The EASIEST Way To Explore New York's Finger Lakes
Finger Lakes
FAMILY ADVENTURES
There are unique adventures and experiences for all ages throughout the Finger Lakes region. Below we have listed a few suggestions of things to do for different age groups and families.
Click on the links to visit the web sites for complete details.
For the "Little Ones"
SPRAYGROUND Seneca Lake State Park is tops on parents' list for summer water fun in the Finger Lakes! The Sprayground features more than 100 water jets that spray water simultaneously. Adjacent to the Sprayground is a playground area with equipment for children ages 4-12.
FLX-MADE ICE CREAM Okay, so we all know that ice cream is a basic necessity of life, and kids need it to survive. Check out the amazing homemade ice cream facilities that are around the Finger Lakes. Made from fresh milk from the local dairies these facilities make some of the best ice cream and gelato you will ever eat.
FLX PLAYGROUNDS Time to let the kids blow off a little steam? Click on the link to find the nearest playground near you.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF PLAY While not directly in the Finger Lakes Rochester's National Museum of Play is a must visit if you have young children. It's only a 45 minute ride and it's the perfect thing to do with kids on a rainy day.
BIKING THE FLX Have a leisurely family afternoon by renting bicycles and ride along some of the Finger Lakes beautiful lakeside paths. Check with the local bike shops for rentals and riding suggestions.
FINGER LAKES LIVE STEAMERS The Finger Lakes Live Steamers is an educational non-profit organization of people interested in building and operating large scale model railroad equipment. Members often work on projects at the club on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Members regularly run trains on Saturday afternoons from the middle of May through the middle of October. See the Schedule of Events for more information.
PICK YOUR OWN Depending upon the time of year, the FInger Lakes has lots of farms where you can pick your own apples, cherries, strawberries and other vegetables. Pumpkin patches and hay mazes abound in the fall.
Teen Fun
LEARN TO SAIL Learn how to harness the power of the wind by learning to sail a boat or or sailboard. The links below will guide you to the people you can help you learn how.
KAYAKING There is nothing more relaxing then paddling a kayak or canoe along the canal or one of our gorgeous lakes. Gliding so quietly that wildlife doesn't hear you coming, or care if you do. If you're new to the sport the rental places can give you a quick lesson.
ROSELAND WAKEPARK Roseland Wake Park is the only full-sized cable wakeboarding park in the Northeast. Our full-size cable wakeboarding system pulls up to nine riders in a continuous loop that stretches over 2,100 feet long.
AMUSEMENT PARKS Need a break from the lakes? Try one of these great amusement parks just a short drive away. Seabreeze is about an hour away in Rochester and Darien Lake is about 1.5 hours away.
-Click on park logos to go to their web site-
ROSELAND WATERPARK Roseland Waterpark is the largest waterpark in the Finger Lakes Region with 56 acres of aquatic adventure and 9 unique attractions for the entire family. Sparkling heated water, certified lifeguards, free parking, rental lockers, concessions, and plenty of deck space for relaxing make this the hottest spot to get cool on Canandaigua Lake.
Family Adventures
HORSEBACK RIDING Give your teens thumbs a rest and get them away from their video games by making them go "old school". These stables can work with anyone from beginners to old cowhands for an experience they will always remember.
HOT AIR BALLOONING Take a hot air balloon ride and view the Finger Lakes like you have never seen them. Try soaring over Letchworth State park or Ithaca's gorges. Keep a close eye out because wildlife doesn't know your there and you can get a great view of them. Not a fan of heights...go to one of the local Hot Air Balloon Festivals and watch a Twilight Glow show.
ADVENTURE COURSE Take the challenge and try your legs out on an adventure course. Everything from climbing, repealing to zip lining and bobsled rides. In the fall enjoy a chair lift ride to the top of the mountain and get an amazing view of the fall foliage.
LEARN TO SKI Learn to water or snow ski depending upon when you're in town. There are 5 ski resorts within an hour of the Finger Lakes with instructors to get you started on a great hobby. Check at local marinas for water skiing and wake boarding instructors.
FINGER LAKES RAIL RIDERS Bring your family and friends to a relaxing, breezy ride along the tracks of Yates County! Enjoy the experience of rail biking at any age and with any ability! You don’t have to be an athlete to ride a rail bike. If you need a break from pedaling, everyone has a freewheel and can coast.
GANONDAGON Ganondagan’s full-size, Seneca Bark Longhouse is fully furnished to reflect a typical Seneca family from the late 1600’s, complete with reproductions of 17th century Seneca objects and colonial-era trade goods.
WIZARD OF CLAY Our magic begins in the workshop, where the Wizards use more than 100,000 pounds of clay a year to carefully craft wares in the ancient pottery tradition. Our workshop is open to the public and welcomes guests from around the world.
BOAT RENTALS Our local marinas get set you up with everything you will need for a safe and enjoyable day on the lake. Try one of our suggested boating ideas by clicking on the link below.
FISH HATCHERY Learn how professionals help support our lakes fish populations. Carpenter's Brook Hatchery has been in continuous operation since its inception in 1938 and produces 70,000 Brook, Brown and Rainbow annually.
HIKING The Finger Lakes is a hikers heaven. We have everything from wild trails and National Forests to paved trails along our many gorges.
