25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #17 Going On A Ghost Walk

One of my favorite holidays is upon us. I’m not sure if I love Halloween because I love fall or I love fall because I love Halloween. Before we get into a chicken and the egg argument, let me say that one thing I am sure of is that Halloween is an exciting time to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country. I can promise you that you will find fantastic Halloween parties, ghostly events, and plenty of candied apples and pumpkins… all surrounded by some of the best fall foliage in the country.

This year, I’m really looking forward to the Ghost Walk in Elmira. Put on by the Chemung Valley History Museum, this will be the third year for the Ghost Walk. Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira is a rather well known cemetery in the Northeast. John Jones, Hal Roach, Ernie Davis, and many other notable names call Woodlawn Cemetery their final resting place. The most notable, however, is Mark Twain. In 2010, it will be 100 years that Twain has been laid to rest in Woodlawn and to honor his memory, Mark Twain Country will be hosting many exciting events. You also cannot think of Woodlawn Cemetery without mentioning the National Cemetery, home to the largest number of confederate soldiers from the Civil War than any other cemetery in the North. The cemetery is actually one of the most beautiful places in the city of Elmira. Lots of little hills and trees, quite peaceful. So given that it is a Ghost Walk, it will be in the dark, so you may be wondering why this counts as a “Best Foliage View,” however I can assure you that the overall theme of the evening and the walk through the cemetery will be as fabulous as a drive through the hills during the day. Given that it’s a walk, you’re right smack dab in the middle of the foliage, so enjoy!

Now that you have a little background on the cemetery, now you can see why the Ghost Walk is exciting. The Ghost Walks are taking place Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24. There are eight times that the tours depart each night starting at 6:45pm. Your night starts at the Chemung Valley History Museum on East Water Street in Elmira. You will be transported to Woodlawn Cemetery by trolley. Upon arriving at the cemetery you will be led on a guided tour and hear stories of Elmira’s past by resident “ghosts” who haunt the cemetery. With Elmira Little Theatre participating, it’s bound to be a great time. I would say that kids 8 years and older are welcome to go on the walk, just as long as they can walk 3/10s of a mile. Back at the museum, there are refreshments and trivia, so it is a night full of fun. Make sure to check out the exhibits at the museum too. Really fantastic place to learn about the history of Elmira and Finger Lakes Wine Country.

The best part is that the entire night of fun is only $10 a person. Reservations can be made by calling the museum at 607-734-416.