Driving through the New York finger lakes - which is better?

[Barn Owl]

Is there any one better than the other? Better views, roads, interesting things to see etc? Looking for scenic routs from Niagara to NYC.

Thanks

[artvonne]

  A little farther east is that river that runs down through VT and CT, the famous trout stream? Batten Kill? Ondawa?  That is amazingly pretty. Wouldnt mind driving through there again.

[WEC4104]

On our way to Niagara one year, we really enjoyed our stop in Corning, NY.   The Corning Glass Museum was enjoyed by our whole family. They have some hands-on stuff you can do like glass blowing and etching.  The parking is very bus friendly, and there is a nice basic campground a short distance away.

[bevans6]

You could try the lake-shore route along the southern shore of Lake Ontario.  Sean did that once, documented it in his blog.

[jjrbus]

How much time do you want to spend crossing the state? NY once you leave NIagara area till you get to the NYC area is a beautiful state with many attractions.

You can start in N. Tonawanda at the Merry go round museum, on the weekend tonawanda also has the Mighty Wurlitzer that plays at the local theater,go to Lockport and take a tour boat on one of the Erie canal locks. Lockport also has an almost museum quality hardware store!

Take Rt 78 south to Rt 20 east to Rt 98 south and take a drive by infamous Attica State Prison. Continue on 98 south to 20A east and take a white knuckle trip down the hill into Warsaw NY a once wealthy town with many great old houses.  Then a verrry slow trip up the other hill out of town.

Stay on 20A to Rt 36 to Letchworth State Park, referred to as the grand canyon of the east, see the RR trestle built in 1881 and still in use today.

By now you have traveled about 90 miles, 50 in the direction you want to go and put in a really long day. I do not have a clue where you can camp near there?

The next day I would want to head to Watkins Glenn State Park, A small but very pretty park. I do not think  there is a wrong route as far as scenery goes, the whole area is beautiful. NY State is a goldmine of things to see and do. I am trying to think of a few other things on this route, but cannot place them at the moment. Will put some thought into it if you are interested.

After Watkins Glenn you can go south to Corning and visit the Museum, that is a few hour visit itself.

                                                    JIm

[RJ]

Laryn -

Useless historical automotive trivia for you:  The Tonawanda GM plant is where they built Corvair engines during the '60's.  Reynolds Aluminum had a plant right next door - used to haul the molten aluminum in special truck/trailers to GM for pouring into the various engine molds.

Not sure what the status of either plant is nowadays, anybody know?

FWIW & HTH. . .

[niles500]

If you have kids - Cooperstown, Fort Ticonderoga, lake Champlain and Burlington VT has quite a few things to do and there's some places to white water (but don't tell Jack Conrad - He's having way to much fun the way it is)

[jjrbus]

Laryn -


Not sure what the status of either plant is nowadays, anybody know?

FWIW & HTH. . .

The engine plant is alive and well, it has been updated and seems to have a secure future.

Not a clue on Reynolds? Other than they are not around any more.

[Tom Y]

Letchsworth has camping as does Stoney Brook. At 35' you might find a couple spots at Stoney Brook, small state park fills on the weekends. Hiking and walking up the stream.  Tom Y

[RJ]

All -

Barn Owl checked in with me briefly this evening via cell.

Says Wheezy Bus & Fam are having a great time, will be following up with folk who have offered trip suggestions as they pick up internet access enroute.

Stay tuned!