Seneca Lake Weekend Getaway: 3-Day Wine Trail & Waterfalls Itinerary for Solo Women

Some trips feel like a deep exhale. Seneca Lake in late fall is one of them. Vines are turning copper and gold, the air smells like woodsmoke and wet leaves, and the summer crowds have disappeared, leaving you with waterfall trails, quiet tasting rooms, and just enough buzz in town to feel alive.

For this trip to Seneca Lake, I traveled with a friend, but from the first roadside orchard stop to the last sip of Riesling overlooking the lake, it was clear that Seneca Lake is an ideal destination for solo female travelers. Towns are walkable, tasting rooms are used to people arriving on their own, and there is an easy kindness that shows up again and again: the deli staff who offer to take your photo, the winemaker who takes time to explain the grapes instead of talking over you.

This 3-day, long weekend itinerary is written with solo women in mind, but it works just as well if you bring a friend, a partner, or a small group. You will get a mix of hikes, wineries, orchard treats, speakeasy cocktails, and farm-driven meals, with safety notes and comfort details woven in.

How To Use This Guide

Trip style: Long weekend around Seneca Lake with a focus on wine, food, and fall scenery
Best season: Late September through early November for foliage and harvest energy
Ideal for: Solo women travelers, two friends, sister trips, small groups
Home base: Watkins Glen for nights one and two, Geneva, or return to Watkins Glen for the final night

You can flip the order of days depending on where you are arriving from, but the flow below works well if you are driving up from New York City, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania.

This Trip And The Seneca Lake Wine Trail

This entire itinerary was created in partnership with the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, the organization that champions the Seneca Lake American Viticultural Area and its member wineries.

Seneca Lake is the deepest of New York’s Finger Lakes and one of only two named appellations within the region. The depth of the lake helps create a gentle lake effect that keeps the surrounding hillsides a little warmer in winter and a little cooler in summer, which is ideal for ripening wine grapes in a cool climate.

More than 3,000 acres of vines wrap around the shoreline, and the AVA is especially known for

Riesling and other aromatic white wines
Sparkling wines
Cool climate reds like Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and Blaufränkisch

From a traveler’s perspective, that translates to a compact region with a lot of personality. You get dozens of wineries, lake views, deep gorges and waterfalls, and a wine culture that still feels approachable even as the quality keeps climbing.

The Seneca Lake Wine Trail itself is a nonprofit association formed in the eighties to promote its member wineries and help visitors make sense of the region. I used their tools heavily while planning and on the ground, and if you are mapping your own Seneca trip, their site is the best starting point.

All opinions in this guide are my own, but the access, introductions, and structure that shaped this weekend came through the Seneca Lake Wine Trail team.

Note On Seneca Lake Travel Style

I visited Seneca Lake with a friend, but everywhere we went, I paid attention to how it would feel to be there alone. Most stops had a mix of couples, groups, and solo tasters. Bars and tasting rooms felt bright and social rather than rowdy, and staff were quick to offer recommendations, directions, and even to take photos. If you are traveling solo, you will not feel out of place following this route.

Weekend At A Glance – Seneca Lake Wine Trail

Day 1: Orchard stop, Watkins Glen harbor walk, dinner at GRAFT
Day 2: Watkins Glen State Park, Tabora, Fulkerson, Toast, Stonecat + Maria’s
Day 3: Blackberry Inn Kitchen, Geneva, Ventosa, Three Brothers, Vinifera, Kindred Fare
Departure: Ginny Lee Café and Library Wine Tasting at Wagner

Quick Map Pin List for Seneca Lake Wine Trail

When you are ready to plan, create a Google Map and save these pins so you are not fumbling with addresses on back roads.

Food and drinks in Seneca Lake

Apples & Moore Orchard – Rock Stream, NY · cider, donuts, pies
GRAFT Wine + Cider Bar – Watkins Glen, NY
Kindred Fare – Geneva, NY
Stonecat Café – Hector, NY
Ports Café – Geneva, NY
Vinifera New York (speakeasy) – Geneva, NY
Maria’s Tavern – Watkins Glen, NY
Blackberry Inn Kitchen – Watkins Glen, NY

Wineries and tasting rooms in Seneca Lake

Tabora Farm & Winery – Dundee, NY
Fulkerson Winery – Dundee, NY
Toast Winery – Hector, NY (optional)
Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards – Hector, NY (optional)
Ventosa Vineyards – Geneva, NY
Three Brothers Wineries & Estates – Geneva, NY · multi-winery campus, brewery, cottage stay
Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery – Lodi, NY
Standing Stone Vineyards – Hector, NY (optional)
Forge Cellars – Burdett/Hector, NY (optional)

Nature and activities in Seneca Lake

Watkins Glen State Park – Watkins Glen, NY
Seneca Lake Harbor & Marina – Watkins Glen, NY
Downtown Geneva & Linden Street – Geneva, NY
Eternal Flame Falls – Orchard Park, NY (side trip, Buffalo area, optional)

Where to stay in Seneca Lake

Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel – Watkins Glen, NY
Seneca Lodge – Watkins Glen, NY
Three Brothers Vineyard Cottage – Geneva, NY (Airbnb-style cottage for groups)

How To Use The Seneca Lake Wine Trail Website As Your Planning Hub

If you are building your own Seneca Lake weekend, treat senecalakewine.com as your control center. It pulls everything into one place, so you are not clicking through twenty separate winery sites.

