Recently, I was invited to visit the Finger Lakes region with 4 other Macaroni Kid publishers after our visit in Rochester. Honestly, I had never heard of this area of New York, and was excited to explore. During our 2 night press trip, we were hosted by three counties - Steuben, Chemung, and Schuyler. Whether you like hiking, winemaking, soaring, or glassmaking, excellent experiences are awaiting for your family in the Southern Finger Lakes. I cannot wait to bring my family to the Finger Lakes Region.
From Rochester, New York, we traveled 1.5 hours to southern tip of Keuka Lake at Champlin Beach in Hammondsport, NY. Keuka Lake is unique because of its Y-shape. Champlin Beach is a free public beach where you will find swimming with lifeguard supervision, picnic tables and a changing room/bathroom. Keuka Watersports, family owned and operated, treated us to paddleboarding and kayaking; however, jet ski and boat rentals are available as well. I choose paddleboarding, since it has gained popularity in our own local community, and loved every minute of it. Peaceful moments where I felt like it was just me, the lake and the board brought me to a sense of being in the present moment.
Several wineries are in the Hammondsport area, but I would recommend Bully Hill Vineyards. Your family will enjoy wine tastings, tours, wine museum, and innovative lunch options. If your kids are traveling with you, they give them grape juice! We tasted several wines. My favorite was the best selling, Love My Goat. I also loved Felicity, a dry semi-sweet wine with an artistic label I loved as much as the taste. Bully Hills has several environmental initiatives aiming to reuse everything from their bottles, boxes, and mowed grass. The labels on wines are known for their art work which was started by the founder, Walter Taylor. Wineries close at 5pm in the this region, so be sure to manage your time so you don’t miss it!
Next stop is 30 minutes south to dazzling Corning, NY, known as “America’s Crystal City.” Corning is home to the headquarters for the Fortune 500 leader in innovation technology, Corning Incorporated. Corning Museum of Glass, the largest glass museum in the world, is the third-most-visited destination in New York State behind New York City and Niagara Falls. From the moment you walk in, you are surrounded by glass of many colors, shapes, and textures. This museum is kid-friendly with the fragile exhibits behind barriers so even the youngest can enjoy without you worrying. A digital scavenger hunt is fun for all ages. The museum has 3500 years of glass artistry, glass innovations, and live glass demos. My favorite exhibits were the Tiffany’s Glass Mosaic exhibit, Contemporary Glass Gallery, Optics Gallery, and Paperweights of the World.
Try your hand at glassmaking at the Make Your Own Glass Studio, a fun experience for all ages. I chose the flower project, for ages 14 and up. The glass-workers explain the process, then guide and assist you with your project. I loved choosing the color glass and hands-on creation of my unique souvenir. Projects are ready the next day to pick up, or for your convenience if you are flying like we did, they can be shipped to your home . If you want to watch only, you also have the option to watch behind a glass barrier, but I recommend joining the fun of creating! Admission to the Corning Museum of Glass is valid for two consecutive days, free for children, 17 and under, and a savings package available to include the Rockwell Museum.
Atlas Brick Oven Pizzeria, ranked as a family favorite for their gourmet pizzas like "Maryland Blue Crab" had a relaxing, fun atmosphere enjoyed at the end of our busy day in Corning, New York.
Poppleton Bakery and Cafe is an adorable spot for breakfast and lunch; be sure to try one of their bubble teas.
The next day we traveled further south to Elmira, New York, the “Soaring Capital of America.” Amelia Earhart proclaimed this area as the“finest gliding and soaring facilities in the country.” At the National Soaring Museum, history is preserved with a collection of gliders from 1890’s to modern day. Learn how gliders were first launched in the 1930’s like a slingshot! Step outside and enjoy watching gliders soar. Want to take a ride in these silent, smooth, soaring gliders? Take a ride! You will have a front row seat with a professional pilot as you soar over the Finger Lakes.
Trolley into Twain Country Tour to view Elmira’s historical sites. A narrator tells the story of the town and Mark Twain’s life while living here. The first stop is Mark Twain’s study, where he wrote several novels, including “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” It was moved to the Elmira College Campus from its original location. The last stop on the tour is Mark Twain and his family grave sites in Woodlawn National Cemetery.
Tanglewood Nature Center is named #1 on Best Things NY’s list of Best Nature Centers in NY. The center educates 20,000 kids per year and receives over 35,000 visitors. We had the chance to walk one of the nature trails, an interactive Children’s Trail with a Story Walk. Several reading stations with portions of a children’s book and multi-sensory activities are set up along the path. Home to over 40 rehabilitated animals and a variety of interactive displays, the nature center is a unique indoor and outdoor facility.
