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North America, Travel
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October 1, 2022

Picturesque Drives in Finger Lakes, NY

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Despite the many years of traveling to the Finger Lakes, and even owning a house here now, I never ever tire of traveling around the region. Throughout the seasons this destination changes dramatically and so what you saw in winter completely changes in summer and seems like an entirely new place in the fall. If you like road trips, but most especially if you love scenic drives, then this is the post for you.

West Keuka Lake towards Hammondsport, NY

View of Keuka Lake from Route 76

The most scenic drives along Keuka Lake are along the West side. They are broken down into three roads. The Lower Road (or West Lake Rd – Route 54A, which follows the lake), Middle Road, which is a shorter road that connects with Route 76, also known as South Pulteney Rd. There’s also the “Upper Road”, or officially Greyton H. Taylor Memorial Drive.

My favorite of the three is Route 76 because it provides some of the most spectacular views of Lake Keuka and the bluff, no matter the season. The best part of it all is that these three roads have the most concentrated locations of wineries, breweries, and distilleries in the area. Dr. Konstantin Frank (middle road), Point of The Bluff, Krooked Tusker Distilling, Steuben Brewing, and Keuka Brewing (Rt. 76) and Bully Hill, which has some amazing food and also a spectacular view of the lake (Upper Rd). Of course, some of my favorite wineries are also on the East side of the lake, and though the drive itself isn’t very scenic the views from these wineries are – not to mention their wine is spectacular – McGregor Vineyards, Ravines, and Keuka Springs.

View of Keuka Lake from Keuka Spring Vineyards

Drive all along either of these roads and connect with 54A, which will take you straight into the cute town of Hammondsport.

HammonDsport, NY to Watkins Glen, NY

View of Route 23 towards Watkins Glen

There’s a lot I love about this drive. The road that takes you straight into Watkins Glen from this direction is Route 23. It is hilly and winding. From a distance the hills look like mountains and at some of the highest points of what looks like the most endless road, you can see Waneta Lake.. When in season, there are farm stands along the way and the sunset views from this drive are breathtaking. Drive from Hammondsport through Tyrone, NY to get on to Route 23.

The road takes you right into the heart of Watkins Glen and just steps from the most Southern tip of Seneca Lake.

East Seneca Lake towards Geneva, NY

View from Route 414 towards Geneva, NY

The Scenic Drive along Seneca Lake is on the East Side, Route 414. Not only does this drive take you past Hector Falls – don’t drive too fast or you will miss it – it also takes you along an incredible collection of wineries, breweries, distilleries, and restaurants. At first the ride starts out bordering you with lush trees (during summer and fall months) and ancient shale cliffs. You don’t always get a a view of the lake from the road, but almost every winery and eatery deck has one for you to enjoy.

It’s really hard to decide which are the places that I love most on this side of the lake, but absolute musts (all with outside seating or to go options): breakfast or lunch at Elf in The Oak (seasonal), any meal at Stonecat Cafe (reservations recommended, with a limited seasonal opening), Damiani Wine Cellars for dry reds, Hector Wines for dry reds, Wagner Vineyard for dry Riesling or Rosé, Two Goats for beer, Grist Iron for beer and wings, Finger Lake Distilling for kick-ass cocktail inspirations, and much further down the road (a bit off it), Boundary Breaks for dry Riesling. But, really, where ever you end up, whichever spot draws your attention, you will be good.

You can read more about our adventures around this drives, and more details on our favorite stops here.

