Enjoying The Finger Lakes Of New York

By Elba Fenwick


While people often think about New York City when they think about visiting the Empire State, this state actually has much more to offer its visitors than just the sights and sounds of Manhattan. The Finger Lakes region, for instance, is a great place to visit, offering a little something for everyone.

The Finger Lakes are thus called due to the long, skinny shape of each of these lakes and there are 11 in all, although there are a few other popular lakes in the region as well as the Erie Canal. Seneca and Cayuga are the largest Finger Lakes, although Canandaigua Lake and Keuka Lake also are quite popular. Most of the lakes are surrounded by parks which offer swimming beaches and boat launches. Boating, canoeing and kayaking all are quite popular activities. A few smaller lakes don't have proper swimming areas with lifeguards, so be sure to check online prior to your visit to the area.

In addition to all the water-related fun, this region is well known for its fine wines. There are about 100 vineyards in the Finger Lakes Region, and many wineries are open for public tours and tastings. Tour companies can take you to several wineries or you can tour on your own along the Keuka Lake Wine Trail, the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail or perhaps the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. Fine craft beers also are produced at about one dozen different breweries in the area, and there are even distilleries producing everything from brandy to vodka to gin.

There are any number of quaint small towns in the region, offering antique shops, art galleries, cafes and other fun reasons to stop and visit. In Marcellus, all guests must stop and partake of the gourmet chocolates at the Chocolate Pizza Company. This popular confection shop sells many tons of chocolate treats including many varieties of their fanciful chocolate pizzas, each of which is handmade and packaged up in real pizza boxes.

It all begins with melted dark or milk chocolate which is then blended with handmade toffee to form a crust. The candy makers then top the pizzas with everything from M&Ms to marshmallows and chunks or graham crackers or perhaps just a swirl of white chocolate. You also can buy Peanut Butter Wings, which are another unique invention created at this well-known shop, as well as truffles, chocolate dipped potato chips, almond clusters and much, much more. If you can't make it to Marcellus, there is another Chocolate Pizza Company store near Syracuse in the city of Manlius.

The Finger Lakes Region offers plenty of other interesting attractions, including a variety of historic sites and museums, such as the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning and the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn. For family fun, consider a day at Roseland Waterpark in Canandaigua or perhaps a visit to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse. If you love roller coasters and thrill rides, the Seabreeze Amusement Park in Rochester is open during the summer months, as well as a few weekends in May.




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