As a resident or visitor to the Finger Lakes Region in New York, you are perfectly positioned to take advantage of great weekend getaways. With a variety of charming towns, unique cities, and beloved national landmarks just a couple of hours away, you can plan a quick break to share with a loved one, the family, or a large group. Where to get started? We recommend these locations as the first four weekend getaways you should try if you haven’t been there already!
4 Weekend Getaway Ideas from the Finger Lakes
Open 365 days a year, Niagara Falls is on the bucket list for most Americans and many non-native visitors alike. It comes as no surprise as Niagara Falls is the oldest state park in the country, covering 400 acres of land, including 140 acres which is underwater! Plus, you certainly can’t miss the 3,160 tons of water flowing over the falls per second!
With miles of hiking trails, fascinating exhibits, an easy-to-traverse environment, and a wide array of accommodation and dining options, this is the ideal romantic getaway. Plus, there are crazy adventure tours you can take that you can’t find anywhere else!
- Saratoga Springs, NY
Driving Distance: 196 miles
Driving Time: 3.5 hours
Saratoga Springs is a hidden gem, containing one of the country’s oldest racetracks and serving as home to some of the best mineral springs in the area. Whether you want a relaxing getaway to simply enjoy the spas, or are planning to tour all that a small town has to offer, this is a picturesque weekend getaway perfect for all ages.
When visiting Saratoga Springs for the weekend, we recommend going to Congress Park to ride the 120-year-old carved carousel, watching a horse race at the track as you eat breakfast in the clubhouse, touring the mineral springs with a guide, and taking a stroll through downtown to enjoy the quirky architecture and shop the local stores.
- New York City, NY
Driving Distance: 256 miles
Driving Time: 4.5 hours
As one of the most iconic cities in the world, New York City is a fun weekend getaway. Of course, it’s impossible to see everything this city has to offer in a weekend, let alone a decade, making it a fun trip you can take over and over again without it ever getting old.
At the top of the New York City bucket list, we highly suggest visiting Central Park, the National September 11th Memorial & Museum, the Empire State Building, and Rockefeller Center. Once you have conquered some of the most accessible destinations, you can delve into more local haunts, such as The Highline in Chelsea, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and seeing Shakespeare in the Park if you are there at the right time!
- Pittsburgh, PE
Driving Distance: 331 miles
Driving Time: 5 hours
Pittsburgh often goes under the radar as a must-see city, even though it certainly offers a ton of sightseeing and activities. With a rich colonial history dating back to the 1700s and incredible rivers acting as the backbones of this vibrant city, plus delightful food, unique attractions, and wonderful people, there is no reason why a weekend getaway to this enticing city shouldn’t be at the top of your list.
Plus, if you are a sports fan, Pittsburgh is made for you. As home to the multi-championship teams of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Pittsburgh Pirates, you can bet there is a game playing somewhere during your visit. Even if there isn’t, you can still tour the stadiums, visit the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, or simply hit up a sports bar.
How to Get There:
Of course, you can fly out of the Finger Lakes Regional Airport. However, you will likely waste more time going through the process of flying than it would take to get there by road. Plus, you run the risk of flight delays and lost luggage, and you won’t have access to a car when you arrive! Therefore, it is best to drive.
While it is possible to take public transportation to these destinations, it will take up most of the day, leaving you with only a short window to enjoy your destination. Rather than hauling your bags around and waiting through countless stops, we recommend simply driving.
Some avid road trippers may want to drive themselves. However, if you want to relax on your trip, will have children or elderly in attendance, are traveling in a large group, or want to impress those in your party, we recommend booking a long distance car service. With a private car service, you can rest assured that your trip is effortless, timely, comfortable, clean, and stress-free.
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