Stories, tips, and local perspectives from across the Finger Lakes.
Red Brick Pub anchors Fall Street in historic Seneca Falls, right in the heart of a downtown that also houses the National Women's Hall of Fame and the It's a Wonderful Life Museum. The address — 57 Fall Street — puts it squarely in the walkable center of town, and the vibe inside matches the […]
Parker's Grille & Tap House has been accumulating FLX Finest hardware for four consecutive years — Gold for Best Sports Bar in 2022, 2023, and 2025, Gold for Best Bloody Mary in 2024, plus Silver nods for Bloody Mary, specialty cocktails, and even margaritas. Operating across multiple locations, Parker's has the rare distinction of being […]
There is a short list of Finger Lakes restaurants where the setting alone justifies the price, and Nolan's is at the top of it. Sitting directly on Canandaigua Lake at 726 South Main Street, about three miles south of downtown, the restaurant has a sprawling deck over the water where boats pull up to the […]
Natural Solutions Acupuncture & Bodywork pulled off a rare trifecta at the 2022 FLX Finest awards: Gold for Best Day Spa, Gold for Best Massage, and Gold for Best Acupuncture — three category wins from a single practice on Fall Street in Seneca Falls. That sweep speaks to a holistic approach where acupuncture, massage therapy, […]
Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Skaneateles is the Finger Lakes' closest approximation of a European destination spa, and its back-to-back Silver awards for Best Day Spa in 2022 and 2023 underscore a reputation that extends well beyond the region. The property on West Genesee Street Road draws its design inspiration from the French countryside — […]
Geneva's Hamilton Street has become the town's most interesting dining corridor, and Monterrey Mexican Restaurant at number 315 is a major reason why. Repeat Gold for Best Mexican Restaurant (2024 and 2025) and consistent recognition for Best Margaritas tell you that this is not a Tex-Mex chain operation filling a gap — it is a […]
Max's Custard is a seasonal roadside stand at 67 1/2 Auburn Road in Seneca Falls, and the half-address should tell you something about the scale of the operation. This is not a scoop shop with a sit-down counter and a wall of 31 flavors. It is a walk-up window, a short menu board, a line […]
Mac's Drive-In is the kind of place that makes people argue about whether nostalgia counts as a flavor. It does. This seasonal roadside stand on Waterloo-Geneva Road has been serving burgers, hot dogs, and soft-serve ice cream to Finger Lakes families for generations, and the consistency is the point. You order at the window, eat […]
Sitting right on Lakefront Drive in Geneva, Long Pier Ice Cream & Rentals holds one of the most enviable locations in the Finger Lakes: steps from Seneca Lake, directly on the waterfront path that connects the town pier to the state park. Founded in 2005 by the Mirras family, it has grown from a seasonal […]