. The tasting room and gourmet shop also sell gummy bears and grape twists made with Arbor Hill Concord grape juice. The Grapery also has a restaurant, Brews and Brats, which offers live music on select nights.

Family-Friendly Hotels in the Finger Lakes

21. The Hotel Ithaca – Ithaca

This newly renovated hotel is conveniently located in the heart of downtown, just steps away from Ithaca Commons. The hotel itself features a restaurant, gym, and heated indoor pool.

22. Bristol Mountain Ski Resort – Canandaigua

During the winter season, the Finger Lakes are a destination for downhill and cross-country skiing. Bristol Mountain also offers snowtubing in winter and Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventures and Roseland Water Park in the warmer months. The resort also hosts a fall festival and features fall sky rides to view the beautiful foliage.

23. Greek Peak Mountain Resort – Virgil

Greek Peak Mountain Resort is Central New York’s largest ski resort, with 44 ski trails and 11 glades, six chair lifts, two surface lifts, a tubing conveyor lift, a beginners’ slope, and new and improved terrain parks. The four-season family resort features multiple restaurants, a spa, Cascades Indoor Waterpark, ziplining, a mountain coaster, and a campground.

24. Lakeside Resort – Watkins Glen

Lakeside Resort offers lakeview rooms, plus cabins that are family- and pet-friendly. The property is situated on Seneca Lake, minutes away from Watkins Glen State Park, and features a mini glen with hiking trails and waterfalls. The resort also has a restaurant and nightly campfires, weather permitting.

25. Finger Lakes Lodging – Skaneateles

This unique and rustic lodge is located on Skaneateles Lake, within walking distance of the shops and restaurants in downtown Skaneateles and a short drive from many Finger Lakes wineries. Skaneateles Lake is considered the cleanest of the Finger Lakes, so it is a popular fishing destination. The hotel is pet-friendly and also offers kids' activities.

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Unless noted, all photos by the author