Finger Lakes Christmas Information: Festive Actions, Scenic Magnificence, and Vacation Cheer

Nestled in Upstate New York, the Finger Lakes area is a treasure trove of beautiful landscapes, charming cities, and distinctive experiences ready to be found. From picturesque vineyards to crystal-clear lakes, there’s an unimaginable array of actions for each season. I not too long ago had the possibility to go to for a Christmas journey, and when you’re in search of a spot that brings vacation magic to life with distinctive actions and charming small-town festivals, that is the proper journey for you! Right here’s every part you possibly can’t miss on a Christmas journey to the Finger Lakes:

Finger Lakes Christmas: Downtown Canandaigua

Expertise the magic of Downtown Canandaigua because it transforms right into a whimsical ‘Whobilation,’ impressed by the beloved Christmas celebration from The Grinch! Stroll alongside the principle avenue, adorned with 1000’s of twinkling lights and pleasant tributes to Dr. Seuss’ iconic characters. From festively embellished retailers and window fronts to the enchanting Grinch Village, the place a playful Grinch-themed Christmas tree awaits, you’ll be swept away in a world of vacation cheer. The native enterprise neighborhood has really outdone themselves. I beloved seeing how every enterprise captured the spirit of The Grinch with artistic shows, from a snowboarding Grinch to a skateboarding Grinch!

However the pleasure doesn’t cease on the dazzling lights and festive décor! Downtown Canandaigua has over 100 distinctive specialty retailers and eating places, excellent for tackling your Christmas purchasing listing. Immerse your self within the native attraction and discover one-of-a-kind items whereas having fun with the joyful ambiance.

A number of highlights:

• The Dalai Java – heat up with a festive beverage and panini from this native espresso store. They roast licensed natural, honest commerce espresso beans in-house. 
• F. Olivers – has a wonderful collection of basic and distinctive oils and vinegars
• Wildflowers – this reward store is filled with enjoyable finds, from dwelling decor to self-care gadgets
• Candy Expressions – fulfill your candy tooth with their collection of sweets, fudge, and different gourmand treats

Finger Lakes Christmas in Clifton Springs, NY

Tucked within the Finger Lakes area, Clifton Springs, NY, is a pleasant city with a wealthy historical past and pure magnificence and attraction. As soon as a Nineteenth-century spa retreat, it now affords distinctive retailers, cozy eateries, and serene mineral springs that you just’ll see flowing via city.

Go to the Competition of Lights for Christmas enjoyable. See Clifton Springs remodeled with 1000’s of twinkle lights and Christmas decorations. The competition kick-off contains horse-drawn wagon rides, a preview of the Nutcracker Ballet efficiency, assembly Santa in a fascinating backyard, and extra.

This city had a lot Christmas attraction, and I beloved seeing the plain pleasure and merriment in everybody having fun with the festivities. There have been numerous native retailers to pop into that have been providing reductions. I couldn’t resist getting a vacation decoration to recollect our journey from Flowers by Sandy.

Heat up with a comfy dinner inside Warfields, which is fantastically embellished for the vacations. We couldn’t resist getting their pasta, the proper tasty dish to heat up with. Go together with the Arrabiata Pasta in order for you a kick of spice, and the Shrimp Tagliatelle is one in all their hottest dishes. Even the bread and sauce choice that got here earlier than our mains was scrumptious. Great ambiance, service and scrumptious meals to be loved right here.

Keep on the Lakehouse on Canandaigua

The Lakehouse on Canandaigua is a lakefront luxurious resort providing an idyllic dwelling base on your getaway. Immerse your self in beautiful views and direct lake entry, unwind in cozy lodging, and take pleasure in pleasant eating, cocktail lounges and artisan espresso retailers. Rejuvenate with spa facilities, together with a tranquil backyard sauna, a heated lakeside pool, and a sizzling tub.

From the second you arrive, you’ll really feel as when you’ve stepped into the guts of your very personal Hallmark film. Throughout our check-in, I used to be instantly captivated by the festive Christmas decorations and the joyful reunions overheard within the foyer as family and friends gathered for an upcoming wedding ceremony and to partake within the Christmas festivities.

It was a particular second for my Mother and me as a result of we stayed right here years in the past on a household trip, and it was great to return and see all of the upgrades and particular touches. I immediately thought this could be a great place for an annual Christmas custom.

I really like how a lot open house the Lakehouse on Canandaigua has from the library to the principle Foyer. The rooms are tremendous cozy, and I beloved looking on the water and the snow-covered bushes. There’s even the chance so as to add a Christmas tree and decoration to your room.

