Summer is in full swing. So whether you’re looking for ideas for date night or ways to entertain the kids on summer vacation, here are some of my top picks for things to do this summer. 

Festivals and events!

You can bet to find something happening almost every weekend during the rest of summer, no matter when you’re visiting. But if you’re looking for some cool things to plan a trip around, here are some of my favorites.

Here’s a question: On a scale from one to glowing red campfire embers, how hot have you felt this summer? If you answered anywhere in the range of hotter-than-a-pancake-on-a-frying-pan, you’re not alone. With temperatures deciding to go the way of scorched earth, it’s not uncommon to lather up multiple sunscreen applications, stick your head in the freezer and down enough water to fill a kiddie pool each and every day. In an effort to ease up on the aloe while still enjoying the sunniest slices of summer, we’ve come up with five ways to beat the heat.

Summer is a busy time of the year for Ontario County and its residents. With the warm weather, and the easy lake access (double win), FLXers know how to do summer right. What else is poppin’ in the Finger Lakes during the summer? Fairs, shows and festivals galore! There is still plenty of summer left to create your own itinerary with some Ontario County favorites. 

The summer months bring sunny-skied vacations, long laughing nights and rambling road trips, but when it’s time to hunker down and gather ‘round the dinner table, there’s no better place to grab ingredients for a fresh meal than a local Finger Lakes farmers market.

Often viewed as a great alternative to eating out, farmers markets provide a venue for farmers to sell directly to consumers, which translates to the freshest fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses in town. Need some arugula for that salad? Check. Some cheddar for Mom’s mac and cheese that you traveled hours for? No problem. How about some juicy strawberries for an afternoon snack? The farmers market has you covered.

It’s a party in the USA! Grab your friends and family, book a room with a lake view and celebrate our nation the Finger Lakes way. With fireworks, parades and even a carnival, there’s no party like a FLX 4th of July party! 

OK, admit it. In the Instagram age, there’s nothing more invigorating than capturing the perfect sunset picture. There’s something special about taking a sunset pic and then seeing it translate from nature to your phone. 

With numerous freshwater lakes, wetlands and wooded areas, Ontario County has many places to see birds. Whether you’re a casual birdwatcher or an avid birder, there’s a spot nearby just waiting for you and your binoculars. 

Here are just a few of my favorites:

It’s here!

After a year of planning and constructing, the Finger Lakes Welcome Center in Geneva is open to the public. And let’s just say—it’s worth the wait. 

Summer is almost here, and that means taking advantage of the Finger Lakes’ great outdoors. Even if you don’t consider yourself the camping type, you may reconsider when you realize camping today can fit almost any type of personality.

If you want to bring your tent, hike in the woods, and set up au naturel, you can do that in Ontario County. But if you’re more like me and my “city-boy husband converted to the great life in Upstate NY,” you might prefer all the new choices available where camping has turned to glamping (glamorous camping).

Craft beer is having a moment, especially here in New York State. While the Finger Lakes area is most commonly associated with wine, the presence of breweries throughout Ontario County cannot be overlooked. To celebrate American Craft Beer Week, I decided to round up some pictures from our local breweries—and maybe inspire you to go have a pint or two this weekend. (I know I will!)