We Finally Understand Why Everyone Raves About the Finger Lakes

Upstate New York’s Hidden Gem: Our First Adventure in Wine Country (Part 1)

For years—and I mean years—people kept telling us, “You HAVE to visit the Finger Lakes!”

And honestly? We thought they were exaggerating.

We’d heard the hype. We’d seen the photos. But could it really live up to all that buzz?

Spoiler alert: They weren’t exaggerating. Not even a little bit.

How We Ended Up in the Finger Lakes

When a viewer who lives in the Finger Lakes region reached out and invited us to visit, we knew this was our chance. And we wanted to time it perfectly—right as the fall leaves were starting to change.

There’s something magical about witnessing that transition from summer green to autumn gold and crimson. And the Finger Lakes during early fall? It’s the kind of scenery that makes you pull over every few miles just to take it all in.

What Makes the Finger Lakes So Special?

The Finger Lakes region gets its name from eleven long, narrow lakes carved by ancient glaciers over 10,000 years ago. Those same glaciers created the perfect conditions for growing grapes, which is why today this area is one of the premier wine regions in the United States.

And when we say there are a lot of wineries here, we mean it. You can literally throw a stone from one to the other. For wine lovers like us? This is heaven.

But it’s not just about the wine (though that’s a pretty big perk). The entire region is filled with charming lakeside villages, stunning state parks with dramatic waterfalls and gorges, and that quintessential small-town American charm that makes you want to slow down and stay awhile.

Hammondsport: A Village Straight Out of a Storybook

Our first stop was the quaint village of Hammondsport, sitting at the southern tip of Keuka Lake. This place has been here since the early 1800s, and honestly, it feels like time forgot about it in the best possible way.

Exploring by E-Bike

We decided to explore Hammondsport on our new e-bikes—the Lectric XP Lite models that are so much lighter than our old Rad Power bikes. At around 45 pounds each (compared to our old 70-pounders), these bikes made getting around town a breeze.

We cruised down tree-lined streets where leaves were just starting to fall, creating that picture-perfect autumn scene. The village is walkable, bikeable, and just incredibly peaceful on a Sunday afternoon.

Glenn Curtiss Museum: Aviation History You Can’t Miss

One of the unexpected highlights was the Glenn Curtiss Museum. Our friend who lives in the area said we had to check it out, and we’re so glad we did.

Glenn Curtiss was an aviation pioneer who started with bicycles, moved to motorcycles, had a brief stint with dirigibles (he wisely predicted there wasn’t much future in blimps), and then revolutionized seaplanes and aviation.

The museum is packed with:

• Historic aircraft and seaplanes
• Vintage motorcycles (including some wild early models)
• Classic cars from the era
• Fascinating exhibits about the rapid evolution of flight technology

And here’s a fun piece of trivia: one of the photos in the museum features a young factory worker named Norma Jeane Dougherty. Her commanding officer, Captain Ronald Reagan (yes, that Ronald Reagan), sent a photographer to capture women war workers. The photographer was so impressed with Norma Jeane that he encouraged her to become a model. She went on to become Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe.

The museum is also a Harvest Hosts location, which means if you’re traveling in an RV, you can stay right there for the night! Use code LIKETHERES20 for 20% off any Harvest Hosts membership.

Waterfront Perfection

After exploring the museum, we rode our bikes down to the Hammondsport waterfront. Even though it was late September and many people were putting their boats up for the season, the area was still bustling with anglers and families enjoying the mild weather.

We grabbed coffee at a local café, walked along the boardwalk, and just soaked in that small-town vibe. The water was cold (Barry tested it for us—dedication to content creation right there), but the views were absolutely worth it.

Watkins Glen State Park: One of the Most Beautiful Hikes in America

If there’s one thing you do in the Finger Lakes, it has to be Watkins Glen State Park.

People told us this was one of the most beautiful hikes in the entire eastern United States. And honestly? We weren’t sure what to expect. We’ve hiked a lot of gorgeous trails in our three years of full-time RVing.

