Destination 01
Ithaca
Taughannock Falls
A dramatic gorge walk between tasting days
nature
Ithaca Commons
Local restaurants and an easy evening stroll
food
Cornell Botanic Gardens
Gardens and gorge paths above Cayuga Lake
nature
Finger Lakes Wine Trail
Cool-climate pours, waterfalls & lake towns
Route preview
4 days through Ithaca, Seneca Lake, Keuka Lake.
Finger Lakes Wine Trail is a 4-day curated route with 3 destinations and 8 suggested stops. Preview stops and timing, then find it in TripsCircle Explore.
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13 stops
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22 stops
Destination 02
Seneca Lake
Seneca Lake Wine Trail
Riesling and cabernet franc with long water views
wine
Watkins Glen State Park
Stone bridges and waterfalls right in town
nature
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33 stops
Destination 03
Keuka Lake
Keuka Lake Wine Trail
Small producers around the Y-shaped lake
wine
Hammondsport
A compact village for lunch between tastings
food
Keuka Lake State Park
Lakeside picnic areas, swimming, and an easy shoreline break
nature
Route highlights
The moments that shape this trip.
- 01Seneca Lake
- 02Watkins Glen
- 03Riesling
- 04Taughannock Falls
Trip guide
Planning Finger Lakes Wine Trail.
Four days of long lake views and short drives between tastings. Ithaca is the start, with a gorge walk at Taughannock Falls and an easy evening around Ithaca Commons. Seneca Lake brings the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, known for Riesling and cabernet franc, and the waterfalls inside Watkins Glen State Park. Keuka Lake finishes the trip with small producers around the Y-shaped lake and a lunch break in the compact village of Hammondsport.
Good for Wine-loving friends who want slow, scenic days
When to go
May through October covers the main wine season, from green spring vineyards to fall harvest color. Tasting rooms and state parks are fully open, and falls tend to run best after spring rain. Winter is quiet, with some wineries on reduced schedules.
Getting around
A car is the usual choice, because the wineries sit along roads that wrap around each lake. Many groups hire a driver or tour for tasting days. Ithaca, Watkins Glen and Hammondsport are easy to walk once you park.
Tips for your crew
- Arrange a designated driver or hired driver for tasting days. Lakeside roads are winding, and everyone gets to enjoy the wine.
- Pick three or four wineries per day, not more. A relaxed lunch between stops keeps the group fresh and the afternoons fun.
- Check gorge trail conditions before heading to Taughannock and Watkins Glen. Paths can be wet or closed in places, and good shoes help.
