---
title: Finger Lakes by Season — What to Do in Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter
url: https://enjoythefingerlakes.com/seasons
updated: 2026-10-24
site: Enjoy the Finger Lakes
---

# The Finger Lakes by Season

The Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance calls the region a four-season destination: leaf-peeping in the fall, boating in the summer and winery tours year-round.

![Lakeside grounds on Canandaigua Lake](https://enjoythefingerlakes.com/images/lake-house-grounds.jpg)
*Photo: Lake House on Canandaigua (https://lakehousecanandaigua.com/)*

## Spring (May–June)
- The **Watkins Glen Gorge Trail** typically reopens in mid-to-late May.
- Springside Inn's wedding **peak season** begins in May.

## Summer (June–August)
- **Taughannock Falls swimming:** June 26 – Labor Day (2026).
- **Watkins Glen pool:** June 27 – September 7 (2026).
- **Owasco Lake** is shallow and warm, good for swimming, paddling and boating. Emerson Park has rentals and launches.
- **Wine trail live music** on weekdays, evenings and weekends (Cayuga Lake Wine Trail).

## Fall (September–November)
- **Fall foliage and leaf-peeping** across the region.
- **Gorge Trail last call:** it closes for 2026 on October 25.
- **Haunted History Tours of Auburn** at the Seward House in October.
- **Deck the Halls** on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail in November.

## Winter (December–April)
- **Deck the Halls** (December) on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.
- **Candlelight Christmas Tours** at the Seward House Museum (December 2026).
- **Ice fishing** on Owasco Lake, especially at the northern end (Visit Finger Lakes).
- **Skiing:** Lake House on Canandaigua suggests skiing Bristol Mountain in winter.
- **Non-peak wedding pricing** at Springside Inn runs November–April.

---
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/stay.md, https://enjoythefingerlakes.com/faq.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/