Exploring New York: The best things to see and do in Finger Lakes region

Finger Lakes region takes its name from eleven long and narrow lakes spread like fingers across the region, and it’s located within four to five-hour drive from metropolitan cities, such as Toronto, New York, Philadelphia, or Pittsburgh. Over thousands of years receding glaciers carved this landscape, giving place to an idyllic home to generations of people. No wonder why, as sparkling lakes, breathtaking waterfalls and rolling pastoral hills dominate the landscape, making Finger Lakes Region a hidden gem.

European settlers found one of the most powerful Native Americans Nations in this area, who believed that Finger Lakes were the fingerprints of the Great Spirit. It is said that the Great Spirit reached down and, in touching the earth, transformed this land into sacred ground. But the geological term finger lake refers to a long, narrow body of water occupying a glacially over deepened valley, and the most notable ones are Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. Within about 9,000 square miles, there are miles of lakeshores, countless waterfalls, and vineyards; from biking, hiking, boating, fishing, to visiting museums, or quaint towns and villages, there is an activity for everyone, you name it.

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Hitting the road again: Letchworth state park

Letchworth state park, renowned as the Grand Canyon of the East, is a 14,350-acre park in New York state, following for about 27 km the course of Genesee River. With three major waterfalls, lush forests, and a deep gorge, the park is one of the most scenically areas in the eastern U.S. The Genesee River is the essence of the park, and can be observed either roaring through the gorge on sudden drops, between cliffs as high as 600 feet in some places, or in a calm course along its winding way.

Letchworth state park
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White River suspension bridge trail – Pukaskwa National Park

Out of the hundreds of hiking possibilities in Northern Ontario, the trail going to the White River suspension bridge is the one you won’t want to miss. If you like hiking, you love nature, and suspension bridges, then this is the trail you must have on your list.

Being on the road already for few days, on our West to Northwest Road Trip, we planned carefully a full day on this rather difficult trail.

Pukaskwa National Park - White river suspension bridge trail
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Dundas Valley and its waterfalls, Ontario

Dundas Valley Conservation Area is one of the southern Ontario’s most spectacular natural areas. It offers great hiking opportunities along a small section of the Bruce Trail and few other side trails that weave through the forest along Niagara Escarpment.

Being part of a large glacial valley from about 10,000 years ago that spreads into Lake Ontario, this conservation is actually famous for its 1,200 ha of lush Carolinian forests, a rich and unique ecosystem found in southern Ontario.

Dundas Valley Conservation Area
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The magic of the frozen falls: Niagara Falls

Cold to extreme cold temperatures are normally keeping us inside, but sometimes we need to get out to see what magic they can do. Especially with waterfalls.

January and February are great months to go visiting the falls, as they offer astonishing views. The mist rising from the great falls are layering over and over on the surrounding features, creating a magical snowy winter wonderland. Although by the time we got to the Niagara Falls the sun decided to hide, we still had a great time seeing all the frozen features the waterfalls are so famous for.

Niagara Falls
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