100 Things To Do In Finger Lakes Wine Country This Summer, #17 Discover Motorless Flight

Pilots and vintage sailplanes from all over the world have landed at the National Soaring Museum in Finger Lakes Wine Country since last Sunday through July 4th. Seeing as how I am afraid of heights, I appreciate looking at them on the ground. Harris Hill is hosting the 4th Annual International Vintage Sailplane Meet. The planes are really amazing to look at; rich with color, history and design that sets them apart from modern airplane design.

Since I am a bit timid about the thought of being in a glider, I didn’t know too much about them. I thought I should look up some information, just to be in the know.

The National Soaring Museum itself is an aviation museum located atop Harris Hill that preserves the history of motorless flight. The museum has a large collection of gliders and computerized flight simulators. What I appreciate about this museum is that the planes on display aren’t behind glass or thick plastic. You can actually go right up to the planes and see the detail for yourself. There’s also a really fun gift shop where you can pick up snacks packaged just like the food astronauts eat.

At the meet, you can expect vintage and classic gliders from all over the world. According to the Vintage Sailplane Association, a glider that has been out of production since 1958 can be classified as vintage or a recently built with the same characteristics as a glider built before 1958. A classic sailplane was built at least 25 years ago.

Since the planes are being judged, pilots have spent months restoring and getting their planes ready for this event. It only happens every four years and getting to see the planes is truly exciting since we won’t see them again until 2013. Awards will be given for categories like the best foreign designed sailplane, the best restored sailplane, best overall, etc.

I’m excited to take advantage of the fact that we have a National Museum right here in our area. People travel from all over the world to make it to this event and it’s practically in my own backyard. The pilots of these gliders are a unique group of people that are artists as much as aviation experts.

Besides the fact that an event that only happens every four years is in town, there are a lot of other really great things at Harris Hill for Finger Lakes Wine Country visitors and locals alike. My family and I brought a few hot dogs and burgers up last week and had a cookout. There are plenty of areas to picnic. There is also a swimming pool, a driving range, or you can practice your swing in the batting cages. The miniature golf course is a necessary summer outing as well as grabbing some ice cream at their new shop or taking a spin in their go-carts.

There’s a lot more information about aviation history on the National Soaring Museum web site or you can just ask the pilots who are reliving history at Harris Hill this week!

100 Things To Do In Finger Lakes Wine Country This Summer, #16 Dine on a Boat

I’m not alone when I say that sometimes where you eat is more important than what you eat. Ambiance can certainly make or break a meal. Even the best food in the world wouldn’t taste its best if the scenery wasn’t appealing. Finger Lakes Wine Country is chock-full of fantastic restaurants with wonderful and unique settings. My favorite of them all? Waterfront dining. How can you go wrong?

On a beautiful sunny day nothing beats relaxing on a deck overlooking the water, rolling hills, sprawling vineyards, and enjoying a delicious meal with a glass of Finger Lakes wine. There are a wide variety of restaurants, from casual to fine dining, surrounding the lakes so you’re not going to be hard pressed to find something that suites your taste.

Go a step further and really take advantage of a beautiful day and dine aboard a lake cruise. Captain Bill’s on Seneca Lake sets sail from Watkins Glen harbor for lunch, dinner, and even cocktail and entertainment cruises. There’s also the Esperanza Rose that sets sail out of Branchport on Keuka Lake. The Esperanza Rose is happy to announce they not only have lunch and dinner cruises, but also the new brunch cruises on Sundays and the moonlight cruises on Saturday nights. The cruises typically run two to three hours, so you have plenty of time to experience the boat, the scenery, and of course the food.

Even if you’re not hungry, just a sightseeing cruise is a spectacular experience. I know I’m excited to experience the moonlight cruise this summer. I even learned that if you buy tickets for the dinner cruise on Saturday you’re welcome to stay on board for the moonlight cruise at no charge. I love a deal!

