Area Attractions

Boating + Cruises | Fishing | Hiking & Biking | Wine tasting |
Dining | Miscellaneous | Additional Resources

Boating

In Watkins Glen, 13 miles south, you will find
Seneca Harbor and Captain Bill’s Seneca Lake Cruises.

Reagan’s Canoe & Kayak Livery Rentals is located only 3 miles north of the cottage. They will pick up and deliver. 440 Hall Road, Himrod 607-243-9100

We do not have a dock, but a public launch is located less than 3 miles north of the cottage at Severne Point on Severne Point Road, off Route 14, 8 miles south of Dresden. Hard surface ramp; parking for 12 cars and trailers. Good winter launch site. Operated by the DEC.

You can also launch your boat at Glen Harbor Marina in Watkins Glen and at the Watkins Glen village launch site located off Route 414 on the canal portion of Catherine Creek. Hard surface ramps; parking for approximately 60 cars with trailers; fee.

A little farther away, Roy’s Marina  in Geneva offers rentals and a boat launch.

Hiking & Biking

Watkins Glen

A  small but busy town on the southern tip of Seneca Lake

Watkins Glen State Park– Enjoy the waterfalls, hiking path and pool. Located off of Rt. 14 in downtown Watkins Glen, this is a must-see for anyone visiting the area. A good work-out, the trail will take you under the waterfalls, so be prepared to get a bit wet!

Catharine Valley Trail

Hector

East side of Seneca Lake, 30 minutes from cottage

The Finger Lakes National Forest

Seneca Falls

North of Cayuga Lake, 30 minutes from cottage

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Bluff Point

Northwest branch of Keuka Lake, 40 minutes from cottage

Keuka Lake State Park

Dresden

10 minutes north of the cottage

Keuka Outlet Trail– connects Seneca Lake to Keuka Lake at Penn Yan

Penn Yan

Northeast branch of Keuka Lake, 20 minutes from cottage

Bluff Point Bike Trail- connects Penn Yan to Branchport

 

Bike Rentals

Geneva Bicycle Center
489 Exchange Street
Geneva, NY, 14456 (22 miles north)
315-789-5922
info@genevabikes.com

Books

Take Your Bike – Family Rides in New York’s Finger Lakes Region by Rich & Sue Freeman
Take A Hike – Family Walks in New York’s Finger Lakes Region by Rich & Sue Freeman

Wine Tasting

There are about 30 wineries along the western shore of Seneca Lake, with many more a short drive away on the eastern shore of Seneca or 13 miles to the west on Keuka Lake.

11 vineyards are eight miles or less from the cottage. So really at the cottage you are only a hop-skip-and-a-jump away from some of the best wine in the country. Bring some back to the cottage to enjoy –we provide wine glasses and a corkscrew!

Wine tasting and events like “Chocolate and Wine” are year-round.

For more information, visit:

Book:

Wine Tour of the Finger Lakes: Where to Stop, What to Taste, and What to Buy in New York’s Premier Wine Region
by Grady Wells

Summer in a Glass: The Coming of Age of Winemaking in the Finger Lakes
by Evan Dawson

Fishing license

Anyone over the age of 14 must have a fishing license, even if just fishing off the break wall. The license is available to purchase online at ny.gov The fine for not having a license is considerable. Renters must have their own license.

Dining

There are a number of restaurants within 15 minutes of the cottage, including

  • The Decoy
    (607) 535-2607
    4576 State Route 14, Rock Stream (between the cottage and Watkins Glen)
    Nice American fare in a slightly more formal, non-child-friendly atmosphere. One of the closest restaurants to the cottage.
  • House of Hong (Chinese)
    (607) 535-7024
    400 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen
    Good, and nice for dining in. Quiet but child-friendly
  • Jerlando’s Pizza Company
    (607) 535-4254
    400 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen
  • Wildflower Cafe
    (607) 535-9797
    301 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen
    Sandwiches and burgers; Finger Lakes Wines; good for kids; nice atmosphere.

Click here for a web site with a more complete list of Watkins Glen area restaurants and more.

Miscellaneous

Watkins Glen also has the Watkins Glen International Raceway and the Watkins Glen Golf Course.

Penn Yan and Geneva, two larger towns, lie 20 minutes to the west and north, respectively. In Penn Yan, attractions include:

The Windmill Farm and Craft Market We recommend spending a few hours at the Windmill (Saturday only.)

In the college town of Geneva, you can enjoy, among other things:

In Seneca Falls you will find the Women’s Rights National Historic Park, the National Women’s Hall of Fame, and the Seneca Museum of Waterways and Industry (30 minutes from the cottage).

Other area attractions within an hour of the cottage include:

Canandaigua, 50 minutes away from the cottage on Keuka Lake, another Finger Lake to the west

Ithaca, home of Cornell University and Ithaca College, is only 45 minutes to the east
well worth a day trip for plays, concerts (like the GrassRoots Music Festival), visits to Buttermilk Falls, Robert Treman State Park, and the other wonderful features of this small city.

Click here for more information on Ithaca.

Books about Seneca Lake and the Finger Lakes:

Finger Lakes Panoramas by Kristian Reynolds
Seneca Lake: Past, Present, and Future by Carol U. Sisler

Groceries:

Tops- one in Watkins Glen, one in Penn Yan
Super Wal-Mart in Watkins Glen
Wegman’s in Geneva (this is where we usually shop)

Additional Resources