Seneca Lake East to Cayuga Lake West

View of Cayuga Lake off of Route 89

At some point 414 changes to Route 96 if you stay along the water and takes you all the way to the Northern point of Seneca Lake. Cross over to Cayuga Lake on Route 20 and drive through historic Seneca Falls and right onto Route 89, on the Western side of the Northern tip of Cayuga Lake. This is only part of the Scenic Byway of Cayuga Lake, which takes you all around the lake. This trail passes by wineries (some of my favorites: Goose Watch, Thirsty Owl, Sheldrake Point, and Americana Vineyards for lunch outdoors). There are a lot of reasons to get off the trail too. The majestic Taughannock State Park and waterfall is off this trail, as is the cool town of Trumansburg, and at the very end you get the added bonus of ending up in Ithaca where there is so much more to see and do (highlights: Ithaca Farmers Market, Ithaca Bakery, Buffalo Street Books, Moosewood Restaurant, and the 150 waterfalls within the 10 mile radius of the city). The city of Ithaca requires its own post, and its own vacation plan.

If you want to follow these routes, here is a Google map trail guide.

Other Favorite Scenic views

View of Canandaigua Lake from Carolabarb Park

Carolabarb Park has spectacular views of Canandaigua Lake (Rt 21) on the way to another favorite city of mine, Naples, NY, the Grape Pie Capital of the World. Order pies to go from Cindy’s Pies or Monica’s Pies. Inspire Moore is a regular stop for us for their food, but also the outdoor seating overlooking their vineyard where we have enjoyed many glasses of water. You can read more about other roads trips we have done in and around Canandaigua and Geneva here.

Skaneateles is another special place requiring its own vacation plan. You can read about my romantic winter getaway and to help plan your escape. Stop into the Skaneateles Bakery for a sandwich to go and head out to the west drive along Skaneateles Lake (Route 41A) to Carpenter Falls in the Behar Preserve. The Bahar Preserve also includes 65 feet of Skaneateles lakeshore, which is great for a canoeing or kayaking before hiking up the ridge trail.

Do not be so quick to get to the destination, that you miss out on the journey

These are just the highlights of the drives I have most enjoyed in this vast Finger Lakes region, but they are just the tip of the iceberg and a really great place to start and explore. Ideally, it’s best to plan all of these adventures across several days, if not several trips so that you can fully enjoy the many stops, attractions, and historic destinations along the way.

Because of COVID restrictions many attractions might be closed, but what is so lovely about these drives is that the most epic sights are all outside. If looking to stop for wine tastings, please make sure to call ahead and make reservations.

Have other scenic drives that you enjoy? Feel free to share them in the comments!

All photography is property of the publisher and may not be used without consent. Brave World Media, a media agency I own, is contracted to represent Finger Lakes Wine Country. This post is not part of that agreement and I have received no compensation for writing it. All opinions are my own.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a des If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a destination for you. This list of good eats were all within close proximity to each other and spots we made time for during our short weekend visit. So definitely note that this doesn’t even begin to cover the tip of the iceberg, but makes a good starter list!

📍@ShortStackEats in the heart of Downtown Madison is clearly a UW favorite. Loved their pancakes! We thought it was a pricey for breakfast, and only offered drip coffee, but the scene was fun, food was good, and service was friendly.
📍@SardineMadison is a waterfront French bistro that has stood the test of time (we’ve been coming here since we lived in Madison!). It can feel very corporate some nights, but their Happy Hour and brunch are definite highlights and it’s a really nice dining experience overall.
📍@EatattheAudrey impressed us! It’s not your usual “hotel restaurant” and I would say it easily stands alone as an eatery worth checking out in Madison. Great breakfast options, cozy vibes, nice bar, and good service!
📍@RamenStation1124 good, affordable ramen.
📍BlindShotSocialClub We really loved this spot for brunch (sorry, was enjoying the company and totally spaced out on capturing food images!). Golf fans will love hitting the putt here (you can reserve a private room too), and what I though was most cool was the delicious and wide selection of non-alcoholic cocktails to choose from. This place is a total vibe!
📍@StringsRamen is a chain, but I have to say it is some of the best ramen I have had in a long time. I especially loved how you can choose your ramen but heat level but also by Japanese region which allowed us to taste a couple of new flavors!
📍@Parthenongyros has been around awhile (hubby recalls coming here during his college years!) and was voted #1 take out in Madison! Though we indulged inside and away from the snow. A delicious, quick bite when strolling around State Street.

