Mountainside Camp

Very handily, Mountainside Camp is around 60 miles from nine of the 11 Finger Lakes, with the remaining two being slightly further out. The closest of the 11 Finger Lakes is Canandaigua Lake. If you want a dip – and you want it fast – Vine Valley Beach (10 minutes’ drive) should be your first stop. Further north is the city of Canandaigua (25 minutes), where you’ll quickly get acquainted with the water through activities like wakeboarding. The city has major shops and restaurants, along with the 50-acre Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park (25 minutes). The largest of all the 11 glacial lakes is within striking distance too. At Seneca Lake (25 minutes), sample Chardonnay and spicy Lemberger along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, try some trout fishing or captain a canoe or boat. Watkins Glen (50 minutes) has breweries, distilleries and 19 waterfalls.