Town
Where to Stay in Hector
Hector is the township along the middle of Seneca Lake's east shore, a hillside of vineyards and farm stands where many of the lake's eastern wineries are. Farming shapes the landscape more than tourism does. Stonecat Café & Rooms has served farm-to-table food on Route 414 since 1999, sourcing about 80% of its ingredients from regional farms, and its 4 guest units are in a remodeled farmhouse next door. The café and the rooms are open from early April to mid-November. The Catharine Valley Trail, a rail trail, runs south from Watkins Glen through farm country.
Why Stay in Hector
- •Stonecat Café & Rooms is in the middle of the east-shore wineries, with vineyards on the hillside above and below.
- •Stonecat's restaurant sources about 80% of its ingredients from regional farms.
- •Quieter and more agricultural than the wine trail hubs, with vineyard views from the property.
What Makes This Area Interesting
- •Seneca Lake Wine Trail east shore: a dozen wineries within 10 miles on Route 414; Lamoreaux Landing and Red Newt Cellars are nearby standouts.
- •Catharine Valley Trail: a rail trail running south from Watkins Glen; flat cycling through farm country.
- •Watkins Glen State Park: 15 miles south; the gorge trail and 19 waterfalls.
- •Taughannock Falls State Park: about 25 minutes east on Cayuga Lake; a 215-foot waterfall reached by a short hike.
Explore Nearby Towns
Frequently Asked
The fall harvest, in September and October, for wine trail events. Summer for the lake and cycling. Stonecat is open from early April to mid-November.
About 5 hours from the George Washington Bridge via I-87 North to I-90 West and Route 14 south along Seneca Lake's west shore to Watkins Glen, then north on Route 414.
Not in the usual sense; it is a rural township along the lake, not a village. Stonecat serves dinner, and Watkins Glen, about 15 miles south, and Ithaca, about 25 miles east, have more restaurants and services.