Here is how to make it work for you.

1. Current Winery Offerings + Hours

Head to the Current Winery Offerings + Hours page under Plan Your Visit. It lists each member winery with

Opening hours
Whether tastings are walk-in or by reservation
Group size limits and bus or limo rules
A link out to the winery’s own site or booking page – Seneca Lake Wine Trail

They also keep a spreadsheet version of this information updated, which is useful if you like to sort and filter for your own master plan.

For solo women or small groups, this page quickly answers two key questions:

Can I just show up and taste
Do I need to reserve, and how far ahead

2. Use “Explore Our Wineries” Like An Interactive Menu

Next, open Explore Our Wineries. This functions like an interactive map and filterable directory. You can

Scroll through all member wineries
Filter by wine style, from bone dry whites to sweet, bubbly, and ice wine
Filter by amenities like food, outdoor seating, pet-friendly, boat access, lodging, or event space.

This is especially helpful if you

Want to focus on dry wines
Need somewhere with food on site
Are traveling with a dog
Prefer outdoor patios or quieter spaces

Build your wish list by matching your preferences to the filters, then click through to each winery’s info page to confirm tasting details.

3. Layer In Experiences, Tours, And Events

Under Plan Your Visit and Events, you will find

Excursions, experiences, and tours, including curated wine tours and special tastings
Trail-wide events and individual winery events
Seasonal experiences like rail packages and themed weekends

If you are nervous about driving between tastings alone or simply prefer a more guided experience, this is where you can find options that bundle transportation and tastings together.

4. Sort Out Lodging, Dining, And Transportation In One Place

The site also has dedicated pages for

Lodging, dining, and attractions, which highlight places to stay, eat and explore around the lake
Transportation associates, a vetted list of companies offering shuttles, wine tour vehicles, and designated driver style services

Use these pages to

Match your tasting days with nearby places to stay
Find dinner options that are used to wine travelers
Book safe transport so you are not tempted to drive when you should not

For solo women, having vetted transportation options listed in one place significantly reduces the friction of planning.

5. Request A Brochure And Map

If you like having something physical in your hands, you can request a brochure and trail map through the site.

I find this especially helpful if you are the type who likes to scribble notes, circle favourites, and build a paper backup in case your phone battery or signal lets you down.

Safety And Getting Around Seneca Lake As A Solo Woman

Seneca Lake and the surrounding towns felt safe and relaxed throughout my stay; however, it is still a rural region with dark roads and limited public transportation.

Getting to and around Seneca Lake

A car is essential. There is no convenient public transport that works with a wine tasting weekend. Expect to drive between towns and wineries.
Download offline maps. Service can be patchy between vineyards. Save your route in Google Maps before leaving Watkins Glen or Geneva.
Think about tasting days. If you plan to drink more than a couple of small pours, arrange a sober driver, book a local tour, or build non-wine options into your day. Several wineries, including Fulkerson, offer grape juice and thoughtful non-alcoholic options.

Solo Safety

Walkability. Downtown Watkins Glen and Geneva are small, walkable, and well-lit. You can walk from the Harbor Hotel to both GRAFT and Maria’s Tavern at night.
Night driving. Country roads are very dark with little shoulder. Take your time, watch for deer, and avoid stacking multiple late tastings with a long night drive.
Tasting rooms. Staff at every winery we visited were attentive, chatty, and never pushy. If you feel overwhelmed, it is completely acceptable to skip pours, spit, or pour out wine.

Where To Stay in Seneca Lake

Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel

If you want a soft landing, Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel is an easy yes. It sits right on the lake with rooms that look out over the water and the marina. The lobby feels like a classic lake hotel, polished but comfortable. My favorite details:

Morning beverage stations on each floor, where you can quietly grab coffee in your leggings and slippers
Turndown service with chocolate treats waiting on the pillow
An indoor pool and hot tub that feel especially indulgent after a chilly hike

For a solo woman, this is the kind of place where you can wander downstairs to the bar alone, order a glass of Finger Lakes Riesling, and not feel odd.

Seneca Lodge

If you prefer something more rustic and tucked into the trees, Seneca Lodge is a fun alternative. Think classic Adirondack style cabins, wood everywhere, a lived-in bar, and a local story behind every corner. Ask at the bar about “the finger,” and you will get a very local story and probably a laugh.

This is a great pick if you want a camp-style atmosphere without actually camping. It suits two friends or a confident solo traveler who does not need marble bathrooms, as long as the bed is warm and the atmosphere is genuine.

