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.
Estimated cost
$981estimated total
Stays
$526
Fuel
$55
Food
$345
Other
$55
Estimates generated at planning time — your actual costs may vary.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
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
1
Attraction
Letchworth State Park
New York, United States
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
2
Food
Questa Lasagna
Mount Morris, United States
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
3
Attraction
Taughannock Falls State Park
Trumansburg, United States
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
4
Attraction
Downtown Ithaca Alliance Office
Ithaca, United States
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
5
Food
Moosewood
Ithaca, United States
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
6
Overnight
Canopy by Hilton Ithaca Downtown
Ithaca, United States
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
131 km2h 22mDepart 08:41
Depart hotel on foot and walk 950 m in ~12 min along North Meadow Street to breakfast
1 km4m
7
Food
Ithaca Bakery
Ithaca, United States
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
8
Attraction
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Ithaca, United States
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.
9
Attraction
Watkins Glen State Park
Watkins Glen, United States
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.
10
Food
Here.
Hector, United States
14:47–15:471h here$30
11
Attraction
Hector Wine Company
Hector, United States
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
12
Food
Graft Wine + Cider Bar
Watkins Glen, United States
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
273 km3h 14mDepart 09:23
13
Attraction
Corning Museum of Glass
Corning, United States
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
14
Food
The Cellar
Corning, United States
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
15
Attraction
Rock City Park
Olean, United States
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
16
Food
Ellicottville Brewing Company
Ellicottville, United States
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
17
Overnight
The Tamarack
Ellicottville, United States
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
79 km1h 8mDepart 09:39
18
Attraction
Griffis Sculpture Park
East Otto, United States
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.
19
Food
Last Run | Tavern & Grill
Glenwood, United States
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.
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