Finger Lakes East

During this six-day tour, you will travel through some of the most beautiful areas in upstate New York while tasting delicious wines, view stunning landscapes from atop a waterfall, and experience some one-of-a-kind, only-in-New York stops: The Finger Lakes Sweet Treat Trail, It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, Harriet Tubman home, and excellent regional theater.

Finger Lakes East Tour Highlights

Day 1

Fly into Syracuse, NY

The Finger Lakes Sweet Treat Trail is all about local, unique sweets and treats. Today you’ll make several stops along the trail – farmers’ markets, bakeries, farm stands, stores, ice cream stands, u-picks and cafés, all featuring locally grown or produced sweet treats.  Whether it’s honey or jam or homemade cookies, the Finger Lakes Sweet Treat Trail has something to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth!

Hilton Garden Inn Auburn is in the center of History’s Hometown. Auburn sits on Lake Owasco and is your home for the next two nights.

Dinner tonight is on your own in downtown Auburn with plenty of delicious options, and  breweries!

Overnight Hilton Garden Inn Auburn

Day 2

Breakfast included at your hotel. Then meet your local guide for a full day of touring in Auburn, History’s Hometown!

Willard Memorial Chapel –  In Auburn, atop Lake Owasco, sits the only complete Tiffany Chapel in the world!  Come tour the stunning Tiffany glass as well as enjoy a private organ recital.

Harriet Tubman Home – Come tour through Auburn with a highlight on the life of Harriet Tubman.  This amazing heroic woman had a home here (still preserved), ran a nursing home and there are several Underground Railroad stops throughout the area.

Seward House Museum – The historic home of William Henry Seward and his family. Serving as a New York State Senator, Governor of New York, a U.S. Senator, and as Secretary of State in the Lincoln and Johnson administrations, Seward is famously known for America’s purchase of Alaska, at the time called Seward’s Folly.  He was anti-slavery and a friend to Harriet Tubman.

Oak & Vine – This modern gastro-pub is just a stone’s throw away from Owasco Lake and a delightful dinner location.

The Rev Theatre Company – This award-winning regional theater company offers Broadway shows in a converted Merry Go Round building. Enjoy a fantastic show tonight!

(B,D) – Overnight Hilton Garden Inn Auburn

Day 3

Breakfast at your hotel, then checkout. Travel to Seneca Falls, atop Cayuga Lake.

It’s a Wonderful Life Museum – The small village of Seneca Falls was Frank Kapra’s inspiration for Bedford Falls in the movie It’s A Wonderful Life.  A small museum is dedicated to everything about the movie.  And folks alway stop at the It’s a Wonderful Life Bridge for photos.

National Women’s Hall of Fame – The Seneca Falls Convention was the first women’s rights convention in the United States. Held in July 1848 in Seneca Falls, the meeting launched the women’s suffrage movement. It is only fitting that the Women’s Hall of Fame is located here!

Enjoy a picnic lunch along the shores of Cayuga Lake.

Cayuga Lake Wine Trail – Stop at one of the fine wineries along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail for a tasting of fine wines.

Taughannock Falls Overlook – Taughannock Falls plunges 215 feet past rocky cliffs that tower nearly 400 feet above the gorge. Taller than Niagara Falls!!  The Overlook offers wonderful views in a very walkable setting.

Ithaca Commons – From waterfalls to wine and Cornell University, Ithaca is a colorful city with even more colorful residents.  And at the center of this energetic fun town is The Commons, an outdoor pedestrian mall lined with shops and cafes.  Dinner is on your own tonight as you mingle with the locals!

Hilton Garden Inn, Ithaca next to The Commons is your hotel tonight.

(B,L) Overnight Hilton Garden Inn, Ithaca

Day 4

Breakfast at your hotel, then meet your local guide.

Buttermilk Falls and Ithaca Falls – Millions of years ago, as the glaciers receded, they left gorges throughout this area.  Today you will tour around some of the stunning landscape and enjoy two great falls – Buttermilk and Ithaca Falls. And you will come to know why “Ithaca is Gorges”!

Cornell Botanic Gardens – These stunning gardens, arboretum, and natural areas serve as outdoor classrooms for instruction across seven Cornell colleges. A knowledgeable volunteer Garden Guide will provide a personalized, close-up look at the diverse and beautiful plant collections. You can choose a walking tour of the gardens or narrated bus tour of the arboretum.

Wine Tasting Cruise – Spend some time this afternoon casually cruising along Cayuga Lake while enjoying a wine tasting presentation by a local expert and sommelier!

McCormick’s at Moakley House – Dinner along the golf course at Cornell!

(B,D) Hilton Garden Inn, Ithaca

Day 5

After breakfast, meet your guide for another full day of touring!

Corning Museum of Glass – Known as the “Crystal City,” this world-renowned museum hosts the finest collection of ancient, modern, and contemporary glass.  Discover the science and technology of glass in the Innovations Center and see how the invention of Pyrex, Corelle and Optical Fiber changed our world.  Watch breathtaking live, narrated flameworking and glass blowing demonstrations in a state-of-the-art Amphitheater, the world’s largest Hot Shop.  The Studio offers visitors an opportunity to try glassmaking themselves at Make Your Own Glass workshops (included in your touring). From hot glass working to fusing, to sandblasting—you can do just about anything with glass with the help of experienced glassworkers. 

Watkins Glen – This delightful village with a big history is located on the southern shore of Seneca Lake.  Stroll Franklin Street with its many cafes and pubs and enjoy lunch at your leisure. See if you can hear the echoes of the past where “American Road Racing” was born!

(Depending on the group size, you may be able to take a coach ride on the track at The Glen, the international speedway and one of the very best NASCAR tracks in the U.S.! Or come for one of the races! And let your more active guest trek down through the Watkins Glen State Park Gorge to view its 19 waterfalls – spectacular all year around.)

Captain Bill’s Seneca Lake Cruise – Cruise past wineries, pastoral landscapes and quaint lakeside villages on a narrated sightseeing cruise along Seneca Lake.

Glenora Winery – Opening in 1977 as the first winery on Seneca Lake, Glenora Winery has consistently produced award-winning wines. This afternoon you will enjoy a tour and tasting while also enjoy the scenery of the stunning lakeside location.

Veraisons Restaurant – This beautiful restaurant at Glenora Winery is a from-scratch kitchen; one in which the details matter. 

(B,D) Hilton Garden Inn, Ithaca

Day 6

After breakfast at your hotel, checkout.

Depart from Ithaca or Syracuse!

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