Day 1: Arrival, Apples And Moore, Village Stroll, and GRAFT

Sample Day 1 Itinerary

Late morning or early afternoon: Arrive in the Seneca Lake region
Early afternoon: Apples & Moore Orchard for donuts and cider
Mid-afternoon: Check in to Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel
Late afternoon: Explore the harbor or walk on Franklin Street
Evening: Dinner and drinks at GRAFT Wine + Cider Bar

Sweet Beginnings At Apples & Moore Orchard

Before diving into waterfalls and wine, start your Seneca Lake weekend with something warm and sugary at Apples & Moore Orchard, just off Route 14 as you drive down toward Watkins Glen.

I went with a friend, and both of us agreed this was the moment the weekend really started. The air was cold enough to see our breath, the parking lot smelled faintly of wood smoke and leaves, and from the farm store came the unmistakable scent of fresh cider donuts.

Inside, trays of apple cider donuts come out still warm. They are soft and cakey, rolled in cinnamon sugar, and absolutely not designed for restraint. It took genuine willpower not to eat an entire bag while leaning against the car. Solo travel tip: buy an extra donut and stash it in your bag. It will be your reward after the first hike or your late-night snack back at the hotel.

You can taste their house-pressed apple cider at the counter. It is cloudy, bright, and tastes as if someone blended every October afternoon you ever loved. It is non-alcoholic and a nice contrast to all the wine that is coming. Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel rooms come with a fridge, so get a jug and make it a part of your daily Seneca Lake treat.

Along the walls, there are shelves of pies and pantry goods. Think deep-dish apple pie with a shiny golden crust, apple raspberry crumble, glass bottles of maple syrup, and jams from nearby farms. We talked ourselves out of buying an entire pie, which I slightly regret. If you are traveling solo and do not want a whole one, ask if they have half pies or smaller desserts.

The overall feel is friendly and unhurried. Staff are happy to chat about which apples are in season or to take your photo in front of a mural if you ask. It is the kind of low-pressure stop that feels just as good if you are alone, stretching your legs after a long drive.

Check In and Settle By The Lake

From Apples & Moore, it is a short drive to Watkins Glen, the small village at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. Check into your hotel and give yourself a little time to breathe.

At Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, you can drop your bags, warm a cup of apple cider in your room’s microwave, and take it out to the patio overlooking the lake.

If the light is still good, walk down to the marina and along the lakeside path. Late fall evenings can be misty, with the far shore of the lake barely visible and boats pulled out for the season. It feels quiet in a way that is very soothing if you have come from a busy city.

Dinner At GRAFT Wine + Cider Bar

For your first night, keep it close and cozy at GRAFT Wine + Cider Bar, a short walk up Franklin Street from the Harbor Hotel. It is the kind of place where you exhale as soon as you step inside. The room is small and softly lit, with shelves of bottles lining the walls, and a bar that feels like a natural place to land, especially if you are dining on your own.

GRAFT focuses on New York wine and cider. The wine menu leans heavily on Seneca and Keuka Lake producers, along with a few small-batch ciders. It is an easy way to taste more of the region without having to drive anywhere.

The food leans New American bistro, but the details take it up a notch. On my visit, the standout was a dry-rubbed duck breast served medium rare with crisp polenta, bok choy, and a peach jalapeño jam. The duck was cooked exactly right, pink and tender, with the polenta giving just enough crunch to balance the richness. That peach jalapeño jam deserves its own mention. It was sweet, gently spicy, and so good that I found myself wishing it came on half the menu, especially the salads.

We ordered a bowl of PEI mussels in a red curry cream sauce with cilantro, garlic, and a warm baguette for mopping up the broth. It hit that perfect spot between comfort and brightness. For something fresh, the green salad with mixed greens, beets, salted cashews, Underpass Reserve cheese, and “grandma’s dressing” arrived as a proper composed plate rather than an afterthought. A little of the peach jalapeño jam from my duck, drizzled through the salad, turned it into one of the best bites of the night.

Vegetarians will not be stuck here. The menu usually includes at least one thoughtful plant-forward main, and the sides and starters can easily make a full meal if you prefer to graze.

As a solo woman traveler, this is an easy place to eat at the bar. The bartenders know the wines and take their time walking you through the list, and the compact dining room has a comfortable mix of couples and small groups. There is enough hum in the room to feel included without having to join anyone’s conversation.

After dinner, take your time walking back to the hotel. Franklin Street is well lit, and you pass other restaurants and small shops that help you map the village in your mind for the rest of the weekend.

Day 2: Watkins Glen, West Side Wineries, and Stonecat

Day two is your big outdoors and tasting day on the west side of Seneca Lake, ending with a relaxed but special dinner at Stonecat Café.

Sample Day 2 Itinerary

Early morning: Hike at Watkins Glen State Park
Breakfast at Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel
Midday: Lunch and tasting at Tabora Farm & Winery
Early afternoon: Tasting at Fulkerson Winery
Late afternoon: Tasting at Toast Winery and optional quick stop at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards
Evening: Dinner at Stonecat Café in Hector, optional nightcap at Maria’s Tavern back in Watkins Glen

Early Morning: Hike Watkins Glen State Park

Start with the classic before breakfast. Watkins Glen State Park sits just outside the village and is one of the most famous gorges in New York State. In season, the Gorge Trail takes you past and even behind waterfalls, over stone bridges, and under dripping rock ledges. In late fall, sections of the gorge route may close if the stone steps ice over, but even the rim trails are worth your time.

