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Finger Lakes Region, New York

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Finger Lakes Region, New York


The Finger Lakes Region in located in north-central New York gets its name from the long and slender lakes that run from north to south. These lakes -- Canandaigua, Cayuga, Keuka, Ontario, Seneca, Consensus and Hemlock -- resemble the fingers on a hand, thus they're called the "finger lakes." Although they aren't very wide, they are extremely deep.  Seneca and Cayuga are the two largest of the finger lakes.

Beyond being known for its lakes, the region is also famous as wine country. Geographically, the lakes (and Great Lake Lake Ontario) protect the area from some of the harsher weather, making ideal growing conditions for vineyards. This makes the Finger Lakes the east coast's very own Napa Valley. In fact, the area has over 100 vineyards and wineries. Many of these wineries are open to visitors, so you can sample all the best wines in the region.

Cities and Towns

Visitors to the region will also find plenty of entertainment in the cities and towns in the area. Rochester, New York is located on the western side of the region along the coast of Lake Ontario. Geneva is located on the northern tip of Seneca Lake. Ithaca is along the southern tip of Cayuga Lake. Aside from Rochester, Syracuse is one of the larger cities in the region. There are many more cities and towns with unique entertainment to offer visitors, but these four are some of the largest and most prominent.

Rochester has a great deal of arts and entertainment options. For visitors looking for incredible music, the Rochester Philharmonic is a great entertainment option. Visitors may also wish to attend the Rochester International Jazz Festival. The George Eastman House of Photography and Film in Rochester is also a fascinating stop. All of the cities and towns in the region have local art galleries featuring local artists and performing artists.  Art lovers can stop at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, or perhaps the Rockwell Museum of Western Art in Corning. Corning is also home to the world-famous Corning Museum of Glass.

Fresh Fruit and Berries
The Finger Lakes region of New York has a thriving agriculture sector on top of the wine industry. In the spring, maple syrup is harvested from the trees. Visitors in the summer will be in time for the flavorful berry season. The region also has many apple, peach, apricot and cherry orchards. For visitors, the best part of the agricultural sector is the ready availability of u-pick farms and Farmers Markets.

Waterfalls, Parks, and Vistas

Another feature of the region is its beautiful waterfalls and parks. Some of the vistas in the region are among the most stunning in the United States. Watkins Glen State Park near Seneca Lake is one of the most spectacular parks in the region, and of course is also one of the most popular. Watkins Glen is filled with stunning waterfalls pouring into beautiful gorges and is a must-see stop for any visitors. Also on the list of must-see places in the Finger Lakes region is Letchworth State Park, known as the "grand canyon of the east" for its amazing chasms and waterfalls. The 215 foot waterfall at Taughannock Falls State Park is also an amazing stop in the region. For hiking and biking, there is also a network of 552 miles of trails throughout the region.

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