3rd Annual Best Friend Trip: The Fingerlakes, NY

It feels like it's been forever, friends!!!!! I am so happy as I write this post because I truly had so much fun the weekend of this trip. I have posted about the other two best friend trips Cristina and I have taken so I couldn't leave this one out :) There were an array of different places on the table to choose from for our trip this year but let's face it, the Finger Lake region was the perfect choice!

We stayed in the Watkins Glen area of Seneca Lake and it was absolutely phenomenal with the most breathtaking views. Here is a pictorial rundown of some of what we did, enjoy!

• We stayed at a quaint little bed and breakfast called Lake Valley Legends. It was located a block from the center of town and the house owners and other guests were so pleasant. I would definitely return there again. Above is a photo of our room. It was decorated with all authentic German trinkets from a trip the owners had taken :)

• Our first night we walked down to the little village by our bed and breakfast. We obviously chose to eat at the place that smelled the best from the sidewalk haha Nickels Pit BBQ, DELICIOUS! 

• Breakfast each morning at the house was scrumptious! Yogurt, fruit and granola parfaits, fresh OJ, apricot points and even a delicious Amish casserole the last day. Nothing like a home-cooked meal to start the day!

• Watkins Glen State Park was the main reason we chose this region of the finger lakes. This state park is constructed of beautiful gorges and so many stunning waterfalls! The hike up and down are approximately 2 hours with a nice place to grab a snack or in our case, guzzle down a bottle of water at the top. Come prepared with water and the earlier you get there the better, on weekends it gets packed!

• After  along hike, we needed some sustenance :) Garcia's Mexican Restaurant had recently opened so we took advantage and enjoyed every bit! (The hot salsa is the best! For someone who likes spicy things, I was pleasantly surprised with how awesomely picante the salsa was, guacamole was super fresh as well, win!) 

• Can't visit the finger lakes and not do a wine tasting at one of the dozens of wineries there! We chose Lakewood Vineyards for our tasting although there are a ton along the same road which many people follow the wine trail for. After one tasting, we were off to our next adventure, boy was the vineyard marvelous though.

• Funny moment: Cristina catches me running down the road, tripod in hand. The things we did for the perfect photo that day! hahahaha

• Taking the afternoon to explore the country side, no GPS or itinerary was such a wonderful idea. the rolling hills, rustic barns, farm animals and little stands like above are what made me really appreciate the entire trip. There are so many places here in the US that are so absolutely beautiful, nature is a beautiful thing. Above, we stopped roadside to get some homemade goats milk soaps--there were even real goats right behind the stand, talk about authentic! ha!

If you are in the metropolitan area and looking for a great weekend trip that will offer a ton in just two short days, consider the finger lakes region. There is something to do for everyone, I promise! We came with the idea that we would do some sort of activity on the lake but unfortunately I didn't take into consideration the weather difference, when we would wake up it was barely 50 degrees! It is definitely about 15 degrees colder on average there in the finger lakes region so be prepared for sweaters, even in August! Not pictured above is the trip we took to nearby Cayuga Lake where we attended the "Found in Ithaca" flea market which is a very well attended happening every Sunday. Antiquing was a ton of fun and I even picked up some vintage freshwater pearls from an antique booth for $5! What a steal! 

As Summer comes to an end, I wish you all a happy and healthy start to the Fall season,

xox