FAQs
 

1. How big is the Finger Lakes region?

The Finger Lakes region is about 9,000 square miles, spread out over 14 counties. Ontario County is in the north central part of the region.

2. How many Finger Lakes are there?

Eleven. From west to east, they are: Conesus, Hemlock, Canadice, Honeoye, Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca, Cayuga, Owasco, Skaneateles, and Otisco.

Our corner of the Finger Lakes, Ontario County, has five of those lakes within its borders: Canandaigua, Seneca, Honeoye, Canadice, and Hemlock. That is more than any other county in the Finger Lakes region.

3. How many people live in the Finger Lakes?

As of the 2024 Census, Ontario County had nearly 113,012 residents. The three largest communities in the county are Canandaigua (the county seat with a combined town and city population of about 21,954), Geneva (combined town and city population of about 16,000), and Victor (about 16,159).

4. What is the weather like in the Finger Lakes?

We are a four-season climate. Winter can be cold (teens or single digits), snowy, and long—but also incredibly beautiful, with cardinals sitting on snow-dusted branches, farm fields under a blanket of white, and our hills and mountains beckon. Spring kicks in full-force by late April or early May. Daytime temperatures can be anywhere from mid-40s to high 60s, but nights are still cool, dipping down to the 30s or 40s. Trees green up by the first week of May.

Summer is a time to enjoy the region's outdoors, arts and culture, and more. During the day, temperatures can reach the high 80s to low 90s with humidity, while nighttime lows fall into the 60s. Rain and thunderstorms are possible, so it’s always a good idea to pack a light raincoat and an umbrella. Fall is all about the color change. Early and mid-September can still be summer-like, though you will see the days getting shorter. Time for peak foliage is the second or third week of October, when the days are crisp yet enjoyable and nights are starting to get chilly.

5. How long does it take to drive to the Finger Lakes?

Here are some approximate driving times to Ontario County.

• Boston, M.A., or Detroit, M.I.: 7 hours

• New York City, N.Y., Philadelphia, P.A., or Washington, D.C.: 6 hours

• Montreal and Hartford, C.T., or Newark, N.J.: 5 hours

• Harrisburg, P.A., or Cleveland, O.H.: 4 hours

• Toronto, O.N., or Albany, N.Y.: 3.5 hours

• Hamilton, O.N., or Cooperstown, N.Y.: 3 hours

• Buffalo, N.Y., or Niagara Falls, N.Y.: 1.5 hours

• Corning, N.Y., or Syracuse, N.Y.: 1.25 hours

There are also 3 airports near Ontario County:

• Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport: 41 min

• Syracuse Hancock International Airport: 1.6 hours

• Buffalo Niagara International Airport: 1.22 hours

6. How many wineries are there in the Finger Lakes?

At the most recent count, there are about 140 wineries, and more coming on board all the time. Canandaigua, Seneca, Keuka, and Cayuga all have wine trails, with maps that make it easy to loop around a particular Finger Lake. You can drive around each of the lakes in a day. A designated driver or tour company is recommended as the safest way to visit and taste at a variety of wineries.

7. Does the Finger Lakes region offer more craft beverages?

Yes! Craft and farm breweries are exploding in the region, as are hard cideries and distilleries. Each has a different personality, flavor profile, ambiance, and history. More and more establishments feature a combination of wines, beers, ciders, and spirits. As you travel from brewery to brewery, you will find that hops growing has a long history here in upstate New York. As you seek out cideries, you will also find out how abundant our orchards are in New York (we are one of the top apple growers in the country.)

For help in planning your beer, cider or spirits tour, visit www.fingerlakesbeertrail.com