Best Things to Do in Seneca Lake, N.Y.

Dr. Konstantin Frank has been making wine in this region since 1958. Ever since, they’ve not only set a standard for the region but propelled it to national stardom. Now, the Finger Lakes are to white wines what Napa is to reds. At its winery, you’ll find a range of classic whites, a few sparkling ones — they were the first to make sparkling wine in the region — and some basic snacks. They were a top 100 winery in 2019, according to Wine and Spirits Magazine, mostly thanks to its semi-dry riesling, an excellent example of a local style. 

As of late summer 2022, Bloomer Creek isn’t open to the public — at least not for tastings. But, with 24 hours’ advance notice, you can order a bottle online for pickup. The husband-wife winemaking (and art) duo will be there to get you your bottle — nice note included. The wines themselves are interesting, even on par with some you’d order in a trendy NYC restaurant. (Bloomer Creek sells a ton of wines to NYC and Pittsburgh restaurants.)

While I suggest you order whites from the rest of the wineries on this list, try a red from Hermann J. Wiemer. It has the best assortment of Seneca Lake-made reds — including the Field Red, a simple sipper with little to no bite. Enjoy the distant lake views, the calm breeze, a glass or two of red and the buzz free of bachelorette parties and big groups. (Hermann J. Wiemer, like the rest of the wineries on this list, does not allow buses or limos to park on property, deterring these kinds of crowds.)

You won’t find Forge Cellars on the official Seneca Lake Wine Trail guide. They’re off the beaten path, per se, and there are (literally) no signs pointing you in their direction. The small operation sits in a big black barn atop a steep hill. Inside, they sell their whites — mineral, sometimes salty but rarely sweet — by the bottle or by the glass. Plus, because one half of their ownership team is French, there are bottles by French winemakers, too, as well as an assortment of meats and cheeses. Order the 2019 Navone Dry Riesling with a plate of jamon Iberico, lakeside cheddar and fresh fruit.

Glen Mountain was so good that during my three-day trip we went three times — twice for breakfast and once for a quick lunch. Sandwiches are the bakery’s specialty, whether cold with fresh-cut turkey inside or hot with an egg and sweet sausage. The spot itself is nice, too, with its bookshelf-lined walls and its central location along Watkins Glen’s main drag.

While the wine isn’t as good here as it is at Forge or Bloomer Creek, Hector Wine Co. does have a trio of fridges set up inside its tasting room. Local products like a tomato and garlic wine sauce or NY strip steaks are available at prices NYC-ers would die for. (Think: cheap dinner, not a bank-breaking affair.) If you’re staying locally, either at an Airbnb or a friend’s house, this is the best spot to load up for dinner. (Avoid the Walmart in Watkins Glen.)

If you’ve had your fill of fine wines on your trip, try cider, a lighter, albeit often sweeter alternative with just as much complexity. Here, the ciders are poured in artful glasses and paired with green curry mussels, carrot salads and incredible pork chops. The menu is rotational, though, so you may not see the same listings as I did. Trust the bartender (or waiter) to guide you through the ordering process.

This tiny little outpost along the main drag in Watkins Glen caught my eye every time we returned to the lakeside house where we stayed. In big, bold letters a sign reads “The Smallest Diner in the World.” Surely, so I thought, it couldn’t be functional, but the truly tiny diner sells hot dogs, steak sandwiches and the occasional breakfast, if they’re open. There’s no seating, so be prepared to stand and eat.

If the semi-sweet wines haven’t quenched your sweet tooth, visit Tobey’s Donut Shop, an institution that often sells out before the breakfast window closes. They have all of the classics, plus a few creative flavors, too. It’s a local haunt, meaning you won’t run into as many tourists here — just neighbors and their grandkids.

A true surprise, Stonecat offered the best lunch in town. On the menu, at least when we visited, was a falafel wrap — but not just any falafel wrap. Inside a soft, likely housemade, tortilla, the chef put falafel, kimchi, feta cheese, cashews and plenty of fresh greens. It was a protein-packed meal that helped us reset between tastings — and stay awake through a nightcap on the lake.

Fresh produce abounds on your way into the Seneca Lake area, no matter which direction you’re coming from. Don’t stop, though. Wait until you’re along the right side of the lake, where Thyme Stands Still Farm is. It’s a farmstand, too, albeit a robust one. The peaches, when in season, are excellent, but so too are the tomatoes — and corn and berries. If no one is there, you ring yourself out and fill the till. 

There are several routes you can take within Watkins Glen State Park, but the best ones feature waterfalls: the North Rim Trail, South Rim Trail and the Gorge Trail. There are 19 total waterfalls to be seen, and you can even walk under one on the Gorge Trail. You’ll get a good sense of how the area’s hills were built — by glaciers — and just how important water is to the region, too. Wear waterproof shoes, though, as the trails are often muddy, sometimes even fully submerged.

At Seneca Harbor Station, located along the water within the town of Watkins Glen, there’s the Seneca Legacy, which is run by Captain Bill’s Cruises. There is a different schedule every day, but the team offers an assortment of meals at “sea” — it’s a lake, folks — plus blues cruises, as well as wine tastings. Truthfully, the view is the main attraction, and you shouldn’t forget it.

Although there’s a city in Ohio called Geneva-on-the-Lake, this isn’t it; this is a hotel by the same name. Here, on the edge of Seneca Lake, this Italianate villa houses 29 guest suites and studios, plus two standalone guest houses for larger groups. The rooms here are just OK, to be honest, so stay, instead, for the interesting architecture inside and out. With manicured outside spaces reminiscent of hotels on Lake Como, you’ll feel faraway from western New York.

Grist Iron Brewing’s on-site lodging option comes with complimentary check-in beers…and plenty more at the brewery on the other side of their lot. All of the nine modern, wood-clad rooms get continental breakfast each morning and a nearby bar for last call, which is early around Seneca Lake (9:30 p.m. here).