Dining aboard one of these vessels allows you to enjoy the splendor of Finger Lakes Wine Country from a different perspective. I remember enjoying these dining cruises even as a child and loving the experience as much as I do now. This is certainly an experience that the entire family will find very appetizing!

100 Things To Do In Finger Lakes Wine Country This Summer, #15 Discovering Nature, Inside and Out.

It’s funny how you can live in a place your whole life and not truly realize what the area has to offer you. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of taking a familiarization tour of through parts of Finger Lakes Wine Country. Dave, from the Steuben County Conference and Visitors Bureau, picked ten places that he thought were “must see” parts of Steuben County. The tour was made up of a dozen people from all different businesses and organizations. We had a fantastic time…enjoying each other’s company and discovering unique things to do in the area.

Finally with the official start of summer and this blessing of good weather these past few days, I was excited to learn about new things to do outside. When I am feeling ambitious in my quest for summer fitness, I take to the trails.
Spencer Crest Nature Center is a beautiful place to take a nature walk led by a biologist or stay inside the Center and learn about their new terrarium. The trails are easy to hike but there are more difficult trails if you’re looking for a challenge. If you’re lucky, the staff said that you may find a geocache site. Geocaching is a treasure hunting game played by hikers all over the world. If you find one of these hidden treasures on your hike, you share your experience online and leave it for the next hiker. Dogs and their owners are free to roam the 7 miles of trails that stretch out over the 250 acres of trails. The Center is nestled up on Spencer Hill Road in Corning and open Monday through Saturday from 9 to 3. For more information, call Bridgett at (607) 962-9012.

Tanglewood Nature Center is also a place to get in on geocaching. Nine miles of scenic trails welcome hikers and explorers. The staff suggests taking the 3 mile hike out to the bluffs…promising an amazing view and a new bench for a group of five to rest on. If you come during sunset, it’s truly a breathtaking experience. Every Saturday, Tanglewood does fun and educational lessons that are interactive and interesting. This Saturday is “Raptor Day” from 2:30-4 pm. This summer is booked with events ranging from walks for awareness, 5k runs and night hikes. Tanglewood Nature Center is located at 443 Coleman Ave. in Elmira.

If weather doesn’t permit you to be outside, stop by the Sandlot Sports Academy. Just off of LPGA Dr., the Academy is a lot bigger than it looks. With 15,000 sq. ft. of space, the Academy is the only indoor sports training facility in the Elmira Corning area and has everything for sports fans. Although they close for July and August, the staff and volunteers love what they do and will open up if someone has the interest to use the space. Inside, there are several practice areas on top of the same turf that Cornell uses. Individuals at all levels and teams are welcome to practice on their gymnastic mats, practice their swing on modern baseball and golf equipment and use the lacrosse nets. The instructors are high quality professionals and the prices for practice times are very affordable and can be found on their web site.

100 Things To Do In Finger Lakes Wine Country This Summer, #14 Sleep Under the Stars

I like to consider myself a pretty well traveled person. I have been out of the country, lived down south and been out west. I have enjoyed my stay in various hotels, resorts and condos but nothing beats sleeping under the stars. Trading a bed for a plush sleeping bag, running water for natural waterfalls and TV time for a natural playground is the perfect getaway.

My dad took me on my first camping trip to Watkins Glen State Park and I thought the campsite was just perfect. It was close to several small waterfalls for my 8 year old self to explore. The park also had picnic areas, a swimming pool and my favorite…the trails throughout The Glen. Now at 22, I am still going back to the same spot with my dad.

Since going out to get ice cream ranks pretty high on my family’s favorite thing to do list, my dad and I aren’t exactly cut out for strenuous hikes. The Great Escape is one of our favorites and it’s located at the entrance of the campground. How could we not stop? The trail is a perfect place to take it easy and just enjoy one another’s company.

