Finger Lakes Vacation
New York
Days 3 & 4
Day 3
We were so lucky to wake up to another beautiful sunrise…
Since we were staying on Seneca Lake, for a change of scenery, we decided to rent a boat for the day on Keuka Lake only 15 minutes away. On our way to the lake, we stopped for breakfast at Amity Coffee, a trendy cozy coffee shop located in downtown Penn Yan.
Their breakfast sandwiches were outstanding-made with freshly baked croissants. TIP: If you are lucky to be there when they come out of the oven, snag a few pistachio croissants for later…they go fast and are beyond incredible!
Walking around Penn Yan’s historic Main Street we felt like we stepped back in time as we browsed the old fashioned candy store, Keuka Candy Emporium, and walked by Birkett Mills-home of the world’s largest pancake griddle. Stay long enough and you just might see an Amish horse and buggy clop by!
There are a few pontoon/speed boat rental companies along the lake and we ultimately decided to rent speed boats (since the boys wanted to tube) at East Bluff Harbor. Keuka Lake is absolutely beautiful and the only Finger Lake shaped like a “Y”. It is also more narrow than Seneca Lake so you can view the landscape on both sides from the middle of the lake. The water is clear, clean and super deep since it was formed by glaciers.
We packed lunches and snacks so after cruising and tubing around much of the lake, we docked at the southernmost tip of Keuka Lake at Depot Park in Hammondsport and found a nice shady spot to picnic on the grass.
I wish we had more time to explore the village of Hammondsport…voted “coolest small town in America”…and browse the Village Square’s specialty shops. But the lake was calling and there was more tubing and boating to be done before it was time to return the boat.
After a full day of sun and boating, we relaxed back at the house before heading to Watkins Glen for dinner at Nickel’s Pit BBQ. Nickel’s offers casual indoor or patio dining with locally sourced meats and a large selection of local craft beers.
I personally do not love BBQ, so I opted for their jalapeno peppadew mac and cheese…possibly one of the best mac and cheese dishes I’ve had! Everyone else really enjoyed their BBQ brisket, pulled pork or ribs while taste testing the 4 house BBQ sauces.
TIP: Get to Nickel’s early-they do not take reservations so you will most likely have to wait. Also, since they purchase locally, there’s a good chance they will run out of some meat options later in the evening.
We ended our wonderfully full day gathered around the boathouse table for a night of card games, music and laughs!
Day 4
We woke up early, no easy feat with 2 teenagers, and drove 2 hours to spend the day at Niagra Falls! I had heard the views from the Canadian side are incredible, but Scott forgot his passport so we headed to the American side of the Falls.
A few TIPS for your visit:
-Once you pay at one parking lot, you are able to move to any other lot in the park for free.
-If you are going on the Maid of the Mist or Cave of the Winds YOU WILL GET SOAKED…even with the poncho on! It’s a good idea to wear waterproof shoes and make sure your phone is waterproof or in a waterproof pouch.
-Bring extra full sets of clothes…depending on what you experience, you will want to change at least once during the day.
-If you have flexibility, try to go to Niagra Falls during the week. We visited on a Thursday and even though it was summer, there was plenty of parking, we did not have any lines and the park did not feel crowded.
I recommend parking at the main parking lot on Goat Island. Once there, you can walk across 2 short scenic foot bridges to the Observation Deck on the mainland to purchase tickets and board the Maid of the Mist.
Walking around the park, we were so impressed with how clean, well maintained and open the grounds were-beautiful flower gardens with many areas to rest or take in the spectacular views of the falls and the Niagra River rapids.
After purchasing our tickets, we were given complimentary ponchos and boarded the Maid of the Mist boat. TIP: I recommend standing on the left side of the boat so Bridal Veil and American Falls are on your side as you head to Horseshoe Falls-this will be the only time your camera is dry so you can get some good pictures of the first 2 falls.
Once you reach Horseshoe Falls, it doesn’t matter where you stand…it is so majestic you can see it from everywhere on the boat. It really was incredible to get so close and feel the phenomenal power of the falls…the boat was rocking, wind was blowing and we were literally getting drenched by the water coming from the plunging falls. At one point the wind was so powerful I had to stand in the middle of the boat against a wall to get my balance!
After the boat ride, you have the option to go to the Observation Deck…a perfect spot to view the 3 falls and dry off a bit. TIP: Save your poncho…the poncho at Cave of the Winds is not as good…no ties and the hood does not stay on your head.
Besides the Maid of the Mist, everything else we experienced was located on Goat Island, so it was nice to have the car accessible. Next stop…Cave of the Winds…a MUST if you are visiting Niagra Falls!
It is a little misleading because Cave of the Winds is not a cave…it is a series of stairs and platforms that lead you to up-close points along Bridal Veil Falls. You can truly appreciate how powerful and impressive this natural wonder is…and you get SOAKED! My favorite part was watching Scott and the boys battle the wind and thrashing water from the falls on the Hurricane Deck!
Cave of the Winds is self-guided so it was nice to take our time and get some great pictures and videos!
Two other park areas I loved were Terrapin Point (at the top of Horseshoe Falls) and Luna Island (at the top of American and Bridal Veil Falls).
Both viewing points were amazing places to see the falls and watch the Niagra River rush past you and over the falls. We also got a fantastic view of the Observation Deck, Rainbow Bridge and Cave of the Winds from Luna Island. With plenty of room to stand or sit, we really enjoyed relaxing at these two picturesque spots.
We spent about 5 hours at Niagra Falls Park before heading north to Lewiston where Scott, Jared and Alex had reservations at Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour.
While driving, we happened to notice a sign for Whirlpool State Park and stopped to check it out- I am so glad we did! We followed a short trail that led to a breathtakingly beautiful overlook where the emerald green Niagra River takes a 90 degree turn and creates a huge whirlpool.
There is also a steep trail leading down to the river if you are up for an adventure!
Next up was their Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour…a fast, thrilling boat trip through Niagra River’s class V Devil’s Hole and Whirlpool rapids. They don’t hold back doing 360 turns and slamming into waves and most everyone on the boat got thoroughly SOAKED! TIP: Make sure you bring a towel and set of dry clothes to change into after the boat ride…you will be drenched!
Scott, Jared and Alex came off the boat absolutely loving the experience…Alex’s favorite of the day! TIP: If like me, you decide to sit this one out, you can explore Lewiston’s charming main street with shops and restaurants or relax at the Lewiston Landing Park…right on the river and a perfect place to read a book on a wooden bench swing.
We ended the day at the Griffon Brewery and Gastropub (next door to the Whirlpool Jet Boat facility). TIP: Be sure to order the Mexican Street Corn Dip and the Corn Fritters with maple butter…you will thank me later! Eating outside on the river, we enjoyed the fantastic view and our incredible dinners while we recapped our favorites of our vacation.
I hope this post offered some great ideas for your trip to the Finger Lakes! It was the perfect place to be together and vacation as a family with something for everyone…waterfalls, boats, beautiful scenery, relaxation, wineries, outstanding food and adventure!