The Finger Lakes and Beyond - 5 Days
Day 1 - NYC to Corning
Take the 4 ½ hour drive from NYC through the beautiful Catskill Mountains via Rt. 17/I-86 to Corning, New York. Corning is home to one of our regions most popular attractions, The Corning Museum of Glass. Visit the Museum and tour over 35 centuries of glassmaking and then try your hand at making your own glass! Don’t miss the live glass blowing demonstrations throughout the day. Lunch is also available at the museum in their Glass Market Café.
Convenient and free bus transportation is available to the nearby Rockwell Museum of Western Art from the Corning Museum of Glass parking lot. At the Rockwell Museum, you will find one of the largest and finest collections of American Western and Native American art in the Eastern United States.
Top your first night off with a stroll down Corning’s “Gaffer District” full of local shops and restaurants. For dinner, try Sorge’s Restaurant; a local Italian favorite.
Day 2 - Finger Lakes Wine Region
Leave Corning and head towards Watkins Glen at the south end of Seneca Lake. Watkins Glen State Park is our most popular visitor destination because of the scenery of the waterfalls and gorge. There are also shopping, dining and boat excursions in the village of Watkins Glen. Seneca Lake is a long slender lake with wineries along both sides. Traveling up either side will be a beautiful drive that will bring you to the small city of Geneva. There are plenty of great overnight accommodation options such as the Ramada Inn Geneva Lakefront as well as amazing waterfront restaurants such as Belhurst Castle to end your busy day.
Day 3 - On to Rochester
If shopping is on your list, the Eastview Mall in Victor is the perfect stop. Or, you can head continue northwest to Rochester, a great American city. Rochester is home to The International Museum of Photography and film at George Eastman House-the home and gardens of Kodak’s founder. Afterwards, take a hike, cruise or kayak trip on the historic Erie Canal.
Day 4 - Rochester to Niagara Falls
In the morning, depart Rochester along the Seaway Trail American Byway, arrive in Niagara Falls to be captivated by the roar of the falls. Spend the day and evening taking in the wonder and sights and sounds of many attractions.
Day 5 - Niagara Falls to Departure City
Spend the morning in Niagara USA and then depart via air from Buffalo/Niagara International Airport to NYC, or drive via the Finger Lakes to NYC.
(A version of the Wine, Water, & Wonders itinerary available on http://www.fingerlakes.org/group-travel)
