The Lake House

Drop your bags and walk straight to the beach. Swim, fish off the dock, or just sit. Book Keuka Kayak Rentals for tomorrow — they fill up fast on summer weekends.

The Switzerland Inn on Keuka Lake. All-you-can-eat crab legs on the water. 5 minutes away. Bring a jacket — breezy on the water at night.

Keuka Kayak delivers to the house. Spend the morning on Waneta Lake. Arrowhead Creek is right on the lake if you want breakfast first.

Weis Vineyards is 3 minutes down the road — NY Winery of the Year for a reason. Ravines and McGregor are both 5 minutes from there. Go early on weekdays to avoid tasting room crowds.

Fire pit at the water's edge. Open whatever you brought back from the trail.

One more swim. Sauna. Pack slow.

Hammondsport Village on the way out. Good coffee, good shops. Give it 45 minutes.

Get in, walk to the water. September water is still swimmable. October is fire pit weather — cooler nights make it better.

Timber Stone Grill in Hammondsport. 15 minutes, wood-fired everything, warm atmosphere. Good first-night spot.

Watkins Glen State Park. The gorge in fall color is something else — less crowded than summer, still go early. One of the best hikes in the Northeast at any time of year.

Harvest season on the wine trail. Most wineries have new releases and special events. Weis, Ravines, and McGregor are all within a few minutes of each other from the house.

Sauna, fire pit. Open the bottles from the trail.

Keuka Outlet Trail if you want one more outdoor stop. Walk or bike through woodlands and past lake views. 20 minutes from the house.

Windmill Farm and Craft Market if it's a Saturday. Hammondsport Village either way — good coffee, easy morning.

Get in and fire up the sauna first thing. Takes about 45 minutes to heat. This is the main event in winter — use it every day.

Dean Lane Dining or The Hidden Cork. Both are quieter in winter — better service, more time with the staff, no wait.

Wine tasting without the crowds. Tasting rooms are unhurried in winter — more time with the pourers, no rushing. Ravines and McGregor are both 5 minutes away.

Corning Museum of Glass is 35 minutes south. One of the best museums in upstate NY. Book a glassblowing workshop before you go — worth it.

Sauna again. This is the point of a winter stay.

If Waneta Lake is frozen, ice skating and ice fishing are right out front. Check conditions before heading out. When it works, it's legitimately great.

Hammondsport Village for coffee. Quieter than summer — easy, relaxed morning on the way out.

Get in and get the fire pit going. Spring evenings at the lake are underrated — warm enough to sit outside, cool enough to want a fire.

Arrowhead Creek on Waneta Lake. Right on your lake, casual, no need to go far on night one.

Watkins Glen State Park. Waterfalls are at peak flow after snowmelt — May is the best the gorge ever looks. Go early, parking fills fast even in spring.

Wine trail is waking up with new vintages just released. Less busy than summer. Weis Vineyards is 3 minutes from the house, Domaine LeSeurre is 5 minutes — good place to start.

Sauna and fire pit. Spring fire pit weather is the best of the year.

Shequaga Falls in Montour Falls is 20 minutes away and worth a quick stop. Towering waterfall right in the middle of town. Havana Glen Park is right next to it if you want a short hike.

Hammondsport Village. The whole region is yours in spring — no crowds, no rush.