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Family Fun in NY's Finger Lakes Region

A Fabulous Destination for a Family Vacation

By Catherine Fialla, Macaroni Kid Brandon Publisher, hosted August 19, 2017

This summer, I took a short trip to the Finger Lakes Region of New York with 4 other Macaroni Kid Publishers. I'd never been to the area before and didn't know what to expect in Upstate New York. There was so much to do: from glass and fine art to outdoor adventures and natural wonders. The Finger Lakes Region is rich in art, nature, history, adventure & more and is a fabulous destination for family fun. I can't wait to come back with my family to experience the Finger Lakes Region. 

Paddleboard or Kayak on Keuka Lake

Champlin Beach – Keuka Watersports, NY-54, Hammondsport, NY 14840

Our first introduction to the Finger Lakes Region was one of the finger lakes themselves: Keuka Lake. We rented paddleboards and kayaks from Keuka Watersports and spent the afternoon paddling around Keuka Lake, the only y-shaped Finger Lake. I had a ball! I tried my best and was able to stand for a *wee* bit, but it was still super fun and the lake itself was so calm and peaceful. With the option for paddleboards or kayaks, this is definitely an activity that all family members (and people of various athletic ability :) ) can enjoy.


Bully Hill Vineyards

8843 Greyton H. Taylor Memorial Drive., Hammondsport, NY 14840, 607-868-3610

This area is known for its wine, so a trip to Bully Hill Vineyards was clearly on the agenda! We sampled a few wines in the jovial atmosphere of one of Bully Hill's two tasting rooms. For inexperienced wine connoisseurs like myself, the menu, which had each wine categorized by taste, was super helpful. The winery also has two shops, two tasting rooms, a Cooper’s Museum, a pop-art gallery and a restaurant where you can grab small lunch plates.


Park Ave Sports Center

412 Park Ave, Corning, NY 14830, 607-936-4820 

Park Ave Sports Center offers mini-golf, a driving range, rock climbing, water wars, and a spectacular new "Combat Zone Laser Tag” obstacle course. Water wars is a fun way to cool off and the OUTDOOR laser tag was like nothing I had ever seen before. My kids definitely would have loved to play here. The custom-flavored ice cream is pretty awesome too (and well deserved after a rousing game of laser tag!)


Rockwell Museum ​

111 Cedar St, Corning, NY 14830

I am so glad we had a chance to visit The Rockwell Museum, the only Smithsonian Affiliate in Upstate New York. The Rockwell, which specializes in American fine art ranging from Native American artifacts to contemporary artists, is a great fit families with children. Kids under 17 are always FREE and there are a variety of family programs, an art scavenger hunt and the Family Exploration Studio, an unplugged space for reading, drawing and art projects. Be sure to check out the museum's  museum's Alley Art Project: amazing student-made street murals just outside the museum. 

Atlas Pizza

35 E Market Street, Corning, NY 14830, 607-962-2626

New York is known for pizza, so why not stop at the 2016 “People’s Choice for Best Pizza” in Upstate New York? Atlas Pizza, a local and family favorite is Corning's only brick oven pizzeria. Choose a kid-friendly traditional cheese pizza, create your own or enjoy a gourmet pizza like " Maryland Blue Crab".


Poppleton Bakery & Café

23 W Market Street #104, Corning, NY 14830, 607-937-3311, www.poppletonbakery.com

Crepes, pastries, Panini sandwiches and soups are made with love at Poppleton Bakery and Café --it's on the menu! The decor is bright and cheery and the crepes are delicious. I also grabbed a tasty taro bubble tea in this adorable bakery! 


The Corning Museum of Glass

One Museum Way, Corning, NY 14830, 607-937-5371

The Corning Museum of Glass, the world’s largest museum dedicated to glass, is a can't-miss stop in the Finger lakes Region. With kids? Yep, it's a glass museum that IS kid-friendly. The fine art exhibits are, well... behind glass and the hands-on exhibits specifically designed for children to learn and interact with. You can explore 35 centuries of glass art and artifacts, watch live glassblowing demonstrations and much more, The museum's "make your own glass" experience was the most anticipated and probably the most memorable part of my trip! This experience is just as family-friendly as the rest of the museum and there are opportunities for glassmaking for all ages. 