Watkins Glen State Park provides your family an adventurous day hiking two miles, past 200-foot cliffs and the 400-foot stream that creates 19 waterfalls along its course. The park was originally opened to the public in 1863 privately-run as a resort until 1906, when New York State purchased and continues to operate it as a public park and preserve. The gorge path includes 842 steps that kids will have fun counting and rocks older than dinosaurs. Along our walk, I noticed park employees with interactive stations that the young and old can enjoy a closer look at objects found in the park. Younger ones may need a backpack carrier since no strollers are allowed. Dogs are not allowed, however, Josh our tour guide told us there is a local dog walker you can pay to walk your furry family member during your hike. I was in awe at the photo opportunities every direction, the history and craftsmanship of building the path, and the ability to walk under the waterfalls. As you hike you will hear the sounds of gentle streams and roaring waterfalls, notice and feel gentle sprays of the waterfalls. There are plenty of resting areas and rim trails overlooking the gorge. Access to an Olympic-sized swimming pool, playground, and picnic areas are included in your $8 parking fee. Over 290 campsites are available to reserve in Watkins Glen State Park for tents, cabins, or RVs. The entrance to the park is undergoing a $6.5 million renovation estimated to be completed in the summer of 2018 to create a large green space to provide great views of the park without hiking, as well as interpretative stations, new Visitor’s Center, and handicap accessibility. Watkins Glen State Park is open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset daily, with in-season guided walks offered along the Gorge Trail twice per day. Fun Fact: Watkins Glen State Park was voted the #3 of the 10 Best State Parks in the US for 2015 by USA Today.
Our last adventure in Watkins Glen, New York, was a one hour narrated vintage motor vessel tour of Seneca Lake on the Stroller IV. The boat was built in 1934 and appeared in the movie, “High Society” with Bing Crosby. Relaxing and listening to the local history from the Captain and his first mate, his grandson, I learned that Seneca Lake is the largest of the Finger Lakes and the deepest lake in New York state. Seneca Lake is fed by underground springs that constantly replenishes in a way that does not allow the lake to ever freeze. Salt tables, located below the lake, are separated from water by 1100 feet of bedrock. Passing the salt mines, I learned that it takes one pound of grime to make two tablespoons of table salt. Board this daily sightseeing tour to enjoy the unique history and views of Seneca Lake like majestic cliffs with Native American paintings, Hector Falls at 165 ft, and active salt mines.
Where to eat in Watkins Glen, New York?
- Berta’s Cafe, owned by a former California brain surgeon who vacationed in Watkins Glen, opened in 2013 serving breakfast and lunch. Everything is made fresh daily using local products by Berta, except the ketchup! Let your taste buds enjoy the scones, homemade tortillas and unique spices in the black beans. Francie, our waitress, let us in on a fun fact that many of the tables in the restaurant were donated. Berta’s cafe is a cozy restaurant that is opened May to October.
- Seneca Harbor Station, a restored train station, has a very delicious bowl of clam chowder. I have never been one that likes any chowder soups, so I was surprised at how delicious the clam chowder was. There was not one drop left in my bowl.
- Blue Pointe Grille, Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel’s onsite upscale restaurant, has phenomenal dining experience while overlooking the beautiful views of Seneca Lake. The food was mouth-watering good and the service was exceptional! At the end of the meal, enjoy the chocolate covered cherries resting in a bed of whipped cream. The Boston Cream Cheesecake our waitress claimed "changed her mouth forever" was heavenly.
There are numerous options from camping, Bed & Breakfasts, and hotels in the Southern Finger Lakes. The Radisson Hotel in Corning is close to all Market Street’s local shops and eateries. Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, voted "America’s best Waterfront Hotel" in the heart of the Finger Lakes, overlooks Seneca Lake with over-sized rooms, pillow top mattresses, indoor heated pool and jacuzzi, state-of-the-art fitness center and nightly turndown service. You’ll quickly understand why this is a Four-Diamond AAA rated award winning hotel.
I was completely surprised at how much there was to see and do in the Finger Lakes region. The Finger Lakes Region is close to Rochester, Niagara, and New York City, making it great destination for families or piggy-back day trips. Many thanks to our hosts Dave, Cynthia, and Brittany for creating such a memorable experience highlighting family fun in the Finger Lakes of New York.
*I was hosted by Corning and the Southern Finger Lakes, Visit Watkins Glen and Schuyler County, and the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce for the purpose of this trip. Accommodations and most meals and activities were complementary. No other compensation was received in consideration of this article, and all opinions are of the writer.
