Captain Dave was so easy to work with. He was extremely thoughtful, friendly, and helped make our…read moreengagement super special! Would recommend Ithaca Boat Tours to everyone :)

Very nice and relaxing Sunset Cruise along Cayuga Lake for a great price. We were about two minutes…read moreaway from when they were going to launch and Captain Chris called to check in if we were on our way before they left without us. Our tour guide was very sweet and made sure we were all comfortable during the two hour ride. They also have Eco tours, which we could definitely tell she was into. A smaller lake close by was closed off completely due to a deadly algae, which she then collected algae from the lake and took the sample under a microscope and invited anyone to come check it out. Her interest made it that much more personable and I enjoyed it. Not the bad algae though, obviously. She even offered to take pictures for us. The sunset was beautiful and on the way back we saw some water falls. Something to consider before booking. The difference between this sunset cruise and the Charter sunset cruise is because it is more private with 6 passengers per tour at a higher rate and starts at 6:30pm-8:30pm with daily cruises available, whereas Ithaca boat tours allows up to 24 people starting at 7:30pm-9:30pm with cruises only on Friday/Saturday. We didn't mind if there was going to be more people on board, but there were only about 8 of us on the boat that night anyway. I also like that it starts at a later time so we could relax and get a nice meal beforehand. I would recommend this tour. Don't forget it's BYOB! Have fun!

A group of 5 of us leveraged this tour (private, winter tour) and we were sadly very, very…read moredisappointed. 1. Transportation - this was one of the only pluses to this overall experience. We were picked up and dropped off door-door for this tour. The van that we were in was comfortable and clean. It was equipped with water bottles (one of two souvenirs) and snacks. We were charged a driving fee based on our distance - an extra $82. 2. Guide - our tour guide, George was very nice and well-informed. He clearly had passion and experience. The BEST part of our tour was the "off script" stop George made to one of the wineries en route between "planned" stops. This off-script stop was how the entire route should have been. Modern, clean converted farmhouse with gorgeous views, amenities and great vintages. Absolutely tragic that the rest of the stops were NOT aligned to this really perfect place. He was super eager to help us with pictures and answer any and all questions we had with the region and wine in general. Our second souvenir was a really great printed pic he took of our group. Again, one of the only highlights was George. I think the company should absolutely leverage his hospitality experience to help curate better partnerships and stops for the Seneca route. 3. Snacks/lunch - the winter tour advertised snacks, water and lunch was included/provided. The water was in a reusable water bottle (that we got to keep)- fine but I guess I would have expected additional bottles in a cooler. Maybe even some seltzer or soda for the price point. Snacks were just individual serve baggies from Costco - decent variety but again, for the price point not aligned. We expected snacks to be food pairings at each stop. We really only got that with chocolate bites at the first stop. On site lunch - this was a huge disappointment for the price point. At our first winery we had bites of chocolate for a flight pairing. The pairing and chocolate were nice. The second stop we had three cheeseboards to split between 5 of us - again, fine but no meat (so no significant protein) and we each got a bowl of soup. That was it. That was lunch. For a 7 hour tour this was simply not enough. And we aren't big eaters generally but definitely expected way more for a 7 hour alcohol tour. This was honestly terrible for the price point. I would have expected cheese/bites pairing at all stops with an actual lunch (at least a full panini or sandwich). 4. The wineries - this was where it really all fell down. We stopped at three places on Seneca. First stop was Damiani. We were NOT brought to the tasting room but rather the barn where the wine was made. Let's just say having your first stop pull up to a metal barn when you've paid ~$400/pp is NOT the best first impression. The wine itself and the staff member, Noah, were actually the best of the three stops. But the aesthetic of it was again, not it. Second stop was red newt - this was at least a more "expected" tasting room set up. We were brought to the back and had our flight/tasting there. The wine was OK at best - sadly we did buy a bottle with our "wine bucks" to have with lunch (again not great considering the price point that lunch didn't just come with a complimentary full glass) and one of us in the group got a whole mouth full of legitimate sediment (like straight grit she had to spit out). It was off putting to say the least especially since we had to buy this to have with "lunch". The pours themselves at ALL the stops was exactly that - a tasting pour. It wasn't more "generous" - just a standard 1oz pour and no one was pouring more. When we had "time" at the end we weren't offered more or even a half glass - we instead felt very pressured to buy bottles (and sadly, none of the vintages were really purchase a whole bottle worthy). Again, not expected for the price point - we thought with the "curated" experience and "lasting partnerships" the tour has with these stops we'd at least get heavier pours or extras. Def did NOT happen. The last stop was Flatt Rock - again, sold as a farm/mom and pop shop - that's what it was. The tasting room was not aesthetically a vibe. The wine was also not great and we were told they had a great champagne style drink - we didn't get any. Overall, we were looking for an all-inclusive. No one in our group wanted to plan the itinerary because we didn't want to invest the time but I think it would have been much more worth it to just do that. The three "on route" places we were brought to were old and just not what we expected for the price point. Maybe their public tours on other lakes is better but I can say with confidence the Seneca lake, private winter tour is NOT the vibe for the price per person.

