WWingAwayWEEKENDSFly to lunchDestination guide 93
New York · Couples · Two nights

Finger Lakes

Waterfalls, wine trails and long, glacial lakes.

The Finger Lakes are long, deep glacial lakes lined with vineyards, and Ithaca sits at the foot of Cayuga Lake surrounded by gorges. Hike past the 19 waterfalls of Watkins Glen, see Taughannock Falls, taste Riesling along the Cayuga and Seneca wine trails, stay at the Inns of Aurora on the lake and browse the Ithaca Farmers Market.

Wine countryWaterfallsLakeside inns
See the weekend itineraryFlight & arrival details
A waterfall and stone gorge walls in Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen gorge
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to KITH
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~542 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~3 hr 51 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · Rental car

Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.

01 / Aviation & getting around

Land at Ithaca.

KITH, Ithaca Tompkins International, is a towered airport about 10 minutes from downtown Ithaca.

The FBO

Taughannock Aviation

Ithaca Tompkins International Airport, Ithaca, NY

607-257-7500

Confirm FBO hours, fees and ground transportation. No live fuel price is shown.

Lake-effect clouds and snow are common from late fall through winter. About 540 nm from Myrtle Beach. A long nonstop leg or a fuel stop.

02 / Where to stay

A lakeside resort or a college-town inn.

Rates and availability need travel dates.

03 / Where to eat

Farm-to-table and lake views.

Reserve weekend dinners.

04 / Things to do

Gorges, wine and the market.

Mix one hike, a few tastings and a long lunch.

01

Watkins Glen State Park

A gorge trail past 19 waterfalls.

Park
02

Taughannock Falls State Park

A 215-foot waterfall, taller than Niagara.

Park
03

Cayuga Lake Wine Trail

Riesling and other cool-climate wines along the lake.

Wine trail
04

Seneca Lake Wine Trail

The region’s largest cluster of wineries.

Wine trail
05

Ithaca Farmers Market

A lakeside market with local food and crafts.

Market
05 / What’s happening

Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.

This prototype links to the local visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.

Summer

Best season

Warm days on the lakes.

Concerts, festivals & local happenings

Check the local calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.

Browse Finger Lakes events
06 / Suggested itinerary

Friday in. Sunday home.

A sample weekend: gorges, wine and the lake. No bookings or availability confirmed.

DAY 1

Arrive & Ithaca

  1. Arrival

    Land at KITH, subject to weather and your actual flight plan.

  2. Afternoon

    Taughannock Falls.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at Moosewood.

DAY 2

Gorges & wine

  1. Morning

    Watkins Glen gorge trail.

  2. Afternoon

    Seneca Lake wineries, with a driver.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at Gola Osteria.

DAY 3

Market & home

  1. Morning

    The Ithaca Farmers Market.

  2. Before leaving

    Allow time at the FBO.

  3. Fly home

    Check weather over the mountains.

07 / Good to know

Keep the weekend easy to change.

These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.

Book in this order

Lodging first, then a tasting driver or tour.

Wine

Plan a designated driver.

Weather

Lake-effect weather in the cold months.

Best seasons

June to October.

Reviewed · Destination 93

Reviewed November 4, 2026.

Picks and links reviewed by WingAway Weekends. Hours, prices, menus and availability change often, so confirm directly with each place before booking.

WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.