Top 5 Finger Lakes Romantic Getaways

Hire a sitter or leave the kids with the grandparents and bring on the romance with the waterfalls and rieslings of the Finger Lakes region.

The best thing about Ithaca is its natural beauty. Explore it on foot by making the trek to the 400-foot waterfall and towering cliffs of Taughannock Falls State Park (1740 Taughannock Blvd., Trumansburg, NY). Swim to the base of the waterfalls at Buttermilk Falls State Park (112 E. Buttermilk Falls Rd., Ithaca, NY), or marvel at how it ices over in winter. Check out the funky stores and great restaurants on the Ithaca Commons (171 E. State St., Ithaca, NY).

Wander through the 50-acre estate at Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Park (151 Charlotte St., Canandaigua, NY). Walk out onto the Canandaigua City Pier (Kershaw Park, Canandaigua, NY) to check out the historical boathouses and watch the sunset. Then try the seasonal brews at Twisted Rail Brewing Company (169 Lakeshore Dr., Canandaigua, NY).

Relax on the beaches of beautiful Skaneateles Lake, or take a dinner cruise through Mid-Lakes Navigation (11 Jordan St., Skaneateles, NY) to see the multi-million dollar mansions along the shore. In winter, go back in time for free with “Charles Dickens” and his cast of more than 50 characters who wander the streets. In summer, take in a concert at the Skaneateles Festival (97 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles, NY). Then walk the gardens at Anyela's Vineyards before savoring a glass of wine lakeside (2433 West Lake Rd., Skaneateles, NY).

Sneak in a history lesson with a tour of the restored rooms of the 19th-century Rose Hill Mansion (3373 New York 96A, Geneva, NY). Hold hands while strolling the walkways at Seneca Lake State Park (1 Lakefront Dr., Geneva, NY), or try cross-country skiing in winter. At night, tour the three wineries as well as the microbrewery at Three Brothers Wineries & Estates (623 Lerch Rd., Geneva, NY).

Make your base in Watkins Glen at the foot of Seneca Lake, the deepest of all the Finger Lakes. Buy tickets to the Watkins Glen International (2790 County Rd. 16, Watkins Glen, NY), or check out the International Motor Racing Research Center (610 S. Decatur St., Watkins Glen, NY). Follow a stream that descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs through Watkins Glen State Park (1009 N. Franklin St., Watkins Glen, NY). Then take a wine tour along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail (2 N. Franklin St., Watkins Glen, NY).