Month: June 2021

Finger Lakes Grocery Delivery services

What is one of the top advantages of staying in a vacation rental? The kitchen! Our homes come with all of the appliances you’ll need to create a delicious vacation in the Finger Lakes. From pots and pans to the dishware, our kitchens are ready for you to cook, bake, and grill away. Oh… except for the food! Get the full scoop on Finger Lakes grocery delivery services below.

Grocery Delivery & Curbside Pickup Options

When you stay in the Finger Lakes there are options for getting groceries without stepping into a local store. We’ve provided some Finger Lakes grocery delivery resources below depending on where you are staying in the region:

Conesus Lake:

Canandaigua Lake:

Keuka Lake:

Seneca Lake:

Cayuga Lake:

Roadside Stands: Throughout our region you’ll see roadside stands offering fresh seasonal vegetables, fruits, eggs, or sometimes even baked goods. Be sure to have cash on hand to drop into their honor-system registers.

Dining Curbside Pickup

In addition, most restaurants, wineries, and breweries provide curb-side pickup. If you have a favorite venue from a past trip, we highly recommend calling them ahead and ordering takeout to enjoy in the comfort of your vacation rental.

If you’re a first-time visitor, here are some links to help you find restaurant options near your rental:

  • Restaurants: Click here for our interactive map to help you find nearby restaurants to your rental. Please call ahead for information on their curbside offerings.
  • Wineries, Breweries, and Distilleries: In New York State beer is sold in groceries stores but wine and liquor are not. Click here for our interactive map to help you find nearby venues to your rental. Please call ahead for information on their curbside offerings.

Tips for Cooking at Your Rental

If this is the first time staying with us, welcome! But there are some tips for planning the ultimate vacation in a Finger Lakes Premier Property:

  1. Meal planning is EXTREMELY helpful! Grocery stores are not around every corner in our region. Make sure you have every ingredient (including spices and condiments) on your list or packed to bring. We do provide a sealed spice shaker for every reservation that includes salt, pepper, garlic salt, cayenne, curry, and paprika.
  2. Yes, we provide cooking utensils, pots, pans, bakeware, and grilling utensils. However, if there are certain kitchen tools or utensils that are must-haves for the chef in your family, bring them along!
  3. In our kitchen welcome bag we provide: 1 roll of paper towels, 2 washable dish towels, 1 small bottle of dish detergent, 1 sponge, 2 dishwasher tabs, and 1 box of laundry detergent. If you think you will need more than this, depending on the length of your stay, please plan accordingly.
  4. Staying in a pet friendly rental? Don’t forget the dog food and water bowl!

For those who are still planning their next vacation in the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York, click here to begin your search for the perfect home to host your next vacation.

If you need assistance with finding the right home for your next trip, contact our local vacation planners who would be happy to assist you by calling 888-414-5253 and pressing option 1.

4th of July Events in the Finger Lakes

Don’t miss out on all the 4th of July Events in the Finger Lakes!

Every town across America celebrates Independence Day with BBQ’s, parades, and fireworks. Here in the Finger Lakes, you can get all of that and then some.

Our region is booming with fantastic events to enhance your July 4th vacation at the lake! Check out some of our local favorites below then reserve your vacation rental today!

Celebrate Our Independence On Cayuga Lake!

Cayuga Lake Fireworks    

  • Fireworks Celebration on Saturday July 3rd at 10 pm in Seneca Falls along the canal.

All You Need To Know For Your 4th!

Canandaigua Lake 

  • 1:30 PM Parade on Main Street – Parade will go south on Main Street from the County Court House to Lakeshore Drive on Sunday July 4th.

Click here to see what rentals are available on Canandaigua Lake.

Keuka Lake  

  • Fire Department Chicken BBQ in Branchport at 12:00 pm on July 4th.
  • Branchport Parade at 2:00 pm on July 4th.
  • Boat Parade starts in Branchport on July 3rd at 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
  • Festival of Lights on July 4th at 10 pm – light your flares and stick them in the beach to light up the lake.
  • Fireworks at 10:00 pm in Branchport on July 4th.
  • July 2nd & 3rd Fireman’s Carnival in Hammondsport.
  • Friday July 2nd Sam Pallett plays live from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the Carnival
  • Fireworks on Saturday, July 3rd at 10:00 pm in Hammondsport.
  • The Windmill Farm & Craft Market is open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm on July 3rd & July 5th.
  • Bake sale from 9:00 am until its all gone on July 4th in Branchport.

Click here to see what rentals are available on Keuka Lake.

Seneca Lake 

  • Fireworks Sunday, July 4th in Watkins Glen at Clute Park at dusk.
  • Sampson State Park will have fireworks from a barge out in the lake on Saturday July 3rd. There will also be live music and food for sale.

Click here to see what rentals are available on Seneca Lake.

Conesus Lake – July 3rd 10:00 pm lake residents set up road flares along the beach for the ring of fire. Free fireworks display at Pebble Beach arund 10 pm.