The gorge is absolutely breathtaking. There are 19 waterfalls on the trail that you will see up close by walking over and under them. The stone bridges and walkways on the trail compliment the natural beauty of the gorge. We don’t like to bring drinks and snacks in tow so we stop at the concession stand/ picnic area at the end of the trail. We conclude our hike by taking a dip in the Olympic sized pool.

The park offers 305 campsites with bathrooms, showers and firewood for sale. If you are new to the camping world, you can rest assured that there are food concessions, gift shops, modern playgrounds and grills. For directions, season information and rates call (607) 535-4511.

You can take the day off from the campground by setting out on a day of fishing at nearby Seneca Lake or Catherine Creek. Other nearby state parks are Stony Brook,
Pinnacle, Keuka Lake, Newtown Battlefield and Mark Twain State Park. Watkins Glen International Racetrack, The Corning Museum of Glass and the Seneca Lake Wine Trail are also nearby.

If you are a regular at Watkins Glen State Park and want to try something new, the Finger Lakes National Forest offers three different campgrounds. The Blueberry Patch Campground has a place to picnic, a spot for your tent, pump wells and vault toilets on site. There is a small fee ($10) to camp here and The Patch operates on a first come, first-served basis. The campground is appropriately named because of its proximity to a large patch of wild blueberries. This makes this destination very popular during blueberry picking season.

If you want to stretch your legs a little further than the blueberry fields at The Patch, call your friends and make reservations at Potomac Group Campground. The hiking campground is for groups of 10-40 that love to picnic and hike. The site has cooking grills, hand pumps and vault toilets on the site.

For equestrian lovers, The Backbone Horse Campground is designed specifically for horseback riders. The site is equipped with parking with hitching trails, a corral, water for the horses and toilets and cooking grills for you. For more information on camping here call (607) 546-4470.

Wherever you choose to camp in Finger Lakes Wine Country, you will be blown away by all the beauty that surrounds you. Close to so many attractions and wineries, there is something for everyone here. You can camp overnight for the same price as going to see a move in the theatre. Go out and enjoy some fresh air and maybe we’ll meet up on the trails!

100 Things To Do In Finger Lakes Wine Country This Summer, #13 BBQ with Dad

It comes to this every year. Dad, what do you want to do for Father’s Day? His response always being, “I don’t need anything.” Yes, but what do you want? If your dad is as stubborn as mine, you probably won’t get an answer. From years of getting this same response at Christmas, anniversaries, birthdays and other miscellaneous holidays, I have to do some plotting and planning myself. What do the fathers of the world want to do on Sunday, June 21st? A visit to Finger Lakes Wine Country of course! My dad loves to be outside and he loves food. If this applies to your father too, add some good weather and a “no place you’d rather be” attitude and just call it a BBQ.

This Sunday, Knapp Winery is a hosting a Father’s Day brunch and BBQ. Knapp Vineyards is a beautiful winery on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. All they ask of you is to R.S.V.P. by calling 800-869-9271. Arrive at 11am with enough to cover $21 a person and bring your appetite. If you can’t do without breakfast food, the menu has eggs Benedict, herbed oven roasted homefries, assorted pancakes, sausage and Applewood smoked bacon. If you and your dad want to go straight for the BBQ pulled pork, you might also want to try the oven roasted chicken and chef carved top round horse radish Au Jus and Chive Aioli. For the vegetarian dads, there will be seasoned veggies in herbed buttersauce, Penne pasta with Vodka sauce and a salad bar with assorted breads. And the thing no one can deny, especially on a holiday, a dessert table.

If you can’t make it to Finger Lakes Wine Country this weekend but that pairing of BBQ and wine sounds good – well you’re in luck! Next weekend, June 27th and 28th, the Keuka Lake Wine Trail will host BBQ at the Wineries. Treat your dad with tickets to this exciting event featuring terrific food and wine at eight wineries. Each winery features its own BBQ dish with a special sauce, marinade or rub, all made in New York State. Your dad is sure to love this popular event. Tickets are just $25 per person in advance, so call today, 1-800-440-4898. Tickets are $30 at the door and if you can only attend Sunday, enjoy a special price of just $19 per person.

