Rochester stands along the shore of Lake Ontario and is just a short drive from New York’s beautiful Finger Lakes chain, a popular vacation spot and important wine-growing region. There are dozens of great ways for groups to enjoy the famous scenery, from sightseeing cruises and rail tours to lakeside meeting space.
Business goes better when combined with pleasure at Canandaigua Lake in the Finger Lakes region, located a short drive southeast of Rochester. Steamboat Landing features Flagship Banquet and Conference Center, which can host meetings and banquets as large as 280 people with inspiring lake views. In addition, from May through October, groups can enjoy cruises on the 120-passenger Canandaigua Lady, a replica of a 19th century double-decker paddlewheel boat. In October, a cruise is a perfect way to enjoy the spectacular fall foliage. Steamboat Landing is currently undergoing an expansion project scheduled for completion in late 2010 that will add a 150-room resort hotel, a full-service spa and 6,000 more square feet of meeting space.
Groups of 150 people can also ply the waters of the Erie Canal on the Colonial Belle. Completed in 1825, the canal stretches for 363 miles to link Lake Erie to the Hudson River, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. Each cruise lasts two to three hours and offers historical narration of the passing scenery.
Riding the rails with Finger Lakes Scenic Railway allows groups to take in views of the lush scenery and historic depots along the way. A 132-mile track running from Victor along the northern shores of the Finger Lakes to Syracuse, the railway offers a variety of themed charter excursions for up to 150 guests. Themes can include Blues ‘n’ Brews, local wines and cheeses and seasonal foliage tours. Trips should be booked at least two months in advance.
Quality Wine Tours provides scenic wine-tasting trips through the Finger Lakes region for groups as large as 30 people. These lush valleys are home to some of the state’s leading wineries. Groups will receive guided tours through historical wine-making buildings, sample dozens of New York wines and cheeses, and enjoy splendid views of the region.
For More Info:
Colonial Belle
585.223.9470
www.colonialbelle.com
Finger Lakes Railway
315.209.1029
www.fingerlakesscenicrailway.com
Quality Wine Tours
585.455.8294
www.qualitywinetours.com
Steamboat Landing
585.396.7350
www.steamboatlandingonline.com
