OT: Finger Lakes Recommendations

[SwampD]

Yesterday, my wife and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. We were going to go on a big trip to maybe Europe or somewhere else, but decided to not spend so much money. We really want to pay off our mortgage.

So we rented one of the glamping cabins in Sampson State park for a week. My wife doesn’t drink, but I want to hit up some breweries and wineries for dinner, lunch, whatever, and wondered if anyone was familiar with that area and knew some good places. Would love some nice views while we ate.

I’d love some advice on some cool stuff to do, as well. I’d be happy with my kayak all day fishing, but for some reason I think that might not go over too well with everyone on this trip.

Thanks in advance.

[Big Guava]

What part of the Fingers Lakes are you going to?

[SwampD]

Sampson state park, between Cayuga and Seneca.

[Weave]

If you get over to the other side of Seneca, there is an awesome brewery that specializes in Belgian style beers just south of Geneva called Brewery Ardenne.  Truly outstanding beers, and good food too.  And the grounds are gorgeous.

An afternoon on West Market St in Corning would be a nice diversion.  Lots of small shops and cool places to eat.  Maybe pair it with a tour of the Corning Glass Museum.

Ithaca on the south end of Cayuga is a cool town with a neat shopping district and good food.

And look up all of the waterfalls and gorges in the area.  There are enough to take up a good chunk of your trip.

[transient]

3 hours ago, Weave said:

If you get over to the other side of Seneca, there is an awesome brewery that specializes in Belgian style beers just south of Geneva called Brewery Ardenne.  Truly outstanding beers, and good food too.  And the grounds are gorgeous.

An afternoon on West Market St in Corning would be a nice diversion.  Lots of small shops and cool places to eat.  Maybe pair it with a tour of the Corning Glass Museum.

Ithaca on the south end of Cayuga is a cool town with a neat shopping district and good food.

And look up all of the waterfalls and gorges in the area.  There are enough to take up a good chunk of your trip.

After all, "Ithaca is gorges".

[LGR4GM]

14 hours ago, SwampD said:

Yesterday, my wife and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. We were going to go on a big trip to maybe Europe or somewhere else, but decided to not spend so much money. We really want to pay off our mortgage.

So we rented one of the glamping cabins in Sampson State park for a week. My wife doesn’t drink, but I want to hit up some breweries and wineries for dinner, lunch, whatever, and wondered if anyone was familiar with that area and knew some good places. Would love some nice views while we ate.

I’d love some advice on some cool stuff to do, as well. I’d be happy with my kayak all day fishing, but for some reason I think that might not go over too well with everyone on this trip.

Thanks in advance.

Go down to Watkins Glenn and do the gorge tour if you're able. I think three brothers is on your side of Seneca. If you wanna go on a drive, hop over to Keuka and go to Seneca farms for fried chicken and ice cream and Abandoned brewing for great views and beer. 

[Jorcus]

This is close by. A lot of people like to see the white deer colony. 

https://deerhavenpark.org/

There is a small military museum at the campground. Both my grandfather and father in law had navel training for WW2 at the base where the park is located. 

If your into chicken and rib take out Redmans in Geneva is a place to try. Get it early in the week because there will be leftovers to munch on at the cabin. (Call ahead if you don't want to wait it can take awhile).

I have not been in a long time but the Glenn Curtis museum in Hammondsport. (south end of Keuka) is another thing to do on a bad weather day. 

[Wyldnwoody44]

There's this cool Amish style store called Sauders Store up north between Seneca and cayuga lake, nice drive around there too. Really cool spices and bakery stuff, really large place, it's just a nice little stop in. 

Could also hike to Taughannock Falls State Park, nice little walk along the creek to the falls. Not challenging at all. 

Honesty you can't go wring with many of the wineries on the water, there's a mead place too that specializes in many different honey Meade flavors. Can't recall the name but it was cool.

[Taro T]

Beware that Sauders is closed on Sundays.  (It isn't just Amish style, it's run by Mennonites.)

Will PM you with some thoughts on things to do around Cayuga and Seneca Lakes.

2 questions: When will you be renting the cabin, and will you have access to a boat or just your canoe?

[Derrico]

There's a winery called Lakewood who makes the best Port I've ever had in my life.  It's still my go too and sold at Premiere Outlets but nothing like sipping it straight from the winery itself.

If you're into hiking, the state park there is excellent!  Awesome waterfall on one of the trails. 

[Porous Five Hole]

17 hours ago, SwampD said:

Yesterday, my wife and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. We were going to go on a big trip to maybe Europe or somewhere else, but decided to not spend so much money. We really want to pay off our mortgage.

So we rented one of the glamping cabins in Sampson State park for a week. My wife doesn’t drink, but I want to hit up some breweries and wineries for dinner, lunch, whatever, and wondered if anyone was familiar with that area and knew some good places. Would love some nice views while we ate.

I’d love some advice on some cool stuff to do, as well. I’d be happy with my kayak all day fishing, but for some reason I think that might not go over too well with everyone on this trip.

Thanks in advance.

So first of all, congratulations!

On that side of Seneca, Grist Iron brewery is probably the best “catch all.” Great views of the lake, a large outdoor space, decent food, and they have the order and pick up down to a science. 
 

