NY Tag Along

Corning, NY

October 1-2

Day 1 – Corning Glass Museum, Corning, NY –– (https://home.cmog.org/?gad_source=1

See an amazing collection of glass art encompassing centuries of glass creation and watch a glass blowing demonstration. There are many options for lunch (including a large cafe right in the Corning Glass Museum) or dinner in the town Corning as well as other museums and many gift shops to visit in the town. Corning is approximately 30 minutes from Watkins Glen.

Watkins Glen Area

Day 2 – Explore the Watkins State Park (https://parks.ny.gov/parks/watkinsglen/maps.aspx) the way you want.

  1. Breakfast and lunch on your own – This is a time to be alone or with other people. This time is great for planning.
  2. Meeting Location: Watkins Glen State – Lower entrance – This entrance has so many pamphlets to take for more information. The popular trail called the Gorge is not far away. The visitor also has tours for people to see.
  3. Dinner as a group – We will meet at a restaurant along Franklyn Street. This is a time for people to connect and talk about what they have done. People are welcome to show some images.
  4. Recommendations:
    1. Waterfall lovers – There are a variety of hiking and walking trails for all ability levels. Often you will be fine with just sneakers, but hiking boots may be nice to have.
    2. Landscape scenic views – Any area along Finger lakes include sky with clouds are common in this area. Sometimes morning fog with dramatic clouds are possible captures.
    3. Sailing and Canoeing – This trip does not have to be about landscape/nature photography. Finger Lakes is a great for sailing, fishing, visiting wineries, museums, and shopping.
    4. Restaurants for dinner – Franklyn Street has many restaurants we can dine at. A popular place is called Holy Cow, which is great for steaks.
    5. Shopping – Franklyn Street has all kinds of shops, ranging from Wine shops, antique shops, or pastry shops. Popular places like Ben & Jerry’s for ice cream is in this area. Popular wine shops include Dr. Franks Winery, Wagner Winery, and Ventosa Vineyards in Watkins Glen. For shoppers, there is something for everybody in this section.
    6. You can even take your own car for 3 fast laps around the Watkins Glen Racetrack for $25.00:
      https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g48815-d617419-Reviews-Watkins_Glen_International-Watkins_Glen_Finger_Lakes_New_York.html

Ithaca Area

October 3-4

Days 3 & 4 – Explore Ithaca’s parks including:

Buttermilk State Park https://parks.ny.gov/parks/151/details.aspx,

Treman’s State Park https://parks.ny.gov/parks/135/

Taughannock Falls State Park https://www.taughannock.com/

Cascadilla Gorge Trail  https://cornellbotanicgardens.org/location/cascadilla-gorge/

  1. Breakfast and lunch on your own – We will drive from Watkins Glen to Ithaca. We can have breakfast and lunch by yourself or with other people. This time will help people prepare for exciting adventures in Ithaca.
  2. Meeting Location – Buttermilk State Park has a visitor section at the gate. This area has plenty of pamphlets to take and get information.
  3. Dinner as a group – at a big restaurant along Aurora Street
  4. Recommendations for great stops in Ithaca:
    1. Waterfall lovers – There are many trails with waterfall views in Ithaca’s state parks to enjoy.
    2. The Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology - https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/
    3. The Cornell Gardens https://cornellbotanicgardens.org/explore/gardens/herb-garden-theme-beds/  and https://cornellbotanicgardens.org/location/robison-herb-garden/
    4. Landscape scenic view – Drive along the edge of Cayuga lake to enjoy the views or enjoy a boat ride starting at the southern end of Cayuga Lake.
    5. Bicycling, Walking, Roller Blading –– The Cayuga Waterfront Trail connects to the Black Diamond Trail near the Ithaca Children's Garden, providing 8 miles of rail trail along the west side of Cayuga Lake and ending at Upper Taughannock Falls State Park. There will be lots of scenery to enjoy along the way.
      https://www.gofingerlakes.org/locations/cayuga-waterfront-trail/#:~:text=The%20CWT%20also%20connects%20to,Upper%20Taughannock%20Falls%20State%20Park
    6. Restaurants for dinner – any popular place like Red’s Place or Monks on the Commons along Aurora Street or places to closer to Cornell University. https://www.ithaca.com/dining/
    7. Have an end of the day picnic overlooking the southern tip of Cayuga Lake in Stewart Park https://www.cityofithaca.org/516/Stewart-Park
    8. The Saturday morning Ithaca Farmers Market is a great take-in https://ithacamarket.com/
    9. Shopping –  Plenty of fun stores in downtown Ithaca, plus there are historical tours are in this area.
      https://www.downtownithaca.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwufq2BhAmEiwAnZqw8gwirvVwXRqLR7KWrBe28N0XVnKp-uL6ZJ73ci17JpVQF2KOGQMGnRoCxKUQAvD_BwE


Exploring The Finger Lakes

October 5, 2025

Day 5 – Continue north from Ithaca:

  1. Breakfast and lunch on your own
  2. Continue north approximately 40 minutes from Ithaca, along the eastern side of Cayuga Lake to McKenzie-Childs - a store that will have you thinking you have entered Alice’s Wonderland. Along with the wildly colorful home furnishings, the beautiful grounds enchant visitors. https://www.mackenzie-childs.com/
  3. Continue around Cayuga Lake to the west and then south to visit an array of wineries and/or distilleries:
    https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/travel/travel-guide-the-finger-lakes/?customer_id=812-391-9340&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=6514397729&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwufq2BhAmEiwAnZqw8uGr3tYUsCv1FGieKXYP55AOqy93EWzt_YQ_YWCzrL6XpLxbRuGLihoCgEwQAvD_BwE
  4. Or go east to the Montezuma Audubon Center to photograph birds: https://ny.audubon.org/montezuma
  5. If you are headed back home to eastern NY or New England, you may want to plan a stop in Cooperstown, NY, on scenic Otsego Lake where you’ll find the Baseball Hall of Fame
    https://baseballhall.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwufq2BhAmEiwAnZqw8tcODFS6IZiDsCxZNLPlqEJS2k52UKWfNsdF_29kEtJuYW86oRJYchoCORoQAvD_BwE
    and Hyde Hall, a historic mansion:     https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g47529-d116290-Reviews-Hyde_Hall-Cooperstown_Otsego_Otsego_County_New_York.html
    And there is also The Farmers Museum https://www.farmersmuseum.org/
  6.  Or you can take some extra time to explore more of the Finger Lakes area: https://www.iloveny.com/places-to-go/finger-lakes/spotlight-finger-lakes/

End

10/1/25 to 10/5/25