Wander the booths at Ithaca Farmers Market to shop with over 150 local farmers, chefs, and artisans. Stalls are packed with eggs, meat, and cheese; a rainbow of fresh produce; and tasty onsite eats like dim sum, hand-pulled noodles, and savory samosas. Look for crafts like blown glass, ceramic vases, and wood carvings for unique souvenirs. You’ll find the market under the covered Pavilion at Steamboat Landing on weekends from April through November.

If you get hungry downtown, try the vegetarian fare at Moosewood Restaurant, a sustainable hotspot for over 50 years. Feast on global dishes made the veggie way, from Moroccan chickpea stew to local burrata with heirloom tomatoes to sweet and spicy chili verde with crispy corn tostada. The atmosphere is as fresh as the food, with a light, airy dining room and a breezy patio for those balmy summer afternoons.

You could spend your entire day at the 4,000-acre Cornell Botanic Gardens, exploring arboretums, gardens, and natural areas. Learn about the cultural significance of the plants in the Young Flower Garden, or get inspired by the perennials and shrubs in the “garden rooms” of the Zucker Shrub Garden. And during cooler months, explore the Mullestein Winter Garden with plants chosen for their interesting shapes, textures, and colors. The gardens are free and open year round!

For dinner, treat yourself to lakeside eats at The BoatYard Grill. This waterfront restaurant boasts beautiful views across Cayuga Lake from the seasonal patio. In the kitchen, a wood-fired grill gives extra flavor to tender steaks, grilled lobster tail, and hearty burgers. Spending a day on the lake? You can boat right up to the restaurant, thanks to their working marina. With a chilled glass of New York chardonnay, there’s no better way to end your day.

Spend the night in one of downtown Ithaca’s charming boutique hotels. Each room in the 1831 Argos Inn has its own unique modern-meets-vintage vibe, mixing antiques and bright pops of color. It’s also an art destination, boasting original works by masters including Salvador Dali and Joan Miró! Enjoy a cocktail under the Moroccan lanterns on the bar patio, or walk just a few steps to partake in Ithaca’s nightlife.

For an overnight stay that combines classic beauty with modern comforts, The William Henry Miller Inn is hard to beat. This stately 1878 Queen Anne mansion makes an impression with its red brick facade. Inside, handsome fireplaces, intricate wood detailing, and beautiful stained glass maintain its historic character. You’ll get plenty of rest in the traditional-yet-fresh rooms with soft, soothing color palettes. Breakfast and nightly dessert included!

After exploring Ithaca and Cayuga Lake, it’s just a short drive to Seneca Lake—the largest of the Finger Lakes. Circling the lake is the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, with 28 member wineries blending beautiful views and even better vino. You’ll find a wide variety of wines here, but cool-weather varietals like riesling, cabernet franc, and pinot noir do particularly well. Stop at one or two wineries, or plan a more in-depth winery day.

Charming Ventosa Vineyards is a taste of Tuscany right here in upstate New York. From the villa-inspired tasting room to the vintage Italian varietals like Tocai Friulano and Sangiovese, it’s a true old world homage. Book a Wine Cellar Tour to see the cellar and barrel room, and learn how the winemaker approaches his award-winning wines. Then share a pesto pizza and a bottle of dry red on the expansive terrace overlooking the vines and Seneca Lake.

Three Brothers Wineries and Estates combines four unique tasting experiences in one. Visit Stony Lonesome Wine Cellars for dry riesling and award-winning bourbon-aged Barbera in a classic tasting room. Sip cheeky wines like Scandelicious at Passion Feet Wine Barn—or go for a wine slushie. Bagg Dare Wine Company is bayou-themed, and sticks to sweet wines. Or stop by War Horse Brewing Co. for craft ales, lagers, and hard ciders surrounded by soldier photos and memorabilia.

If historic homes are your passion, the 1839 Greek Revival Rose Hill Mansion in Geneva, NY is a must-see. Take a guided tour through twenty rooms including bedrooms, salons, and the dining room and kitchen, each carefully restored in the Empire style. Learn about the Swan family (in residence from 1850-1890) through the diaries, letters, and photographs they left behind. And learn about the enslaved people who labored to keep the farm running in its early days.