Go early, both for light and for a bit of solitude. The canyon walls glow with the last of the leaves, and you can hear the river echoing off the stone. As a solo woman, I felt comfortable on the main trails. You will almost always see other hikers, especially on a weekend morning, but it never felt packed or chaotic.

Essential things to bring:

Shoes with a real grip, the stone can be slick
Layers, since the gorge is cooler than the village even on a sunny day
A small daypack and water bottle

Give yourself about ninety minutes. You do not need to rush. The goal is to loosen your shoulders, breathe cold air, and earn your breakfast and wine.

Breakfast at Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel

Some mornings on a trip need to be slow and slightly indulgent, and breakfast at Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel is perfect for that kind of start.

After the hike, we came back to the hotel ready to refuel properly and settled into the dining room with its big windows and quiet view of the water. Breakfast began on the lighter side with a bowl of fresh fruit and yogurt, the kind of combo that feels virtuous enough to justify whatever comes next.

Whatever came next, in this case, was not shy. We shared an order of stuffed blueberry French toast, thick slices soaked in custard and layered with blueberries, finished with just enough sweetness to feel like a treat without tipping into dessert territory. It is the sort of plate that arrives and makes the table next to you steal a glance.

To balance things out, we also went for the Harbor Breakfast, a classic that hits all the familiar notes. Two eggs cooked to order, seasoned home fries with real crisp edges, bacon that actually tastes like bacon and not paper, and wheat toast for sopping up whatever is left on the plate (perfect for sunny side up). It is a full hotel breakfast in the best sense, hearty enough to keep you going for hours.

In reality, it sent us straight into a mini food coma. After clearing our plates, we headed back upstairs and surrendered to an hour-long nap, the kind you only allow yourself on holiday. Then, finally rested and well fed, we set out for an afternoon of wine tasting along the lake.

For a solo traveler, breakfast here is easy to enjoy at a small table by the window with a book or your journal. The staff move at a calm, professional pace, and no one will rush you out the door, which is exactly what you want before a long, leisurely day of tastings.

Lunch And Wine Tasting At Tabora Farm & Winery

After a full hotel breakfast and a much-needed post-meal nap at Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, we finally rolled back out and pointed the car north along the west side of Seneca Lake. The first stop on our wine route for the day was Tabora Farm & Winery.

The drive takes you past rolling vineyards and open fields until a small cluster of cream colored buildings appears just off the main road. That is Tabora, and it is the kind of place you plan to “stop for a bit” and then somehow spend most of your afternoon.

Tabora is a South African-inspired farm and winery with a deli, bakery and market all in one. It is an ideal midday anchor because you can get real food and genuinely good wine without bouncing between locations.

Inside the deli, the menu leans comforting and homemade. Expect things like

Hot soups that are exactly what you want on a chilly fall afternoon
Sandwiches piled with local meats, cheeses, and house spreads
Fresh-baked pies and cookies

On my visit, the soups were perfectly tuned to the weather. Think creamy vegetable soups that still taste of actual vegetables rather than just cream, and brothy options that warm you up without putting you straight back to sleep.

Before settling in for lunch, head into the tasting room for a flight. If Kayla, one of their winemakers, is pouring, you are in good hands. She talks about wine in a way that feels like a conversation rather than a lecture and never assumes you speak fluent tasting note jargon.

Wines to pay attention to

Heritage Noir
A red that shows a lot of fruit on the first sip and tricks your brain into thinking it might lean sweet, then finishes clean and dry with a light tartness through the middle. It is easy drinking but still interesting, and it was a standout of the tasting.
2020 JRE Pinot Noir
A lighter, cool climate red with gentle tannins and red fruit. A great food wine if you tend to like elegant pinot more than big, heavy styles.
2020 JRE Cabernet Franc
A bit more structure, spice, and that classic cab franc herbal edge, still fresh rather than weighty.
2023 Dry Riesling
Bright acidity, citrus and that clean mineral edge the Finger Lakes is known for. Classic, crisp and very region correct.
2024 Cuvée Blanc
A refreshing white blend with lift and aromatics, the kind of bottle that works as an afternoon sipper or with a lighter meal.
2024 Cabernet Franc
A younger expression that feels energetic and gives you a sense of how their reds will continue to evolve.

Heritage Noir is the one I would happily build a dinner around, but the lineup as a whole makes a strong case for spending real time here rather than rushing through.

For solo travelers, Tabora is wonderfully low-pressure. You can

Stand or sit at the bar for your tasting and talk to the staff or simply listen
Take your soup and sandwich to a quiet table and look out over the property
Circle back through the bakery for a cookie, slice of pie, or a baked good to stash for later

No one hurries you along, and there is enough space just to be, which is exactly what you want in the middle of a long, delicious day.

Fulkerson Winery: History, Grapes, and Grape Juice

A few minutes up the road is Fulkerson Winery, a multi-generational farm that has turned grape growing into both wine and grape juice.

