We love family vacations, but there’s also something to be said for an adults-only trip, whether it’s with your significant other or a group of your friends.
One of my favorite places to visit is the Finger Lakes region in New York, particularly the wineries along Seneca Lake. My husband and I first discovered this spot when we were dating and have made more than a dozen trips back over the past few years, often taking along other friends to join in the fun.
During our most recent trip, we attended the Seneca Lake Wine Trail’s Pasta and Wine Weekend, held annually in March. Passport tickets for this event included a souvenir wine glass, pasta and wine pairing at each participating winery, and a few additional wine samples. As a lover of pasta, this was a fabulous weekend and really enhanced the wine tasting experience, with the food and wine complementing each other well.
And did I mention the views? Many of the wineries have beautiful decks that overlook the lake and are perfect for photo opportunities!
The Wine Trail hosts additional events throughout the year, including the Smokin’ Summer Kickoff in June, and extremely popular Deck the Halls during the Christmas holiday season. You can see a full list of events on their website.
If you have someone in your group who prefers beer or spirits over wine, you’ll find distilleries, craft breweries, and even some wineries who also make cider along the lake.
Prefer not to drive while you’re on the trail? When I traveled with friends in the fall, we used Main Street Drivers, which provides a driver that utilizes your vehicle and will chauffeur you and your friends to the wineries of your choice for the day. We had a fantastic driver who shared her suggestions with us for places we might enjoy, and was just very outgoing and friendly!
Some of our favorite spots to eat along Seneca Lake include Jerlando’s Italian restaurant and Bleachers sports bar in Watkins Glen along with Eddie O’Brien’s sports bar in Geneva. We have also enjoyed lunch at the restaurant at Glenora Wine Cellars.
Along with the wineries, you can also explore Watkins Glen State Park, shops in Watkins Glen and Geneva, or the Corning Museum of Glass which is less than an hour away.
So, next time you're looking for a getaway with your significant other or friends, take a look at Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes!
Disclosure: I received complimentary passports for the Pasta and Wine weekend to facilitate this review. However, all opinions expressed are my own.