Each keep comes with a welcome glass of Riesling and a complimentary s’mores package to make use of at one in all their out of doors fireplace pits. It was the proper technique to finish the evening.

Finger Lakes Christmas on the Lakehouse on Canandaigua

We arrived on the evening of their annual tree lighting ceremony stuffed with Christmas celebrations. Countdown to the lighting of their Christmas tree after which benefit from the festivities, together with assembly reindeer from Shortsville Reindeer Farm, and assembly Santa and Mrs. Claus. 

Within the Principal Foyer, we heard carol singers whereas admiring the decorations, together with the beautiful gingerbread home. It was a gingerbread model of the Lakehouse on Canandaigua. Seize a heat drink within the library by the hearth and admire the Christmas tree.

The primary Foyer was adorned with quotes and scenes from It’s A Great Life. I discovered that Seneca Falls is claimed to be the inspiration for Bedford Falls, the place the film takes place. There’s even a Great Life museum and competition within the Finger Lakes. I already felt all the vacation magic within the area, and it was made much more particular with a beloved Christmas basic.

Finger Lakes Christmas in Geneva, NY

Breakfast at Monaco’s Espresso

Kickstart your day with espresso and breakfast at Monaco’s Espresso in Geneva. I like to recommend getting their scrumptious breakfast burrito. The cafe is filled with greenery and video games. I additionally picked up some world traveller vibes with their maps and pictures. Monaco Espresso was named after the Monaco household, who travelled the world earlier than opening Monaco Market within the Finger Lakes over 100 years in the past. Monaco Espresso is in that very same constructing that has quite a lot of historical past.

Finger Lakes Welcome Middle & Jingle Market

Soak within the scenic lake views, snap a photograph in entrance of the I❤️NY signal after which step inside for the Geneva Winter Farmers Market, which runs from 10 am to 1 pm from November to April. It’s a good spot to seek out distinctive gadgets, from candles to mitts. For Christmas, they host a Jingle Market on choose dates the place you possibly can uncover many native artisan gadgets, festive decor and distinctive items.

Geneva Lakefront State Park

Take pleasure in serene views of Seneca Lake within the winter. I beloved watching the geese floating on the waves within the water. There have been numerous locals out for a scenic winter stroll.

Deck the Halls on the Seneca Lake Wine Path

The Seneca Wine Path runs alongside the shores of Seneca Lake and is filled with improbable wineries ready to be explored. Every spot has its personal vibe and scrumptious wines to strive. The views alongside the way in which are beautiful, too—suppose rolling hills and lovely lake surroundings.

Each December, they host Deck the Halls, a Christmas occasion you possibly can’t miss within the Finger Lakes. For the occasion, you’ll obtain a passport of taking part wineries you possibly can go to all through the weekend, and also you’ll obtain a wreath as nicely. For each vineyard you go to, you’ll accumulate a novel decoration so as to add to your wreath, a meals pattern paired with a 1-ounce wine tasting after which three extra ½ ounce wine tastings. You’ll additionally obtain a digital recipe e book of all of the samples you’ve tried.

Go to as much as 19 taking part wineries across the lake. It’s a wonderful drive, with spectacular views alongside the lake as you make your manner between wineries.

It was thrilling to see what decoration and meals pairing was ready for us at every vineyard, making an attempt wonderful native wines and seeing how every vineyard was embellished for the vacations. We tried to get to as many as we may and have been in a position to hit twelve! What added to the enjoyable and spirit of the season, was seeing so many contributors, visitors and workers alike dressing up of their favorite Christmas apparel!  How enjoyable would this be to do with a giant group of buddies? We may inform for some this was an annual occasion. The wineries supplied drinks reminiscent of espresso, or sizzling chocolate or grape punch for designated drivers.  Others booked transportation for the day.

A number of of my favorite stops:

• Fox Run Vineyards – I first observed the comfortable space of embellished barrels and a Christmas tree for the tasting. Their pairing was a vacation rib eye mac n cheese, which was scrumptious!
• CK Vineyard was a preferred spot! We headed upstairs for his or her soup pairing that tasted like Christmas in a bowl! I beloved all of the decorations they’d arrange and their festive wine labels.
• Tabora Vineyard – as quickly as we arrived, the constructing jogged my memory of some place you’ll see in Italy. We stepped inside, they usually had beautiful decorations all through the vineyard. We have been sitting by their big Christmas tree. They’d the cutest gingerbread cookie decoration that we collected.
• Glenora Vineyard was fantastically embellished and in addition had wonderful views of Seneca Lake. The cherry on prime was their scrumptious apple pie cheesecake paired with apple wine. It was my first time making an attempt it!
• Lakewood Vineyards, this vineyard received in my eyes for finest decorations. We walked via an ornament-decorated hallway to a wine room with a speakeasy really feel. They’d wine tanks embellished with lights, a comfy fire photo-op, and a particular bar tucked away. They made this secret spot really feel inviting and made you wish to keep some time.

