Jack Frost traces his icy hand across New York's Finger Lakes with breathtaking results. The rolling hills and valleys of this scenic region, when blanketed in snow and ice, are truly "Splendid from Any Direction!" Following the Seaway Trail along Lake Ontario brings a dazzling vision of spectacular ice formations while bright sunshine, vivid blue skies, and glittering snow beckon visitors to enjoy all the pleasures of winter. Rochester makes an excellent base for coldrush day trips --all within one to two hours away.

For more memorable coldrush moments, visit a lighthouse in winter-both the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse (1822, 1863) and Lighthouse at Sodus Point (1870) can be found along the Seaway Trail. While they may not be open for tours, seeing the rugged beauty of these fascinating structures braced against impressive winter waves is not to be missed.

Enjoy a winter road trip through regional wine trails including those bordering Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes of Canandaigua, Cayuga, Keuka, and Seneca. Vintners at many of the family-owned wineries will share the secrets of their winemaking process. You can try a wine tasting session, browse winery gift shops, or simply savor a meal with some Finger Lakes wine at a local café or restaurant. Most wineries are open during coldrush but check their winter hours by going to www.fingerlakes.org/wine.htm.

While exploring the Finger Lakes, don't miss the hundreds of unique museums and historical sites throughout the region. Glass-blowing demonstrations at the Corning Museum of Glass are fascinating. Also in Corning, the Rockwell Museum of Western Art features the works of Remington and Wyeth, as well as powerful works by Native American artists. For the aviator, the Glenn Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport houses a collection of early airplanes. Get an insider's view of the fight for women's rights at the Women's Rights National Historical Park and be inspired by the great women honored in The National Women's Hall of Fame-both in Seneca Falls. These are but a few of the delightful museums awaiting coldrush travelers.

Arts and culture are alive and well in the region with events ranging from a live performance or film showing at the historic Smith Opera House in Geneva to professional theatre companies and dozens of community theatre groups.