Jul 4-6 Finger Lakes Watkins Glen $269 (2 Nights +Transport) frm QNS NYC NJ

Details

FINGER LAKES

The Finger Lakes are a destination for all four seasons. Featuring 11 pristine lakes in the heart of upstate New York, the ideal vacation, weekend getaway, business trip, or overnight is never far away. The Finger Lakes are only a short drive from major population centers including New York City, Toronto, Boston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Cleveland and more.

The Finger Lakes are known for producing excellent wine, particularly for world-renowned Rieslings. With dedicated wine trails on Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca and Cayuga Lakes and many more off the beaten path, a taste of the best sparkling wine, Pinot Noir, Ice Wine, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and other varieties are always within reach. Additionally, The region boasts a number of breweries, distilleries and hard-cider producers.

If you are looking to get outdoors, the Finger Lakes are a must-see destination. From hiking and biking, to boating and fishing or even, there's something for everyone to enjoy. There are also a number of state parks with scenic beauty to behold including a number of waterfalls; visit Watkins Glen State Park to see the gorge trail complete with 19 waterfalls, take in the view from Letchworth State Park's Inspiration Point or the majestic 215 foot cascade of Taughannock Falls.

More on https://www.fingerlakes.org/

WATKINS GLEN STATE PARK

Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound. Within two miles, the glen's stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Rim trails overlook the gorge. Campers and day-visitors can enjoy the Olympic-size pool, scheduled summer tours through the gorge, tent and trailer campsites, picnic facilities and excellent fishing in nearby Seneca Lake or Catherine Creek, which is renowned for its annual spring run of rainbow trout.

In 2015, the park was chosen from more than 6,000 state parks across the nation as a nominee in the USA TODAY Readers' Choice Poll for Best State Park in the United States, and won third place!

More on https://parks.ny.gov/parks/watkinsglen/details.aspx

LODGING

We will be staying in a spacious house in Finger Lakes area, 7 bedrooms, 7 beds (6 queen beds, 2 double beds), 2 baths, 2 kitchens, 2 living rooms, & a dedicated workspace. We will max out at 14 people. The house is 30 minutes to Cascadilla Gorge Trail, and 38 minutes to Buttermilk Falls.

Features: TV, free WiFi, washer, dryer, microwave, coffee maker.

Essential Provided: Shampoo, conditions, towels, bed sheets, soap and toilet paper

DEPARTURE/RETURN SCHEDULE

Depart Date: Jul 4th, 2025 Friday. Please arrive 15 minutes earlier. Van will depart sharply on time with or without you.

Depart 6:30 AM from Queens: (Across street from Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel) 135-20 39th Ave, Flushing, NY 11354 (Map). Subway lines (Main St-Flushing): 7.

Depart 7:10 AM from NYC: (ViVi Bubble Tea) Corner of 43rd St and 9th Ave New York, NY 10036 (Map) Subway lines (Times Sq-42 St): A, C, E, 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S.

Depart 8:00 AM from NJ: (NJ Transit Ramsey Route 17) 1 Spring St, Ramsey, NJ 07446 (Map) $4 to $5 daily parking at the station's park lot. Meet at the big open space facing the entrance of the parking lot.

Return Date/Time: Depart from Finger Lakes on Sunday Jul 6th after lunch around 3:00 PM and expect to arrive at NJ at 8:20 PM, NYC at 9:00 PM & Queens at 10:00 PM

TENTATIVE PLAN (Plan may vary depending on weather among other factors)

7/4 Friday::

• After lunch, arrive at Buttermilk Creek. It descends more than 500 feet in a series of cascades and rapids. A natural pool at the base of Buttermilk Falls provides swimming with the feel of an old swimming hole. We will hike Buttermilk Falls Gorge & Rim Trail. (1.6 mi & 462 ft gain) (Video)

• The iconic Cornell Botanic Gardens Cascadilla Gorge Trail. It connects downtown Ithaca with the Cornell Campus among one of the most picturesque gorges in the Finger Lakes Region and was voted Ithaca's favorite gorge. (Video)

• Optionally, visit the Cornell Botanic Gardens, a 4,000-acre living museum with diverse plant collections and natural areas. (Video)

• Arrive at the house, grocery shopping for breakfasts & drinks, & have dinner at a local restaurant or just order delivery.

7/5 Saturday:

• Visiting Watkins Glen, a charming village at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. Experience the natural beauty of Watkins Glen State Park, where we can walk through a gorge with 19 waterfalls and over 800 stone steps (2.4 mi & 558 ft gain) (Video)

• Head to Taughannock Falls State Park, where we can hike to the base of a 215-foot waterfall, the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rockies. (Video)

• Optionally, we can rent a Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) or kayak for 1 or 2 hours from Paddle-N-More ($28/$38 per person respectively).

• Finger Lakes has the perfect trail for wine lovers — a wine trail, that is! Make our way down the Seneca Lake Wine Trail to taste world-class, local wines (Video), and enjoy the sunset moments.

7/6 Sunday:

• Checking out the house & bring everything to the van/car.

• Hiking in Robert Treman State Park with beautiful views & falls: We can hike either Rim Trail & Gorge Trail Loop (4.5 mi & 810 ft gain) or Red Pine & Gorge Trail Loop (1.4 miles & 288 feet elev gain) depending on how much time left.

• Rent a bike for 2 hours ($20) from Ithaca Bike Rental, and bike around waterfront trail and the town (Bike Paths in Ithaca).

• Optionally, time permitting, we can drive along the western shore of Cayuga Lake & more wine tasting.

• Have a lunch & head back to NYC.

COST (LODGING & TRANSPORTATION)

Super Early Birds: $239 per person for first 7 spots or by May 4th whichever comes first (First two days of posting). Early Birds: $269 per person for first 7 spots or by June 3rd whichever comes first. Regular: $299 per person afterward. No own bed option, but do have own room option at $120 extra (Only 2 own room spots available).

Cost Included in the Trip: 2 nights shared accommodation (sharing a queen bed) at a spacious house in Finger Lakes region. Round trip transportation from NYC area & tolls, daily transportation between the house & Finger Lakes, & parking fee if any. All state parks admission fees included. $10 tips for the van driver is required & will be collected on the returning trip.

Cost Not Included in the Trip:

• Bike and/or SUP rental;

• Meals & drinks;

• Gratitude for the trip leader/driver

BUY TICKET HERE

https://jul042025fingerlakes.eventbrite.com/ Returning members ONLY: You can also Venmo us @jwang88 to avoid transaction fee. Please provide your email, phone #, your van boarding location and preferred roommate if any. Your spot is not confirmed until your payment is received.

REFUND POLICY

* Full refund minus $50 processing fee if cancelled 30 days in advance

* 50% refund if cancelled 15 days in advance

* No refund for cancellation or no show within 15 days; however, spots can be transferred to your friends with $30 processing fee.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

To protect your trip, consider buying travel insurance, around 5% to 7% of total cost, and you can get reimbursed 75% to 100% of the cost for any reason for cancellation or trip interruption. https://www.travelinsured.com/

VIDEO: Exploring the Finger Lakes - Our top things to see

CHECK OUT ALL 2025 TRIPS (More to Come):

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