Finger Lakes Christmas in Downtown Watkins Glen

Downtown Watkins Glen is a vigorous gateway to the Finger Lakes, identified for its beautiful gorge, vibrant retailers, and scrumptious native eats. Whether or not chasing waterfalls, savouring wine nation vibes, or exploring its racing historical past, this charming hub has one thing for everybody!

For Christmas, see the quite a few lights illuminating the road at evening. Catch the basic British Phone sales space or the motion-sensor Grinch in entrance of Guono Loopy, a enjoyable reward store value popping into.

Graft Wine and Cider Bar

Cozy up on this native restaurant with a menu specializing in native substances. They’ve an outstanding collection of wines and ciders. We couldn’t resist their mulled wine. We shared the particular monkfish and tofu bowls, which have been each stuffed with flavour and nourishing. I beloved stress-free over dinner and watching the sunshine snowfall outdoors.

Watkins Glen Harbor Lodge

Nestled in downtown Watkins Glen on the shores of Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen Harbor Lodge is the proper place to spend the evening. As quickly as you arrive on your Christmas journey, you’ll discover the decorations from poinsettias by the fireside within the foyer, nutcrackers, lights, Christmas bushes and extra.

The rooms are spacious and supply stunning views of the lake. The comforter felt like a weighted blanket, and we rested very comfortably! Take pleasure in complimentary espresso and tea within the morning to jumpstart your day as you get pleasure from and savour it whilst you soak within the lake views out of your room.

The lodge backs onto Harbour Park, so we went for a winter stroll to see the Seneca Pier Home within the morning. The views are unimaginable in winter, so I can solely think about what the opposite seasons supply.

Breakfast at The Grill at Lodge Laurel

Take pleasure in breakfast with a panoramic view of Seneca Lake  at The Grill at Lodge Laurel. I like to recommend getting the tasty and filling Seneca Dawn breakfast. It was a peaceable begin to the morning, fuelling up whereas admiring the lake.

Montour Falls at Shequaga State Park

Watkins Glen is dwelling to many waterfalls, together with Montour Falls, that are simply accessible within the winter. You’ll discover this highly effective 156ft waterfall proper on the town. Think about waking as much as this view from your home each morning! We took a number of moments to expertise and soak in its magnificence. I wish to return to discover the opposite close by waterfalls, together with Watkins Glen Gorge, which is open within the hotter months.

Ithaca, NY

Ithaca, NY, is the place pure magnificence meets vibrant tradition. Well-known for its beautiful waterfalls, lush gorges, and the scenic shores of Cayuga Lake, it’s additionally dwelling to a buzzing downtown, eclectic eateries, and two prestigious faculties. There may be loads to discover, whether or not you’re chasing cascading falls, exploring distinctive retailers, or taking within the artsy vibe. It’s no surprise they are saying, “Ithaca is gorges!”

Ithaca Commons

One among our final stops earlier than heading dwelling was Ithaca Commons, a pedestrian-only purchasing vacation spot with retailers and eating places to discover. When you’re right here, go to Dwelling Inexperienced Dwelling, which is filled with fabulous finds from books, vegetation, decor, and extra.

Ithaca Falls

Ithaca Falls is a shocking pure landmark surrounded by dramatic rock formations. Winter is the proper time to see a mixture of ice and speeding water from this 150 ft waterfall. This waterfall is true on the town, making it simply accessible. You’ll be immediately mesmerized by its splendour as you watch the dramatic or roaring cascade of water plunging right into a pool on the backside of this majestic waterfall.

This was a improbable journey, and the Christmas Spirit got here to life within the Finger Lakes. From the charming small-town celebrations to seeing elaborately embellished Victorian homes as you drive round, to taking part in a wide range of Christmas-themed occasions like Christmas on the Lakehouse in Canandaigua or Deck the Halls on Seneca Lake, there may be a lot to do for Christmas within the Finger Lakes.

Thanks to Go to Finger Lakes and the Watkins Glen Space Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring this publish and internet hosting me. I beloved exploring and might’t wait to return. As at all times, all ideas and opinions are my very own. I hope you’ve got as a lot enjoyable exploring the area as I did. I’d like to see your adventures. Be at liberty to tag me on Instagram and TikTok.