If sipping wine doesn’t really sound like your dad, perhaps he would enjoy the excitement of race weekend at Watkins Glen International. It’s not too late to get a hold of tickets by calling 866-461-RACE.

However you spend this Father’s Day, enjoy each others company and the beauty of Finger Lakes Wine Country!

100 Things To Do In Finger Lakes Wine Country This Summer, #12 Catch Some Fireworks...

Between fireworks, sports games, live entertainment, race week at The Glen and several surprising open accommodations, it’s not too late to plan you holiday weekend in Finger Lakes Wine Country.

Baseball is a favorite summer ritual that the entire family can enjoy. Come root for the home team, the Elmira Pioneers, at the Historic Dunn Field Station. The Pioneers will play the Allegany Nitros on July 3rd. Stay after the game for a Fourth of July fireworks show! Arrive a little before the start of the game at 7:00 to get a good seat and stock up on peanuts and crackerjacks. Tickets can be bought right at Dunn Station located on 546 Luce Street in Elmira. Children and senior citizens are only $2.00 while general admission is $4.00. Check out their web site for a season schedule, keep tabs on your favorite players and purchase season tickets.

Thanks to a dedicated group of Elmirans, we can enjoy the use of a newly preserved Eldridge Park this Independence weekend. There will be live music, dancing, classic cars and outdoor movies all summer long. To celebrate the holidays, Chad Levawitz will perform on Saturday from 6:00-9:00 pm. Sunday, July 5th Joe Cavallero’s Dixieland band will play from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Steve Southworth and the Rockabilly Rays will perform from 6:30 until the start of the fireworks show at 9:00 pm. There, you can enjoy picnic style food from one of the many vendors on site. Eldridge Park is located off of Eldridge Park Drive behind the Wegmans on Clemens Center Parkway.

Steuben County will have a fireworks show in Hornell’s James Street Park on the 4th of July. The park is located right off of State Rte. 36. For further directions, call the Steuben Chamber of Commerce at 866.463.6264. In Yates County, fireworks will go off at 10:00 behind the old elementary school in Branchport. For more information on times and directions call 1-800-868-YATES.

Corning is celebrating Independence Day with a fireworks show at Corning Memorial Stadium from 9:45-10:30. The stadium is located on Craumer Drive at Jacob Boulevard in Corning. Live musical entertainment will also be provided by two area bands at 7:00 until the fireworks start. Just in case they get rained out, fireworks will be moved to the following day.

At the south end of Seneca Lake, fireworks will go off at dark in Watkins Glen’s Clute Park. The park and campground is located right off of State Rte. 14 on E 4th St. The park is close to so many attractions in Watkins Glen that your family could easily spend the whole day here. Bring a picnic, relax and enjoy the holidays.

As race fans know, the IndyCar Series is returning to The Glen for the Camping World Grand Prix. The schedule is jam packed with non-stop action, just the way race fans like it. July 3rd kicks off the Indy-Pendence Celebration and is followed up by a live concert on the 4th. Presidents of The United States will appear on the Red Cat Summer Stage at 8:15 pm and end with a fireworks show at 9:45. General admission and reserved seating is still available. Call 866.461.RACE for more information on race schedules and tickets.

If you want to make your July 4th into a weekend getaway, there are still several opportunities to make accommodations in the Finger Lakes. Race fans should check out The Inn at Glenora, The Hilton Garden Inn in Horseheads and Elmira’s Painted Lady for easy access to the race track.

If you are planning a relaxing weekend, you should opt for a bed and breakfast. Victorian Reflections will provide a “home away from home” feeling by calling (607)821-2986. If you are interested in staying in the countryside off of Keuka Lake, call (315)595-2532 to make reservations at Country Comforts B & B. If you picture yourself spending your weekend in a stone mansion or a beautiful log cabin, call Gone With the Wine B & B at (607) 868-4603.

