From the Finger Lakes to Lake Ontario

Recently, I took another trip upstate New York and camped in the Finger Lakes region. I've done the Watkins Glen hike before. It's about a mile or a little more, uphill & stairs; not bad though. A few people (probably because it's not well known this option is available) park at the top rim, hike down and take the shuttle bus back up. Haven't done it, so basically it takes 2-3 hours to go back and forth from the parking lot at the lower end.

Watkins Glen

I'd recommend this hike as it's easy for anyone with moderate physical ability. Bring some water to drink and, of course, your camera. You'll probably get a little wet because of the proximity of the paths to the waterfalls, but it's not a problem.

Watkins Glen

Watkins Glen, NY

Watkins Glen

Seneca Falls, meeting place for American suffragettes.

Chimney Bluffs state park, NY

On the shores of this great lake, there's a park (free admission!) where there are a few trails that take you either along the shoreline or through the forest to the Chimney Bluffs. There are soft rocks eroded by the weather, standing tall over the lake. Ontario lake is very big, because even on a clear day you can't see Canada on the other side. As a matter of fact, you can see the curvature of the earth between the two countries!

Chimney Bluffs, lake Ontario, NY

Chimney Bluffs, lake Ontario, NY

Taughannock Falls, by Cayuga Lake (near Ithaca, NY)

These falls are part of a state park on Cayuga Lake. There's camping (nice one) and a marina. From this campground, you can explore many other beautiful places nearby--within 1 hour of driving. However, going north to Lake Ontario will take longer, having to drive through many little towns on secondary and tertiary roads... but, that's a good opportunity to see that region up close.

The big highways are very useful in covering long distances, but even a mile of a detour can take you through a very pretty town, like Owego, NY that we discovered by accident. Later I learned that Owego was voted the "coolest town" in 2009! So, there you go!