The Finger Lakes region of New York is known as the Iroquois homeland. Throughout history, several tribes have inhabited the area, including the Seneca, Cayuga, and Tuscarora Tribes. The Iroquois Nation was so powerful that they were able to prevent European colonization for almost 200 years. However, their power was greatly diminished in 1779 during the Sullivan Expedition. Today, the region is made up of roughly 12 cities, towns, and villages, including Auburn, Canandaigua, Ithaca, and Seneca Falls. The total combined population is approximately 137,000 residents.
Visit the Seneca Art & Culture Center at Ganondagan to learn about the life and culture of the Iroquois Nation. The museum features historic documents, ancient artifacts, and much more. Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park is another interesting historic site. Located in Canandaigua, this notable estate consists of a Victorian mansion and a host of beautiful gardens. Explore the scenic beauty of the Finger Lakes region at Watkins Glen State Park. This stunning park features a series of 19 waterfalls, as well as several gorges and trails.
Enjoy a delicious premium meal at Ports Café, a charming bistro that serves steak, fish, and regional wines. If you’re looking to try international meals, Dano's is the perfect spot. This lakeside restaurant offers Viennese-inspired dishes, including smoked Hungarian charcuterie and Viennese herring salad. You can also try Beef & Brew if you get a taste for a heartier American meal.
Buttermilk Falls State Park features 811 acres of land. The park consists of waterfalls, cabins, a beach, nature trails, and rock formations made of sandstone and Devonian shale. You will enjoy fishing, deer hunting, hiking, and camping in this scenic park.
Fillmore Glen State Park spans 941 acres. It includes several waterfalls, as well as a replica of President Millard Filmore’s childhood log cabin. Available activities include picnicking, hunting, fishing, swimming, and hiking.
Sitting on 621 acres of land, Keuka Lake State Park is the perfect destination for hiking, fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing, and camping. The park also houses the historic Beddoe – Rose Family Cemetery.
Granger's Festival of Trees – During the Christmas season, the Granger Homestead is decorated with a host of beautiful Christmas trees.
Canandaigua Lakefront Art Show – Held in the month of July, this art show showcases the unique work of dozens of area artists and vendors.
Naples Grape Festival - This September festival celebrates the grape harvest season. The event includes everything from wine-tasting to outdoor music.
The Spruce Row Campground and RV Park offers activities for people of all ages. Available amenities include fishing, swimming, and mini-golf. Water, electrical, and sewer hookups are also available. Pinecreek Campground features more than 60 RV campsites. The campground provides laundry services, showers, sewer, water, and electrical hookups. Robert H. Treman State Park includes 70 RV campsites and electrical, water, and sewer hookups are available. The park also features picnic tables and fire rings.
The Finger Lakes region features a variety of suitable RV storage facilities. FLX Storage features on-site security and 24-hour video surveillance. Outdoor RV storage prices start at $30. B&C Storage offers both indoor and outdoor RV storage options. Prices start as low as $53. McAlpin Self Storage provides indoor and outdoor units with around-the-clock access. The facility is well-lit and features security cameras.
The Finger Lakes region has many small communities, each with its own unique flair. The area also includes larger communities, like Syracuse and Rochester, NY. The region is home to over 400 wineries, with many passed down through generations. You'll also want to tour the Corning Museum of Glass, Rockwell Museum, Harriet Tubman Home, Women's Rights National Historic Park, and the Women's Rights Hall of Fame.
If you're not sure where to start, Eldridge Park in Elmira, NY, is a fun place to explore. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, catch a ride on the carousel. It is one of the few remaining carousels in the United States with a brass ring feeder. This family-friendly park also has paddleboats, a miniature golf course, and numerous children's amusement rides. Guests will find several baseball fields, soccer fields, a skating park, and a 9-hole disc golf course outside the amusement park. An 8.5-mile-long paved hiking trail begins at the park and runs to Ashland. Older and more adventurous kids might also enjoy trying out the aerial adventure course and the ziplines at Bristol Mountains Aerial Adventures, near Canandaigua, NY.
Visitors can learn the history of peppermint by visiting the Peppermint Museum in Lyons, NY, which is open seasonally. See the tools and learn about the process of making peppermint essential oil. They have 10 rooms filled with artifacts about the H. G. Hotchkiss family, who patented the process and supported many area farmers who grew peppermint.
The area around Naples, NY, has many fabulous hiking destinations visitors will want to explore. The pedestrian bridge in Grimes Glen is a beautiful spot for family portraits. Hikers can see two waterfalls in this park. Another terrific option is the Cumming Nature Center. It has 15 miles of hiking trails, including one dotted with gnomes. The steep, wooded terrain at High Tor Wildlife Management Area is a favorite with many hikers. Visitors can also go fishing, hunting, and trapping at this preserve. Another excellent hiking option is the mile-long Owego Riverwalk along the Susquehanna River, which is a favorite with many Finger Lakes visitors. The path has swinging chairs where visitors can sit and watch the river. Indian Fort Nature Preserve near Geneseo, NY, has over 7.5 miles of hiking trails. There are two waterfalls in this preserve. Two tributaries of the Genesee River run through this preserve, and they have a launch for canoes and kayaks.
Ithaca, NY, is another fun city for visitors to explore. Go for a stroll at the Cornell Botanic Gardens, which contains 25 acres of botanical gardens and 150 acres at the F.R. Newman Arboretum. Go on a tour through the earth's history at the 8,000-square-foot Museum of the Earth. Learn about the region's history at the History Center in Tompkins County. The Corning Museum of Glass contains the world's largest area dedicated to the display of contemporary glass art. Visitors can learn about glass's 3,500-year history. They can also watch glassblowers create new pieces or make glass art. Nearby, the Norman Rockwell Museum is also worth a visit.
Throughout the Finger Lakes region, visitors can find many delicious restaurants. The Waterfront Restaurant has a patio overlooking Keuka Lake, where bands often perform on the weekends. This is an ideal spot to try wines from the Finger Lakes region, though they are only open during warmer weather. Another terrific option is Seneca Harbor Station in Watkins Glen, NY. This restaurant has a waterfront location overlooking Seneca Lake and also offers scenic dining cruises. Finally, be sure you try some of the famous Finger Lakes grape pie at Monica's Pies in Naples, NY.
If you love beautiful scenery and wine, renting an RV to explore the Finger Lakes, NY, area is perfect. Many RV styles are available to rent, from large Class A motorhomes loaded with amenities to small Class B campervans. RVshare also offers a variety of travel trailers to rent. The Finger Lakes region has many terrific campgrounds where you can stay in your RV, such as Sned-Acres Family Campground, Hickory Hill Family Camping Resort, and Spruce Row Campground.
If you have a large family or are traveling with a group of friends, then a large Class A motorhome is an ideal choice because you will have room to spread out. On the other hand, if you are going alone or with another person, then a Class B campervan may be an ideal choice.
The most popular choice in the Finger Lakes region is travel trailers. Depending on size and configuration, these trailers often sleep four to 10 individuals. Travel trailers come in many designs. If you have a small family, you may want to go vintage with a classic travel trailer. Toy haulers let you bring your ATVs and other toys along. Teardrop trailers are small, making them an excellent choice for couples and single individuals. Fifth-wheel trailers are often the largest and require a special hitch.
Whichever model you choose, you'll find many things to do in the Finger Lakes area while exploring in your RV. The five lakes in the Finger Lakes region are great places to play on the water. It is also an ideal spot to start a road trip in a comfortable RV.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Finger Lakes, NY, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Finger Lakes?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Finger Lakes from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Finger Lakes?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.