Honeoye Lake – Fireworks on July 3rd from a boat in the middle of the lake going from south to north. Flares can be lit around 9:30 pm.

Discover the Finger Lakes in August for the Best End-of-Summer Getaway

Summer is always a popular time to visit the Finger Lakes. Not only is the weather fantastic, but there are always so many awesome summer activities and events happening around Upstate New York. Why go to overcrowded vacation destinations like Niagara Falls, when the Finger Lakes in August is easily any outdoor lover’s paradise? Below, you’ll find out some of our favorite things to do as a last hurrah at the end of summer before the kids return to school. 

For more amazing things to do and see in the Finger Lakes region, make sure to check out our free Vacation Guide. It includes all the top attractions in the area when it comes to outdoor recreation, restaurants, shops, museums, and other popular attractions. 

Download our Free Vacation Guide

Experience the Finger Lakes in August 

Finger Lakes Weather in August 

Those who love summer weather will thrive by the lakes this August. Temperatures usually reach a comfortable high in the lower 80s, and at night can cool down enough to bring a cute sweater! 

During the day, spend your time on the boat, fishing, kayaking, or swimming. Or, hike to some of the best Finger Lakes waterfalls. 

The Finger Lakes region experiences all four seasons, so no matter which season you prefer, there will always be an abundance of activities to do. 

Sip Local on While Traveling the Finger Lakes Wine Trails 

Traveling the Seneca Lake Wine Trail is a fun way to explore the area. One of several FLX wine trails, Seneca Lake Wine Trail features almost 40 incredible wineries, cideries, and breweries. Spend a whole day making your way down the 75-mile shoreline sipping on Upstate New York’s finest varietals like chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet franc, and Gewurztraminer. 

Other fantastic wine trails to discover include the 30-mile Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail, the six incredible wineries on the Keuka Lake Wine Trail, or the very first wine trail in the United States, the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail! 

Hike the Trails at Watkins Glen State Park 

Discover the best outdoor recreation when you explore the trails at Watkins Glen State Park. It’s one of the most popular parks in New York State, offering nearly 20 waterfalls and beautiful hiking trails. Lace up your hiking boots for the popular Gorge Trail. And, we must say – it lives up to its name! Gorge!  

Celebrate Your Favorite German Cabbage Dish at the Annual Phelps Sauerkraut Weekend

Do you love sauerkraut so much that you wish you could dedicate a weekend to celebrating and eating it? Sauerkraut lovers from around the country need to experience our area’s annual Sauerkraut Weekend in Phelps, NY. 

It offers a variety of unique activities like a cabbage decorating contest, a wine with acrylics painting class, and even a Krauter 20K race! 

Come for the sauerkraut and stay for the awesome live music and vendors this August! 

End Your Summer in Our Summer Hideaway! 

Finger Lakes Premier Properties is the best place to unwind each evening after all of your FLX adventures. Cool down after a warm August day in Summer Hideaway, a two-bedroom vacation rental on Keuka Lake. This lovely cottage offers a bit of Californian flair with charming country style and a view of the lake from your living room and covered porch. Check our availability, and book Summer Hideaway today! 

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The Best Ways to Experience Sailing on the Finger Lakes

Want to experience one of the most carefree, relaxing, yet thrilling feelings? Try sailing on the Finger Lakes! There’s nothing quite like the feeling of gliding over a body of water with a warm breeze flowing through your hair on a summer evening. If you’d like to experience this freeing feeling, you can choose from a variety of Finger Lakes sailboat charter options as our area is home to 11 magnificent lakes in Upstate New York. 

To get a head start on planning the rest of your FLX trip, glance at our complimentary Vacation Guide. We’ve included the top outdoor recreation, boat charters, restaurants, wine tours, museums, and other attractions so that you can put together the most memorable vacation on the lake yet! 

Download our Free Vacation Guide

Your Guide to Sailing on the Finger Lakes 

Finger Lakes Boat Tours & Sailing Charters 

True Love & Its Claim to Fame 

Meet True Love, a gorgeous 1925 sailboat that trekked the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea to later call the Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region home! You can hop aboard True Love at the Seneca Harbor Park Pier in Watkins Glen, NY. 

This special sailboat has a famous past of hosting celebrities or public figures like the Chairman of Chrysler Motors, Bing Crosby, and Grace Kelly in the movie “High Society,” and sporting an appearance in “The Philadelphia Story” with Katharine Hepburn. 

Trying to hop aboard True Love? Choose from several experiences including private sailing charters, weddings, parties, public sailing, and more. 

Not True Love, But Crazy Love 

Meet Crazy Love, a 36-foot sailboat that also lives on Seneca. Visit Geneva, NY, and you can hop aboard the crazy boat for two hours. Choose to sail the morning, afternoon, or sunset cruises to scope out the area from a lake point of view. 

Sailing Lessons 

Learn to Sail With Keuka Yacht Club (KYC) 

Between Hammondsport and Branchport, discover Keuka Lake to find the oldest inland yacht club in the United States, Keuka Yacht Club! The 1872 club can help you learn the ins and outs of sailing the iconic Finger Lakes of New York with a 6-session junior sailing program and two-week advanced program. 

