My late partner loved the finger lakes, and she often told me that we needed to come up to see them together. Unfortunately, we never made it together, so since I was taking care of some business down in the city, I decided to come up and spend a few days exploring the area. Also today is her birthday, so it made not only this trip, but especially today, extra special.... There are 11 lakes in all each with its own charm. You could easily spend a few days, just exploring one lake or two. I took three days to explore as much of the region as possible, so it gave me a little "taste of the whole thing", so I will remember special places that I can come back to. This welcome center is in the town of Geneva, which is at the very top of Seneca Lake. It's pretty much the middle of the entire finger Lakes region. Geneva, or the town of Watkins Glen, about 45 minutes south of here, at the other end of Seneca Lake, are both great "jumping off spots" for the entire region. This welcome center is beautiful. It sits right next to Seneca Lake, and is a great place to stop and get some information, or even stop and relax for a little while. Just outside the back of the center is the Lake, it's peaceful and has gorgeous views. They even have Adirondack chairs where you can just sit and relax for a little while. They have information about the lakes in the visitor center. There is also a "taste NY" store, which features finger Lakes products. You can get breakfast and lunch items, snacks, bakery items, souvenirs, beer, cider, , and wine. Definitely wine. The finger Lakes is a very large wine region, with between 130 to 150 wineries, the majority of which you can visit. They also have several different designated "wine trails", where you can visit wineries close to each other. (with that many wineries to visit, please make sure you have a designated driver...) This is definitely the right place to stop while you are exploring the region. I enjoyed my visit Thank you. read more

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Saw a sign for a visitor center while driving west.on the thruway, so off we went. NOTE: this was not a rest stop visitor center off the road, but one 6 miles from the thruway....i recommend that the state notate the distance on the highway sign as well as have signage once off the thruway. Why this place doesn't get 5 stars). However, once there it was a beautiful center on gorgeous Seneca Lake. They sell food, drinks, NY state wines, NY state products, etc. There are several brochures ( what I prefer even though I do lots of online research as well), and a tasting counter which is relatively inexpensive ($4). We had a lovely conversation with Don and his wife Marie, who were at an information booth. There is also a cool children's play structure outside. The photos don't do this center justice, but make sure you stop here before you plan anything!!! read more

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This is a perfect spot to enjoy the lake, get some goodies, use the bathroom, pick up some NYS area brochures and take a long walk along the lake. You could also cross the street and be in the downtown area of Geneva where there are plenty of shops, restaurants etc. there are ample chairs and tables right outside the visitor center. There is a good amount of parking and the farmers market is held there on Saturdays. I sat under a willow tree at the park recently journaling and enjoying the scenery. Then I took a nice walk on the path along the lake. read more

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The Finger Lakes Visitor Center really does things right by tourists in it's prime location right on Seneca Lake just outside of downtown Geneva. They have a wonderful cafe and shop offering a wide variety of goods, wines, and food items from the Finger Lakes region, with a wealth of information and photo op spots, including a I NY sign right on Seneca Lake. There are plenty of places to sit on the outside deck including patio tables and Adirondack chairs. There's also a museum-like wall of pictures of Finger Lakes attractions that serve as inspiration of places you can visit. All in all, this is a very modern and tourist-friendly visitor center that couldn't be better situated right on the lake. I'd recommend a visit should your travels bring you to Geneva in the Finger Lakes. read more

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Beautiful view . It was nice seeing people jumping right into the lake and enjoying the area.

A very nice welcome center with good amenities, including tourism guides/brochures, food to order, a small market of local products, restrooms, and plenty of seating. The best part is actually outside, however. It's set right along the lake, with a fantastic exterior space to enjoy the views. The playground is cute, with some fun and unique elements, like a paddle wheel boat, and a fantastic I Heart NY photo opportunity right in front of the lake. There is a good parking lot, but it's obviously popular since it was pretty full. Good stop in the Finger Lakes area! read more

Finger Lakes Welcome Center - I NY - Visitor Centers Near Me - Geneva, New York

The Finger Lakes Welcome Center has a small café and a small selection of local wines and brews. I settled on some mini wines (Red Cat and Pink Cat from Hazlett, and Fat Frog Blush from Montezuma). Prices were a bit higher than other places. They also have local snacks. The best were the concord grape gummy bears. Local cheeses and meats but no crackers to have them with that I saw. It's right next to a small playground and I Love New York sign, but you want to drive a mile east for the swimming beach and splash pad at the state park. Large, clean, and inviting. I just expected a bigger selection of local wines based on the website. read more

Very nice welcome center, the view of the lake is stunning! They have a small cafe and I ordered an iced coffee and a sausage egg cheese sandwich. Employees were friendly and helpful. read more

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We stopped here as it was the location for FLX Cursion a wine based seminar/tasting/dinner. The inside is light and bright.you can try some wine, get some Rose' Slushies and Sangria. They do have some small gifts to buy from local producers. Also great views of Seneca Lake. read more

