3 days ago
6 quirky and scenic roadside attractions in the Finger Lakes: See the list
The Finger Lakes region is notorious for its amazing scenic views, making it the perfect place for a sightseeing-filled road trip. Between beautiful lakes, waterfalls, gorges and even unique sculptures, there are plenty of opportunities for visiting quirky roadside attractions.
Here are some interesting roadside attractions to check out on your next road trip through the Finger Lakes:
Taughannock Falls
Where: Taughannock Falls in Tompkins County is one of the many beautiful stops along the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway. The Byway is an 87-mile-long loop that circles Cayuga Lake and is made up of several two-lane state highways. Taughannock Falls State Park, located at 1740 Taughannock Boulevard in Trumansburg, Tompkins County, is along the south-western side of the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway.
To get to the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway from I-90 New York State Thruway, you can take exit 40: Route 34 South, Route 5 & 20 West, or exit 41: Route 414 South, Route 318 East, Route 5 & 20 East. From I-86, you can take Route 13 North to Ithaca, and from I-81, you can take exit 11, south on Route 13 to Ithaca.
What you'll find: Taughannock Falls State Park is home to the tallest free-falling waterfall east of the Mississippi, according to the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The 750-acre state park offers an array of scenic sites, including the blooming wildflowers along Gorge Trail, and stunning views of Cayuga Lake at the North Point.
'It's A Wonderful Life'-inspired bridge
Where: To get to the iconic Seneca Falls Bridge, you can take Interstate 90 East to exit 41 for Route 414 South. The bridge is approximately 5.5 miles away from the exit.
What you'll see: The beloved bridge has been cited as a possible inspiration for the town of Bedford Falls in the movie "It's A Wonderful Life." Near the bridge, you will find the It's A Wonderful Life museum, located at 76 Fall St. in Seneca Falls, where you can learn more about the town's history and its connection to the movie.
The Ghost of Roseland Park
Where: The Ghost of Roseland Park in Canandaigua is not your typical roadside attraction, as it is on the lake in the city of Canandaigua. The sculpture can be found at 205 Lakeshore Drive in Canandaigua, situated near U.S. Routes 5 & 20.
What you'll see: The statue, sculpted by Benji Carr, pays homage to the late, great Roseland Park, the Lakeshore Drive amusement park that closed in 1985 after operating for 60 years. The statue, positioned in Canandaigua Lake, sits atop a stanchion that served as a base for one of its rides.
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Where: The Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is at 3395 US Route 20 in Seneca Falls, between Cayuga Lake and Lake Ontario. The wetland complex spans 50,000 acres on both sides of the New York State Thruway.
What you'll find: The refuge contains land protected by state, federal and nonprofit interests that sees more than 300 species of birds in the year. At Montezuma, you can take the three-mile Wildlife Drive auto tour route, walk the nature trails and follow the cell phone tour.
Site of the first ice cream sundae
Where: The plaque of the site of the first ever ice cream sundae is located at 216 E. State St. in Ithaca. The site would require a detour from the highway as it is about 25 miles from Interstate 81.
What you'll find: This plaque is within the Ithaca Commons, which was once the Platt & Colt Pharmacy where the first ice cream sundae was created in 1982 as vanilla ice cream topped with cherry syrup and a candied cherry, according to the History Center in Tompkins County.
World's largest pancake griddle
Where: The world's largest pancake griddle is on the outside wall of Birkett Mills, at 1 E, Main St., Penn Yan, Yates County, on the southeast corner of Highway 54 (Main Street) and Seneca Street.
What you'll find: The 28-foot metal pancake griddle hung along the wall of Birkett Mills was built and used to cook the world's largest buckwheat pancake on Sept. 27, 1987.
This story includes reporting from Mike Murphy and Sunshyne Lynch.
— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who covers breaking and trending news for the Finger Lakes Region. 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: 6 quirky and scenic roadside attractions in the Finger Lakes: See the list
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