Finger Lakes (from Syracuse)

Less than an hour from Syracuse, the eleven glacial lakes of central New York produce some of the best Riesling in the world — and nobody outside the Northeast seems to know. Seneca Lake has the deepest wine scene (Dr. Konstantin Frank started the revolution in 1962), Keuka Lake has the most charm, and Watkins Glen State Park has a gorge trail that makes you feel like you're in New Zealand. The region has over 100 wineries, craft breweries, and distilleries. It's Napa without the pretension or the price tag.