Washington Monument in front of a beautiful evening sky

The Best Way to Travel from Washington, DC to Hammondsport, NY

Washington DC to Hammondsport NY vacation, anyone? If you’re looking for a new getaway destination, look no further than the charming town of Hammondsport, NY. This picturesque town is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes region and is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in New York state. Here are our top tips on how to get there and what to do when you arrive!

Request our free Hammondsport Destination Guide when you’re ready to start planning your trip. This planning tool contains local insight into the best things to do in the Finger Lakes region, including more outdoor recreation! 

How to Best Travel from Washington D.C. to Hammondsport, NY

Flying to the Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes are beautiful because they are surrounded by nature, and the relative remoteness means you can’t fly straight to a town on the Finger Lakes. That’s okay! Rochester, NY is a 1 hour 30 minute drive down I-390S to the lovely town of Hammondsport. Another option is the Elmira airport which is 45 minutes east of Hammondsport.

We recommend flying from Reagan National Airport (DCA) to secure a low-cost nonstop flight to Rochester (ROC) which will only take 1h 18m in the air!

There is a bus route from Rochester to Hammondsport, but we recommend renting a car so that you can drive through the idyllic Upstate NY countryside on your own terms!

Driving to the Finger Lakes

Unless you are in a New York State of Mind, we really recommend driving over Amtrak/bus routes as they will take you anywhere from 7-10 hours. Driving directly from downtown DC to Hammondsport is only 6 hours (best traffic conditions) and the lionshare of your drive will be along US-15N which rarely is congested and the views are stunning.

This drive is a great idea as it can save you money and the entire drive is through the beautiful woods of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York respectively.

What to do in Hammondsport, NY

Hammondsport is a quaint little town with a lot to offer. The small-town feel belies the many outdoor activities and cultural attractions that abound here!

During the summer, visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking in one of the many state parks or nature preserves. For those looking for a more relaxed vacation, Hammondsport is home to several wineries, breweries, and distilleries. There are also a number of art galleries and museums to explore.

Some great things we think you should do while you are here:

Stay at The Hammondsport Hotel

Now that you have a great destination for your trip from Washington, D.C. it is time to decide where to stay! In America’s Coolest Small Town, the Hammondsport Hotel offers a variety of accommodations, including Standard 2 Queen Rooms2 Queen SuitesStandard King RoomsKing Suites, and accessible accommodations. Our guests also enjoy free access to our hotel amenities like daily breakfast, a 24-hour exercise facility, an outdoor fire pit, an indoor pool, and more! 

Check our availability to start planning your trip to the Finger Lakes! 

2 Queen Suite at Hammondsport Hotel