National Soaring Museum & Harris Hill Soaring

51 Soaring Hill Road, Elmira, NY 14903, 607-734-3128


For a once in a lifetime experience in the soaring capital of America, hop in a glider at Harris Hill Soaring in Elmira, NY. You'll be towed into the air and then released in a silent, motionless glider as you literally soar through the air and take in the spectacular view!  While there, you can also learn about the history of motionless flight at the National Soaring Museum. Just down the road, head out for some old fashioned fun including go-karts, putt-putt, batting cages, kiddy rides at family owned Harris Hill Amusement Park.


Trolley into Twain Country Tour

415 E. Water Street, Elmira, NY 14901, 607-734-4167


When in Mark Twain Country, you've got to take the Trolley into Twain Country Tour. The highlight of this inexpensive one-hour trolley ride is visiting the places where Mark Twain lived and wrote, including the Mark Twain Study on the campus of Elmira College. You''ll also visit other spots and learn about local and Civil War history as well.


Tanglewood Nature Center and Museum

443 Coleman Ave, Elmira, NY 14903, 607-732-6060 


Tanglewood Nature Center, #1 on Best Things NY’s list of Best Nature Centers in NYS, is home to over 40 rehabilitated animals and a variety of interactive displays. This place is just cool! It has such a welcoming vibe and kids can meet and learn about all kinds of animals. In addition to the nature center, outside is an interactive children's nature trail complete with story pages to read along the way, hands-on sensory activities, a magical fairy garden and even a Free Little Library. This is a relaxing stop for families, especially those with young children.

Berta's Café

3825 Main Street, Burdett, NY 14818, (607) 546-777é


Grab some delicious homemade scones or cinnamon rolls at Berta's Café, a cozy little restaurant owned by a former brain surgeon. Almost everything is prepared from scratch at Berta's. Enjoy breakfast and lunch from May through October. Every table in the café has it's own story.


Watkins Glen State Park

Route 14/North Franklin Street south to 10th Street,  parking lot on one side and the main entrance just across the street.



Watkins Glen State Park is breathtaking! Nature's beauty truly speaks for itself. You can view 19 waterfalls as you along the gorge's stone path. There are also learning stops along the way and the entire trail is paved. After the hike, you can swim in the park's olympic size swimming pool. Can't get enough of this amazing park? There are tent and camper facilities, picnic areas and fishing nearby in Seneca Lake or Catherine Creek.


Boat ride aboard the Stroller IV​ & Seneca Harbor Station

3 North Franklin Street, Watkins Glen, NY 14891, www.senecaharborstation.com

Our knowledgeable captain and his first mate (who also happened to be his grandson) took us a one-hour cruise on the vintage motor vessel Stroller IV. We took in views of the salt industry, Hector Falls and Native American cliff paintings along Seneca Lake. We had a lovely lunch, complete with a tasty bowl of clam chowder back at the Seneca Harbor Station, a restored train station, originally built in 1876.The iconic Seneca Lake pier is just outside the beautiful Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel. We stayed at the hotel and enjoyed dinner with an amazing lake view at The Blue Pointe Grille.

The Finger Lakes Region is a great vacation destination for families. It's close enough to piggyback off of a family trip to Rochester or Niagara Falls. There are also some great airfare deals to fly direct from Orlando to Elmira, NY.

Corning and the Southern Finger Lakes, Chemung County Chamber of Commerce and Visit Watkins Glen and Schuyler County,  hosted Macaroni Kid publishers for a two-day press trip. Accommodations and most meals and activities were complimentary. No other compensation was received in consideration of this article and all opinions are that of the writer.​