And again, this is just a starter list. There is so much more to eat and enjoy in this top foodie city! What other spots would you add to this list?

#madisonwi #foodiegram #foodiedestinations #goodeats @destinationmadison
I love to travel. It has always been important to I love to travel. It has always been important to my family. My parents got my first passport weeks after I was born. They couldn’t afford to travel like I do now, but they understood, as immigrants, the absolute privilege that comes attached to having that shiny blue American booklet and they wanted me to have it.

I was yet again reminded of my privilege when my travel back home on this last trip was delayed over 24 hours. I have a village in place to make sure my kids were ok. Having my own business meant I didn’t have to report in to anyone, and was still able to work remotely so none of my clients were inconvenienced by it. Though the airline covered our hotel and food, we never worried that we couldn’t do it ourselves otherwise. While we were annoyed, we weren’t stressed.

So while I love to travel, and I love sharing my travels with you, I acknowledge that being able to do so, and dealing with the consistent travel disruptions so prevalent today without worries is a privilege…one that started with a little blue booklet that gives me more access to the world than some others do.

And I want us all in this travel space to be reminded of this. Of how lucky we are. Of our privilege to access and time and money.

So let us travel with grace and awareness. Let us remain rooted in reality and perspective. Acknowledging that our escapism isn’t one so easily accessible to others. Understanding that this is also why local stories have as much value as those to exclusive destinations, if not more. And, never forgetting, especially in the travel influencer and media space, that were it not for hosted campaigns and paid-for travel opportunities, most of us wouldn’t be able to afford the lifestyle we so beautifully curate online.

It doesn’t matter how often you travel, or how far. Just that hopefully you will be able to gift yourself the experience of doing so and experiencing something new.

#travel #travelmedia #travelinfluencer #wheretonext
As I work on compiling all the good eats I experie As I work on compiling all the good eats I experienced in Madison, WI, I have to ask: what is your favorite meal of the day, and where did you experience a highlight of the same?

I am a huge fan of breakfast. This beauty was a blueberry pancake order from @shortstackeats. Pancakes are not a big thing for me, but these were pretty perfect. I am craving them still. 🥞♥️

#madisonwi #goodeats #travelingfoodie @destinationmadison
We got back on a plane! Here are scenes from a qui We got back on a plane! Here are scenes from a quick trip to Madison, WI - my first time back in 14 years! Though we were here for family matters, we did take a moment to explore a bit of what used to be a place we called home.

We couldn’t do anything else until we drove around Lake Monona, where we once had a home, and took in the wintery views (there is an epic 13.2-mile trail that loops around the lake that is worth exploring if you visit!). Though our time was limited, we were able to enjoy some of it along State Street exploring the shops, eateries, the FREE @mmocamadison, and the beautiful architecture of the WI State Capitol Building (the Dane County Farmers Market will soon pick up again - Saturdays, April 15 thru November 11, 2023 around the Capitol Building and it is one of the best farmers markets anywhere!). 

We booked a room at the @hiltonmadison Monona Terrace to be within walking distance of all the downtown fun (tip: for a room with a lake view make sure to book at the upper levels above 10th floor for an unobstructed view of Lake Monona). 

Madison, WI is a skip and a hop from the Finger Lakes so this short and sweet visit didn’t feel difficult at all. And we absolutely loved the winter scenery and seeing what has changed (a lot) since we lived here.

Stay tuned for my list of where we ate!

Have you ever been to Madison, WI?

#madisonwi #weekendgetaway #wisconsin @destinationmadison
The joy of that first sip of the day. #randommom The joy of that first sip of the day. 

#randommomentsarethebest
I think my husband enjoys it, but still can’t be I think my husband enjoys it, but still can’t believe how easily I’ve been waking up in the early mornings since our last trip. Not sure how to shake it, or if it’s temporary, but here it is: the rare sighting of me up and moving early in the day. Am I a morning person now? Has travel ever permanently changed any of your habits?

#morningperson #lifeinthecountry #newme <-😂

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