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Auburn
Population: 28,500
Auburn is located in the heart of one of the most spectacular landscapes in the United States. Owasco Lake at the city's outskirts, is closely flanked on either side by nearly a dozen other lakes which comprise the Finger Lakes Region. Auburn, Cayuga’s county seat and largest community, boasts first-rate historical attractions, including the Harriet Tubman Home and William Seward House, park access to Owasco Lake, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse professional theater and baseball. Summer sporting opportunities in the area include golfing, boating, swimming and fishing. Auburn is also 6 miles from Skaneateles, visitors to each city can enjoy the benefits of the other city being so close.

Canandaigua
Population: 11,264
Canandaigua sits at the top of Canandaigua Lake and offers extensive natural beauty, numerous recreational opportunities and historical significance. There are great places to relax and enjoy the views; a wide main street provides a premiere entryway -- replete with Victorian architecture, flowered medians, and quaint shops. The city is famous for the lake and for wonderful city walking tours full of history and architecture: Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park are key places to visit.

Geneva
Population: 13,700
Geneva lies at the northern end of the Seneca Lake is aptly named the "Lake Trout Capital of the World" for its great fishing - Geneva is also known for winemaking and as a staging ground for wine tours. Hobart and William Smith Colleges adds Jacobean and Gothic architecture and youthful groove to the city.

Ithaca
Population: 29,500
Ithaca Named for the Greek island, this city sits on the southern shore of Cayuga Lake and is home to Ithaca College and Cornell University, which gives it a "college town" vibe and a reputation for being hip and culturally liberal. The town offers theater, museums, and the region’s liveliest nightlife, dining, and accommodations. Ithaca is consistently ranked as being one of the best places to live due to its culture, natural beauty, low cost of living and ridiculously low crime rate. For those wanting a small city life with big city culture, Ithaca is the Gem of New York state.

Skaneateles
Population: 9,500
Set on a crystal clear lake of the same name, the town of Skaneateles is home to a thriving residential and business community, and host to thousands of visitors and vacationers each year. In the historic downtown district, shops and galleries are housed in restored buildings dating back to 1796. The town is perfect for walking and exploring and due to the proximity to Syracuse, the restaurants are top-notch. Skaneateles comes to life in the summer. Every Friday in July and August the Skaneateles Community Band performs lively music at the Gazebo in Clift Park (right downtown) on Skaneateles Lake.

Penn Yann
Population: 5,400
The village of Penn Yan is at the north end of the east branch of Keuka Lake and is right in the heart of wine country - the local area is home to no less than 20 of the region's finest wineries.

Watkins Glen
Population: 2,200
Located on the southern tip of Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen is the site of scenic Watkins Glen State, the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound. Watkins Glen is probably best known for its role in auto racing, being the home of a street course used in road racing, a famous racetrack, Watkins Glen International, and a historic race, the Watkins Glen Grand Prix.

Corning, nicknamed "The Crystal City", is a small city with a big history linked to glassmaking. Its historic main street offers antiques shopping, dining, and galleries, and is a short drive from many of the region’s wineries and outdoor activities.

Elmira, the onetime summer home of Mark Twain, is further from the Finger Lake wineries, but offers theater and sporting events (chief among them hockey) as well as boating, canoeing, and fishing on the Chemung River.