If you’ve ever dreamed of sipping crisp white wine on a sun drenched terrace overlooking Italy’s Lake Como–but your summer budget and PTO aren’t quite giving “let’s hop on a flight”–there’s a hidden gem right in New York’s backyard that feels like a European escape.
Tucked along the southern tip of Keuka Lake in Upstate NY sits Hammondsport, a quaint Finger Lakes village known for its postcard-worthy charm–and it’s one of the best summer getaways in New York.
Known to locals as “Little Lake Como,” the comparison is more than skin deep. Just like Italy’s famous resort destination, Keuka Lake was carved out by ancient glaciers, resulting in a rare, dramatic “Y” shape that gives both lakes their distinctive, closely framed hillside shorelines.
It’s the ultimate under-the-radar weekend getaway for anyone looking to trade the concrete jungle for la dolce vita, without the steep European price tag.
🍇 Sip Wine With “Tuscan” Hillside Views
The Finger Lakes Wine Country is famous for its cool-climate pours, but the Keuka Lake Wine Trail specifically offers terraced tastings and steep vineyard slopes that look straight out of northern Italy.
Don’t Miss: The famous deck views at Bully Hill Vineyards, small-batch flights at Keuka Lake Vineyards, and the award-winning pours at Heron Hill. Other standouts include:
- Pleasant Valley Wine Company: Start your tour at America’s very first bonded winery (founded in 1860). Its massive stone buildings and historic hillside cellars instantly evoke the feeling of an old-world European estate
- Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery: A legendary regional icon credited with putting Finger Lakes Rieslings and vinifera wines on the global map. The tasting room offers sweeping views of the water below
- Point of the Bluff Vineyards: For the ultimate summer vibe, head here for golden hour tastings, lakeside live music, and a game of bocce ball on the lawn
🛶 Embrace La Dolce Vita on Keuka Lake
Because of the lake’s unique wishbone layout, outdoor enthusiasts have endless vantage points to soak in the views or splash around in the water.
To experience it like a local, make your way to Depot Park or Champlin Beach Park. They’re the perfect spots to swim, set up a lakeside picnic, or watch the sunset turn the deep water to molten gold, mimicking the Lido beaches of Lombardy.
If you want to actively explore the shoreline, you have a couple of great local options:
- Keuka Watersports: Operating directly out of Champlin Beach Park and Depot Park, you can easily rent jet skis, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, or even pontoon boats for the afternoon
- Finger Lakes Boating Museum: For a dose of local history, step onto the Pat II—a beautifully restored, 100-year-old completely electric vessel—for a narrated historic boat tour that departs right from Depot Park
🍕 Stroll the Village Like a European Piazza
Back on land, Hammondsport’s walkable downtown centers around an adorable, historic town square known as Pulteney Square. Lined with historic Victorian buildings, eclectic boutiques, and sidewalk cafés, it anchors the town with the warm energy of a lively Italian piazza.
Throughout July and August, the square comes alive with the weekly Music in the Park series, a bustling morning farmers’ market, and local art festivals like the Palettes of Keuka.
Where to Eat:
- The Park Inn: A meticulously restored historic inn serving an incredible, rotating farm-to-table dinner menu
- Crooked Lake Ice Cream Company: A nostalgic, retro spot perfect for a post-lake sweet treat.
- Bully Hill Restaurant: Grab an outdoor table on their expansive deck for hearty, casual plates paired with panoramic lake vistas
🚲 Explore Nature the Italian Way
If you love a mix of relaxation and adventure, the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail is a must-visit. This scenic path follows an old railroad line connecting Keuka and Seneca Lakes, taking you past hidden waterfalls, local wildlife, and gorgeous vineyard overlooks.
Alternatively, skip the hike and take a slow drive along Lake Road. The winding, narrow route features dramatic drop-offs, lakeside estates, and framed water views that could easily rival a drive along the shores of Lake Garda.
📍 Trip Planning at a Glance
- Location: Hammondsport, NY (Steuben County)
- Drive Time: ~3.5 hours from Midtown Manhattan
- Best Time to Visit: July through September for peak vineyard greenery and lake swimming temperatures
