Seneca Lake Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Sheldrake Point Winery featuring farmland
Keuka Lake State Park which includes a lake or waterhole
Seneca Falls which includes a lake or waterhole and a coastal town
Keuka Lake State Park which includes farmland
Seneca Falls showing general coastal views and a coastal town

Embark on a series of outdoor adventures and then relax with locally made wine in a region known for its beautiful scenery and attractive towns and villages.

Carved by glaciers, Seneca Lake is the largest and deepest of New York State’s Finger Lakes. Here, hike a gorge, picnic by a waterfall, sample award-winning wines and cheer on a motor race.

Enjoy plenty of water-based pursuits on the lake. Charter a sail boat or book a sunset dinner cruise. Swim, canoe, Jet Ski and wakeboard. Try trout fishing at Catharine Creek, which is located at the lake’s southern end. If you are travelling with children, visit Seneca Lake State Park. It features a “sprayground” with more than 100 water jets.

Explore more of Seneca Lake’s scenery. Cycle along well-maintained paths on the eastern and western shores. Hike the narrow gorge of Watkins Glen State Park past several waterfalls. In the winter, try skiing and snowmobiling in the Finger Lakes National Forest.

The hills and countryside surrounding Seneca Lake are dotted with vineyards and wineries. Spend a day or two on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, touring winegrowing estates and tasting some of their award-winning products. Throughout the year, the region hosts numerous food and drink festivals such as February's Chocolate and Wine Weekend. Visit the trail’s official website for more details. If you don’t want to drive, use one of many companies in the area offering drivers and personalized tours.

Visit some of the towns and villages situated along the shores of the lake. In Geneva, at the northern end, find historic homes, antique stores and plenty of restaurants. Make your way to Watkins Glen at the southern end for motor races at the Watkins Glen International Racetrack. 

Reach the area by car or by train to Rochester or Syracuse. Seneca Lake is served by four airports. The nearest is Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, 35 miles (57 kilometres) away. Greater Rochester International Airport is 67 miles (107 kilometres) away.

Seneca Lake is a great holiday destination at any time of the year for its scenery, wines and range of outdoor activities.

Where to stay in Seneca Lake

Seneca Falls showing a lake or waterhole

Sheldrake

If you're spending some time in Sheldrake, Sheldrake Point Winery and Cayuga Lake are top sights worth seeing.

Sheldrake
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Western Gardens

Western Gardens might not have many top sights, but South Main Street and Smith Center for the Arts are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Western Gardens
41 Lakefront Hotel, Trademark Collection By Wyndham

41 Lakefront Hotel, Trademark Collection By Wyndham

3 out of 5
41 Lake Front Blvd, Geneva, NY
The price is ₹12,348 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
₹12,348
₹14,015 total
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Geneva. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,014 reviews)
"Loved the area. Walk-on the steel peer along the lake and overlooking it was beautiful"

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

41 Lakefront Hotel, Trademark Collection By Wyndham
del Lago Resort & Casino

del Lago Resort & Casino

4 out of 5
1133 Route 414, Waterloo, NY
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Waterloo. Enjoy a full-service spa, 7 restaurants and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,477 reviews)
"The property was good, could use some late night food options and a few more hotel employees. I want to start by noting that they seemed a bit understaffed so that could be the cause of the following complaints; there were only 2 towels in the room so we called the front desk a few times but were ..."

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2025

del Lago Resort & Casino
The Hotel Laurel at Seneca

The Hotel Laurel at Seneca

2.5 out of 5
3380 State Route 14, Watkins Glen, NY
The price is ₹18,921 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
₹18,921
₹21,192 total
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf motel in Watkins Glen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, cable TV channels and an in-room coffee maker. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (825 reviews)
"Fantastic views of the Lake from dining room and room balcony."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

The Hotel Laurel at Seneca
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Flatts at North Shore

The Flatts at North Shore

3.5 out of 5
414 Exchange St, Geneva, NY
Stay at this 3.5-star spa condo in Geneva. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Smith Center for the Arts and Finger Lakes ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (89 reviews)
"The property was in a great location and had everything we needed. The bedrooms and bathrooms are spacious and the owners were great !"

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2025

The Flatts at North Shore
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Seneca Lake