finger lakes - Purple Roofs

Hiking the Finger Lakes – Our Taste for Life

December 21, 2022 by J. Scott Coatsworth

Hiking the Finger Lakes region of New York is a magical experience. In this guide, guest blogger Polly Clover shares 15 of the best local hikes to help you plan your trip.

Bursting with natural beauty, this region in central New York is one of the most enchanting destinations I’ve ever visited. In fact, no New York itinerary is complete without visiting.

Why I love Hiking the Finger Lakes

I discovered the Finger Lakes during one of my east coast road trip adventures, and I was instantly blown away. With its expansive vineyards, incredibly kind locals, stunning vistas, and breathtaking waterfalls, what more could you ask for?

There are 11 Finger Lakes, with five main ones. They expand over 9,000 miles, so a car is necessary to explore the entire area! That said, my favourite way to explore this natural slice of heaven is on foot and hitting the trails.

From leisurely, short strolls to long, challenging hikes, there’s something for all kinds of nature lovers! Many are pet-friendly, some are great for children, and a few are adequate for pro hikers.

By Charlotte & Natalie – O u r T a s t e f o r L i f e

Finger Lakes Lesbian Travel Resources

New York State Road Trip – Go Girlfriend

November 19, 2018 by J. Scott Coatsworth

My mom recently moved to New York, but she hasn’t had a chance to explore much of her new state. So when I started planning a New York state road trip upstate, she was really excited not only to travel but to travel with me, her youngest daughter. Mom has not had the opportunity to explore New York State much so I found her excitement about the trip quite rewarding and I hoped that the experience would not let her down.

I highly recommend road trips as a form of travel with your aging parent. It’s a great way to bond – the travel time is great for story-telling, singing and making memories. I also recommend a road trip through Upstate New York for a dose of the outdoors and relaxation, stopping in the towns of Watkins Glen and 1000 Islands. Each destination is an easy road trip from NYC and both are not terribly far apart from each other, making it easy to do hit both in one weekend. For us, beginning in New York’s famous Finger Lakes area, made for a great stomping ground for people of all ages, with a diverse palette of food, activities, and most importantly, a sense of tranquility. Plus, there’s a beautiful scenic drive between them along part of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, one of the first roads in America to be designated as a National Scenic Byway. You’re very likely to return home refreshed and with new memories to share with your loved one.

If there is time for an extra excursion, Chautauqua is a wonderful choice for a final stop on this trip. It’s located near Jamestown, which is past Buffalo, and has a number of special attractions you can’t see anywhere else including the National Comedy Center and the Lucy-Desi Museum. You won’t laugh nearly as hard anywhere else on this trip, or for days after you arrive back home – totally worth the additional driving.

By Holly Rosen Fink – Full Story at Go Girlfriend

Finger Lakes Gay Travel Resources

1840 Inn on the Main – Finger Lakes Gay Friendly Inn

August 17, 2017 by J. Scott Coatsworth

Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:

Coming to New York’s beautiful Finger Lakes Region? Welcome to 1840 Inn on the Main. Also known as the Alfred Morris Gifford House, the Inn has been gingerly renovated and is decorated in many period furnishings, reminiscent of the era and boasts bold, carved fireplaces and doorways in the dining room and parlors. The large foyer features a majestic oak split staircase leading to four guest rooms. An additional guest room is located on the level, which may be suitable for guests with mobility issues.

Upstairs, there is also a guest area, which has filtered water, coffee/tea, as well as sodas in the guest refrigerator.

The spacious side porch is filled with comfy wicker furniture to relax with a good book or chat with friends old and new or just unwind and enjoy the sound of the fountain in the nearby flower garden while sipping a glass of wine.

Just one mile down the road from Canandaigua Lake, the 1840 Inn on the Main is a short walk to shops, restaurants, historical sites, and a hiking/biking trail.

Other amenities Include:

Central A/C
Wireless Internet
Private Baths
Bath Products
Robes Available Upon Request
Hair dryers
Private Parking
Continental Breakfast Available for Business Travelers

There are many great things to do in the Finger Lakes, including:

NYS Wine and Culinary Center
Canandaigua Lady Paddlewheel Steamboat
Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum – A federal style mansion and impressive antique carriage and sleigh museum.
Sonnenberg Gardens – A beautiful Victorian mansion estate with over 40 acres of unique gardens
CMAC – an open performing arts center
Ontario Mall Antiques: the state’s largest antique mall.
Canandaigua Country Club
Bristol Harbour Resort
Bristol Mountain
Roseland Water Park
Ganondagan – a Native American community that was a flourishing, vibrant center for the Seneca people.

Come stay with us at 1840 Inn on the Main to explore the beautiful Finger Lakes Region. Winery tours are available upon request.

See the 1840 Inn on the Main Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in AREA

Visiting the Finger Lakes

May 6, 2017 by J. Scott Coatsworth

The Finger Lakes Region

Follow in the footsteps of presidents, celebrities, and other American luminaries (think: Humphrey Bogart, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Meryl Streep) and head to the heart of the Finger Lakes region for a getaway that provides opportunities to experience some of New York’s agricultural treasures and learn about the area’s colorful historical past.

Enjoy everything that Geneva has to offer, including farm-to-table restaurants, award-winning wineries, and the radiance of sparkling Seneca Lake.

Fall in love with the old and the new, from the small-town charm of the 19th century Smith Opera House and bright row houses that line Main Street to local eateries that make Geneva’s thriving food and drink scene a destination fit for foodies and oenophiles with the most adventurous of palates.

Finger Lakes Diversions

Geneva is a cozy town nestled along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, where you can enjoy some serious swirling and tastings at nearby wineries, including Billsboro Winery, Fox Run Vineyards, and Herman J. Weimer Vineyard, all of which have been recognized both locally and internationally for their award-winning wines.

We’ll even help you get there – the Bragdon House’s company, the Wine Stopper, offers its own winery tours for up to 6 people. Book your tour with your room: just say red, white, sweet, or dry and sit back for a chauffeured trip to your choice of the local wineries. Guests can also take in the area’s scenic beauty on a boat tour of Seneca Lake with Canal Side Experiences or get to know the town on a stroll past the row houses and mansions along South Main Street.

Where to Stay

Our inn is the perfect place to stay while vacationing or visiting this historic area of the Finger Lakes. 1907 Bragdon House Bed & Breakfast-Wine Tours is a beautifully restored property located in Geneva, set on Seneca Lake and just steps away from a plethora of restaurants and shops.

You’ll stay in a cozy Victorian room equipped with plush linens, antique furnishings, a decorative fireplace, silky sheets, bathrobes, and stunning views of the water.

Each morning, wake up to a full breakfast of fresh-roasted coffee, seasonal fruit, and homemade pastries.

Then, spend a peaceful day curled up with a book in one of the parlor’s overstuffed chairs or head down to a local winery for an unforgettable wine tour experience with us as your tour guide.

Come make Bragdon House B&B-Wine Tours your home-away-from-home while enjoying all that the Finger Lakes has to offer. www.bragdonhousebb.com.