100 Things To Do In Finger Lakes Wine Country This Summer, #11 Bring Your Pooch to the Greyhound Wine Tour

Our family used to have this beautiful Sheltie that we named Belle. If we were leaving to go out somewhere, you could see her anxiety building. Before you’ve even started your car engine, sure enough she would have made herself visible…usually via the window sill. As any pet owner can tell you, leaving your best friend at home is worse than lawn cleanup duty.

Sixteen wineries along the Cayuga Wine Trail know exactly how us pet lovers feel and are extending an open invitation to wine lovers and all dog breeds to the 4th Annual Greyhound Wine Tour & Friends Event. Thursday, July 23rd through Sunday, July 26th you can enjoy wine tastings, cook-outs, seminars and lawn concerts. Meanwhile your dog will be busy lapping up doggie treats from the wineries, enjoying the ice cream social as much as you will and playing with other dogs at the Allan H. Treman Dog Park in Ithaca on Saturday. In addition to several scheduled events, you will get to see part of the Finger Lakes Wine Country Painted Barrels exhibit.

As a guest of the event you will receive a free wine glass, a Cayuga wine trail gift and recipes to take home. Your dog will leave with a new bandana and possibly a beautiful glass dog dish donated by The Corning Museum of Glass. You also have the chance to win a stay at the Hampton Inn in Ithaca. If you act early and purchase tickets now, they are only $25.00 plus the cost of sales tax and a small handling fee. Tickets the day of the event are $30.00. Just by taking part of the event you are helping animals across New York State. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to rescue groups and SPCA’s. If you are a wine and dog lover, this is a perfect opportunity to go out and meet new people with the same passions and a great escape to Finger Lakes Wine Country!

Want more wine and dog info? Check out the event's blog.

100 Things To Do In Finger Lakes Wine Country This Summer, #10 Canoeing at Park Station

You know those first few days of summer, when the sun is high in that deep blue sky and everything seems to be greener than ever before? Yesterday was one of those days, about 75 degrees and absolutely beautiful. My boyfriend, Mike and I went to our friend’s house and we were all trying to figure out something to do that day. All of us grew up in Finger Lakes Wine Country so of course we wanted to be by the water on such a beautiful day. After deliberating over all the choices we had, we decided upon Park Station Recreation Center.

Park Station Lake is in Erin, NY just outside of Horseheads. While it’s a great place for camping (they have 40 campsites!) it’s also great for just a day trip. There’s a beach on the lake for swimming, they have a snack bar, beach volleyball courts, a place to rent paddleboats and canoes, and plenty of areas to picnic. We arrived and were surprised to find the water was actually pretty tolerable. We were expecting it to be pretty cold considering it’s still early in the summer. There were families picnicking, swimming, and just enjoying some sunshine. It was the perfect place to relax and enjoy some beautiful weather.

After a little relaxation, Mike and I decided to rent a canoe and take it out on the lake. We were surprised that it was just $5 to rent a canoe for an hour! What a deal! We couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Now – I had never been before, so I was very excited but a little nervous. Mike reassured me that it was going to be a lot of fun and it was relatively easy. I would say getting in and out of the canoe was the most challenging part of the experience – of course, I’m clumsy just walking on land so that’s not saying much. Once we got out onto the water, it was amazing! After just a few minutes I got used to paddling, it was really easy. We enjoyed cruising along and spending some time together on the lake. It was nice and quiet and very serene. The greenery of the hills around us was stunning against the blue skies and puffy white clouds. We enjoyed paddling around the lake and even just stopped and floated around for a while when we needed a break.

After getting back to shore, we went back and relaxed in the water for a while before heading back home. We were only at Park Station for about three hours, but it was a wonderful time. When we were getting ready to leave we all said we wished we had brought a picnic to enjoy, but that gives us something to look forward to next time.

As experienced by Christina Chely, a team member at Finger Lakes Wine Country.