But this one? This one is truly special.

The Gorge Trail: 19 Waterfalls and 800 Stone Steps

The main attraction is the Gorge Trail, where Glen Creek has been carving its way through 400-foot cliffs for thousands of years, creating 19 waterfalls along a two-mile stretch.

Over 800 stone steps wind through the gorge, taking you:

• Behind cascading waterfalls
• Through narrow passages carved into the rock
• Over suspension bridges with vertigo-inducing views
• Up close to dramatic rock formations that look almost man-made (but are completely natural)

Our Hiking Experience

We arrived on a foggy morning—so foggy that we were literally driving through clouds. But as we started the hike, the mist gave everything this ethereal, rainforest-like feel that was actually pretty magical.

Pro hiking tips from our experience:

• Wear proper hiking boots. The trail has a lot of rocks and can be slippery near the waterfalls. Tennis shoes won’t cut it here.
• Bring hiking sticks if you’re not steady on your feet. The descents can be challenging, and the sticks really help with balance.
• Arrive early if you want to avoid crowds. By mid-morning, the main gorge area was packed with people.
• Check for construction. When we visited, part of the lower gorge was closed for repairs, but it didn’t significantly impact our experience.
• Consider the shuttle option. There are two entrances to the park. If you don’t want to tackle all those steps going up, there’s apparently a shuttle that takes you to the upper entrance so you can walk down instead.
• Parking is free in the street parking lots outside the main entrance.

The hike took us about 2-3 hours total, including time for photos and just standing in awe at the scenery. We also took the Rim Trail for part of the route, which gave us a different perspective and a bit more of a workout.

Worth Every Step

By the time we finished, we were both in complete agreement: Watkins Glen is a must-do if you’re anywhere within driving distance. The combination of waterfalls, gorges, stone staircases, and lush greenery creates something truly unique.

And that view from Rainbow Falls at the end? Absolutely spectacular.

Wine Country Living

Throughout our time in the Finger Lakes, we were constantly surrounded by vineyards. The Finger Lakes Wine Country is home to over 100 wineries, and they’re not spread out across hundreds of miles—they’re clustered together in a relatively small area.

We finished one of our days at Keuka Lake Vineyards (recommended by our local friend), enjoying a glass of wine with live music and sunset views over the vineyard. After a day of hiking and exploring, it was the perfect way to wind down.

RV Life Stuff: Water Softener Upgrade

In between all the exploring, Barry tackled an RV project—replacing our water softener after he dropped and cracked our old one (oops).

He went with the NP Global water softener this time, which came with a lot of the quick-connect fittings included. After some pipe dope, plumber’s tape, and a bit of troubleshooting, everything was sealed up and working perfectly.

If you’re curious about RV water systems, we have a whole section on our RV gear page with the products we actually use and trust.

Why Slow Travel Makes All the Difference

Here’s the thing about the Finger Lakes: we could have rushed through in a weekend, hit the major highlights, and moved on.

But we didn’t. We stayed for weeks. And that made all the difference.

We got to:

• Experience the gradual change of fall colors
• Discover local favorites that aren’t in any guidebook
• Take our time exploring without feeling rushed
• Really understand what makes this region special

This is what makes the RV life so special—the ability to slow down, stay longer, and truly experience a place instead of just checking it off a list.

This Is Only Part 1…

And here’s the thing: we had SO much to share about our time in the Finger Lakes that we’re splitting it into two videos and blog posts.

In Part 2 (coming soon), we’re taking you to:

• The Naples Grape Festival (a 60+ year tradition)
• Taughannock Falls for another epic gorge hike
• More local hangouts and hidden gems
• Even MORE stunning fall foliage as the colors reached their peak

We didn’t want to leave the Finger Lakes. And after you see Part 2, you’ll understand why even more.

