Seneca Lake Travel Guide & Reviews Vacation Rentals, Cabins, Condos to Rent, Holiday Homes

Seneca Lake , once part of the Seneca Nation, is a year round destination sitting in the heart of the glacial Fingers Lake area in upstate New York. Self-proclaimed as the "lake trout capital of the world", it is very popular with anglers and also wine connoisseurs with over 30 local vineyards dotted around the hills surrounding the lake.

The Finger Lakes are home to some of the most beautiful lakes, rivers, and trails in the United States and Seneca Lake is the largest of the eleven Finger lakes providing a wide variety of watersports and fantastic beaches for sunbathing and swimming during the warm summer months plus easy access to the local ski areas during the winter.

bristol harbour marina canandaigua
Key facts...
State New York
Nearest airport Syracuse (66 miles)
Nearest train station Rochester (62 miles)
Restaurants 30+
Lakeside beaches
Fishing (trout)
Watersports
Waterparks
Wine tours
Farmers markets (Geneva)
Spa & wellbeing
Children's camps
Skiing
Car recommended

The City of Geneva sits at the top end of the lake and is the main hub for shopping, cafes, bars and a very good selection of restaurants from casual to fine dining serving all types of local and international cuisine. The other main town is Watkins Glen on the southern tip of the lake and known for its stunning state park and magnificent waterfalls.

Featured Seneca Lake Cabins

Seneca Lake Vacation Rentals

The vacation rentals around Seneca Lake are a mix of cabins, lodges, lakeside houses and condos. The main things people look for in a vacation rental during the summer is a BBQ and during the winter a log fire and you'll find that most cabins and lodges in Seneca Lake are equipped with both!

seneca lake vacation rentals, cabins for rent

Renting a cabin or condo is great value when compared to hotel prices and cater for couples on weekend breaks to family vactions and groups. Whether its a lakeside cabin or lodge in the surrounding hills looking on to the lake, there is a large selection of holiday rentals for all budgets and tastes.

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Seasonal Activities Guide

Seneca Lake is a place to visit any time of year and there is never a dull moment. Some of the more popular activities include....

  • Skiing at Bristol Mountain (45 miles)
  • Big Oak Golf club (links course)
  • Lake boat tours
  • Water skiing, jetski & sailing
  • Kayaking & Canoe
  • Fishing - trout, pike, bass & perch
  • Hiking and waterfalls in Watkins Glen State park
  • Mountain biking
  • Ariel adventures- Bristol mountain
seneca lake vacation adventures
fingers lakes wine tours

waterpark near seneca lake

Top Things to See and Do

Seneca Lake Wine Trail

There are more tha 30 vineyards around Lake seneca producing international wines such as Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Honey Wines. Spend a few days on the trail and sample some of these fine wines.

Waterparks

Roseland Waterpark is a firm favourite with the younger children. This exciting Canandaigua water park is known for its sparkling clean water, lazy river, large slides and wave pool and just 45 minutes drive (32 miles) from Geneva.

Skiing

The closest ski resort is at Bristol Mountain (45 miles) to the west of Canandaigua Lake, largely catering for beginners and intermediates across its 34 trails. For more advanced skiers, Labrador Mountain (66 miles) is to place to head to with around a third of the 22 trails reserved for experts.

Our view on Seneca Lake

Seneca Lake is best described as one of those lakes & mountains destinations you will go back to time after time. A very pretty area, full of life, excellent value and a perfect family holiday destination. Seneca is also a great base to explore the other beautiful Fingers Lakes such as Canandaigua Lake and Lake Cayuga.