AI-planned road trip

Round trip from East Aurora

“A 4-day loop through the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier featuring glacial gorges, Seneca Lake wine country, world-class glass art, and rolling hill towns.”

4days

736 kmDistance

20stops

$981Est. cost

Copy to my trips Plan your own

Shared by a traveler · city-level only, no dates, private notes stay private

~10h 10m driving
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1

East Aurora → Ithaca

253 km3h 26mDepart 08:49

Start

East Aurora, NY, USA

Drive 66 km in ~56 min via US-20A E and NY-39 E from Crosby's Wales to Castile entrance 66 km56m

Attraction4.9New York, United States

Letchworth State Park

09:45–11:301h 45m here$10

Dramatic Genesee River gorge waterfall framed by high stone cliffs

Park at the Falls Area lot near the Glen Iris Inn. Walk the paved rim trail to the Middle Falls overlook for the classic vantage of the canyon gorge.

Drive 19 km in ~20 min via NY-36 N from Letchworth to downtown Mount Morris 19 km20m

Food4.7Mount Morris, United States

Questa Lasagna

11:50–12:501h here$22

Cozy Italian trattoria famed for scratch-made pasta and lasagna

Park on Main Street right out front. Order the baked meat lasagna with house marinara or daily ravioli special; grab a cannoli to go if pressed for time.

Drive 151 km in ~1h 45min via NY-408 S and NY-96 S toward Trumansburg 151 km1h 45m

Attraction4.8Trumansburg, United States

Taughannock Falls State Park

14:35–15:501h 15m here

Towering single-drop cataract taller than Niagara Falls

Park in the Falls View lot off Taughannock Park Road. The overlook requires zero hiking and offers an unobstructed look straight down into the amphitheater.

Drive 17 km in ~20 min via NY-89 S along Cayuga Lake into downtown Ithaca 17 km20m

Attraction4.4Ithaca, United States

Downtown Ithaca Alliance Office

16:15–17:151h here

Pedestrian precinct filled with independent shops and regional artisans

Park at the Seneca Street Garage. Stroll the pedestrian mall to browse independent bookstores and regional craft galleries before heading to your dinner spot.

Walk 450 m in ~6 min via North Cayuga Street to DeWitt Mall 200 m2m

Food4.4Ithaca, United States

Moosewood

18:00–19:301h 30m here$34

Historic pioneer of fresh vegetarian and farm-to-table cuisine

Reserve online for an early table in DeWitt Mall. Order seasonal vegetarian entrees like the daily pasta bake or lentil stew from this farm-to-table pioneer.

Walk 350 m in ~5 min via East Seneca Street to the hotel on South Cayuga 800 m3m

Overnight4.3Ithaca, United States

Canopy by Hilton Ithaca Downtown

19:45–08:3011h here$124

Modern downtown hotel within steps of the Commons

Pull into the valet lane on East State Street for luggage drop, then self-park in Green Street Garage. Modern rooms sit steps from Commons dining.

Day 2

Ithaca

131 km2h 22mDepart 08:41

Depart hotel on foot and walk 950 m in ~12 min along North Meadow Street to breakfast 1 km4m

Food4.4Ithaca, United States

Ithaca Bakery

08:45–09:451h here$14

Beloved local bakehouse serving fresh bagels, sandwiches, and coffee

Park in the free on-site lot off Meadow Street. Order the toasted everything bagel with house-cured lox spread alongside a dark roast drip coffee.

Drive 5.4 km in ~12 min via NY-13 S from downtown Ithaca to Buttermilk Falls 5 km12m

Attraction4.7Ithaca, United States

Buttermilk Falls State Park

09:57–11:171h 20m here

Cascading stream tumbling down steep rocky gorge tiers

Park at the lower main entrance lot. Walk the base loop to see the foaming cascades over rock tiers; hiking boots handle wet trail limestone best.

Attraction4.8Watkins Glen, United States

Watkins Glen State Park

12:06–14:212h 15m here$10

Iconic shale canyon featuring nineteen cascading waterfalls

Park at the South Entrance lot and take the park shuttle to the Upper Entrance to hike downhill past nineteen waterfalls along the stone Gorge Trail.

Food4.9Hector, United States

Here.

