Adaptive mountain biking and kayaking, waterfall chasing, and amazing outdoor adventuring, get ready for an accessible getaway unlike any other in the Finger Lakes! Accessible for travelers who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility, your expeditions may lead you to unforgettable experiences like traversing rugged trails in an all-action track chair or posing alongside New York’s tallest waterfall. Follow along with content creator Tara Shetterly, @tara_shett as she embarks on the ultimate Finger Lakes road trip and get inspired to plan your own outdoor adventure in New York State. Photo credit: @annam228 on Instagram.
DAY 1:
5PM: Shop and stroll the Ithaca Commons
Leisurely wander through the vibrant, four-block open-air Ithaca Commons, where you’ll find 100 independently owned shops, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and more. This pedestrian-only shopping area is accessible with newly-paved, flat surfaces. Best of all, most entrances to shops and restaurants are also step-free. If you’re visiting in the summer (June 5 – September 4), be sure to check out the Commons’ 2025 CFCU Summer Concert Series for free outdoor live music!
7PM: Get a taste of Ithaca’s dining scene
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In case you didn’t know, Ithaca is home to an amazing, diverse dining scene, featuring everything from fine dining to relaxing breweries, along with an incredible array of international cuisine. Get a taste of locally-sourced ingredients in dishes that run the gamut from Italian-inspired pasta to a vegan pad thai at Simeon’s, located in a wheelchair accessible, historic building in the Commons. End the night on a sweet note at Ithaca’s retro ice cream shop, Purity. Fun fact: it is believed that the ice cream sundae was invented in a local Ithaca soda fountain back in 1892!
DAY 2:
9AM: Fuel up for an exciting day at Collegetown Bagels
Rise and shine! Start your day at Collegetown Bagels with to-go options like bagels and breakfast sandwiches or dine in for avocado toast or green and grain bowls.
10:30AM: Chase waterfalls
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With more than 150 waterfalls in Ithaca and the surrounding area, there’s no doubt that Ithaca is gorges! A number of these must-visit falls are also accessible for wheelchair users. The 750-acre Taughannock Falls State Park is home to an amazing 215-foot plunge, three stories higher than Niagara Falls! There are two ways to view the falls. You can drive to the Taughannock Falls Overlook Visitor Center, where you can access the flat overlook for a breathtaking overhead view of the falls with easy access from the paved parking lot. Or you can follow the .75-mile Gorge Trail to the base of the falls. This trail is mostly flat and wide, but features terrain that has a tendency to get muddy after it rains and a hill that may be too steep for some manual wheelchair users without assistance. To experience the 150-foot Ithaca Falls, head to the dedicated parking lot and unlock a spectacular view right from the sidewalk over the bridge.
Admire Buttermilk Creek as it tumbles down more than 500 feet of cascades and rapids at Buttermilk Falls State Park. The best part is you can peep these magnificent falls right from the park entrance! Simply drive to the parking lot, which is flat and paved, and just a few feet away is a picture-perfect view of Buttermilk Falls. Robert H. Treman State Park is home to a dozen waterfalls, the most visible and popular being Enfield Falls (or Lower Falls). Follow the half-mile flat, paved, round-trip loop to view this awe-inspiring sight or go swimming at the bottom!
2PM: Wander through Cornell Botanic Gardens
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Once you’re done chasing waterfalls, refuel with lunch back in Ithaca and get ready to explore the Cornell Botanic Gardens. A relaxing afternoon awaits at this living history museum, home to more than 10,000 plants and trees spread throughout 25 acres of cultivated gardens, an arboretum, and countless lush landscapes, including the university’s iconic gorges. The gardens feature mixed terrain, including paved paths and loose gravel, which may get muddy in some parts if it’s recently rained. Parking bays are also located throughout the arboretum for easy access to gardens and points of interest. Be sure to also check out the park’s interactive map. In the mood for a sweet treat? Cornell Dairy Bar is a must-stop for small-batch ice cream made from the highest-quality milk from Cornell University’s own dairy cows!
5:30PM: Head back into Ithaca for dinner
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Back in Ithaca, you’re spoiled for choice with dinner options! For a laid back atmosphere, Ithaca Ale House has signature burgers and sandwiches. Call ahead or make a reservation online to reserve a wheelchair accessible table. Moosewood is another great option for something a little more upscale, plus it’s Ithaca’s world-famous restaurant, known for its vegetarian and vegan cooking. The accessible entrance at Moosewood is around the side of the building.