If you go to Keuka, I strongly recommend Stueben Brewing for quality of beer. But it’s not much to look at or see the lake. Like someone else said, Abandon is also popular and good enough. Pizza is good too.

If you head to Hammondsport to walk the town, make a stop to Birdseye Hollow Distillery on your way. It’s unique and very nice. Also fits in with a glamping vibe.
 

Not sure what you’re fishing for, but Waneta Lake is amazing fishing. It’s between Seneca & Keuka and has an easy kayak/boat launch. It’s the opposite of the finger lakes town experience. Just a small, warm lake with amazing fishing. 
 

For NA activities, you can drive the Watkins Glen NASCAR track in your car. A unique experience. 
 

If you want to bum around a casino for an hour or two, Del Lago is nice property and not too far away.
 

If you have any restaurant Q’s or need someone to break a tie based on quality, DM me. I’ve spent every possible day I can at my cottage (on Waneta) and have been up and down Seneca & Keuka many, many times. Enjoy!

[Pimlach]

Lots of good info in here.   

[SwampD]

This is freakin awesome!! So many good suggestions. I definitely have some homework to do. It’s just such a beautiful area. Plus, I really like beer and am not averse to wine. There is nothing we like doing more than finding a place with a great view and eating.

Can’t wait. Thanks, all.

[Amerks8796]

Two Goats Brewing has a great deck overlooking the lake. 

Make sure you have breakfast or brunch at The Elf in the Oak. Great food and a nice view of the lake. 

[Indabuff]

LGR4GM is right.  Seneca Lake was a blast for my wife and I.  Did the east side day one,  stayed at a B&B, then west side day two.  Keuka right there too.  Watkins Glenn if you have the time.  It was our favorite wine trail trip. 

[LTS]

On 5/19/2026 at 6:40 PM, SwampD said:

Yesterday, my wife and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. We were going to go on a big trip to maybe Europe or somewhere else, but decided to not spend so much money. We really want to pay off our mortgage.

So we rented one of the glamping cabins in Sampson State park for a week. My wife doesn’t drink, but I want to hit up some breweries and wineries for dinner, lunch, whatever, and wondered if anyone was familiar with that area and knew some good places. Would love some nice views while we ate.

I’d love some advice on some cool stuff to do, as well. I’d be happy with my kayak all day fishing, but for some reason I think that might not go over too well with everyone on this trip.

Thanks in advance.

Okay.. so late to the game.. perhaps it helps, perhaps not.

Brewery Ardennes if you like Belgian. It's a great place to hang out, especially if there's good weather and you are on the lawn out front.

Big aLICe as well, small place, great beers.

if Aurora is not too far I would also recommend them. They have a few tasting rooms, one by me in Rochester and their beer is always pretty damn good.

[SwampD]

Anyone have intel on Field and Vine?

[Taro T]

9 minutes ago, SwampD said:

Anyone have intel on Field and Vine?

Haven't been there.  Knapp is usually pretty good, so would expect their restaurant to be good to, but as mentioned, don't have 1st hand knowledge of that one.

And Parker's was the other Pub I was trying to remember that's right near Eddie O's.  (There was one in Seneca Falls too.)

[inkman]

On 5/19/2026 at 6:40 PM, SwampD said:

Yesterday, my wife and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. We were going to go on a big trip to maybe Europe or somewhere else, but decided to not spend so much money. We really want to pay off our mortgage.

So we rented one of the glamping cabins in Sampson State park for a week. My wife doesn’t drink, but I want to hit up some breweries and wineries for dinner, lunch, whatever, and wondered if anyone was familiar with that area and knew some good places. Would love some nice views while we ate.

I’d love some advice on some cool stuff to do, as well. I’d be happy with my kayak all day fishing, but for some reason I think that might not go over too well with everyone on this trip.

Thanks in advance.

I has no idea you were so old 🤣(like me)

[zow2]

I went to college at IC (Ithaca College) but that was a lifetime ago. Most of the joints we hung out at are long gone.  But you should visit Taughannock Falls State Park and wrap that day around checking out the Ithaca Commons and that area. 

Wineries are plentiful and all over Google maps.

[SwampD]

13 hours ago, inkman said:

I has no idea you were so old 🤣(like me)

I type young.

[Captain Caveman]

not fancy, but babes burgers in Hector (I think the Ithaca location is just a food truck) has excellent burgers, fries, and views.  I don't drink either but I think they also have a very nice beer selection.

[Captain Caveman]

Just now, Captain Caveman said:

not fancy, but babes burgers in Hector (I think the Ithaca location is just a food truck) has excellent burgers, fries, and views.  I don't drink either but I think they also have a very nice beer selection.

If you want a fancy dinner in Ithaca - https://www.lecafecentdix.com/ is an excellent French place, no reservations and you may want to get there to wait in line before they open at 5:30 (or wait)

[Taro T]

If you head down to Ithaca, on the way you pass through Trumansberg.  The Rongovian Embassy was always a good dive bar.

[SwampD]

5 hours ago, Taro T said:

If you head down to Ithaca, on the way you pass through Trumansberg.  The Rongovian Embassy was always a good dive bar.

Didn’t look too divey on google maps, but it looks permanently closed. Damn.