Fulkerson’s tasting flight gives you a sense of the breadth of Seneca Lake grapes. They make:

Classic Rieslings in different sweetness levels
Reds, including Pinot Noir and hybrid blends
An aromatic Muscat-style wine made from Himrod and Diamond grapes, developed locally

Ask about the Matinee, a wine often described as honeyed and aromatic, and try their Muscat if you enjoy floral notes. Staff will happily walk you through the story behind their grapes.

One detail I loved here for non-drinkers or pacing yourself: they sell bottled grape juice from the same varietals they grow for wine. These juices are sweet and rich and can be used as a mixer, a dessert, or a treat for friends back home who do not drink. It is a thoughtful touch that makes tastings feel inclusive.

Toast Winery: Fun, Inventive Wines And Laid Back Energy (Optional)

Next, swing by Toast Winery, a relaxed spot with a sense of humor and some truly inventive bottles. The winery used to be called Pompous Ass, and you can still feel a little of that tongue-in-cheek energy in the labels and banter.

The tasting room has an easygoing, almost locals’ bar feel. When I visited, Laurie guided us through our tasting, and she was the perfect combination of knowledgeable and genuinely warm.

Wines to seek out:

LoveStoned 2024, a white blend that is crisp, bright, and feels like a good porch wine for hot days
Sitra, a Chardonnay infused with Citra hops, is ideal for beer drinkers who are curious about wine and wine lovers who enjoy aromatics without the bitterness of an IPA
James, a semi-dry Riesling infused with peaches. It is dangerously easy to drink and feels like summer in a glass.
Rita, a margarita-inspired wine made from Cayuga White with margarita flavorings. It leans toward fun rather than serious and would be great for parties.

This is a very solo-friendly stop. The relaxed energy makes it easy to strike up a conversation with staff or other guests without feeling exposed.

Optional Quick Stop At Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards

If you still have energy and want one more hit of Seneca character, cross to the east side, or save this for another day and head to Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards.

Hazlitt is home to the famous Red Cat wine. If you order it at the bar and seem game, staff may lead you through the Red Cat chant and ring a bell. It sounds cheesy, but in the moment, it feels like being allowed in on a local joke. The winery is underrated for what it can produce and is more than just party wine, but you may as well enjoy the playful side while you are there.

Hazlitt is busy and social and works well if you are in the mood for a more lively stop.

Dinner At Stonecat Café

For night two, make your way up the east shore to Stonecat Café in Hector. This is one of those places that locals, winery staff, and industry people recommend in the same breath, which tells you a lot before you even sit down.

Stonecat focuses on regional cuisine with organic ingredients, and the setting feels like a roadside roadhouse quietly dressed up for a date. There is warm wood everywhere, a bar that catches the lake light in the daytime and an indoor space that glows in the evening. It feels lived in and loved rather than staged.

The menu reads creative but lands firmly in the comfort zone once the plates arrive. On my visit, we ordered

Housemade linguini with sautéed shiitake mushrooms, broccolini, and radicchio in a silky celery root purée, finished with pecorino. It was earthy, slightly bitter from the radicchio, rounded out by the sweetness of celery root and the salt of the cheese. The kind of vegetarian-leaning dish that feels complete and satisfying without needing anything else on the side.
Fettuccine bolognese made with local grassfed beef, pecorino, and fresh basil. The sauce was rich without being heavy, well-seasoned, and clearly cooked down with patience. It tasted like proper comfort food with just enough refinement to remind you that you are in a kitchen that cares.

Depending on the night, you might also catch live music and a table of complimentary appetizers set out while guests wait for their mains. This place gets busy, and food can take a little time to arrive, so if you are hungry, do not be shy about ordering starters or accepting whatever snacks they have put out. It feels like part of the rhythm of the restaurant rather than an inconvenience.

One of the best parts of Stonecat is the crowd. While we were there, we ended up seated next to a group of local wine lovers who were happy to share tips on under-the-radar wineries and back road viewpoints. It is the kind of place where people talk across tables in a way that still feels relaxed and respectful, not intrusive.

From a solo traveler’s perspective, Stonecat works beautifully. The bar is the easiest entry point if you arrive alone. You can settle in with a glass of wine, order a full dinner, and either chat with others or simply enjoy your food while listening to the background music and conversation. Staff are used to every type of guest and treat solo diners as they should be treated, like regulars in the making.

If you still have energy when you get back to Watkins Glen, consider a quick stop at Maria’s Tavern before calling it a night. It is a straightforward local bar with very good wings and a down-to-earth crowd. It leans more pub than wine bar and gives you a brief, unfiltered glimpse of everyday life in the village beyond the tasting rooms.

Day 3: Geneva, East Side Vineyards, and Kindred Fare

For your final day, head north to Geneva and spend a day exploring the east side before a memorable dinner at Kindred Fare.

Sample Day 3 Itinerary

Morning: Breakfast at Blackberry Inn Kitchen in Watkins Glen, then drive up the west side to Geneva
Late morning: Explore downtown Geneva and Linden Street, lakeside walk
Lunch and early afternoon: Tasting and light lunch at Ventosa Vineyards
Mid-afternoon: Tasting at Three Brothers Wineries & Estates
Late afternoon: Aperitif at Vinifera speakeasy
Evening: Dinner at Kindred Fare
Optional: On another trip, add Wagner Vineyards as a lunch stop on your drive home

Breakfast And Drive To Geneva

Start your final full day with something unfussy but genuinely good at Blackberry Inn Kitchen, a cozy bakery café in Watkins Glen. It is the kind of spot where you can walk in solo, order at the counter and immediately feel like you have stepped into the neighborhood’s morning routine.

