As the seasons begin to change, many people are starting to travel to the Finger Lakes region for one last trip before fall turns to winter. If you're looking for a fun activity that's jam packed for a day of entertainment, stop by the Finger Lakes Cider House at Good Life Farms in Seneca County! Just outside Trumansburg, this farm offers a number of different activities that are fun for the whole family.
Fun things to do on the farm
U-Pick Gardens
One of the perks of the farm are all of their U-Pick gardens. They have flowers, apples, peaches and strawberries available to pick yourself for purchase while they're in season.
The U-Pick season for 2024 began in June, and all items offered are available based on weather and the frost from the season. It's a good idea to call ahead to see if what you're looking for is still available.
U-Pick flowers are available from June through September during regular business hours. A bouquet is $8, and you can add a large jar to put them in with water for $10. Flowers available are Zinnias, Cosmos, Marigolds, Strawflowers, Celosia, Amaranth, Sunflowers, and more! Just check in with staff when you arrive to start picking! You can bring your own container if you don't want a jar.
Strawberries are available for picking from June until early July and cost $7/quart, $40/flat (8 quarts), and $2.75/lb. when you bring your own container. 2024's varieties of strawberries included Galletta during the early season, Jewel during the midseason, and Malwina during the late season. If you bring your own container for fruit, make sure you have it weighed by staff first so they don't have you paying for it!
Apples are available from the end of September through October and cost $2.25/lb., $17/5 lb. bag, and $85 per bushel (55-60 lb.). Varieties include Liberty during the early season, Enterprise during the midseason, and Goldrush during the late season.
When you're finished picking flowers or fruit, head to the tasting room to have it weighed and pay (just the fruit is weighed). Food and pets are not permitted in the picking area.
Farm Tours
They also offer tastings and farm tours so you can see exactly where the food and fruits for the beverages comes from! While touring the farm you're likely to see animals, their greenhouses filled with vegetables, the turkeys, apple orchard, U-Pick gardens, their big wooden statue they build by the pond every year, and so much more.
This tour is immersive and you'll get the chance to see up close the craft that goes into cider making, what happens to allow for a farm-to-table restaurant, and the full farm! You can reserve a tour for the date and time of your choosing and the number of people going. Everyone must be 21+ participating in the tasting. Each tour and tasting is 75-90 minutes and reservations are required.
Have lunch!
Be sure to grab a bite to eat in the tasting room as well! The menu offers many items that come directly from the farm.
There are different types of charcuterie boards including the Finger Lakes Medley, Lively Run Showcase, and Field 'n Farm. The cheeses and spreads on this menu are locally sourced and the boards come with sliced baguette, seasonal pickles, house-made spreads and fruit.
If you're looking for something a bit richer than a charcuterie board, check out the small bites! There's toasted cornbread, Utica collard greens, soup, marcona almonds, olive bowls, and garlic cumin black beans.
For full meals, they have a pesto bacon turkey melt, pulled pork, Choripan, cast iron grilled cheese, and a salad or grain bowl. They also offer desserts like a Belgian Chocolate Tart and Baklava!
Be sure to check out their store on the way out!
Finger Lakes Cider House also offers a store in their tasting room where you can buy all kinds of local goods to take home with you! This includes bottles of cider made by Finger Lakes Cider House, local cheeses, local meats, books, candles, honey, dog treats, and just so much more all from local businesses and artisans.
Online they offer pasture-raised meats that you can have shipped directly to your house! They offer organically grown and pasture raised pork, chicken, lamb, turkey, and beef. You can also join their cider club to have bottles shipped directly to you. They currently deliver to select states, which you can find on their website.
Stay the night
For those who love it so much they never want to leave, there are ways to stay the night on the farm! The Yurt and The Loft are both currently available to rent. The Yurt is a small, round, rustic structure sitting next to a babbling brook just over a wooden bridge near the tasting room on the farm. The Loft is a three bedroom, one bathroom, full kitchen directly above the tasting room. Up there you'll have a stunning view of the entire farm and part of Cayuga Lake. Renting this unit will give you access to firewood and the property's fire cauldrons. In 2025, Finger Lakes Cider House will start offering a cabin rental!