RVing the Finger Lakes: Complete Planning Guide

If this blog post has you adding the Finger Lakes to your travel list (and honestly, it should), here’s everything you need to know to plan your own adventure:

Best Time to Visit

• Late September through mid-October – Peak fall foliage (when we visited). Expect mild days in the 70s and chilly mornings in the 40s.
• June through September – Warm weather and full winery event schedules
• Spring (April-May) – Fewer crowds, waterfalls are at their fullest from snowmelt
• Winter – Skip it unless you have serious cold-weather RV experience. It gets COLD and snowy.

RV-Friendly Camping Options

State Parks: Watkins Glen, Sampson State Park, and Taughannock Falls State Park all have full hookup sites with beautiful lakeside settings. Camping runs $25-45/night. Book early for fall—it’s the most popular season.

Harvest Hosts: This region is Harvest Hosts paradise with tons of wineries and farms where you can stay overnight, including the Glenn Curtiss Museum. Get 20% off any membership with code LIKETHERES20.

Private RV Parks: $40-70/night with good amenities and locations near the lakes.

Boondocking: Limited free camping options in this region, but the paid options are reasonable and worth the investment.

Navigation and Driving Tips

The roads here are winding and hilly. If you’re towing or driving a big rig, add extra time to your routes. Those scenic backroads are stunning but narrow.

We highly recommend unhitching and exploring in your tow vehicle or on e-bikes. The villages are perfect for biking, and you won’t stress about finding RV parking.

Use RV Life Trip Wizard (automatically saves you 25%) to plan routes on RV-safe roads and avoid low bridges and weight-restricted routes common in this area.

The Winery Situation

There are over 100 wineries in the Finger Lakes. You cannot hit them all (trust us, we tried to plan it).

Our recommendation: Pick one lake—Seneca, Cayuga, or Keuka are the big three—and focus on that wine trail for a day or two. Most wineries are super RV-accessible with big parking lots, and many are Harvest Hosts locations. Wine tastings typically run $5-15 per person (many waive the fee with purchase).

Internet and Cell Service

T-Mobile internet worked well for us in most areas around the towns and lakes. Verizon phone service was solid in populated areas but struggled in really remote spots like Taughannock Falls when hiking.

If you work remotely, plan to be near towns or have a backup connectivity plan. Most campgrounds have decent WiFi, though speeds vary.

Budget Expectations

The Finger Lakes is surprisingly affordable compared to other popular RV destinations. Beyond camping costs, budget for gas (those hills test your fuel efficiency), wine tastings, and state park entrance fees (free to $10 per vehicle).

Must-Do Activities

• Watkins Glen State Park gorge hike (seriously, don’t skip this)
• Explore charming villages like Hammondsport, Skaneateles, and Penn Yan
• Wine tasting along the Keuka, Seneca, or Cayuga Lake wine trails
• Glenn Curtiss Museum for aviation and local history

Bottom Line

The Finger Lakes is one of those regions where RV travel absolutely shines. You can explore at your own pace, stay close to nature, park at wineries, and not blow your budget on hotels during peak season. It’s the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and flexibility that makes the RV lifestyle so special.

Ready to Go Full-Time RV?

Seeing places like the Finger Lakes is exactly why we chose this lifestyle. If you’ve been dreaming of full-time RV living but don’t know where to start, we created a comprehensive course to help you make it happen.

Your Path to Full-Time Freedom includes:

• Step-by-step planning tools and checklists
• Our complete RV selection framework
• Reality-based budgeting tools
• Access to our private Facebook community
• Monthly live Q&A sessions with us

We made all the mistakes so you don’t have to. And we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Watch Our Finger Lakes Adventure

Check out the full video at the top of this page to see all the stunning scenery, our e-bike adventures through Hammondsport, the incredible waterfalls at Watkins Glen, and why this region completely stole our hearts.

And make sure you’re subscribed because Part 2 is coming soon with even more Finger Lakes magic!

Have you been to the Finger Lakes? What was your favorite spot? Let us know in the comments below!

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