Penn Yan, NY, Geneva, NY, Naples, NY, Aurora, NY, Ithaca, NY

The Finger Lakes region is a premier destination spot for all four seasons, but becomes a peak getaway spot in the summertime. Whether you are looking for a quick romantic vacation or a trip the whole family can enjoy, the Finger Lakes has plenty to do and see during the summer season.

Different getaway destinations in the Finger Lakes offer opportunities for hiking through beautiful nature spots, lake activities, wineries, vibrant downtowns and fun summer festivals.

If you are looking to plan a summer vacation in the Finger Lakes, check out these five popular summer destination spots:

Penn Yan, NY

The Windmill Farm & Craft Market in Penn Yan offers visitors a variety of locally grown and handcrafted goods throughout the summer season

The Village of Penn Yan is a small yet vibrant area situated at the northern tip of the East Branch of Keuka Lake. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the village's population to be 5,024 people as of July 2024. Penn Yan was awarded a $10 million grant through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) to support the development of the village's downtown.

Downtown Penn Yan includes tree-lined streets with many shops, vendors, and restaurants. Penn Yan is also home to the Keuka Lake Wine Trail, which is known for highlighting its six family-owned and operated wineries and its fruit-flavored wines. If you are looking to spend some time in nature or the water, Keuka Lake State Park is located roughly six miles west of Penn Yan and includes swimming areas, boating, fishing, hiking, camping sites and more.

A popular and beloved summer activity in Penn Yan is visiting the Windmill Farm & Craft Market, located on 44 acres of tree-lined land on State Route 14A. The market contains 175 indoor and outdoor shops full of produce and hand-crafted items and is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every Saturday from April to November.

Geneva, NY

Located at the northern tip of Seneca Lake, the City of Geneva sits on the ancestral lands of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Geneva's downtown area offers plenty of antique and gift shops, and Linden Street is full of cocktail bars and restaurants.

The city is also home to many historic landmarks, including Belhurst Castle and the Smith Opera House. Visitors can enjoy Geneva's lake life at the Seneca Lake State Park, which has a swimming beach, playgrounds, a disc golf course and two marinas. The Seneca Lake Wine Trail runs through the City of Geneva, offering seven wineries only minutes away from Downtown Geneva.

Geneva On The Lake, a popular lodging destination in Geneva, is a romantic hotel along the shores of Seneca Lake. It was built in 1914 as a private home inspired by the Villa Lancellotti in Frascati, Italy and has become a beloved wedding destination. The 10-acre resort offers a plethora of suites, studios and townhomes for lodging.

Naples, NY

Part of the orange trail runs along a ridge line at Ontario County Park in Naples on March 19, 2025.

Home to the beloved Naples Grape Festival, Naples is located in the southwestern corner of Ontario County, around 45 minutes south of Rochester. Naples offers beautiful sites during all four seasons with its stunning vineyards, waterfalls, forests and streams.

Grimes Glen Park is located in the heart of the Village of Naples and is known for its waterfalls and the oldest fossilized tree in New York. The Naples Community Park includes over 88 acres of land with hiking trails, a full disc golf course, running tracks, pavilions, and more. The RMSC Cumming Nature Center is also located in Naples and offers trails and historical exhibits that the whole family can enjoy.

The village is known for its wineries, including the Inspire Moore Winery and Hazlitt Red Cat Cellars. Naples is located south of Canandaigua Lake and can be as quick as a 20-minute drive to the lake, depending on which point of Canandaigua Lake you want to see.

Aurora, NY

Aerial photo of the fall foliage surrounding the Village of Aurora, Cayuga County, New York State, October 2024.

The small village of Aurora, which is home to under 1,000 residents, is located on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake in Cayuga County. Aurora is full of historic charm with its notable shops and attractions like the Village Market, Morgan Opera House and Wells College, which for years was a women-only liberal arts college and closed in 2024.

The lakeside village offers plenty of inns and estates to stay in, including the historic Aurora Inns, a collection of historic homes on 350 acres of land that was built between 1833 and 1909, then restored between 2003 and 2019. The inns — Aurora Inn, E.B. Morgan House, Rowland House, Zabriskie House and Wallcourt Hall — each have their own unique histories and styles, making it the perfect destination for a romantic getaway or a family-fun vacation.

There are also many lakeside activities visitors can enjoy on Cayuga Lake.

Ithaca, NY

Aerial image of the area surrounding Ithaca, NY.

Ithaca, a smaller city located at the southern end of Cayuga Lake, is home to two top-level colleges - Cornell University and Ithaca College. Ithaca Commons, a pedestrian mall within the city, features many shops and eateries and is also a gathering spot for many college students, visitors and locals alike.

Ithaca is known for its natural beauty with several spectacular state parks nearby, like Buttermilk Falls, Robert H. Treman and Taughannock Falls, which is home to the is the tallest free-falling waterfall east of the Mississippi, according to the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Many surrounding gorges and waterfalls cut through parts of the city, inspiring the tagline “Ithaca is gorges.” Some include the famed Ithaca Falls and the multiple cascades known as Cascadilla Falls along the Cascadilla Gorge Trail. Nearby are many wineries in New York's Finger Lakes.

— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who covers breaking and trending news for the Finger Lakes Region. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at [email protected].