---
title: Finger Lakes FAQ — Wine, Waterfalls & Trip Planning
url: https://enjoythefingerlakes.com/faq
updated: 2026-10-24
site: Enjoy the Finger Lakes
---

# Finger Lakes FAQ

### How many lakes are in the Finger Lakes?

The Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance describes the region as home to 11 lakes in the heart of Upstate New York.

### What is America's first wine trail?

The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail calls itself America's first wine trail. It says it has existed for more than 40 years and notes more than 130 wineries across the wider Finger Lakes wine region.

### What wines is the Finger Lakes known for?

The Seneca Lake Wine Trail names Riesling as one of its best-known varietals, along with Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, sparkling wines and ice wines. The Seneca Lake AVA covers 320 square miles within the Finger Lakes AVA.

### When is the Watkins Glen Gorge Trail open?

NY State Parks says the Gorge Trail, with 19 waterfalls in one mile, typically opens mid-to-late May and closes mid-to-late October, depending on weather. In 2026 it closes at 6:00 pm on October 25. The park itself is open year-round, dawn to dusk.

### How tall is Taughannock Falls?

NY State Parks says Taughannock Falls plunges 215 feet past rocky cliffs that tower nearly 400 feet above the gorge. The gorge trail to the base is about ¾ mile and relatively flat.

### Where is a good central base for exploring the Finger Lakes?

Springside Inn on Owasco Lake (6141 West Lake Road, Auburn) is about 18 minutes from Skaneateles, 24 minutes from Seneca Falls, 37 minutes from Geneva and about an hour from Ithaca, Taughannock Falls and Canandaigua (OSRM estimates).

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Other pages: https://enjoythefingerlakes.com/index.md, https://enjoythefingerlakes.com/wine-trails.md, https://enjoythefingerlakes.com/waterfalls.md, https://enjoythefingerlakes.com/history.md, https://enjoythefingerlakes.com/seasons.md, https://enjoythefingerlakes.com/stay.md, https://enjoythefingerlakes.com/sources.md
Related sites: https://getmarriedinthefingerlakes.com/, https://getmarriedinskaneateles.com/, https://stayinthefingerlakes.com/, https://stayatowascolake.com/, https://visitowascolake.com/, https://springsideinn.com/