DAY 3:
9AM: Grab breakfast at Ithaca Farmers Market
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A new day of adventure awaits! Kick off day three with breakfast from the Ithaca Farmers Market, featuring local purveyors all located within a 30-mile radius of Ithaca and selling all kinds of goodies like homemade baked goods, farm-raised meat, eggs, and dairy, fresh produce, locally-gathered honey, and art. There is a wooden floor throughout the pavilion and vehicles can drop off visitors with disabilities right next to the main entrances.
10:30AM: Spend time in nature at Lime Hollow Nature Preserve
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A 30-minute drive through the scenic countryside will land you at Lime Hollow Nature Preserve in Cortland. Encompassing nearly 594 acres of rolling hills and glacial valleys, you can soak up sights on 13 miles of trails. Some trails are accessible, as the surface is a crushed stone substrate and there are gentle slopes suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Note that trails may be muddy after prolonged periods of rain or snow. Lime Hollow also offers two all-terrain Action TrackChairs which allows people with mobility disabilities to traverse uneven terrain, and go deeper into the preserve’s wilderness. You can reserve the Trackchair in advance online.
12:30PM: Lunch at The Exchange
Stop for lunch near the nature center at The Exchange in Homer. Enjoy “inspired eats in a historic setting” with a menu that features sandwiches, burgers, bowls, soups, salads, and more. Follow your meal with something sweet from their connected bakery.
3:30PM: Get a taste of Finger Lakes Wine Country at Billsboro Winery
After lunch, hit the road for a scenic hour and a half drive through picturesque Finger Lakes Wine Country towards Billsboro Winery. Found in a century-old barn, this tasting room is set on an idyllic 60-acre property overlooking the northern end of Seneca Lake. Sip back and relax on a wine or grape juice tasting surrounded by stunning vineyard views.
5PM: Stop for a photo op at the Finger Lakes Welcome Center
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As you make your way towards Victor, NY, pop into the Finger Lakes Welcome Center in Geneva for a warm introduction to the region. Snap a photo at the iconic “I Love NY” sign, browse local goods at the Taste NY Market, and take in beautiful views of Seneca Lake.
7PM: Dinner at New York Beer Project
Step into New York’s rich brewing past at New York Beer Project in Victor. Designed to recreate the most famous beer hall in New York City, dig into delicious dishes like burgers, flatbreads, sandwiches, and appetizers like pretzels and wings with a side of history.
DAY 4:
8:30AM: Breakfast at Caife Erin
Kick start your morning with breakfast classics at this family-owned and operated Irish cafe. Revel in the small town vibes as you dig into dishes like Irish oatmeal, breakfast sandwiches, waffles, omelets, pancakes, and more.
10AM: Frolic through flower-filled gardens
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Bring Bridgerton vibes to life at the Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park, one of the few remaining estates in the country with a Queen Anne Victorian-style mansion and formal gardens. The main path is flat and accessible, leading you through highlights like the antique greenhouse complex, Italian Garden, Japanese Garden, and more. Terrain may be uneven off the main path. Tram service is available for visitors with limited mobility–check with admissions for availability. Don’t forget to take a peek inside the mansion! The first floor is fully accessible, but the upstairs is not. Booklets showing the upstairs are available to visitors.
12PM: Stop for Food Network-approved crepes in Canandaigua
Featured on Food Network’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate,” Simply Crepes is a must-try, serving up scratch-made sweet and savory crepes amidst a traditional French country house experience. Handcrafted from quality ingredients, sample tasty unique creations like the Lemon Raspberry Chiffon Crepe, oatmeal creme brulee, or crepe-battered fried chicken. An accessible entrance is located in the back of the building next to the parking lot.
1PM: Make furry friends at Lazy Acres Alpacas
Spend an afternoon alongside more than 75 alpacas on the 180-acre farm at Lazy Acres Alpacas. Reserve a spot for the walking tour, where you’ll get to learn about the different types of alpacas, explore the rustic landscape, and feed the adorable alpacas for yourself. You may even get to see new babies! The tour follows a gravel path, but be prepared for mixed, hilly terrain.
2:30PM: Get your play on at one of the most accessible playgrounds in the world
Whether you’re traveling with kids or you’re a kid at heart, Motion Junction Playground is a must-visit. Designed with accessibility at its core, Motion Junction is a fully accessible and inclusive playground, where everyone can play, regardless of ability or mobility level. It’s the first universally designed and certified playground in the United States and visitors of all ages and abilities are invited to swing, slide, and have a great time together! Kershaw Park is another great stop if you’re looking to pause for a peaceful moment. Grab ice cream from Scoops and lookout at spectacular views of the north shore of Canandaigua Lake.