What a nice experience!…read more Laura was a wonderful tour guide. She owns the company and is just so passionate about all things wine and the Finger Lakes. it was such a relaxing day filled with good wine and good food. Our tour included three winery stops, tastings at each winery, lunch at one winery and some cheese pairings at the other two. We didn't book a private tour but got really lucky because our hotel was an included pick up / drop off point. We spent a good amount of time at each winery and learned alot from all of the wine makers and Laura. If you want to spend a day drinking wine without worrying about driving or having to think about where to go / what to taste then this tour is definitely for you. Leave it to the experts, relax and have a good time and eat and drink well. You can't go wrong!

excellent each and everytime -we love this place .."…read more best drinks and seafood anywhere - and the desserts are to die for! Nothing better

Overall, food was tasty though a bit salty and service was mediocre. Casual atmosphere for a chill…read moremeal. I enjoyed the cornbread that they brought out to start- slightly dry and crumbly as most cornbread is but still yummy nonetheless. To start we tried their oysters. Not bad for Ithaca! For mains, we ordered the crabcakes and the fried shrimp basket. Both were on the salty side- classic shrimp fry. I told the waitress it was my friends birthday and asked her to bring out a slice of the chocolate cake as a surprise, but she forgot multiple times... maybe she was having an off day? Nonetheless, I liked the chocolate cake! Quite a filling meal, though nothing really stood out, I'm not sure I would return.

Beautiful park right off the road with easy access. Parking is $10 and worth it whether you want a…read morerelaxed stroll or a longer hike. Buttermilk Falls is right at the entrance and super easy to get to, with trails branching off from there. There's also swimming available in season when lifeguards are on duty. Overall, a very relaxing spot I loved visiting.

Located just on the southern edge of Ithaca, Buttermilk Falls named as early as 1866, as it was…read morelikened to "a mass of thick, frothy foam" is a wildly popular spot for tourists and local residents, especially during the height of summer where some of us visited this park. Formed by Buttermilk Creek as it flows down the steep valley side toward Cayuga Lake ranging in height from 5 to 35 feet and descending more than 500 feet in a series of cascades and rapids, a natural pool at the base of fall provides swimming with the feel of an old swimming hole that was closed today due to lack of life guards. Like many NY state parks, there are two entrances. We walked from the parking lot at the lower park and hiked up the picturesaque dog friendly Gorge Trail until the cross-over bridge. Then we returned back down the other side of the gorge on the less travelled Rim Trail. Bathrooms were clean with 4 showers. If one carries in food or drinks into the park, one must carry out as there are no trash cans. Parking was $10 and our picnic lunch made for an inexpensive, fabulous day, which we can recommend.

Set sail for True Love, a truly enjoyable time!…read more Bottom Line Up Front: We had a wonderful, relaxing, and fun time for a good price. The Good: The history of the John Alden designed schooner is worth reading before you go. We had some more "salty" members of our group that recognized the name of the schooner from the 1956 movie "High Society" starring Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra and after that we were on board for a wonderful time. We even were seated in the seats once occupied by Gene and Bing. We purchased our tickets after being approached by Terry who negotiated a decent price with us because he wanted a full boat for the next trip. Captain Bill was an experienced Captain and is well known in the area. He got us underway and was a delightful host regaling us with stories about the "True Love", Seneca Lake and surroundings, as well as, some stories about racing the "True Love" and his crew, Spencer and Marena. Captain Bill even assisted another sailing boat that was in distress and precariously close to the lake edge. The trip was two hours long and on time. The crew served non-alcoholic and adult beverages (some free, some for a price) while underway and also sold some souvenirs (Whisky and glasses). The Bad: There was nothing bad, from start to finish, this was a very enjoyable trip and the crew definitely enjoyed sharing their love of the "Trie Love" with the joyful passengers. The Ugly: Absolutely nothing other than we could not be out for longer. If you find yourself in Watkins Glen, this is definitely an enjoyable to kick back, relax, and let the wind fill your sails. They say a picture is worth 1000 words, so I am going to end my post with a few that we snapped along the way. May you have fair winds, and following lake waters!

