At FLX Tee Co., we’re proudly biased: the Finger Lakes is the best place to get wonderfully, blissfully lost. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, sipping something fermented, or trying to remember where you parked your kayak, these 10 towns are guaranteed to charm your socks (or sandals) off.
So here it is: our semi-serious, highly personal, wine-fueled guide to 10 Finger Lakes towns you should absolutely wander into.
1. Hammondsport
Vibe: Lakefront wine wizardry meets old-school Americana.
Don’t Miss: Dr. Frank’s Winery, Keuka Lake’s shimmering shoreline, and the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum.
Quirk Factor: It once won “Coolest Small Town in America.” Not even kidding.
2. Hector
Vibe: The hometown of FLX Tee Co. (yes, we’re totally biased). A little rugged, a lot beautiful, and a wine-lover’s paradise.
Don’t Miss: Hazlitt 1852 (try the Red Cat slushie), Finger Lakes National Forest, and random roadside farm stands.
Quirk Factor: Goats, grapes, and glorious sunsets — sometimes all at once.
3. Skaneateles
Vibe: Bougie, but in a charming, main-street-America kind of way.
Don’t Miss: Shopping downtown, boat tours on the clearest lake in New York, and dinner at The Sherwood Inn.
Quirk Factor: Pronounced “Skinny-Atlas,” which sounds like your buddy who only works out his forearms.
4. Naples
Vibe: Grape everything. Purple-tinted soul.
Don’t Miss: The Naples Grape Festival, grape pie, grape soda, and maybe grape soap.
Quirk Factor: Home of the official Grape Pie Queen. It’s a thing.
5. Ithaca
Vibe: College town with a crunchy heart and a waterfall addiction.
Don’t Miss: Buttermilk Falls, Ithaca Farmers Market, and yelling “Ithaca is GORGES” at strangers.
Quirk Factor: Probably more kombucha shops than traffic lights.
6. Geneva
Vibe: A little city with big taste.
Don’t Miss: Linden Street’s wine bars, dinner at FLX Table, and the Seneca Lake shoreline.
Quirk Factor: You’ll stay longer than planned. Blame the cocktails.
7. Trumansburg (aka “T-Burg”)
Vibe: Small town with a soul patch and a guitar.
Don’t Miss: Taughannock Falls, the GrassRoots Festival, and cozy cafés with mysterious regulars.
Quirk Factor: Everyone has either a dog, a banjo, or both.
8. Penn Yan
Vibe: Amish buggies meet microbrews.
Don’t Miss: The Keuka Outlet Trail, local bakeries, and the name (yes, it’s a palindrome).
Quirk Factor: “Penn Yan” backward is still… delightful.
9. Aurora
Vibe: Straight out of a Nicholas Sparks movie.
Don’t Miss: The Inns of Aurora, lakeside wine sipping, and total dockside relaxation.
Quirk Factor: You’ll want to move here. Or propose. Or both.
10. Watkins Glen
Vibe: Waterfalls, wine, and vroom-vrooms.
Don’t Miss: Watkins Glen State Park, Seneca Lake wine trail, and the international raceway.
Quirk Factor: Hike a gorge, then hear a Porsche fly by. Welcome to balance.
Bonus Tip
Pack light, bring snacks, and wear your comfiest FLX Tee — you’ll want to explore these towns slowly, aimlessly, and with zero GPS judgment. Getting lost has never looked so good.
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