They serve New York-style bagels, pastries, and very drinkable coffee, but the real star for me was the sandwich I ordered. I went for The Mother In Law, described on the menu as “a real handful,” and it absolutely lived up to the name. Picture an everything bagel stacked with egg, bacon, ham, and lacy Swiss. It was salty, rich, and messy in the best way, the kind of breakfast that makes you pause mid-bite just to appreciate what is happening. It was, quite literally, everything.

You can grab a bagel sandwich or a small box of baked goods for the car, but if you have the time, it is worth eating in. The space is warm and relaxed, with just enough hum from locals and visitors to make it feel alive without being chaotic.

The owner is originally from Philadelphia, and that energy comes through in the best way. Conversation at Blackberry Inn Kitchen has a way of spilling gently across tables. Do not be surprised if you find yourself pulled into a light-hearted round of “who is from where” while standing at the counter, or comparing notes on where to find the best Riesling in town. On our visit, we ended up eating in rather than taking breakfast to go, and wound up chatting with other visitors about their favorite stops so far. The owner chimed in with his own suggestions between orders, turning a simple breakfast into an impromptu planning session.

For a solo traveler, it is an easy place to sit with a book or journal and still feel connected to what is happening around you. If you are open to it, you will almost certainly walk out with at least one new idea for a winery or viewpoint to add to your day.

Once you are fed and caffeinated, drive up the west side of Seneca Lake toward Geneva. If you did not hit many west side wineries on day two, you will pass some familiar names on this stretch of road, and can easily build in a quick tasting if one calls to you. Or you can simply enjoy the drive. Vineyards and farm fields slope gently down toward the water, and the lake stays in your peripheral vision as you climb north, a silver blue strip that quietly anchors the morning.

Explore Downtown Geneva

Park near Linden Street in Geneva. This short street is packed with wine bars, restaurants, and small shops. In late fall, it feels like a relaxed college town center, since this is also home to Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

Use this time to:

Window shop at boutiques and wine shops
Walk down to the lakefront and the Finger Lakes Welcome Center
Take a photo with the large I Love NY sign by the water

The lakefront park is an easy place to sit on a bench and just be for a few minutes. For a solo traveler, these small pockets of time matter. You can reset between activities without needing to perform for anyone.

Ventosa Vineyards: Dry Reds And Lake Views

Once you are ready for wine again, drive a short distance to Ventosa Vineyards, a Tuscan-style winery on a hill above the lake.

Ventosa is known for being a fully estate-grown operation, which means the grapes in your glass were grown on their own land. That makes their wines a good snapshot of the microclimate in this part of the lake.

Order a lunch from their café, which might include:

Panini with cured meats and local cheese
Salads with seasonal produce
Simple but satisfying pasta dishes

Pair your meal with a glass of wine on their terrace if the weather cooperates. The star here, if you enjoy red wine, is their Cabernet Sauvignon, which is deeper and more structured than many Finger Lakes reds, a good choice if you usually assume Finger Lakes reds will be too light. They also produce Cabernet Franc and a range of whites.

Ventosa feels polished but not fussy. Solo dining is easy, and the views over the vines and water keep you company.

Three Brothers Wineries & Estates

In the afternoon, swap quiet vineyard stops for full sensory overload at Three Brothers Wineries & Estates just outside Geneva. On one property, you get three distinct wineries, a brewery, and a café, all stitched together into one walkable campus.

Here is how it breaks down

Stony Lonesome Wine Cellars
The “classic beauty” on the estate with big windows and a more traditional tasting room feel. This is where you will find their vinifera estate wines like dry Riesling, Barbera, and other European-style varieties.
Passion Feet Wine Barn
A playful, more eclectic space that leans into semi-dry and sweet styles and fun labels, with an eclectic, urban boutique kind of vibe.
Bagg Dare Wine Co.
A bayou-themed tasting room tucked at the back of the property, accessible by a walking path, pouring all sweet wines and intentionally dialling up the humor and atmosphere.

Alongside the wineries, you have

War Horse Brewing Co., pouring beer and hard cider
Iron Heart Coffee & Eatery, the on-site café serving coffee, Iron Heart craft soda, and a full comfort food menu (think breakfast sandwiches, giant pretzels, pulled pork nachos, brats, and sandwiches)
A vineyard cottage you can book overnight, with tasting passes bundled into the stay

When you arrive, you buy a passport-style tasting ticket that lets you move between the wine spaces. They offer a non-alcoholic tasting pass, which makes this one of the more inclusive stops around the lake for drivers, non-drinkers, and mixed groups.

From my perspective, this was the place where time stopped behaving properly. You can easily spend hours here without noticing, drifting from the more serious tasting at Stony Lonesome to the louder, themed rooms and back again. No matter what energy you are looking for, calm, nerdy, silly, or social, there is a room that will meet it.

