About 11 Lakes Magazine
The Stories, Places and People of the Finger Lakes
Welcome to 11 Lakes Magazine, an independent online magazine celebrating life throughout New York’s Finger Lakes.
The Finger Lakes are often defined by the eleven remarkable lakes that stretch across the landscape, but the character of this region reaches far beyond the water. It lives in the villages along their shores, the farms covering the hillsides, the vineyards climbing toward the sun, the waterfalls hidden in wooded glens, and the people who continue to shape these communities.
11 Lakes Magazine was created to tell those stories.
I’m Paul, a digital designer and longtime resident of Moravia, New York. After years of working in web and graphic design, I wanted to create something that combined that experience with my appreciation for the region I call home.
What began as 11 Lakes Design has evolved into something broader: a magazine devoted to discovering, documenting, and celebrating the Finger Lakes.
More Than a Travel Guide
There are plenty of lists telling visitors where to eat, where to stay, or which winery to visit.
11 Lakes Magazine goes a little deeper.
We want to understand the stories behind the places.
That might mean exploring the history of a small village, discovering an old mill tucked inside a state park, meeting the artisans carrying on traditional crafts, following the changing seasons across local farmland, or visiting a farmers market where growers and neighbors have gathered for generations.
Sometimes the story is about a well-known Finger Lakes destination.
Other times, it may be about a place just a few miles down a country road that even longtime residents have overlooked.
Both belong here.
What You’ll Discover
Throughout 11 Lakes Magazine, you’ll find stories about:
Places to Visit — villages, markets, museums, attractions and unexpected destinations
Parks & Outdoors — waterfalls, trails, lakes, wildlife and the landscapes that define the region
Finger Lakes History — the people, industries and events that shaped our communities
Food & Recipes — regional foods, seasonal ingredients and traditions from the Finger Lakes table
Wine & Pairings — vineyards, wineries and the foods that complement one of America’s great wine regions
Arts & Artisans — makers, craftspeople and creative traditions
Wildlife — the birds and animals that share this remarkable landscape
Autumn Watch — following one of the Finger Lakes’ most spectacular seasons as it unfolds
Featured Stories — deeper looks at the people, places and traditions that deserve a little more time
Celebrating the Entire Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes aren’t a single destination.
They are a collection of communities and landscapes, each with its own identity.
From Skaneateles to Canandaigua, Ithaca to Penn Yan, Geneva to Watkins Glen—and through countless smaller villages, hamlets and country roads in between—the region is filled with stories worth preserving and sharing.
11 Lakes Magazine is especially interested in those smaller stories.
The roadside farm stand.
The century-old library.
The local festival everybody in town remembers.
The family business that has survived for generations.
The hidden waterfall.
The craftsman working quietly in a small studio.
These are the things that give the Finger Lakes its character.
Shop the Story
You may also occasionally see Shop the Story collections accompanying our articles.
These products grew from the original 11 Lakes Design concept and are inspired by the same lakes, communities, landmarks and traditions featured in the magazine.
Rather than being separate from the stories, they are another way of celebrating them—a keepsake from a favorite lake, a hometown design, or something that simply reminds you of time spent in the Finger Lakes.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple:
To tell meaningful stories that celebrate the landscapes, communities, history, culture and everyday life of the Finger Lakes—and to help people discover just a little more of this extraordinary region.
Whether you’ve lived here your entire life, return every summer, are planning your first visit, or simply love the Finger Lakes from afar, I hope 11 Lakes Magazine helps you discover something you didn’t know before.
A new trail.
A forgotten story.
A village worth exploring.
A local tradition.
Or perhaps just another reason to appreciate the place we call the Finger Lakes.
Thank you for reading—and welcome to 11 Lakes Magazine.
Paul
Founder & Editor
11 Lakes Magazine