See More of Our Recommendations for Sailing Charters, Tours, and Lessons: 

Relax in the Best Finger Lakes Vacation Rental & Watch the Sailboats Sail Away 

Looking for the most beautiful vacation rentals on the Finger Lakes to call home during your next lake getaway? 

Finger Lakes Premier Properties offers the best FLX rentals in Upstate New York including waterfront properties with panoramic lake views, pet-friendly accommodations, covered and uncovered decks, fire pits, boating docks, complimentary kayaks, and so many more fabulous amenities. 

Sails and Sunsets on Keuka Lake is the perfect vacation rental for your next trip to the lake. The gorgeous 3-bedroom home is lakeside and right across from Keuka Yacht Club, which means you’ll be able to watch the sailboats race every Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer! You don’t even have to get up from the comfort of your private rental to enjoy the wonderful sport of sailing the Finger Lakes! 

Check our availability and book your vacation on the lake today! 

4 Iconic Finger Lakes Wine Trails You Need to Sip Your Way Through

One of the main draws to the Finger Lakes region of New York is its award-winning wines, wineries, and vineyards. That’s why a visit to Upstate New York is not complete without a day trip around the best Finger Lakes Wine Trails! We encourage you to explore some of the several wine producing trails that offer tours and wine tastings so that you can get a true taste of the FLX! 

With so many wonderful things to do and see in the Finger Lakes wine region, we can’t possibly put it in just one blog. Unlock our free Vacation Guide to get a full list of local recommendations. From the best area restaurants to beautiful hiking trails, you’ll find everything you need to plan the ultimate Finger Lakes vacation! You’ll even get more recommendations for the best spots in Finger Lakes Wine Country. 

Download our Free Vacation Guide

Sip Your Way Through These 4 Finger Lakes Wine Trails 

The wine trails throughout the Finger Lakes are committed to providing a safe and clean space for you to enjoy, and ask that you also adhere to the policies put in place at each winery! Many of the requirements the wineries have in place are mandated by the New York State Liquor Authority and the State of New York in order to be open. 

Get a Finger Lakes Wine Trail Passport for Discounts 

Please note, due to COVID-19, our wineries are now open, but reservations are required for tasting. 

Get exclusive tastings at each stop, and a 25% savings, when you purchase their wine tasting passport. Passports are good for a year after purchase, so you can spend valuable time meeting with their tastemakers. 

The passport provides complimentary tastings at each winery and additional price discounts for the purchase of wine with the use of the passport. 

One passport is valid for one person, not valid for groups of more than eight.

1. Cayuga Lake Wine Trail 

The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail has the honor of being the first-organized and longest-running wine trail in the country! It was first established in 1983 and includes 14 dog-friendly member wineries, as well as cideries, a meadery, four distilleries, and a taproom.  

2. Keuka Lake Wine Trail 

The Keuka Lake Wine Trail may not be the longest-running, but Keuka Lake was home to the first bonded winery. This region specializes in Vinifera wines, as this area was where they were first planted.  

3. Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail 

The Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail features 30 miles of Finger Lakes wine and food experiences! Sip their world-class wines and enjoy beautiful vistas along the rolling hillsides of Canandaigua Lake. 

4. Seneca Lake Wine Trail 

Sprouting in 1986, explore the largest wine trail in the state of New York! The Seneca Lake Wine Trail features 35 wineries, a distillery, two cider producers, two breweries, and a meadery on its path. This trail is known for its hearty grapes, though the wineries on the list have won plenty of awards for the delicate Rieslings. 

Stay with Finger Lakes Premier Properties 

  • finger lakes vacation rental

While exploring the Finger Lakes wine region, rest each night at one of the most stunning homes in the area. Finger Lakes Premier Properties has the best selection of socially distanced vacation rentals. We have over 260 vacation rentals on six of the 11 lakes, that are all close to the Finger Lakes wine trails. Plus, with our 24/7 customer service, you can rest knowing that you will be well taken care of! 

Check out our full selection of homes and book today! We look forward to having you. 

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What is our September Secret?

It’s where September still feels like summer in the Finger Lakes, but offers “off season” rates. After Labor Day, vacation on your favorite Finger Lake while taking advantage of lower rates, property specials, and reduced traffic at parks, wineries, and restaurants.

The month of September typically features reduced traffic at favorite destinations.

BUT.. September is also the beginning of the wine harvest season. If you’re looking to experience Finger Lakes wine country, this is the time. During your exploration you’ll see grapes being harvested across our region in the early morning hours while it is still cool. You’ll smell the ripe grapes as you drive by vineyards and visit tasting rooms. Some wineries even offer tours of their production facility, but be sure to check ahead with COVID policies for 2020.

If you didn’t have a chance to visit the Finger Lakes this summer, don’t fear! September is still a wonderful option to take advantage of the last warm days of the year and create new adventures in the Finger Lakes.

BOOK NOW while availability remains. This secret won’t last long!