Seneca Lake, NY

Travel Guide

Sheldrake Point Winery showing farmland
Keuka Lake State Park which includes a lake or waterhole
Seneca Falls featuring a coastal town and a lake or waterhole
Keuka Lake State Park which includes farmland
Seneca Falls featuring 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 traveling 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 kilometers) away. Greater Rochester International Airport is 67 miles (107 kilometers) away.

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

Where to stay in Seneca Lake

Seneca Falls which includes 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

4.5/5(8 area reviews)

While Western Gardens isn't home to many top sights, South Main Street and Smith Center for the Arts are some notable places to visit nearby.

Western Gardens
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 free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 7 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,527 reviews)
"Strange lighting arrangementin room. All lights had to be on or all had to be off. Checked at front desk; apparently, that's just how they were supposed to be."

Reviewed on Aug 17, 2025

del Lago Resort & Casino
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 ¥18,546 per night from Sep 2 to Sep 3
¥18,546
¥21,050 total
Sep 2 - Sep 3
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Geneva. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,009 reviews)
"Wonderful place highly recommend"

Reviewed on Aug 16, 2025

41 Lakefront Hotel, Trademark Collection By Wyndham
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 ¥32,404 per night from Sep 16 to Sep 17
¥32,404
¥36,294 total
Sep 16 - Sep 17
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this golf motel in Watkins Glen. Enjoy free WiFi, cable TV channels, and an in-room coffeemaker. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (864 reviews)
"great view, clean rooms, great location"

Reviewed on Aug 14, 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.
Pine Grove Cabin

Pine Grove Cabin

Penn Yan
Stay at this cabin in Penn Yan. Enjoy patios. Popular attractions Fox Run Vineyards and Sampson State Park are located nearby.
9/10 Wonderful! (4 reviews)
"No electric no bathroom just outhouse"

Reviewed on Aug 11, 2025

Pine Grove Cabin
Roe Summer Cottage, Suite B

Roe Summer Cottage, Suite B

Watkins Glen
Stay at this vacation home in Watkins Glen. Enjoy cable/satellite TV service, an in-room coffeemaker, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Watkins Glen ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (55 reviews)
Great Location
"We had a nice 2 night mid-week stay. The location was perfect - right outside Watkins Glen State Park and still an easy walk to the restaurants and shops on the way to the lake. No complaints about the place, it was nice to have 2 full bathrooms."

Reviewed on Aug 12, 2025

Roe Summer Cottage, Suite B
405 S. Madison, Suite A

405 S. Madison, Suite A

Watkins Glen
Stay at this vacation home in Watkins Glen. Enjoy cable/satellite TV service, an in-room coffeemaker, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Watkins Glen ...
9/10 Wonderful! (29 reviews)
"I was in Watkins Glen on business and didn't pay much attention to my housing. I'd rent it again. There's a Walmart just outside of town, the restaurants are unremarkable, there's a small marina, very limited shopping, and you need your own transportation. The locals have a drug problem. Watkins ..."

Reviewed on Aug 12, 2025

405 S. Madison, Suite A
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