Excellent sailing experience The crew was great and was…read morevery eager to make sure we had a great time The boat was in excellent condition

All of the wine my husband and I tasted was decent. We ended up buying three bottles. Like most…read moreFinger Lakes wineries, their whites are definitely better. The guy who helped us with our tasting was very well educated on the wines and very friendly. We were here in December so it was gray and brown, but I'm sure the views are beautiful when it's not winter.

Our final stop of the day brought us to Six Mile Cellars, a small but inviting winery that we…read morereached just before closing--5:40 PM, with the doors set to shut at 6 PM. The timing wasn't ideal, and at first, the staff member at the counter seemed hesitant to offer a tasting, expressing concern that we might not have enough time to fully enjoy the experience. Understandably, with just 20 minutes left, they didn't want to rush through what should be a relaxed, immersive tasting. However, after we reassured her that we'd be happy to share a tasting and keep things brief, her demeanor quickly shifted. She transitioned from cautious to warm, professional, and incredibly accommodating, making us feel truly welcomed despite the late hour. In moments like this, it's always great to see how much the right attitude and hospitality can enhance a wine tasting experience. The Tasting Experience We sampled five different wines, each offering something unique. Even though we were moving quickly through the tasting, we still took time to appreciate the flavors and characteristics of each pour. Ithaca Red - A Standout Favorite One wine that immediately stood out was the Ithaca Red, a dry red with bright fruit-forward notes of raspberry and strawberry jam, balanced by a medium body and a lingering spicy finish. It struck that perfect balance between vibrant acidity and smooth tannins, making it an incredibly enjoyable, easy-drinking red. It was so good that we didn't hesitate to grab two bottles to take home, ensuring we could enjoy it again later. Lemberger - A Dark, Spiced Delight Another highlight was the Lemberger, a varietal that often flies under the radar but consistently impresses me. This one had deep, rich dark fruit flavors that reminded me of ripe blackberries and plums, complemented by a lightly spiced finish. It was well-structured yet approachable, a perfect choice for those who love medium-bodied reds with a little complexity. Though those two stood out the most, every wine we sampled was well-crafted, balanced, and a true reflection of the region. A Fun Bills vs. Steelers Moment In addition to the great wine, we had an unexpected and fun football-related conversation with one of the winery's owners, who happens to be a die-hard Buffalo Bills fan. As soon as he spotted my Steelers jacket, the conversation naturally steered toward football--a classic AFC rivalry moment. We ended up chatting about the infamous Bills vs. Chiefs game (yes, that controversial first down call!), and we found some rare common ground--both agreeing that Buffalo did, in fact, get that first down. It was a fun, lighthearted exchange that added another layer of personality to the visit. Moments like this remind me why I love visiting small, locally-owned wineries--you're not just drinking wine, you're connecting with the people behind it. A Winery Worth Revisiting Despite the short timeframe, Six Mile Cellars left a lasting impression. From the quality of the wines to the friendly, engaging atmosphere, it was a great way to wrap up a full day of exploring wineries and breweries. I'd love to return with more time to spare, perhaps on a sunny afternoon when I can relax on the property, enjoy a glass of wine, and soak in the surroundings without worrying about the clock. This visit may have been brief, but it certainly won't be my last. If you're in the area and appreciate well-crafted wines, welcoming hospitality, and a little football banter, Six Mile Cellars is absolutely worth a stop. A perfect way to end an already fantastic day.

Out of the hikes I've done around Ithaca, Robert H. Treman State Park has been my favorite. The…read moregorge trail and rim trail loop offers beautiful views of the Enfield Glen gorge and waterfalls, especially with the fall foliage. It's moderate difficulty. There is a swim area by the bottom parking area. Both times I've visited this park it was closed due to being off season in October. $10 per car. You can use the receipt to enter any NY state park on the same day.

It's probably been always one of my favorite hikes in Ithaca. It gives like these Lord of the rings…read morevibes with the deep canyons and the Stone Bridges and the cliffs. It's just kind of epic with the moss. It has like a micro climate to it where it gets a little bit temperate rainforest with ferns and moss and it's just beautiful. I think there's four routes total. It's basically the upper and lower gorge or the upper and lower rim trails. We have the dog we're feeling kind of tired so we did the upper trail which is like under a mile and it takes you straight to the Falls and some epic sites. I honestly haven't done the lower trail but it's on my bucket list. It's 3 miles. I've can't come here as a tourist previously and just wanted to go for the I guess the money shot as its called definitely recommend.