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Wow! This is a must visit! Whether you live outside of New York and are visiting on vacation, or a local WNY looking for something fun to do on a weekend, drive on out to Geneva to visit this awesome welcome center and explore the surrounding area! This place has it all for the unfamilar with the area, to the locals who have lived here there whole life. The place is beautiful, with a variety of photo ops, information, good food, wine and beer tasting, a playground, and prime location right on the lake, what more could you want!? There is a deli with a variety of breakfast, lunch and snacks. What's more is they have an awesome deck with a perfect view of the lake with plenty of umbrellas upon which to enjoy your food, drink and snacks. We visited on a Saturday afternoon and they had wine samplings and tastings available. There was also pasta sauce samples. This is a great opportunity to spread awareness for local businesses. They also sell some local goods, and on Saturdays there is a farmers market outside. The place is modern and has great decorations. There is a cool playground ship for the kids outside, and lots of pamphlets and information on things to do locally and extending around central and western new york. Come on out to Geneva for the day, and be sure to stop at the Finger Lakes Welcome Center! read more

Finger Lakes Welcome Center - Just outside the center - Visitor Centers Near Me - Geneva, New York

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Stopped here with friends to use the bathroom and grab some coffee, ended up pleasantly surprised at how nice this place is. Located right in Geneva, NY with beautiful views of Seneca Lake. Best spot for me was sitting on the deck looking at the water ( a few to many bees for me :) ) there's a cute outside playground for kids, even has grape vines for kids to climb on. Inside the welcome center there's the large bathrooms, atm and vending machines. Make sure you visit the Taste NY market, so many state wide items are sold here. From cheese, syrup, beer and souvenirs. Not just a place for tourists, although they do have tour guides, maps and information about exploring the region. Still worth a stop! One of the nicest welcome center's I've ever been to. read more

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From Liverpool, NY Nice to see more events taking place on the waterfront! Second year of the Glorious Garlic Fest was a lot of fun with many garlic vendors offering their varieties of garlic, garlic scapes, dried garlic, garlic oils, garlic seasonings, and other related wares. Cooking demonstrations with samples and so nice to see Fox Run Vineyards still a major part of the festival that started at their location many years ago. Found out about a winery we had no idea existed , Trestle 31, a local tasting room right in the village with local history and a fine female vintner with far reaching background, which we were able to try after leaving the festival since few were in the village itself. We will be staying nearby in September and garnered good local direction on places to go. Thank you Geneva! Looking forward to more events. read more

This is an awesome stop for both locals and tourists. It is right on the lake. There is a small deli, beer & wine as well as other drinks available as well as some snacks and freezer items. The bathrooms are really nice. There is an outdoor playground and frequent events like wine tasting as well as the Saturday Farmers Market. In the summers there is outdoor seating and a ton of Adirondack chairs. There is also a huge I NY sign which is a good photo op on the lake. read more

Super clean and lovely. Great photo op areas with art installations and a nice playground for the kids. My absolute favorite part is the 4 free electric car ports!! We plug the car in and take a quick walk across to Exchange St where you can find or easily access cute shops, Twisted Rail Brewing, FLX Fry Bird, Cam's Pizza, Geneva Gelato, and other little gems! Super convenient and a great addition to Geneva! Now if Watkins Glen would follow suit!!! read more

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Recently we stayed just down the block from the welcome center. We decided to walk down one morning to see what it had to offer and we were surprised at what we found. Lots of information of activities around the state of New York was provided. The store had many different items made in the state of New York. We purchased some chocolate from each of the Fingerlakes. There was also a counter where food, beer and wine samples could be purchased. We ordered a few wine samples, coffee and a pressed sandwich. Everything was delicious and sitting outside with a view of the lake was wonderful. It is a wonderful place to stop by if you are looking for information or looking for items made throughout the state. read more

During our dog-walking trip to Seneca Lake State Park we checked-out this Visitors Center. It is really nice. You can get all kinds of literature/info about the Finger Lakes here. (paper travel guides, interactive kiosks, etc.). You can purchase wine and beer and eat outside on the relaxing patio. The bathrooms* are super clean. The men's room has a baby diaper changing table. They also have a Family restroom. They have a water-bottle filling station/fountain (really appreciate that!). We also noticed a farmers market was opened next to this building. They have electric car charging stations. This is a great addition to the area. Next time, I will order some food and adult beverages. *rest rooms open to the public from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. read more

Finger Lakes Welcome Center - Visitor Centers Near Me - Geneva, New York

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So happy I was able to experience this. Scott was very knowledgeable and shared a lot of information with us. I can't wait to go back and experience the the tours and what Geneva have to offering during opening season. read more

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This is undoubtedly the nicest state-run Welcome Center anywhere. The setting is beautiful, perched on the edge of Seneca Lake. It has plenty of outside seating and an amazing playground for the kids. Inside, there are interactive kiosks. There is a shop selling only NY State products, including beer, wine, and cheese. You can sit outside and sip a glass of wine or beer while enjoying the beautiful view of the lake. Truly a great way to welcome visitors to Geneva and the Finger Lakes! read more

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This is a hidden GEM of Geneva! Right on the top of Seneca lake they service wine and bar and a small but great assortment of fresh foods. Plus there are love I NY items for purchase! I could hang out here all summer! read more

Finger Lakes Welcome Center - Visitor Centers Near Me - Geneva, New York

This place IS welcoming. Staff is friendly. Place is CLEAN! Local food and gifts. Great views. Playground for the kids. read more

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WOW - - The new Finger Lakes Welcome Center on Seneca Lake in Geneva, NY is spectacular and stunning. The helpful staff provides tourists with information on must-see attractions and local activities happening in the Finger Lakes Region. Their Taste NY Market offers a variety of NY State food & beverage products along with being the first welcome center in the state to sell New York-made wine, cider & beer. Way to go New York State!!! read more