Jul 3-5 Finger Lakes Watkins Glen $329 (2 Nights +Transport) frm QNS NYC NJ

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.
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 (3 king beds, 4 queen beds), 3 baths, 1 kitchen, 2 living rooms, & a dedicated workspace. We will max out at 14 people. The house is 30 minutes to Cascadilla Gorge Trail, and 45 minutes to Taughhannock 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: Shown above. Please arrive 15 minutes earlier. Van will depart sharply on time with or without you.
Depart 6:00 AM from Queens (NEW): (Northeast Corner of 39th Ave & College Point Blvd) 133-03 39th Ave, Flushing, NY 11354 (Map). Subway lines (Main St-Flushing): 7. (1/2 block from Asian Jewels)
Depart 6:40 AM from NYC: (Starbucks: Southwest Corner of 43rd St and 9th Ave) 593 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 7:20 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 garage entrance.
Return Date/Time: Depart from Finger Lakes on Sunday after lunch around 3:00 PM and expect to arrive at NJ at 7:00 PM, NYC at 8:00 PM & Queens at 9:00 PM

TENTATIVE PLAN (Plan may vary depending on weather among other factors)
7/3 Friday::
• 11:45 AM - Lunch at Watkins Glen. Jerlando's Ristorante or Nickel's Pit BBQ
• 12:45 - 3:15 PM - Experience the natural beauty of Watkins Glen State Park, where we can walk through a gorge with 19 waterfalls and over 800 stone steps. We will do this Gorge and Finger Lakes Trail (Moderate, 4.6 mi, 839 ft gain, 2.5-3 hr) (AllTrails Map)(Video)
• 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - 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. Choose 1-2: Lakewook Vineywards &/or Castel Grisch Winery
• Arrive at the house, grocery shopping for breakfasts & drinks, & have dinner at a local restaurant or just order delivery.
7/4 Saturday:
• 7:30 AM - Head to Taughannock Falls State Park, where we can check out the OverLook & hike to the base of a 215-foot waterfall, the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rockies. We will hike Taughannock Falls via Gorge Trail (Easy, 1.8 mi, 213 ft gain, 1 hr) (AllTrails Map)(Video)
• 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM - The iconic Cornell Botanic Gardens Cascadilla Gorge Nature Area. 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. We will hike Cascadilla Falls (9 Falls) (Moderate, 1.1 mi & 295 ft gain) (AllTrails Map)(Video)
• 12:15 PM - Lunch at Downtown Ithaca (Ithaca Ale House or Viva Taqueria)
• 1:45 - 4:45 PM - • 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) & optional more wine tasting depending on what everyone prefers.
• 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM - Optional (If we pick Red Pine & Gorge Trail Loop above): Finger Lakes has the perfect trail for wine lovers — a wine trail, that is! Make our way down the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail to taste world-class, local wines (Video), and enjoy the sunset moments.
• 5:15 PM - Head back to the house
• 7:00 PM -8:30 PM - Dine out near the house
• 8:40 PM - July 4th Fireworks 15 minutes from the house
7/5 Sunday:
• 8:30 AM - Drive to Skaneateles. Skaneateles is one of the most beautiful towns in the Finger Lakes — upscale, clean, and right on the water. (Video)
• 9:15–10:30 AM — Clift Park & Pier Walk. Start with the clearest water in the Finger Lakes. Walk the pier, gazebo, and shoreline. Village Stroll on Genesee Street. Coffee stop at Skaneateles Bakery. Browse boutiques and lakeside shops
• 10:30–11:10 AM — Thayer Park. Open lawns, benches, and perfect lake angles. Great spot to relax after the cruise. Easy walk along the shoreline
• 11:10–12:30 PM — (Optional) Guppy Falls Trail (10 min drive). Short, scenic waterfall walk (0.6–1.0 miles). Shaded, cool, and a nice contrast to the lake
• 12:30–2:00 PM — Return to Village + Mid‑Lakes Navigation Cruise. ($27 extra cost) 60–70 minute sightseeing cruise. Smoothest way to see the lake without rushing. Morning departures usually around 1:00 PM
• 2:00–3:00 PM — Lunch
1. The Sherwood Inn 2. Blue Water Grill 3. Rosalie’s Cucina (3 min drive).
• 3:00 PM - Depart for NYC. Arrive NYC 8:00 PM

COST (LODGING & TRANSPORTATION)
Early Birds: $329 per person for first 7 spots or 21 days in advance whichever comes first. Own bed upgrade is NOT available, but 1 own room spot for $499. Regular: $359 per person afterward. $10 tips for the van driver is required & will be collected on the returning trip.
Cost Included in the Trip: 2 nights shared accommodation (sharing a king/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.
Cost Not Included in the Trip:
• Bike and/or SUP rental;
• Meals & drinks;

BUY TICKET HERE
https://jul032026fingerlakes.eventbrite.com/ Your spot is not confirmed until your payment is received.

REFUND POLICY
* Full refund minus $50 processing fee if cancelled 21 days in advance
* 50% refund if cancelled 10 days in advance
* No refund for cancellation or no show within 10 days; however, spots can be transferred to your friends with $50 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
https://youtu.be/ZUZPrQdJhbo

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