14:47–15:471h here$30

Attraction4.5Hector, United States

Hector Wine Company

15:47–16:471h here$15

Boutique winery perched on the eastern slopes above Seneca Lake

Park in the gravel lot off Route 414. Sip dry riesling and cabernet franc on the covered patio while taking in views over the eastern ridge of Seneca Lake.

Drive 15 km in ~14 min via NY-414 S returning into Watkins Glen 15 km14m

Food4.7Watkins Glen, United States

Graft Wine + Cider Bar

18:00–19:201h 20m here$38

Intimate dining spot showcasing local farm produce, wine, and cider

Park along Franklin Street. Pair local hard ciders with house-made charcuterie boards and seasonal small plates; counter seating gets faster service.

Canopy by Hilton Ithaca Downtown · Overnight

Day 3

Ithaca → Ellicottville

273 km3h 14mDepart 09:23

Attraction4.8Corning, United States

Corning Museum of Glass

10:15–12:452h 30m here$22

World-renowned museum of glass art and live furnace demonstrations

Park in the large free museum lot off Centerway. Head straight to the Amphitheater Hot Shop for the live glassblowing show before touring the galleries.

Walk 600 m in ~8 min across Centerway Bridge to Market Street 1 km3m

Food4.6Corning, United States

The Cellar

13:00–14:151h 15m here$28

Modern bistro on historic Market Street offering fusion tapas

Park along Market Street. Order the duck tacos or artisanal flatbread with a glass of Finger Lakes dry white; sit at the lounge bar for rapid lunch seating.

Drive 160 km in ~1h 37min via I-86 W and NY-417 W to Rock City Park 160 km1h 37m

Attraction4.8Olean, United States

Rock City Park

15:52–17:071h 15m here$7

Prehistoric quartz conglomerate rock city with dramatic crevice trails

Park in the free visitor center lot. Walk the self-guided trail through giant quartz monoliths and crevices; sturdy shoes are mandatory on uneven mossy rock.

Drive 40 km in ~38 min via US-219 N into Ellicottville 40 km38m

Food4.4Ellicottville, United States

Ellicottville Brewing Company

18:00–19:251h 25m here$30

Sprawling mountain-town brewpub serving craft beers and hearty pub fare

Park on Monroe Street or behind the brewpub. Order the Blueberry Wheat ale with a grilled steak burger; grab an outdoor beer garden table if weather permits.

Drive 3 km in ~5 min via Holiday Valley Road to The Tamarack Club 2 km4m

Overnight4.3Ellicottville, United States

The Tamarack

19:29–08:3010h 50m here$192

Upscale slopeside resort lodge nestled at Holiday Valley

Check in at the main resort desk with free surface parking on site. The mountain-side rooms give direct access to village trails and quiet valley views.

Day 4

Ellicottville → East Aurora

79 km1h 8mDepart 09:39

Attraction4.7East Otto, United States

Griffis Sculpture Park

09:55–11:251h 30m here$5

Vast outdoor sanctuary showcasing over two hundred monumental steel works

Park at the Mill Valley Road lot. Hike the open pasture trails among monumental steel sculptures; wear grass-appropriate trail runners and bring bug spray.

Food4.7Glenwood, United States

Last Run | Tavern & Grill

11:54–12:541h here$30

26 km23m

Finish

East Aurora, NY, USA

Before you go

Local tips

1New York State Park vehicle passes ($10) are reciprocal: your day ticket at Letchworth covers Watkins Glen or Buttermilk Falls on the same calendar day.
2Book the Corning Museum of Glass live Hot Shop demos upon arrival in the visitor lobby to secure optimal viewing bleachers.
3Take the state park shuttle bus from the lower entrance to the upper entrance at Watkins Glen to hike downhill through the gorge rather than climbing 800 stone steps.
4Late September marks the start of harvest season: stop at roadside cider and grape stands along Route 414 between Watkins Glen and Hector.

Good to know

1White-tailed deer are extremely active across I-86, Route 17, and wooded county roads at dusk and dawn; drive with extra vigilance after sunset.
2Cell service is weak or nonexistent at the base of Letchworth State Park gorge and throughout Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area.
3Stone steps along Watkins Glen and Buttermilk Falls trails remain slick from waterfall spray even on completely dry sunny days; stay behind safety parapets at all times.

Plan your own road trip in seconds

Tell the AI where you're headed — get a real day-by-day route with genuine stops, photos, costs and live guidance.

Plan a trip free

Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play

Free · no account needed