Another historic gem in Geneva is the 1894 Smith Opera House. The building stands out, with an ornate rust-red facade and carefully restored Art Deco-meets-Baroque interior. This theater is still active, hosting live music from soul to bluegrass to popular cover bands. You’ll also find dance, opera, theater, classical concerts, children’s plays, and even film screenings. Attend a show, or take a Smith History Tour where you can learn local theater lore and spot its unique architecture.

For dinner in Geneva, look for restaurants that highlight the local bounty. You’ll find one in comfortable-yet-upscale Ports Cafe. Feast on house-cut prime steaks, fresh lake fish, and homemade desserts from the all-season patio overlooking Seneca Lake. The house-made ricotta gnocchi with 10-hour red wine braised short rib ragout is a standout! And save room for the crème brûlée.

Prepare to make new friends with a unique dinner at FLX Table. You’ll join about 14 other diners at the restaurant’s single shared table, and the open kitchen creates an interactive experience between guest and cook. The five-course prix fixe tasting menu changes daily based on the best seasonal ingredients, but it always starts with house-made focaccia, local veggies, dips, and flavored butters.

After exploring, retreat to Geneva on the Lake for the night. This 10-acre boutique resort is centered around a stunning 1914 Italianate villa with marble fireplaces, classic columns, and wood-coffered ceilings. Sip a glass of wine on the terrace, kick back by the lakefront pool, or wander the landscaped grounds as the sun sets. On Friday and Saturday afternoons, enjoy high tea with a glass of sparkling wine, cup of Earl Grey, smoked salmon sandwiches, and a tiered tray of pastries and scones!

Voted one of the “Most Romantic Places in New York State,” the 1889 Belhurst Castle is the place to reconnect. Choose from the historic Castle rooms with original wood detailing, or the more modern Vinifera Inn rooms with beautiful lake views and Jacuzzis. Stop by their unique tasting room for award-winning Belhurst Estate wines, and browse fun souvenirs, original artwork, and handmade jewelry. There’s a spa onsite, too, so you can treat yourself to a massage or facial.

The clear, blue-green water of Skaneateles Lake makes it one of the prettiest of the Finger Lakes. In shallow areas, you can see straight to the bottom, like looking through glass. The water here is so clean, it can be used by area residents without being filtered! Book a fishing charter and angle for pickerel, walleye, and smallmouth pass. Or rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard for a relaxing day out on the water.

As you explore the town of Skaneateles, make sure to enjoy a meal—any meal—at the marvelous 1807 Sherwood Inn. Stop in for classic American fare like corned beef hash with fresh-baked pumpernickel for breakfast, a hearty open-faced reuben for lunch, or Yankee Pot Roast with signature gravy for dinner. The best summer seats are on the bright porch where they raise the fold-up windows on nice days to let in lake breezes.

Soak up some local history at the Skaneateles Historical Society and Museum. Opened as a creamery in 1899, this bit of local heritage is now home to local artifacts, including an impressive collection of antique rowboats, skiffs, and canoes. Take a docent-guided tour to learn stories about the boats and the proud history of this lakefront community! You’ll also spot local photos, artwork, tools, and home goods from centuries past.

For dinner, you’ll find a warm welcome at Tuscan-style Rosalie’s Cucina. Savor classic Italian dishes and house-made pasta in the old-world dining room, surrounded by painted beams and hundreds of names scrawled on the walls. Or sit in the romantic courtyard with its stone fireplace and lush greenery for date night. The scallops in lemon butter with prosciutto and angel hair pasta are a favorite! And you’ll find an impressive wine list highlighting both Italian and Finger Lakes bottles.

After exploring the lake and village, retreat to the chic Parisian-style Mirbeau Inn & Spa Rhinebeck. Elegant French-inspired rooms and a dreamy outdoor pool terrace bring a little style to your stay. Walk through the peaceful garden complete with lily pond and arched footbridge (it was inspired by Monet’s gardens in Giverny). And float in the spa’s calming mineral bath or book a full body treatment to detox and refresh.

For a family-friendly escape, Finger Lakes Lodging is hard to beat. This lodging house is inspired by the Adirondack summer retreats built by wealthy families in the early 19th century. Lodge-style wood furniture and pot-bellied stoves keep rooms cozy—perfect for a relaxing night after a day on the lake! Or gather with other guests in the Great Room with its large stone fireplace and board games.