Ice Cream and Swimming in the Finger Lakes

I used to work http://www.moosewoodrestaurant.com/, and they have pretty good ice cream. Also http://www.purityicecream.com/. As far as swimming, try http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=ithaca+reservoir&sll=42.417881,-76.453342&sspn=0.092385,0.185394&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=addr&om=1 (watch out for the park ranger, you're not really supposed to swim here but people do). There are also gorges in and around Cornell University. Just walk around and ask someone. I like to go http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=fall+creek+dr.+%26+highland+ave,+ithaca,+ny&sll=42.452262,-76.485615&sspn=0.011542,0.023174&ie=UTF8&ll=42.452721,-76.486301&spn=0.011542,0.023174&z=16&iwloc=addr&om=1. I'm jealous. I really miss that place.

I spent my 30th birthday around the Finger Lakes. After a day of wine tasting, we stopped at http://www.cayugalakecreamery.com/. It was awesome.

I'm on one of the finger lakes (skaneateles) right now visiting family. I will ask my grandparents who have lived here for 50-someodd years what they recommend, and get back to you.

The finger lakes is kind-of a spread out area... but If you'll be in the Canandaigua area, I recommend Kershaw park (at the north end) and http://www.abbottscustard.com/ for ice cream.Kershaw Park Kershaw Park features 9 acres of park land on the north shore of Canandaigua Lake. Redeveloped in 1996-1997, the park improvements include sidewalk on both sides of Lakeshore Drive, lakefront walkways, a new beach area, new bathhouse, a new small craft launch area, a new public dock equipped with a boat pump-out station, improved landscaping and shoreline protection. Picnic pavilions and an open air gazebo are available. Park hours are 6:00AM-11:00PM, year round.If you can, rent a boat and check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canandaigua_LakeIt is the smallest Fish and Wildlife Management Area in New York State and one of only two islands in the eleven Finger Lakes. The Seneca recall that the island was used to hide the Seneca women and children during the Sullivan Expedition against the Six Nations of the Iroquois in 1779 . /grew up in Canandaigua //misses the swimming

If you go to the place Gregamell links under "I like to go here", you will be at the suspension bridge over one of the gorges. On the north end of the bridge is a little parking area; on the south end is a huge staircase going up to the Cornell art museum. (The art museum also has a parking area.) The 5th floor of the art museum has a fantastic view of the campus and the town and lake. Well worth a stop. Also on the south end of the bridge is a level path which leads to a staircase going down into the gorge. There is a little swimming area at the base of the staircase; if school is in session you'll find lots of university students there. (Also, you can be seen easily from the bridge above, so it's not a secret area at all.) Watch your step here and in any of Ithaca's gorges; the rocks are slippery and it's a hassle to get out if you sprain an ankle or worse, because the only way out is up those huge staircases. Also not secret but very pretty - Further downstream on the same creek (over a monster rocky waterfall - so don't try to swim down!) is http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=lake+st.+%26+e.+falls+st,+ithaca,+ny&sll=42.452515,-76.493533&sspn=0.006808,0.012338&ie=UTF8&ll=42.453845,-76.493919&spn=0.006808,0.012338&z=16&iwloc=addr&om=1 (it's across the street, to the east, from the intersection I linked; there is a little gravel parking area). Rocky shores surrounding a big pool at the base of a big waterfall. People do swim here, the water is deeper than at the suspension bridge spot, and it's very picturesque-- but be aware there's lead contamination in the water and soil so don't take kids, or be sure to wash their feet off etc. Also, don't try to climb up the waterfall even though it looks tempting in some seasons.

Other good things in the Finger Lakes: Minor league baseball! Perfect for a summer evening. I have a special love for the http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t458 (nice park, relaxed, cheap as hell) but there are also the Elmira Pioneers (a really traditional ollld park), the Syracuse Skychiefs and the Binghamton Mets (who both have more modern generic parks and are on the expensive side). The http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t534 have one of the best parks I've ever seen. Trumansburg, a smaller town near Ithaca, has the http://www.rongo.com/, a quirky restaurant/bar that's been around for ages. If you like coffee, check out Gimme Coffee which has coffeeshops in T-burg and Ithaca.

Swim under a http://www.gowaterfalling.com/waterfalls/enfieldlower.shtmlat http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=104 off Rt 13 south of Ithaca. The gorge hikes there are pretty spectacular too.

Thanks everybody -- great stuff! We are going to go all http://bontonroulet.com/routemap.htm the lakes so I think we'll be able to check out many of the spots mentioned -- can't wait!