5PM: Unwind at The Lake House’s Willowbrook Spa
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Nestled on the serene shores of Canandaigua Lake, the Michelin Guide-featured The Lake House’s Willowbrook Spa is the perfect spot to unwind after an adventure-filled day. Inspired by the natural beauty of the Finger Lakes, choose from a thoughtfully curated selection of massages and other treatments designed to restore balance, rejuvenate the body, and soothe the mind. The Lake House features an ADA accessible sauna and treatment tables that lower to 25 inches.
7:30PM: Stay for dinner at the Sand Bar
After your massage, stay right on property for dinner with a view at the Sand Bar. Watch the sunset over Canandaigua Lake while you enjoy menu favorites like street tacos, smash burgers, crispy fries, and more.
DAY 5:
8AM: Start your day with breakfast at Busy Bean Cafe
Enjoy a fresh, made-to-order breakfast at this hidden gem tucked inside of an office building down the road from your Victor hotel. Sip on some Glen Edith Coffee next to the roaring fireplace, or opt for outdoor seating, complete with wifi and hotspots.
10AM: Spend a morning kayaking on the Erie Canal
Head over to the picturesque canal town of Fairport, NY for a kayaking adventure along the historic Erie Canal Waterway and Heritage Trail with the Erie Canal Boat Company. The accessible kayak launch features an impressive array of accessibility accommodations, including grab rails to assist with transfers, a Hoyer lift, and options for individuals who can only paddle using one arm, among others. Water not your thing? Adaptive cycling equipment is also available if you prefer to bike the canal trail.
1:30PM: Hit the trails for a mountain biking adventure
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Either stop for a bite in Fairport or grab a quick lunch on the way back to Victor, where you’ll head out on Victor’s treasured trail system with the area’s first adaptive mountain bike rental and tour program! A full-suspension hand-powered adaptive mountain bike lets wheelchair users and others with mobility disabilities hit the trails in a new and exciting way. For more information and to make a reservation, contact the Town of Victor Department of Parks and Recreation at (585) 742-0140. Note: The Town of Victor does not have any helmets available to borrow, so you should bring your own.
Hotels in the area:
Canopy by Hilton Ithaca (Ithaca): Conveniently located near top area attractions like world-class vineyards, Cayuga Lake, and beautiful waterfalls, this comfortable hotel makes for a great home base for adventure. Mobility accessible rooms are available with accessible bathrooms that include a roll-in shower, toilet with grab bars and a roll-under sink designed for wheelchair users, and passages and doorways that provide at least 32 inches of clear width. Hearing accessible rooms are also available. There is an ADA parking spot in front of the hotel as well as ADA accessible garages nearby. Call the hotel ahead of your stay for more information.
Holiday Inn Express Victor (Victor): Located right off the NY State Thruway, just outside of Rochester, the Holiday Inn Express Victor is the perfect spot to rest after a jam-packed day. Accessible guest rooms are offered with ADA-compliant access routes, accessible door locks, accessible bathrooms with grab bars for bathtubs, showers, and toilets, and transfer showers with seats. There are six accessible parking spaces.
Other activities you may want to try:
Kayaking on Cayuga Lake (Ithaca): Get ready for a paddling adventure at Stewart Park with Paddle-N-More. Call ahead to reserve one of the adaptive kayaks and hit the water for your own self-guided paddle or reserve a spot for one of the guided tours led by expert guides. Paddle-N-More features an adaptive kayak launch, where trained staff on-site can assist visitors.
Ithaca Gallery Night (Ithaca): On the first Friday of every month from 5pm to 8pm, head out on a self-guided art crawl as Ithaca and Tompkins County galleries and venues open their doors and welcome you to admire new exhibits featuring local, regional, and international visual artists.
Getting there:
By plane:
By bus:
Take Greyhound or Trailways bus services to the Ithaca bus terminal or Geneva bus stop (35 minutes from Victor).
By train:
Amtrak runs daily routes to:
By car:
Ithaca:
From Buffalo: 2 hours, 40 minutes
From Albany: 3 hours
From NYC: 4 hours
From Philadelphia: 4 hours
From Baltimore: 5 hours
From Toronto: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Victor:
From Buffalo: 1 hour, 20 minutes
From Albany: 3 hours, 10 minutes
From NYC: 5 hours, 30 minutes
From Philadelphia: 5 hours, 30 minutes
From Baltimore: 5 hours, 30 minutes
From Toronto: 3 hours, 10 minutes