At Stony Lonesome, I worked through a flight that included

2024 Gewürztraminer
2024 Chardonnay
2024 Clone #110 Riesling
2024 Meritage Red Blend
2023 Zweigelt
2024 Barbera
2024 Estate Bourbon Barbera

The Gewürztraminer was a quiet thrill for me. I love Gewürz and, despite several tastings around Seneca, this was the first place that actually had one on the board. It was aromatic without being perfumey, with enough fruit and spice to keep you going back to the glass.

The real infatuation, though, was the 2023 Zweigelt. It hit that sweet spot of bright red fruit, good body, and a smooth finish that makes you think of it immediately when someone asks what your favourite red of the trip was. It was one of my must-buy bottles from the weekend.

You could build an entire afternoon here, even as a solo traveler. Also, if you are a fan of bourbon, give the 2024 Estate Bourbon Barbera a try and let me know what you think!

Start in Stony Lonesome for a focused flight of the more classic, “serious” wines
Wander over to Passion Feet when you feel like leaning into something more playful or slightly sweeter
Head down the path to Bagg Dare when you are ready for fun, themed energy, and unapologetically sweet wines
Take breaks at War Horse or Iron Heart for food, water, soda, or coffee so you are not just stacking pours

Staff are very used to every kind of crowd, from couples and bachelorette parties to families and wine geeks, and they handle the mix with easy humor. As a solo woman, you will not stand out; you just look like one more person following their curiosity from building to building.

If you ever return with friends, consider booking the vineyard cottage. Tasting passes are built in, and there is something deeply appealing about being able to walk home through the vines when your passport is finally full and you are ready to call it a night.

Aperitif at Vinifera Speakeasy

Before dinner, head back to Linden Street and slip into Vinifera, a wine bar with an underground speakeasy. There is also a Vinifera Inn in the region, so be sure you are mapping the bar, not the hotel.

Upstairs, you will find a bar and small plates. The real magic, especially in the evening, is downstairs, where the speakeasy level offers cocktails in a low-lit, intimate setting.

Two things to try if they are on the menu:

An amaro old-fashioned, built on bourbon and amaro, stirred until it is silky and slightly bittersweet
A mango vodka sorbet, essentially a cocktail and dessert in one, served in a way that feels playful rather than fussy

Vinifera has a reputation for being welcoming and intentional about creating a safe space. It is exactly the kind of bar where sitting solo feels chic, not awkward.

Final Night Dinner At Kindred Fare

End your Seneca Lake weekend at Kindred Fare, a restaurant that manages to be both polished and deeply comforting. The name comes from the idea of shared meals and community, and you can feel that in the room.

On my visit, dinner went like this:

Starters of crispy calamari and mac and cheese served in a way that felt more grown-up than nostalgic
A main of braised rabbit and fennel sausage penne, deeply savory and exactly what I wanted on a cold night
Cocktails including Flora and Fauna, a bright, herbaceous drink, and the classic Adonis, a sherry-based cocktail that sits gently with food
Desserts of chocolate coconut tart and an apple crumble pavé, both layered, thoughtful, and very shareable if you are with someone

The menu changes seasonally, but the pattern holds. There is always a balance of meat, fish, and plant-forward dishes, and a separate vegan menu so that everyone can eat well.

As a solo traveler, this is another restaurant where the bar is your best friend. You can watch the open kitchen, talk to the bartender about local spirits and wines, and stretch your meal into a full evening experience.

Departure Day

Wagner Vineyards, Library Wines, And The Drive Home

If you are driving home after your Seneca Lake weekend, grab breakfast at Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, and take a light stroll to Watkins Glen to get the legs stretched before the long drive back home. On your way out, stop by Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery for the last tasting hurrah. Wagner Vineyards Estate sits on a hill above the east side of the lake, sharing the property with the Ginny Lee Café and Wagner’s brewery, so you can combine a last good meal, a serious tasting, and road trip snacks in one place.

Lunch And Road Trip Fuel

Start at the Ginny Lee Café. The menu reads straightforward and familiar, and the cooking delivers exactly what you want on a travel day. On my visit, the soup of the day, a cream of chicken, tasted like something someone had actually stood over and fussed with for hours, rather than a bulk soup. It was thick enough to be comforting without feeling heavy. Order a full bowl and let yourself be hugged by the warmth in every spoonful.

Pair the soup with a sandwich or burger and give yourself permission to sit for a bit before the drive. The smoked burger I ordered to go ended up being the unlikely star of my evening. I ate it hours later at the end of a long drive and immediately wished I had ordered two.

If you are the driver, this is also the moment to reset. Drink some water, regroup, check your route and only then think about any more wine. Wagner is an easy place to linger, and your future self on the highway will be grateful you took ten extra minutes here to eat properly and get organised before heading home.

The Library Wines Tasting In The Octagon Room at Wagner Vineyards

The real magic at Wagner Vineyards happens in their Library Wine Tasting, a seated experience in the Octagon Library room that feels very different from standing at a busy bar. You book a time, check in and then settle into a table with a dedicated menu instead of being handed a generic flight.

