Is the Seneca Lake Wine Trail Walkable?
Seneca Lake is filled with so much to explore but one of the questions we get most often from visitors who are new to the region is whether or not it’s doable to walk the wine trail as part of a visit. The short answer is no. While walking along the lake promises a great view, it’s not something we’d recommend attempting -- the wine trail runs for nearly 40 miles both on the east and west sides of Seneca Lake!
Photo Credit: SenecaLakeWine.com
Not only that, but the wineries are miles apart on busy roads with lots of traffic and no sidewalks so it wouldn’t be safe to make an attempt. You’ll have to drive from destination to destination, or arrange for other transportation. Here are some options to consider as you design your itinerary (all are convenient from our Finger Lakes vacation rentals!):
If you need a ride…
One of our favorite services to work with is Main Street Drivers, who can drive your car for you if you’d like to safely indulge. You can also hop on and off the Lakeside Trolley (so much fun!) or check out some of our other recommendations for getting around Seneca Lake while you’re visiting.
If you’d rather do a bar crawl…
If bar hopping is more your speed, then we recommend hitting Watkins Glen for a night out. Start at Horseheads Brewing Seneca then hop to 29 NEAT, J.R. Dill Wine Bar, Landons Pub & Pizza, Bleachers Sports Bar & Grill, and Maria’s Tavern for an itinerary that offers great eats, wine, beer, or spirits (truly something for everyone!).
If you’d prefer a wine tour…
We’ve got you covered! We have a full list of wine tours we’d recommend, like Experience! The Finger Lakes, which includes a whole educational component along with some great stops along the wine trail, or Finger Lakes Winery Tours, which offers a party bus or limo experience that you can curate with your group.
Outside of these options for exploring wineries, you can also get to see more of Seneca Lake by water through Finger Lakes Cycle Boats. They’re a seasonal option that’s BYOB and BYO food-friendly. Just think: how great would your day be if you packed a picnic and a bottle of wine to enjoy on the water? Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can try Finger Lakes Rail Riders, which offers a scenic 5-mile tour of the landscape that can get you out into fields and rolling hills. Enjoy a glass of wine once you return back to your rental afterwards!