The 11 Finger Lakes are Otisco Lake, Skaneateles Lake, Owasco Lake, Cayuga Lake, Seneca Lake, Keuka Lake, Canandaigua Lake, Honeoye Lake, Canadice Lake, Hemlock Lake, and Conesus Lake. The Finger Lakes region, in central New York, is the most prosperous wine producing area in the state. The area is also excellent for water sports, hiking, fishing, biking, golf, tennis, and much, much more. For some indoor fun, check out the George Eastman House of Photography and Film in Rochester, or the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning. Other possible activities include visiting Amish and Mennonite markets to sample their home-cooked treats, or checking out an outdoor concert at the Cortland Country Music Park. In Elmira, visit Mark Twain’s study, where we wrote several of his most-popular stories, including Huck Finn. And if you’re still in the mood for great American history, the National Women’s Hall of Fame is located in Seneca Falls.

The glacially-formed Finger Lakes, although never more than 3.5 miles wide at any point, are still extraordinary in other ways: for instance, Seneca Lake has a depth of more than 600 feet, challenging the depths of much larger lakes such as Lake Ontario. Additionally, the entire region is filled with natural wonders and sights to see, including over 1,000 waterfalls, hundreds of vineyards, and a multitude of State Parks. Probably the most famous locale in the area is the Letchworth State Park, sometimes known as the “grand canyon of the east,â€쳌 a spectacular formation of gorges, rock cliffs, and falls. Nearby, the 16,000-acre Finger Lakes National Forest offers such fun activities as blueberry picking, cross-country skiing, and hunting (note: forest roads are maintained for car travel in the summer, but few are open in the winter).