100 Things To Do This Summer in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #9 Attend the Cardboard Regatta on Seneca Lake

Start looking for recycled cardboard and duct tape lying around your workshop. The 15th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta is coming to Finger Lakes Wine Country on Seneca Lake in downtown Watkins Glen. If you are a retired cardboard boat pilot or just in it to watch this year, the event offers live music, unique vendors and delicious food.

I usually arrive shortly before the “Blessing of the Fleet.” After grabbing some warm food from a vendor, I rush over with friends and family to claim a good viewing spot by the docks. I am usually just a spectator, but I’m feeling good about this year. It’s true I might be a little behind in the construction phase but if I can rally a team, I can still get in on this. Idea themes are running through my head. Inspired by being surrounded by all these wine connoisseurs, I am picturing myself cruising into first place in a cardboard wine barrel. Ok since I am a novice maybe not first place. I’ll settle for just crossing the finish line.

I am always impressed with the style of the boats that rival the jet skis and fancy boats docked into the harbor. But really, the most impressive thing is that these boats stay afloat! We can thank Dean Kimball for the creation of this favorite local tradition. In 1995, the Dixie Valdes and 20 other boats set sail. Fifteen years later, about 60 wildly creative boats participate in the Cardboard Boat Regatta.

Since I have never constructed a cardboard boat myself, I had to do a little “how to” research. The first step is to scour out for some recycled cardboard. The bottom of the boat should be built first. After several layers of cardboard and glue, you have to be patient and let it set. Then you can move on to the sidepieces which will ultimately be glued to the bottom. After that sets, any seams should be covered with duct tape. Colored duct tape is a big crowd pleaser. After the boat is made waterproof, you are free to satisfy your creative calling and decorate however you please. From past years, I’ve learned that the more outrageously themed, the more the crowd is going to love it.

If you are an experienced cardboard boat pilot, take note of the new route for the “Parade of Cardboard Boats.” Event chair, Caryl, Sutterby, outlines the new route in detail. If you are new to cardboard boat racing, the web site will fill you in on how to enter your boat, the rules and the schedule. Click here for more information on the event.
I look forward to seeing you and your family there!

100 Things To Do In Finger Lakes Wine Country, #8 Fourth of July at The Glen

It’s hard to believe that it’s the middle of June and that it’s once again summertime in Finger Lakes Wine Country. One of my favorite holidays is Fourth of July – picnics, fireworks, outdoor activities, and lots of fun with the family – how can you go wrong? And the Finger Lakes is the perfect place to celebrate our Nation’s independence.

To make Fourth of July even more exciting this year I’ll be attending the Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen. The IndyCar Series is back at the iconic Watkins Glen International and with all kinds of fun for the entire family. The main race takes place on Sunday, where you can see all your favorite IndyCar Series drivers – even Danica!

But don’t think just because the main event is on Sunday, that there isn’t enough to fill up your weekend. There are opportunities throughout the weekend to meet all the drivers and have your picture taken or even get their autograph. You can also attend exciting preliminary and qualifying races to get a sneak peek of the action.
One of the most exciting elements of the weekend is the Finger Lakes Wine Experience. Get a preview of the Finger Lakes Wine Festival when you get the chance to enjoy wine tasting from twelve Finger Lakes wineries.

And who doesn’t love live music? Saturday night Watkins Glen International will present The Presidents of the United States of America! As long as you have a ticket to the events that weekend – you’ve got a ticket to the concert. Last year I saw Gavin DeGraw during IndyCar weekend and it was so much fun. To cap it all off, enjoy fireworks both Friday and Saturday night! Talk about a perfect fourth of July holiday weekend.

There is plenty to do throughout the region during the summer and specifically over the fourth of July weekend. Enjoy a picnic overlooking a lake and vineyard, hiking and biking with the entire family, or living history when visiting museums and other historical sites. Whether you’re looking for a thrilling weekend at The Glen or a relaxing weekend of wine tasting and shopping, Finger Lakes Wine Country is the perfect getaway this summer.

