What area is included in the term Finger Lakes?
What is Upstate New York?
As a Pennsylvanian, I’ve long puzzled over what “upstate” means. Yes, I know I could Google the answer, but I’d rather hear from my NY friends what term is correct.
At any rate, I traveled to the region with my husband on his business trip. I contented myself hanging out in the local library or the hotel lobby, writing to my heart’s content. Both locations provide me with fodder for blogs or conversations between characters in a novel.
This trip took us as far east as the small town of Cazenovia. Even cold and fog-encased, drizzly and damp, we found Cazenovia absolutely adorable. Stop at Dave’s Diner for a treat, great cappuccino or sandwich, served with a smile.
Driving From Pittsburgh to the Finger Lakes is Pleasant
We spent a couple of nights in Perinton, struck time and again by the number of cupolas on various buildings. From homes to courthouses, to the Hilton Garden Inn where we stayed, cupolas sat atop structure after structure.
When and why did these tiny or large windowed squares became a standard construction item in this area? An internet search didn’t yield much. Had I realized it while in the library I’d have haunted area history books instead of working on my novel.
Other Finger Lakes Cities
We spent three nights in Auburn, a city block from the famous prison. While people were nice and friendly, the atmosphere of this county seat was depressed. The main street contained many empty store fronts. After our unexpected discovery of Greenville, South Carolina, I will, unfairly, judge small towns in America by its standard.
Skaneateles (Skinny Atlas) was another surprise. At just over seven thousand people, the town is quaint, sits right on the long (skinny) lake Skaneateles and boasts a number of restaurants and shops. We had a fish lunch at the Bluewater Grill, brought to us by a friendly server who laughed when I asked how to pronounce the town name.
Driving on Route 34, we passed through Genoa and Venice, which might explain why we found such good Italian food in the area. In Auburn, we dined twice at Osteria Salina. Don’t miss it and be sure to follow dinner with a sip of the Giordi Limoncello.
Ithaca, New York
We enjoyed a walk through Ithaca—the Commons is a quaint setup of shops and restaurants—and a drive through the Cornell Campus. They have a plantation array there that would take days to explore. While I didn’t see a mansion tucked away anywhere, we did take time to walk through part of the F.R. Newman Arboretum. We’d like to come back in the summer and see everything in bloom.
Buttermilk Falls State Park is a must see in the Ithaca area. We hiked up the Rim Trail, crossed over and came down the Gorge Trail. It is steep and very slick in places, so take your time and use caution. It’s quite lovely and swimming is permitted in certain spots, when there’s a lifeguard on site. Restrooms and showers are available but cart your own amenities along.
Don’t skip a tour around Cayuga Lake. We went north on 90, west on 20 and south on 89 and enjoyed views at every bend in the road. If you like New York wine, you’ll have multiple vineyards to choose from.
I’m already looking forward to a summer trip to further explore the Finger Lakes area, eat well and further visit with the genial and ever-smiling residents.
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Read: Pennsylvania Forests
So much fun to see you mention Skaneateles! I have relatives in that area and as a kid, when we would go up there (and to Syracuse) for family reunions, I always wondered how they got Skinny Atlas out of Skaneateles. I am one of those people who can easily figure out the spellings from pronunciations but the Skinny in this one always stumped me. We’re heading up there this coming July for the first time since 1998 and I am really looking forward to being that far north again!
This area looks lovely. I like all the buildings you’ve photographed. And it is interesting to see how window sizes and shapes belong to certain eras.
I haven’t been to “upstate” New York in years. This looks like it was a wonderful road trip (my favorite way to travel!) Rose Mary, and I love the photos. I had to smile when I read your comment about hanging out in hotel lobbies because that’s another of my favorite “people watching” places. 🙂
Rose, how nice that you seem to meet only friendly people on your travels – could it be your smile that sets the stage? Interesting about the cupolas – once you find out the history behind that I hope you’ll share it with us. The Buttermilk State Falls is beautiful. So much beauty around us if you actually go out and look for it.
New Orleans residents use the terms “downtown”, “uptown”, “lakeside”, and “riverside” as relative directions, e.g., something that is closer to Lake Pontchartrain than you are is “lakeside” of your location. If I were a New Yorker (which admittedly I am not), I reckon I would use the term “upstate” in the same way, i.e., it’s anything in New York that is north of where you happen to be.
I think lots of cities have a version of “east side, north side,” etc., Andy, but the whole Upstate thing had me in a quandary. Have enjoyed the lessons!
Rosemary — my husband and I owned a log home in “upstate New York” for many years. Williams is right, not every county north of NYC is upstate NY. He might have a different idea but I’d say every county north of Rockland County is upstate. in other words, not in commuting distance to NYC. Upstate NY is like visiting another state, it is so different from “downstate” NY includes the counties that ring NYC, and Long Island. As I recall, Skaneaetlas has a very big antiques fair every year that we visited. Upstate NY is beautiful, much of it very rural and borders on New England so you also get a New England feeling for much of the NY side. Our log home was nestled in the corner of NY that borders on Vermont and Massachusetts. It’s a great place to visit.
Jeannette, I’ll bet it was hard to leave that cabin, the area is SO beautiful!
I’m enjoying the ongoing education of what is Upstate. In a past job, we dealt with companies that had “Western NY” in their titles. That doubled my confusion.
I’m going to look up that antiques fair–that would be fun. Such a charming city.
The Finger Lakes area looks like a lovely place for lots of meandering driving. Those are the best kind on a beautiful day. One of these days, I’ll make it to that corner of the country.
Many of my friends from Montana, Jeri, used to tell me how they thought the eastern states were nothing but city. It was great fun to show them pictures of how rural it is back here. You’re right, meandering through the countryside is the best way to enjoy it–east or west.
I have never been to New York, but it seems like an amazing city. So huge and different. Photos you posted are not completely not associated with the image of NY in my mind, but it still looks amazing. One day I hope
I have another post on here about visiting New York City, Kristina. Take a long–entirely different from the Finger Lakes area. You’ll get there.
I am glad you enjoyed our UPSTATE. Remember, there is also a difference between Upstate, and Northern NY. Some people believe when you leave NYC, you are now Upstate, This irritates me very much as there is a whole big state above NYC.
Sometime, you will need to go to Alexandria Bay area, and see the St. Lawrence River. Now you are talking Northern NY. Do not go there in the winter, unless you are going snowmobiling.
Thanks for sharing with the world, what it looks like Upstate.
I kept hoping that you would like this post, William, since I know you’re from the area. It is so very beautiful–cannot wait to visit more of the area.
Seems like a nice quiet part of New York. The houses look very nice.
When you get up from Atlanta, Jason, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the Finger Lakes area for lots of reasons!
The term upstate depends on where you live. Being in the New York metropolitan area we think everthing north of Westchester County is upstate. And on second thought, I’m not so sure about Westchester either.
My friends on Facebook said that basically anything north of NYC is Upstate. I’m going to flow with that, Ken. It’s broad enough to keep me legit!
I’ve not been to this are of our country, but it really does look appealing. Loved those houses!
It’s such fun to have been in South Carolina a month before, Jacquie, and see one type of architecture and then travel north to see something just as stately but so different! Next trip, I’m seeking out house tours.