Finger Lakes NY: Ithaca-Watkins Glen Self-Guided Audio Tour
3.9 / 5 · 9 traveler reviews
Explore the Finger Lakes on a self-guided drive around Seneca and Cayuga Lakes, blending waterfalls, wine country, and American history. Four must-see stops anchor the journey: towering Taughannock Falls, the birthplace of the women’s rights movement in Seneca Falls, lakeside Belhurst Castle, and the gorge trails of Watkins Glen State Park. Along the way, discover scenic byways, vineyard overlooks, nature preserves, and sweeping lake views. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, entering your unique password, and accessing your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This is not an entrance ticket to attractions along the route. Check opening hours before your visit.
Your experience
Stop 1
A picturesque route tracing the western shore of Cayuga Lake, winding past vineyards, waterfalls, and charming lakeside towns. It’s one of the most relaxing drives in the Finger Lakes, with sweeping water views at every turn. Note: The tour covers 90+ miles, includes 125+ audio stories, and takes about 6–7 hours to complete. New: Lifetime access with no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
Stop 2
A family-friendly nature preserve near Ithaca featuring wooded trails, interactive exhibits, and the six-story TreeTops Treehouse. It’s a peaceful spot to learn about local wildlife and explore the forests of the Finger Lakes.
Stop 3
Home to one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls east of the Rockies, plunging 215 feet into a dramatic gorge. Easy trails and scenic overlooks make this a must-stop along Cayuga Lake.
Stop 4
A breathtaking viewpoint perched above the 215-foot waterfall, offering a dramatic top-down perspective into the gorge. It’s the easiest way to take in the full scale of Taughannock Falls without hiking.
Stop 5
A tranquil stretch of wetlands along Cayuga Lake, rich with birdlife and seasonal blooms. These marshes serve as an important habitat for herons, ducks, and migratory species while offering peaceful lake-edge scenery.
Stop 6
A lakeside winery on Cayuga Lake known for elegant cool-climate wines, especially Riesling and Cabernet Franc. With vineyard views and a relaxed tasting room, it’s a scenic stop along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.
Stop 7
A popular Cayuga Lake winery known for award-winning Rieslings and bold reds. With vineyard views, a lively tasting room, and an on-site bistro, it’s a welcoming stop along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.
Stop 8
A quiet, forested preserve overlooking Cayuga Lake with gentle trails through hardwood woods and meadows. It’s a peaceful place for a short hike, birdwatching, and taking in scenic lake views.
Stop 9
A lakeside park on the northern end of Cayuga Lake offering swimming, boating, and shaded picnic spots. With campsites and peaceful shoreline views, it’s a relaxing stop in the heart of the Finger Lakes.
Stop 10
A historic waterway connecting Cayuga and Seneca Lakes to the Erie Canal system. Once vital for trade and transport, today it’s popular for boating, fishing, and scenic waterfront views.
Stop 11
A historic Finger Lakes town best known as the birthplace of the women’s rights movement. Set along the Cayuga–Seneca Canal, Seneca Falls blends rich history with charming waterfront streets and small-town appeal.
Stop 12
This historic site preserves the legacy of the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, the first women’s rights convention in the United States. Through the Wesleyan Chapel and related landmarks, it honors the movement that reshaped American history.
What’s included
- Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour.
- Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
- Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
- Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.
- Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
- Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
- One purchase covers everyone in your car, not per person.
- Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
- Access your tour in our separate audio tour app after booking.
- Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.
Not included
- No live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.
Meeting and pickup
Start on Hwy 14 (N Franklin St) near 214 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891, by the red phone booth with shops on both sides. Suggested start; we’re not affiliated, so staff won’t have tour info. Audio auto-starts—check email/text for setup, download on strong internet.
Start on Hwy 89 (Taughannock Blvd) by Cass Park, 701 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca, NY, with the park on your right. Head north along Cayuga Lake’s shoreline. Suggested start; we’re not affiliated, so staff won’t have tour info. Audio auto-starts—check email/text for setup, download on strong internet.
Before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
- Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
- At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
- Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
- Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
- More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
- Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
- Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
- Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
- Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
- The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
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