Month: July 2018

5 of the Best Finger Lakes Museums to Visit for a Day of Learning

Enjoy history, culture, and art during your Finger Lakes vacation! There are plenty of world-class museums in the region, focusing on everything from the history of boating in the area to the origins of the Earth! No matter where you’re staying, you’ll be able to find a fantastic Finger Lakes museum nearby. If you’re looking for even more great recommendations for historic sites, museums, art galleries, or the best state parks in the Finger Lakes region, download our free Vacation Guide. It’s full of our picks for the best of the best in the Finger Lakes!

Visit These Finger Lakes Museums

Finger Lakes Boating Museum

Whether you’re a fan of fishing, boating, or you’re interested in learning about the maritime history of the region, stop by the Finger Lakes Boating Museum! It was started in 1996 when a group of antique boating enthusiasts decided to establish a center to commemorate the boating heritage and tradition of locally-built wooden boats in the area. Today, the museum houses more than 160 boats built by over 40 builders in the area. You’ll find everything from canoes to sailboats in the three-story museum. The Finger Lakes Boating Museum is located on the south end of Keuka Lake.

Museum of the Earth

Travel back to the beginning of this planet when you visit the Museum of the Earth. Located in Ithaca, this is the perfect stop for anyone interested in paleontology or geology. They have some excellent hands-on interactive displays, as well as well-preserved fossils and science-inspired art. Catch one of their educational lectures or family-friendly programs while you’re there!

Glenn H. Curtiss Museum

The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum is named in dedicated to the pioneer aviator and is focused on the history of aviation. Today, visitors can see the priceless collection of artifacts from the days of early aviation, as well as memorabilia commemorating local history. For an up-close experience, visit the Restoration Shop and speak with the volunteer craftsmen working on historic aircrafts.

Rockwell Museum

The Rockwell Museum features amazing fine art, many of which were pieces gifted by Bob and Hertha Rockwell. The Rockwells were local business owners and collectors of American art and artifacts, and thanks to their generosity and the Rockwell Museum, visitors can enjoy these priceless works up-close! The museum also hosts many educational programs and lectures by leading scholars.

Seneca Museum of Waterways and Industry

Learn about the industry that was essential to the development of Seneca Falls, as well as local social reform movements, when you visit the Seneca Museum of Waterways and Industry. This museum is a fantastic attraction for families traveling with kids. There are some fantastic interactive exhibits and friendly staff that can answer your questions.

Stay with Finger Lakes Premier Properties

Are you ready to enjoy these Finger Lakes museums? The first step is finding the perfect home from Finger Lakes Premier Properties. No matter the reason for your visit, you’ll find an amazing rental that fits your needs. From pet-friendly homes to luxurious properties, we’ve got them all. You won’t be able to find such a wonderful selection anywhere else in the region!

So don’t wait! Take a look at our full selection of properties and book today. We look forward to having you.

Where to Find the Best Finger Lakes Boat Rentals

Without a doubt, the best part about staying in the Finger Lakes region is, of course, the lakes! There’s nothing like zipping across the lake on a vessel or relaxing with a fishing pole and a nice beer. First thing’s first: find out the where’s most convenient Finger Lakes boat rentals for your needs. Discover the best places to rent a boat in the Finger Lakes!

We’ve listed some of the best Finger Lakes boat rentals, but there’s more to discover! Download our free Vacation Guide to get a full list of our favorite museums, hiking trails, shops, wineries, and restaurants in the region!

The Best Finger Lakes Boat Rentals

Canandaigua Lake

German Brother Marina: This family-owned business, located on the west shore of Canandaigua Lake, is a full-service marina as well as a new and used boat dealership. They offer 23-foot Tahoe Pontoon boats from 9:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can rent for half-days, full days, or choose the five-day weekday rental.

Pelican Point Marina: Pelican Point is situated on the east side of the lake, and boasts the longest hours on the lake. They are open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week, from mid-May to Labor Day. You can even grab a snack while you’re there at their deli. Don’t miss the iconic “Terry’s Signature Italian Sub,” a two-pound sandwich!

