That's a lot of driving on roads which won't have high speed limits. 

The region south of Rochester/Ontario NY is known as the "Finger Lakes" region, and is noted for their wineries. 

You don't mention how much time you're planning on spending there, but here's an idea: You can rent a boat or pay for a cruise that will take you down the canal, starting in Buffalo and headed east. 

Fairport is (if my memory serves - I haven't been in the area since late 1985) a really neat town with double-gate locks on the canal.