100 Things To Do In Finger Lakes Wine Country This Summer, #7 Enjoy Tasty Chicken Spiedies from Hill Top Inn

After a long winter of snow and sludge, I can’t wait for warm weather to come around. There are certain staples of summer I always look forward to and a lot of them revolve around eating outside. Rain or shine, I can always count on lunch in Wisner Park in Elmira. June through September, the Farmers Market is open for locals to peruse through charming crafts and grab lunch from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. This year, the market is going to be open later on the third Thursday of everything month. The extended time is until 8:00 with the bonus of some local music entertainment.

There is something for everyone at the Market but my favorite stop is at the Hilltop Inn tent. Their chicken spiedies are delicious and I find that I can usually split one and still be pleasantly full. I always enjoy watching their culinary team prepare the chicken right there. Not only is the aroma amazing, I know it’s fresh. When I am feeling like something on the lighter side, I opt for Marilynn’s Chicken Salad. The mixture of fresh greens and grilled chicken is healthy and delicious.

The Hill Top Inn is Mark Twain Country's oldest licensed restaurant. Nestled up on Jerusalem Hill in Elmira, the view from the outdoor deck is breathtaking. As a guest, you have the choice to dine inside or out on the deck. I always opt for the deck and plan my reservation time around when the sun will be setting over the Chemung River.

With chain operations taking over, I love finding great locals places that have a certain charm that chains just can’t match. Hill Top has been a family ran operation since 1933 and has expanded into a restaurant that caters and offers a beautiful venue for events. Whether you are a lovely bride or someone planning a highly anticipated reunion, Mike Sullivan, his wife Suzanne and the staff will go out of their way to make sure you are satisfied.

If you are just like me and looking for an affordable fun night out, weekends begin on Wednesday at Hill Top and their calendar is full with events for this month. From live music and a top-notch menu with knocked down prices, the calendar is definitely worth checking out. Whether you are a permanent resident of the Finger Lakes Wine Country area or just passing through, you can’t miss the view and the menu the Hilltop has to offer.

As reported by Kate, Finger Lakes Wine Country's greatest intern to date.

100 Things To Do In Finger Lakes Wine Country This Summer, #6 Visit the Arnot Art Museum

I grew up just a few blocks away from the Arnot Art Museum and remember going there for elementary school field trips. Since moving back to the Finger Lakes a few years ago, a visit to the museum has been on my list of things to do. Just recently I finally had the opportunity to go – and walking through the doors of the museum I was absolutely amazed. I didn’t remember much about the museum, but then again, what my eight year old self would remember probably wouldn’t be very enticing now. What I did remember about the museum was lots of old paintings – of course, now I have a higher appreciation for this fine art. Upon walking through the doors you feel as if you’ve just walked into The Met - however, you’re not on 5th Avenue, rather you’re on Lake Street in Elmira, NY. This museum is a must-see while visiting Finger Lakes Wine Country!

The museum is actually housed in a mansion that was built in 1833. The home of Matthias Arnot, the mansion was filled with more than 80 paintings and sculptures he had collected. Arnot was a very wealthy businessman as well as an art enthusiast. It is said that he would go to the auctions in New York City and go up against some of the richest men in the world, like members of the Vanderbilt family, for prized pieces of art. Mark Twain, who married Olivia Langdon of Elmira, is said to have spent quite a bit of time with Arnot at his mansion. Needless to say, the mansion has great history. Arnot bequeathed his collection and his home to the city of Elmira as the Arnot Art Gallery.

The collection of 19thand 20th century art is absolutely spectacular. It is one of the most comprehensive collections in the country and it is right here in Finger Lakes Wine Country! I was blown away at some of the pieces and especially the sculptures that Diane Koeppel, Executive Director of the museum, said she had just found in the basement. One in particular sculpture was of a cupid that is said to have been created by an artist who only made two others – one is in the Louvre and the other is in a museum in Russia. Also impressive are the contemporary art exhibits. The museum focuses on showcasing the work of local artists and it was apparent that many local Finger Lakes artists are very talented.

