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Fall Guide To The Finger Lakes

 

Written by Olivia Baxter | October 16, 2020

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At a time when it is so easy to think about all the things that seem to be going wrong in the world, it has never been more important to find gratitude in even the simplest of ways. 

I am very grateful to be living in the Finger Lakes where I can safely go outside and appreciate the wealth of natural beauty around me. The summer months here are filled with lake days and lots of sunbathing, but when the first frost hits in September, fall moves in quickly.  Fall brings a heightened level of beauty to the Finger Lakes. Vibrant greens quickly turn to burnt orange, deep red, and golden yellow as the leaves change and the fields dry out. Walks by the lake become much cozier as the cool breeze settles in and each step is echoed by the crunch of leaves under your feet.

There are so many reasons to love the Finger Lakes in the fall so I decided to grab my reusable mask and explore some of my favorite local spots. 

Foliage

The best part of fall in the Finger Lakes is by far the foliage. I recently took a drive down Cayuga Lake to take in all the fall colors and explore some local hiking trails. Driving along the lakes and through the backroads to see the changing leaves is one of my favorite ways to appreciate the season while remaining socially distant.

Apple Picking

New York State is known for its apples so it’s only fitting to visit an orchard and pick your own apples while in the Finger Lakes.  Honeycrisp and Cortlands are my favorite varieties and I love baking pies and galettes with them. Apple picking is a great way to enjoy local produce, support family farms, and celebrate fall. Remember to pack your reusable mask and pick up some fresh apple cider donuts on your way out of the orchard! 

Farmers Market

Situated on the south end of Cayuga Lake and known for its waterfalls, hiking trails, and gorges, Ithaca is one of my favorite cities to visit year round.  The Ithaca Farmers Market is held in a lakeside park from April to December and it is one of the largest markets in the region. The market hosts over 160 local vendors selling produce, baked goods, and art.  Face masks are required and all produce or merchandise are handled by the vendors so I definitely felt safe walking through the pavilion.  

Hiking and Nature Trails

Trumansburg is located just north of Ithaca and is home to Taughannock Falls State Park.  Once home to the Cayuga Nation, Taughannock Falls is now a popular state park with incredible views of Cayuga Lake, a well-maintained hiking trail, and of course it’s infamous waterfall. The waterfall stands three stories taller than Niagara Falls and is a spectacular sight when running at its peak. 

Traveling has been one of my greatest passions over the past four years, but one place that I neglected visiting was the Finger Lakes – my home. When I graduated high school and moved out of state for college I had little desire to return to upstate New York unless it was for a few days around the holidays. After 18 bitingly cold winter seasons and enough snow shoveling to satisfy a lifetime, I was content with never living in upstate New York again. 

While we may not be able to travel the world freely right now, there are many special experiences to be had in our own home towns. Thanks to quarantine, I have spent more time at home in seven months than I have in four years. Quarantine has given me the chance to remember why I should be proud to come from the Finger Lakes. There is so much beauty and peace to be discovered here in a way that only nature can offer. It’s safe to say that I have rediscovered my home.

 

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