An Insiders Guide to Visiting Seneca Falls, New York

Located in the Fingerlakes Region of upstate New York, Seneca Falls is surrounded by some of this state's finest fishing spots. So if you are planning a trip to Seneca Falls, be sure to pack a fishing pole and cast a few lines in either Seneca Lake or Cayuga Lake.

If you don't already have your own fishing gear, fear not because it's only a short drive to Bass Pro Shops (one of the greatest outdoor sports stores) at the Fingerlakes Mall in nearby Auburn. Even if outdoor sports aren't your cup of tea, Bass Pro Shops is still worth stopping in just to see the gigantic and fully stocked fish aquarium... children love it!

The Fingerlakes Region is also known for having wonderful wine trails, and it's not uncommon for a local or a visitor to take a limo ride for a wine tour. With over 70 wine trails in the Fingerlakes Region, you'll be sure to find a bottle to take home as a souvenir of your visit to Seneca Falls.

If you're up for a day of getting tipsy... you can taste Fingerlakes finest at Cayuga Lake Wine Trail,Seneca Lake Wine Trail, Keuka Lake Wine Trail, or Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail.

For an equally beautiful view and a more family oriented day, you can take a slow ride through the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge and admire wildlife in its natural habitat. (This is best when there are new babies in the spring.) *This is a free activity.*

There are also many cultural and historical points of interest in the area that can't be missed. Among these are the Women's Right National Historical Park and the National Women's Hall of Fame.

Of course there are many places to eat, and while visiting you are always looking for the nicest restaurants. In and near Seneca Falls you will find a variety of restaurants to satisfy even the pickiest eater, from fancy and elegant restaurants to the simple diners or pizza shops.

As a local, I insist that even if you prefer the finer restaurants: you have one of your meals at Mac's Drive In (located in Waterloo, just minutes from Seneca Falls).

This is a very inexpensive place, even for a family of four (or in my case, more than four) to dine, where you can enjoy the 50's setting of just driving up and having a waitress take your order and bring your food out to you where you dine in your car. The menu is as simple as burgers, hot dogs, fish, or pizza and this is also a great place to go for just ice cream; but if you do go to Mac's Drive In while visiting Seneca Falls, you absolutely must sample the homemade honey buns! At only 50 cents apiece for a large and tasty treat, you'll be sure to want to return to the Seneca Falls area again and again!

Seneca Falls also prides itself on its relation to the classic movie 'It's a Wonderful Life' and if you are visiting Seneca Falls, you can stand on the bridge that Jimmy Stewarts character jumped off of in the movie. During December, Seneca Falls hosts weekend festivals celebrating its relation to this classic film.