Sometimes the best getaways aren't the ones that require a week away or a long list of must-see attractions. They're the ones where you can gather a few friends, pile into a car, find a beautiful place to stay, and spend a few days eating well, exploring, and enjoying each other's company.

That's what I liked about Watkins Glen. It works especially well when the point of the trip is spending time together.

It's a particularly good option for a small group getaway—think a few couples traveling together, a group of girlfriends, or simply a car full of friends looking for a weekend away. You don't need a big resort or a packed itinerary to have a great time here. In fact, part of the appeal is finding a comfortable place to stay and making the area around it your playground for the weekend.

Find a Place to Stay That Feels Like Part of the Getaway

One of the things that stood out to me about Watkins Glen is the type of lodging you'll find there. This isn't a destination dominated by large resort hotels. Instead, you'll find smaller inns, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals, which can be a really nice match for a weekend with friends.

For a small group, especially a few couples traveling together, a vacation rental can give everyone a little more room to spread out and a common space to gather at the end of the day. A B&B or small inn can offer a different kind of experience, with a more personal feel than a traditional large hotel.

And if you find a place with a beautiful view, even better.

One of the things that makes a weekend like this enjoyable is that you don't have to be doing something every minute. Sitting outside with a drink, talking about the day, or enjoying your morning coffee while looking out over the Finger Lakes can be part of the vacation too.

It's More Than Just Wine Country

The Finger Lakes may be known for its wineries, and there are certainly plenty of them around Watkins Glen, but wine doesn't have to be the only thing on your tasting list.

You'll also find breweries, cider houses, and distilleries, which makes it easy to build a day around whatever your group enjoys. One person may be excited about wine tasting while someone else would rather visit a brewery or try a local cider.

We visited Castel Grisch Winery during our weekend, and the beautiful setting was part of the experience. We also stopped at Grist Iron Brewing Company for a meal, which was a great reminder that these stops can be about more than just what you're drinking.

Food is often part of the experience, too, whether that's snacks and small plates or something substantial enough to make a tasting stop part of your meal plans. That can be especially nice when you're traveling with a group—you don't have to make every stop just about the drinks.

The area also has local dairies and farm stores where you can find things like artisan cheese and ice cream. We stopped at a local dairy during our weekend, and it was a fun change of pace from the wineries. Depending on where you go, you may find cheese tastings, ice cream, and other locally made products.

That's one of the things I really like about the area for a group getaway. You can put together a day of stops without having every activity revolve around the same thing.

Come for the Views. Stay for the Waterfalls.

If your group needs a little fresh air between meals and tastings, Watkins Glen delivers there too.

Watkins Glen State Park is one of the area's highlights, with its gorge, stone bridges, winding trails, and waterfalls. It's the kind of scenery that makes you want to slow down and actually look around instead of simply checking a hike off your list.

And you don't have to make the entire weekend about hiking.

You can choose how much outdoor time makes sense for your group, then balance it with a leisurely lunch, a winery stop, or an afternoon back at your rental. The combination of beautiful scenery and flexibility is part of what makes Watkins Glen work so well for a short getaway.

Don't Forget About the Town Itself

It's easy to think of Watkins Glen as simply a home base for exploring the Finger Lakes, but the town itself is worth some of your time.

It's cute, walkable, and filled with local restaurants, which makes it especially convenient for a weekend away. After spending the day exploring, it's nice to be able to park the car and wander into town for dinner rather than getting back on the road.

And there's something appealing about a destination where you can slow down a little. Grab a meal, stroll through town, stop somewhere for a drink, and enjoy an evening without feeling like you need to squeeze another attraction into the schedule.

Use Watkins Glen as Your Home Base

This might be my favorite thing about planning a Watkins Glen getaway.

You don't have to spend the entire weekend in Watkins Glen.

The town makes a great home base for exploring the surrounding Finger Lakes area, so you can head out during the day and come back to the same comfortable place at night.

That could mean a morning hike followed by winery stops. Or exploring another nearby town, visiting a brewery or dairy, and then heading back to Watkins Glen for dinner.

There are also beautiful places to explore beyond Watkins Glen itself, which means you can use the town as a starting point without feeling like you've seen everything after one afternoon.

For a small group, that flexibility is especially nice. You can make plans ahead of time, but you don't have to create an itinerary that accounts for every minute of the weekend.

Sometimes the best plan is simply knowing what's available and deciding what sounds good that day.

Who Is a Watkins Glen Weekend Best For?

After spending a weekend there, I think Watkins Glen is especially well suited to small groups of friends or couples traveling together.

A few couples sharing a vacation rental, a group of girlfriends staying at a B&B, or even a carload of friends can build a weekend around good food, drinks, beautiful scenery, and time together.

It's a particularly good choice if your group enjoys a mix of experiences. You can spend part of the day outdoors, part of it sampling local wine or beer, stop for cheese or ice cream, and finish the evening at a local restaurant.

What I wouldn't choose Watkins Glen for is a resort-style vacation where you want everything in one place or a destination built around nightlife. That's not really the appeal.

The appeal is having a beautiful area to explore with people you enjoy, without needing to make the weekend complicated.

Why Watkins Glen Might Deserve a Spot on Your Weekend List

A good small-group getaway doesn't have to involve a flight, a resort, or a long list of attractions.

Sometimes it's a pretty place with a view, a good dinner, a hike to a waterfall, a winery you didn't expect to love, and a long conversation that lasts much later than you planned.

That's what makes Watkins Glen stand out to me.

It's easy enough to get around, there's plenty to see and taste, and there's enough variety that everyone in a small group can find something they enjoy. Most importantly, you can build the weekend around spending time together, rather than spending the whole weekend rushing from one activity to the next.

After experiencing Watkins Glen myself, I can see why it works so well for this kind of getaway.

Thinking about planning your own Watkins Glen getaway? I'd be happy to help. Whether you're traveling with a few friends, planning a couples' weekend, or simply want someone to help pull the pieces together, reach out and let's start planning.