Nestled in the heart of New York's Finger Lakes region, the Seneca Lake Wine Trail is home to some of the most spectacular wineries and breathtaking lake views in the Northeast.
This is the best way to sample 5 of the BEST wineries around Seneca Lake if you only have 3 days
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Nearest airport: Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ITH) in Ithaca.
The closest major hubs are Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) in Rochester, or Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR), which is about 60 miles away.
Best time to go: This itinerary is best completed Thursday - Sunday in May through October. This is when you get the best weather and full operations at the wineries. Go in early May to catch the wisteria in full bloom!
The best time to visit the Seneca Lake Wine Trail is May through October when you'll find the best weather and full operations at all locations.
Reservations: All of the wineries on this list accept walk-ins, unless you have a big group. You'll need to call ahead if you have a group of 6 or more.
Book the Falling Waters Boat Tour at least 2-3 weeks in advance because it does sell out.
HOW TO GET AROUND
By car: A car is essential for exploring the Seneca Lake Wine Trail since wineries are spread along the lakeshore. Make sure to plan for a designated driver or arrange transportation between tastings for safety.
The good news is that most wineries are only 5-10 minutes apart by car, which makes it easy to visit multiple locations in the same day.By Trolley: Alternatively, you can use the Lakeside Trolley. It's a hop-on-hop-off wine shuttle that runs around Seneca Lake. It's a convenient way to visit the wineries without having to worry about having a designated driver.
Just check in at Seneca Harbor Park in Watkins Glen and ride all day.
