Tours in the Finger Lakes region of New York state can include visits to wineries, trips to enjoy lakes and waterfalls, historic tours, and treks to small towns to learn about self-sustainability. Some winery tours feature pairings with cheese. Other Finger Lakes tours pair local wines with local foods. Boat tours offer a chance to view majestic waterfalls and learn about the geology of the region.
Finger Lakes tours take advantage of the many lakes, gorges, and waterfalls that dot the area. A waterfall and gorge tour gives spectators a close-up look at ravines carved by ice during the glacial period. Participants learn about the geology of the region and might visit state parks. Swimming at the bottom of a waterfall and a hike into a gorge may be highlights of the trip. Day-long or shorter versions of this type of Finger Lakes tour are generally available.
Historic tours take visitors to view houses of prominent people from the region and include the Harriet Tubman home and the William Henry Seward house. The group might also stop at the Willard Memorial Chapel to view its interior, designed by Louis C. Tiffany. Along the way, visitors might find historical re-enactments, including Native American history. Tours commonly offer tidbits of information about the colorful characters who once lived in the Finger Lakes region.
Finger Lakes tours typically focus on the region’s vast wine-growing producers. Several Finger Lakes tours to wineries can be tailored to the interests and schedules of visitors. A wine and cheese tour takes guests to dairy farms and wineries where food and wine are paired to complement each other. Visitors might learn how cheese is made, get a back-room look at the wine-making process, and sample wine directly from the barrel.
Another wine and food tour may take a historic approach to beverages and food as they evolved over time. Visitors can taste everything from hard cider to champagne while they learn about historical factors that influenced wine-making techniques. In addition to visiting wineries on this tour, a visit to a cider-producing farm is usually included.
Ecology enthusiasts might enjoy a trip to an eco-village that operates under sustainable living principles and which is said to cause less pollution. Finger Lake tours of this type might include a visit to a pond farm that uses windmills, solar heat, and waterwheels to power the business. The jaunt could include a tour of a nursery that grows plants used in green roofing, a stop at a farmer’s market, and a visit to a cattle ranch.