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World Atlas names 9 NY towns in the Finger Lakes with vibrant downtown areas. See the list

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World Atlas names 9 NY towns in the Finger Lakes with vibrant downtown areas. See the list

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The Finger Lakes are known for its magnificent lakes, hiking trails amidst unique landscapes, vineyards and countless small towns that dot the region. Many of the quaint communities offer bustling downtown districts – most showcasing a mix of history and modern amenities, and ideal for a weekend getaway.

Here are 9 towns in New York’s Finger Lakes with vibrant downtowns.

Watkins Glen NY

Home to Watkins Glen State Park and its spectacular gorges and hiking trails, Watkins Glen is in Schuyler County at the southern end of Seneca Lake. The quaint community is also known for its race track, Watkins Glen International, which regularly drawing racing enthusiasts and also wine connoisseurs for a mid-summer wine festival. Watkins Glen also has a vibrant – and walkable – downtown area with many stores, restaurants and shops. There are also several smaller parks downtown, including Seneca Harbor Park, a lakeside park that features City Pier and its iconic pier house.

Seneca Falls NY

History is aplenty in this Seneca County town located between the northern end of Seneca and Cayuga lakes. Known as the birthplace of the American women’s rights movement, Seneca Falls fully embraces its unique history. Must see stops include the Women’s Rights National Historical Park and the Wesleyan Chapel, which held the first women’s rights convention in 1848. The town is also home to the Seneca Meadows Wetlands Preserve for nature lovers and charming shops and cafes within its downtown district. Each December, downtown Seneca Falls transforms into the fictional Bedford Falls for a festival, as its said that the town inspired the setting featured in the movie “Its a Wonderful Life.”

Canandaigua NY

The City of Canandaigua sits at the north end of Canandaigua Lake and is Ontario County’s county seat. Canandaigua is full of historic buildings, shops, museums and boutiques within its downtown district. Nearby, the Ontario County Courthouse is a historic landmark within Canandaigua known to have tried Susan B. Anthony in 1873. Also near downtown is Kershaw Park, a lakeside park with a swimming beach adjacent to Canandaigua’s City Pier. Sonnenburg Gardens and Mansion, a historic 50-acre estate, is just blocks away from downtown Canandaigua.

Geneva NY

Sitting on the northern shores of Seneca Lake, Geneva is a small lakeside city in Ontario County. has Geneva has a dynamic downtown area which is home to farm-to-table restaurants, craft breweries, wineries, farmers’ markets, and more. Linden Street in downtown Geneva is closed to traffic on weekend evening in the summer months as well, creating a lively urban pedestrian area. Also in Geneva are Hobart and William Smith Colleges and the Belhurst Castle, on the western side of Seneca Lake.

Elmira NY

Located in Chemung County, Elmira has a bustling downtown featuring art galleries, shops, eateries and more. The Arnot Art Museum is popular stop and for those interested in history (and literature) they can stop by Mark Twain’s Study and Mark Twain’s grave site. Elmira is also packed with parks, including Wisner Park, which spans both sides of Main Street. Over the summer, the area doubles as a bustling farmer’s market with vendors selling produce, crafts and other homemade wares.

Ithaca NY

With two top-level colleges on the nearby hills, downtown Ithaca has that small-town feel, particularly on the Ithaca Commons, a pedestrian mall that spans several blocks in Tompkins County’s county seat. The area is closed to vehicular traffic and is a gathering spot for many, as well as an area where activists gather to protest. The Commons is also lined with a variety of shops, eateries and galleries. There are several theaters in the area including an independent movie theater, the historic State Theatre and the Kitchen Theatre Company. Ithaca, including Cornell University and Ithaca College are located at the southern end of Cayuga Lake. There are also several spectacular state parks nearby – Buttermilk Falls, Robert H. Treman and Taughannock Falls.

Waterloo NY

Sandwiched between Seneca Falls and Geneva and located between the northern ends of Cayuga and Seneca lakes, Waterloo is the county seat of Seneca County and is known as the “birthplace of Memorial Day.” The downtown area of Waterloo has a variety of shops and eateries. Main Street was recently revamped to promote walkability, sustainability and livability. The Cayuga-Seneca Canal Trail in Waterloo spans nearly seven miles on the path of an old railroad bed beside the canal linking the two largest Finger Lakes. 

Corning NY

Established in 1852, Corning is located in southeastern Steuben County. Corning is home of the well-known Corning Museum of Glass and also The Rockwell Museum . The downtown district, or Gaffer District, is vibrant – with museums, galleries, historic buildings, eateries and shops. It’s picturesque streetscapes are a draw for many – including the nearby Centerway Bridge, Corning’s historic walking bridge that spans the Chemung River.

Trumansburg NY

This Tompkins County village is a destination on its own. Trumansburg is within the town of Ulysses and is just around the corner from Taughannock Falls State Park, home of the nation’s tallest free-standing waterfall east of the Rockies. Within the village, a 2.5-mile historic walking trail along Main Street and adjacent streets displays buildings and architecture from the early 1800s. Downtown Trumansburg has an artistic feel to it, with cafes, pubs, eateries and shops of all sorts. Each summer, the village hosts the Grassroots Festival, a four-day music festival, at the village’s fairgrounds.

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