Owasco Lake

Owasco Marine: Another full-service marina, Owasco Marine rents brand-new Bennington pontoon boats and Crestliner fishing boats. Choose from their full day, two-day, or one-week rentals. If you’d like to rent for a half-day, give them a call, as they only offer those based on availability.

Seneca Lake

Roy’s Marina: There’s a reason Roy’s Marina has been in business for over 65 years! This family-owned institution provides stellar service at fair prices. You can rent from their wide selection of boats, as well as rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. They also offer fishing charters!

Stivers Seneca Marina: Located on the northernmost tip of Seneca Lake, Stiver’s Marina offers half-day and full day pontoon boat rents every day of the week. Inside their Ship Store, you’ll find fishing supplies, towable tubes, snacks, and beer.

Conesus Lake

Conesus Lake Boat Rentals: This small, family-owned operation is the perfect option for anyone staying on Conesus Lake. They offer to deliver boats to rentals around the lake, with flexible dropoff and pickup times. They have three boats from which you can choose, and you can check out the boat’s availability online!

Keuka Lake

East Bluff Harbor: In operation for over 40 years, East Bluff Harbor has a wide selection of boats available for rent. They are among the best of the Keuka Lake boat rentals, and they also offer a range of tubes, skis, and wakeboards.

Stay with Finger Lakes Premier Properties

After your day of boating in the Finger Lakes, return to a luxurious home with the best amenities available! Finger Lakes Premier Properties offers the best inventory of waterfront homes. Consider booking Paradise Point, a Canandaigua Lake property that is just a five-minute drive from Pelican Point Marina. This three-bedroom, two-bathroom house is perfect for anyone traveling with their family for an annual summer vacation or on a friend’s getaway.

Take a look at our full inventory of homes and book today! We look forward to having you.

What Are the Benefits to Using a Property Management Company?

When renting out your second home, one of the biggest decisions that you can make is hiring a property management company. For many, their first instinct might be to say “no.” Your property is an important investment, and you want to make sure that it’s taken care of the right way. Enlisting the services of a property management company can feel like giving up control. However, there are countless benefits to using a property management company that you should consider before making your final decision.

The Benefits of Using a Property Management Company

Fewer Details to Manage

So what is a property management company responsible for? The name really says it all. They manage your property. This includes everything from acquiring tenants to sorting out lodging taxes and liability insurance. Managing a vacation rental is time-consuming. Most property owners do not have eight to 10 hours a week to devote to this, let alone experience in the hospitality industry. Plus, a property owner is just one person. A professional property management company has a team of people, each an expert in their field, all working hard to help you maximize your profits.

Better Marketing and More Bookings

The vacation rental industry is a highly competitive one. With so much volume, it’s tricky to make sure that your property is being seen by potential guests. A property management company like Finger Lakes Premier Properties can help customers find your home. We are often ranked on the first page of many relevant Google searches, our staff is actively engaged with social media channels, third-party distribution sites, and the local business community, and we have an established screening process for our guests. Our services also include professional photographs of your property, which has been proven to increase guest interest.

Experience

You wouldn’t go skydiving without an instructor, so why try to manage your investment property without help? Finger Lakes Premier Properties has 25 years of experience and over 250 properties in our inventory. No matter the situation, we know how to handle it.

Frequent Worries

As we’ve said, putting your trust in a third-party agency can seem scary. When sorting out the advantages and disadvantages of using a property management company, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Transparency

No one likes to discover hidden fees and charges. A good vacation rental management company, like Finger Lakes Premier Properties, is going to give you a clear breakdown of all the annual costs associated with hiring us.

Property Upkeep

Your second home is an important investment, and you want to make sure it’s in tip-top shape. Many agencies offer the use of contracted services, but Finger Lakes Premier Properties has its very own maintenance and housekeeping staff. Property owners are welcome to use our services or choose to contract with a separate company. We also have a property protection program in place to cover most of the accidental damages, and we will never order a repair on your home over $200 without consulting you first. Let us take care of those middle-of-the-night maintenance requests!

Hire Finger Lakes Premier Properties

Hiring an experienced property management company is one of the smartest things you can do for your investment home, so don’t wait any longer. Contact us today and discover what we can do for you!