30-05-2025
Explore 5 lesser-known spring destinations in the Finger Lakes. See the list
The Finger Lakes is home to many lakeside towns and wineries that draw in visitors yearly. Spring is known to be one of the best times to visit the region, but it can also sometimes get flooded with visitors looking for a spring getaway.
Here are five lesser-known spring getaway spots in the Finger Lakes to enjoy a peaceful and relaxing trip:
The small village of Aurora, which is home to under 1,000 residents, is located on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake in Cayuga County. Aurora is full of historic charm with its notable shops and attractions like the Village Market, Morgan Opera House and Wells College, which for years was a women-only liberal arts college and closed in 2024. The lakeside village offers plenty of inns and estates to stay in including the historic Aurora Inns. There are also many lakeside activities visitors can enjoy on Cayuga Lake.
Located at the northern tip of Seneca Lake, the City of Geneva sits on the ancestral lands of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Geneva's downtown area offers plenty of antique and gift shops, and Linden Street is full of cocktail bars and restaurants. The city is also home to many historic landmarks including Belhurst Castle, Geneva On The Lake and the Smith Opera House. Visitors can enjoy Gevena's lake life at the Seneca Lake State Park which has a swimming beach, playgrounds, a disc golf course and two marinas.
The Village of Hammondsport is located at the southern end of Keuka Lake in the town of Urbana, Steuben County. It was the birthplace of Glenn H. Curtiss, a pioneer in aviation, and a museum in his name within the village contains a collection of artifacts relating to the history of early aviation. The village's main street offers art galleries, cafes and boutiques. Being that it is located in the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country, Hammondsport is home to many beloved wineries and breweries, including Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, which is one of the first vineyards to introduce Rieslings into the region.
More: World Atlas names 7 of New York's 'little-known' towns in the Finger Lakes. See the list
Home to the beloved Naples Grape Festival, Naples is located in the southwestern corner of Ontario County, around 45 minutes south of Rochester. Naples offers beautiful sites during all four seasons with its stunning vineyards, waterfalls, forests and streams. Grimes Glen Park is located in the heart of the Village of Naples and is known for its waterfalls and the oldest fossilized tree in New York. The village also has plenty of wineries, local cuisines and of course, its famous grape pie.
The Village of Montour Falls is located south of Seneca Lake in Schuyler County. Known for its natural beauty and rich history, the village is surrounded by hills that rise to 1,000 feet, seven natural glens and stunning waterfalls. Montour Falls was once the site of the Seneca Tribe which was home to the Iroquois Long House, the Council Chambers and Queen Catharine Montour, the village named after. Her burial spot is located on the mound sacred to the Seneca Nation in Cook's Cemetery, just south of the village. Visitors can enjoy the many parks, a marina, a business district and the Greek Revival Civic Buildings.
— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who edited our Weld Street Project and also did reporting for it. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Explore 5 lesser-known spring destinations in the Finger Lakes
