5 days in Finger Lakes Itinerary

Blending big-city culture with small-town charm, Rochester sits on the southern shore of Lake Ontario.

On the 12th (Mon), explore the engaging exhibits at The Strong National Museum of Play and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Padre Pio Chapel.

To find maps, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Rochester trip planner.

Washington DC to Rochester is an approximately 3.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight; or drive. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from Washington DC in August: high temperatures in Rochester hover around 80°F and lows are around 60°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Penn Yan.

Penn Yan is an incorporated village in Yates County, New York, United States. Start off your visit on the 13th (Tue): do a tasting at Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard, immerse yourself in nature at Watkins Glen State Park, then bet on your favorite at Watkins Glen International, and finally stop by The Keuka Candy Emporium. Keep things going the next day: do a tasting at Heron Hill Winery, then learn about winemaking at Bully Hill Vineyards Winery, then sample the tasty concoctions at Lakewood Vineyards, and finally do a tasting at Fox Run Vineyards.

To find where to stay, photos, and tourist information, go to the Penn Yan online attractions planner .

You can drive from Rochester to Penn Yan in 1.5 hours. In August in Penn Yan, expect temperatures between 79°F during the day and 60°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Ithaca.

Ithaca is a city in the Southern Tier-Finger Lakes region of New York. Kick off your visit on the 15th (Thu): take in nature's colorful creations at Cornell Botanic Gardens, then steep yourself in history at Seward House Museum, and then explore the activities along Cayuga Lake. Keep things going the next day: take in the dramatic scenery at Ithaca Waterfalls, relax in the rural setting at Lively Run Dairy, then sample the tasty concoctions at Two Goats Brewing, then do a tasting at Silver Springs Winery L.L.C., and finally learn more about the world around you at Museum of the Earth.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Ithaca trip builder site .

Getting from Penn Yan to Ithaca by car takes about 1.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 78°F in August, and nighttime lows around 56°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Fri) so you can travel back home.