Condé Nast TravelerJul 2, 2026
The Best Way to Explore the Finger Lakes Region Might Just Be by Canoe
Writer Betsy Andrews paddles a 40-mile route, stopping to wine-taste, swap stories with barge captains, and visit some of the state's most significant historic sites.
24 things in this story
- New York State Canalway Water TrailTrail40-mile paddle from Albany to Buffalo
- Erie CanalSight200th anniversary in 2025
- Cayuga Seneca CanalTrailconnects two biggest Finger Lakes with Erie Canal
- Seneca LakeSightovernighted here in Geneva
- AszúRestaurantFinger Lakes wines poured by sommelier
- Death by DessertsPlaceice cream sold from a hearse
- Finger Lakes Welcome CenterPlacescored regional snacks for the paddle
- FLX ProvisionsRestauranthouse-brewed lambic ale to go
- AnorahRestaurantbustling spot for smoked swordfish tacos
- Seneca RiverSightcanal follows this river, girdled with locks
- WaterlooNeighborhoodstop on the Underground Railroad, birthplace of Memorial Day
- Seneca FallsNeighborhoodbirthplace of women's rights
- As Above So Below Body Piercing and Mystic ParlorPlacesidewalk party hosted here
- New York State Canal SystemSightsluggish current, seemed manageable for a canoe trip
- Lock CS4Sightlock on the Cayuga Seneca Canal
- American Civil War MemorialSightcenotaphs glided past
- Ludovico Sculpture TrailTrailmile and a half of towpath dotted with women's art
- Wesleyan ChapelSightrestored interior seen through windows
- National Women’s Hall of FameMuseumlocated in the old Seneca Knitting Mills
- Water/Finger Lakes KAO Holiday CampgroundPlacemillennial owners stocked camp store with hipster merch
- Montezuma National Wildlife RefugeSightreclamation of wetlands drained for Barge Canal
- Mud LockSightfinal lock on the Cayuga Seneca Canal
- Inns of AuroraHotelresort on Cayuga Lake's eastern shore
- Fall Street BrewingRestaurant