Wagner describes this as a revolving selection of four wines from their on-site, temperature-controlled library, each one aged to show how time can stretch and deepen a Finger Lakes wine. Their library collection is huge, with more than 16,500 bottles across 133 different wines, and Octagon Cellar Club members have full access to it. For everyone else, these tastings are the main way to try and buy those older bottles, and whatever is on your flight is also available in the retail shop afterward.

On our visit, once we were seated, we chose our wines from the Library list and built a small lineup that mixed library and current release bottles. Our tasting included

2023 Dry Gewürztraminer
Lone Oak Cabernet Franc 2022
Meritage 2020
Pinot Noir Reserve 2022
A bonus pour of Riesling Ice 2023

The dry Gewürztraminer came in aromatic and lifted, with spice and florals that stayed bright instead of heavy. Lone Oak Cabernet Franc 2022 and Meritage 2020 showed off Wagner’s reds one more herb-edged and savory, the other broader and more blended in feel. Pinot Noir Reserve 2022 brought in that cool-climate red fruit and structure that works so well with food. The Riesling Ice 2023 at the end was concentrated and sweet but still high-toned enough to feel energetic rather than sticky.

What makes the tasting special is not just the wines, but the way your host walks you through them. Instead of family lore, the focus is on the grape and the growing conditions. You hear where each variety first made its name, why it works in the Finger Lakes, what the growing season looked like in those vintages, and how extra time in the bottle has changed the aromas, texture, and finish. It feels like someone handing you a quiet toolkit for understanding what your palate is already noticing.

The tone stays conversational. Our host was clearly a wine nerd in the best way, happy to talk about acidity, structure, and aging, but always in plain language. By the time you are done, you have a clearer sense of why Riesling thrives on these slopes, why some reds here stay lighter and freshe,r and how Seneca Lake’s depth and cold quietly anchor the style of Wagner’s wines.

For a solo female traveler, the good news is that you do not need a group to experience this. You can simply

Book the Library Wine Tasting ahead of time for yourself, or
Reserve a spot with friends if you are traveling as a pair or small group

Either way, the seated format in a dedicated room feels very comfortable. You are not jockeying for space at a bar; you have time to ask questions if you feel chatty, and you can just sit back and listen if you are in a quieter mood. It feels less like a sales pitch and more like a gentle, guided deep dive into how grape history, local climate, and time all meet in the glass just before you head home.

A Glass To Take Home

At the end of the Library Tasting, we were invited to keep our tasting glasses. It is a small gesture, but there is something satisfying about unpacking at home and finding that glass tucked between sweaters and bottles.

Now, when I pour anything into that glass, it comes with a very specific memory. The taste of Wagner’s Riesling, the feel of the Octagon room, and the sound of our host explaining how a particular variety travelled from Europe to upstate New York and found its place on Seneca’s eastern shore.

As a departure day stop, Wagner does three things very well

Feeds you properly before a long drive
Gives you a thoughtful, structured final tasting that pulls together what you have been drinking all weekend
Sends you home with bottles and a glass that are already attached to a story

If your route makes it possible, build Wagner into your last morning or early afternoon. It is a grounded, gently nerdy way to close out a weekend that has already been full of good food, good pours, and a lot of small, quiet joy.

Optional Side Trips And Extra Experiences

If you have more time in the region or are planning a return visit, consider layering in the following.

Standing Stone And Forge Cellars

We ran out of time to visit Standing Stone Vineyards and Forge Cellars, both on the east side, but they are regularly recommended by people who know the region well. Standing Stone has a strong reputation for Riesling and a beautiful view, and Forge is known for elegant, precise wines that attract serious wine lovers.

Eternal Flame Falls

If you are comfortable driving further afield and hiking solo, Eternal Flame Falls near Buffalo is a very unique side trip. Behind a small waterfall, a natural gas pocket feeds a tiny flame that seems to burn inside the water. The hike can be muddy and requires care, so it is best attempted in drier weather and with good boots. It is a few hours’ drive from Seneca, so it works best as a side trip if you are already routing through the Buffalo area before or after your lake weekend.

Ports Café As A Future Treat

We did not make it to Ports Café, but it came up more than once as a restaurant worth planning around. It sits along the lake south of Geneva and is often described as serving some of the best food around. If you extend your trip or come back in another season, it would be a fitting place to book a table for a special dinner.

Thoughts on Seneca Lake

Seneca Lake surprised me in the best way. It has the scenery and wine you expect from a famous region, but it also has a softness that feels especially right for a solo woman looking for a weekend that is beautiful, safe, and deeply satisfying.

You can arrive here tired from work and city life, and leave with a car full of wine and local treats and a head full of small, steady joys. Warm donuts eaten in a parking lot, steam rising from a gorge, a bartender quietly handing you a cocktail that tastes like it was designed for that exact night.

If you visit Seneca Lake on your own or with a friend, I would love to see how you make this itinerary your own. Share your photos and stories, and tag Traveling Bouquet on social media so other women can see what is possible and start planning their own weekends by the lake.