Owner is extremely rude on the phone. Literally yelled at me and told me to go to another company…read morewhen he couldn't provide a vehicle for my needs. I'm sure that this place would no longer be in business if it was in a larger market.

Wow. It has taken me 2 weeks to try to think of how to review this service. If there was a…read morenegative star rating, I would have chosen it. Here it goes: 1) The car is neither luxurious nor comfortable. The body is rusted. The interior is dirty. The console in front of the seat is broken and stuffed with a dirty pillow. The handles on all of the doors on the inside are broken. The doors can't be opened from the inside (which is super-creepy with a driver like Orlando). The car beeps for 3 minutes every 20 minutes or so, but Orlando assures you that there is no problem. I am not sure that the seatbelts in the back work (it's ok with Orlando because it's "legal"). The car shudders when it goes over 50 MPH. The 4th, 5th, and 6th people of your party have to climb over a seat into a raised seat with barely enough room for three (we are small people--all less than 160 lbs). 2) Orlando is offensive. Within 5 minutes of starting our trip, Orlando had succeeded in offending everyone in our party--Canadians, Drivers of Subarus, Democrats, Physicians. Orlando never stops talking, and it is not about the area and local attractions or what to look for. He lectured the car about how doctors are criminals who prescribe medications that people don't need--such as insulin for diabetes. "All you need to do is take large doses of cinnamon." You can cure cancer by,"mixing Flax oil in cottage cheese. Its a well known fact. It's on the google." 3) You will feel like Orlando's prisoner. We were a group that likes conversation. We usually have to keep two members of our party from chatting too much. Orlando talked non-stop the entire trip. We were taking turns sitting in the front seat next to him to share the burden. We ended our trip one hour (and one winery) early just to be able to get out of his car. Some of the topics that Orlando pontificated on: his past employment for the government--"I can't tell you what I did. They asked me to fake my death, but I wouldn't do it; so I had to quit." He also told us about the buried UFOs as big as a football field in the desert. He also commented on how there are, "so many democrats that you could bury them." I am not sure what that was in reference to. 4) Despite the number of times that Orlando will tell you about his 28 years of experience, he is not all that knowledgeable. I had been planning this trip to the Finger Lakes for many months as a birthday celebration for my wife. I had carefully selected wineries that I wanted to visit. Right after getting into the car, he argued with me about my choices and asked me if, "you know anything about this area?" and then told me that it would be impossible to include Ravines in our itinerary as the Winery is in Geneva. I told him that there was a tasting room on Keuka lake, and he said, "I don't know anything about that." I had to tell him that I was confident in my itinerary and essentially argue with him to accept it. I don't think that visiting three wineries and having lunch between 1030 AM and 6 PM is too much to ask. In the end we were dropped off at 5 PM. In summary if you are looking for a knowledgeable, friendly driver in a safe comfortable vehicle for a relaxing day touring the amazing Finger Lakes wineries, DO NOT BOOK WITH Orlando. However, if you are seeking a nightmare version of Carpool Karaoke, but instead of James Corden driving you around in a nice car with pleasant conversation, you want an ignorant, rude, offensive, conspiracy theorist driver with verbal diarrhea and a dirty unsafe and uncomfortable ride, then Orlando and Finger Lakes Transport and Tours is for you.

Had a great time, everyone was super professional. Our flight took us over Ithaca and out on to…read moreCayuga Lake then over Cornell where we gently landed in a field. your path might be different with wind patterns. The basket was comfortable, very well maintained, clearly cared for and in top shape. The team drove us back from our landing location to our cars in a new and comfortable van. Overall a wholly pleasant experience and a great way to spend a few hours in the morning or afternoon, best planned a couple days before.

Had one of the best experiences of our lives. Little Smokey from wildfires but didn't disappoint…read more The flight team was amazing and follow all the instructions in the emails. Can't recommend them enough. Thanks Dar, Josh and Dennis!

Nice, relaxed brewery without a lot of frills. There is a little bit of seating inside and several…read moretables outside. Not a ton of choices for beer, but the stout, pumpkin beer (complete with a cinnamon and sugar rim!), And two IPAs we had were good. Would definitely stop here again!

Nice waterhole on our way home from visiting Ithaca Waterfall and hiking...nice welcoming…read moreatmosphere with pets allowed, good selection of brew's and pleasant service staff...