DISC GOLF Disc golf is played much like traditional golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, however, players use a flying disc or Frisbee®. At each hole, players take turns throwing their disc through a variety of obstacles toward a chained basket.
MONTEZUMA AUDUBON CENTER is located in the Northern Montezuma State Wildlife Management Area in Savannah and provides a gateway to the Montezuma Wetlands Complex and National Wildlife Refuge. Montezuma provides resting, feeding, and nesting habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds. Montezuma is situated in the middle of one of the most active flight lanes in the Atlantic Flyway.
GOURMET COOKING CLASS A great one for the mom or dad that just needs a few hours away from their families for themselves. Learn a few new cooking skills, a new gourmet dish for the family or how to pair wines. Kids classes are also taught . Taught in the school kitchens of NY Kitchen in Canandaigua.
GLIDER RIDES Visit the soaring capital of the world Harris Hill just short ride from the Finger Lakes. Take a ride in a real glider with an experienced pilot at the wheel. This is truly a memory that will last forever.
SHORTSVILLE REINDEER FARM We are a tiny little farm in a tiny little town in Western New York. We started a small a herd of reindeer in 2017. Why reindeer? Well... who wouldn't want a pet reindeer? These gentle, social animals enjoy following us around as we work in the pasture and add a sense of wonder to our days. Today we share the joy by bringing our pets out to community events and hosting events on the farm. Visits are by appointment only.
Rainy Day Ideas
MUSEUMS These are a little different then your usual art museums. There is everything from antique boats, aircraft and glass blowing to science museums that will keep even the most finicky of children busy for hours.
CASINO Stop by Del Lago Casino just off NYS Thruway Exit 41 and see how your luck goes. Just 15 minutes from the Finger Lakes region Del Lago offers a hotel, casino and National acts in their auditorium. Check out the current schedule here.
WIZARD OF CLAY Our magic begins in the workshop, where the Wizards use more than 100,000 pounds of clay a year to carefully craft wares in the ancient pottery tradition. Our workshop is open to the public and welcomes guests from around the world.
BASS PRO SHOP This is a great one for the hunting and fishing families. Stop by and see this amazing hunting, camping,boating and everything else store. The kids will love the huge 22,000 gallon fish tank filled with species of fish from the Finger Lakes. Free tours are available.
MACKENZIE-CHILDS Since 1983, our talented designers and artisans have created beautiful, original tableware, furniture, home and garden accessories and more, that add joy and grace to homes great and small throughout the world.
DRIVE-IN THEATER Yes, there still are a few around and one of them is right here in the Finger Lakes. Load up the car and take the family out for an "old school" adventure and enjoy a movie under the stars.
Seasonal Adventures
-FLX FALL ACTIVITES-
CORN MAZES Take an afternoon and try your navigation skills as to try to find your way through the maze. There are many different mazes throughout the region.
PICK YOUR OWN Fall brings on the apple harvest and it's time to get out there and pick your own. Kids love it and it's a great way to get them out into the fresh fall air.
PUMPKIN PATCHES Trying to find the perfect pumpkin sounds easy until you are face with hundreds of them. Do the smart thing and let the kids decide.
FALL FOLIAGE CHAIR LIFT RIDES Take a relaxing ride up one of the areas mountains and take in the fall foliage like you never have before. Slow moving chairs will let you sit back and relax.
NAPLES GRAPE FESTIVAL Since 1961, the grape festival is held every September in our valley to celebrate the areas grape harvest, talented artisans, wine makers, local and regional music and cuisine.
-FLX WINTER ACTIVITES-
SKIING & SNOWBOARDING Blessed with over 6 ski resorts within an hour, the Finger Lakes has everything you will need from rentals, lessons and nearby lodging.
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING With dozens of trails throughout the FInger Lakes, fans of nordic skiing can find just what they are looking for. No matter if you are looking for long wooded trails or a wide open glide under starry skies, the FLX has it.
SNOW MOBILING Fire up the sleds and hit the hundreds of miles of trails throughout the Finger Lakes. Stop at one of the many local food establishments along the way.
ICE BOATING Several of the smaller and shallower lakes freeze over each winter. This allows for the unique sports of ice sailing and ice kiting. At the present time we are researching local sources for these sports. We will get you information as soon as we can.
ICE SKATING Strap on the skates for indoor skating, or even outdoor skating on the smaller lakes and ponds. Many locations also provide lessons.
SNOW TUBING @ GREYSTONE We’re taking winter fun to a whole new level. This winter when the snow flies, the place to be is on the snow tubing hill at Greystone…a state-of-the-art 10-lane, 1,000 foot snow-tubing run!
ICE FISHING While the larger lakes like Seneca and Cayuga never freeze over, many of the smaller lakes do completely. This allows for ice fishing. Check out the link below for recommended fishing spots and equipment.
SHORTSVILLE REINDEER FARM We are a tiny little farm in a tiny little town in Western New York. We started a small a herd of reindeer in 2017. Why reindeer? Well... who wouldn't want a pet reindeer? These gentle, social animals enjoy following us around as we work in the pasture and add a sense of wonder to our days. Today we share the joy by bringing our pets out to community events and hosting events on the farm. Visits are by appointment only.