I haven’t stopped talking about how fantastic the Arnot Art Museum is and look forward to going back. Whether you were born and raised in the region or if you’re just visiting for a weekend, you must make time to visit this treasure in Elmira. While in Elmira and Mark Twain Country, make sure to make time to visit the Mark Twain Study, the Christmas House, the National Soaring Museum, Wings of Eagles Discovery Center, and much more!

Watch this short video about the history of Chemung County including the Arnot Art Museum.

100 Things To Do in Finger Lakes Wine Country This Summer, #5 Take a Hike

Through a state park or national forest. Finger Lakes Wine Country has some of the country’s most beautiful scenery and there is no better way to see it than to get out of your car and get your feet moving. One of New York’s most famous state parks, Watkins State Park, is located in the heart of the village of Watkins Glen and is open from sun up to sun down during the summer. For a small parking fee you can hike the spectacular stone paths, marvel in the beauty of the park’s 19 waterfalls, and attend a nature class. Tent and trailer campsites are also available if you want to get a little closer to nature or stay at a local B&B or hotel, like the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel.


Click here to download the park’s trail, park, and campground maps.

About 15 minutes from the Watkins Glen State Park in Hector on the east side of Seneca Lake lays the headquarters for the Finger Lakes Natural Forest, New York State’s only national forest. The Finger Lakes National Forest encompasses 16,212 acres nestled between Seneca and Cayuga lakes and has over 30 miles of interconnecting trails that traverse gorges, ravines, pastures and woodlands.

Whether you are a hiker, camper, fishing or hunting enthusiast, horseback rider, mountain biker, or wildlife watcher, the Finger Lakes National Forest will amaze you with its scenic beauty. Best of all? You can experience both the state park and national forest in one day.

Click here to download the map for the Finger Lakes National Forest.

Click here to watch a video about Watkins Glen State Park.

100 Things To Do in Finger Lakes Wine Country This Summer, #4 In Search of the Perfect Rosé

Finger Lakes Wine Country is renowned for its world-class aromatic white wine like Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer. The region also makes delicately balanced red wines from Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Lemberger. So it isn’t surprising that the region also makes some outstanding rosés made from these grapes. Classic rosé wines are made from red grapes, have minimal skin contact making them taste more like white wines with a hint of color, and are dry in style. Rosés are best served with a slight chill and are perfect for summer sipping and outdoor dinners.

This summer we are hosting a summer promotion, “In Search of the Perfect Rosé”, to encourage visitors to discover these tasty wines. There are over 30 wineries in the Finger Lakes that make rosé wines and we are encouraging you to explore these wineries and search for your favorite rosé wine. While classic rosés are dry, you will discover in the Finger Lakes that they are produced in many different sweetness styles. The perfect rosé is the wine you enjoy the most.

Share your adventures on our Facebook fanpage. Upload pictures, videos, and stories from now until August 31, 2009. The wine that receives the most mentions will be awarded with the “perfect rosé award” and the person who submits the best story will receive a case of wine of his/her favorite rosé.

Cheers to the perfect rosé!

Watch this short video on tasting room etiquette.

100 Things To Do in Finger Lakes Wine Country This Summer, #3 Make Your Own Glass

One of the largest and most comprehensive glass museums in the world, The Corning Museum of Glass, is located in the charming town of Corning, the gateway to Finger Lakes Wine Country. Open year-round with extended daily summer hours until 8:00 PM, this renowned museum offers something for every visitor, whether you are traveling with children looking for a fun and affordable day or someone extremely fascinated with the history of glass.

There are daily, on-going Hot Glass Shows (included in your general admission ticket) where you can watch an expert glass blower make a piece of glass right in front of you! Does a Hot Glass Show inspire you to make your own glass? Then pre-register for a Make Your Own Glass workshop where you can make an ornament, glass flower, or beaded object. There are even comprehensive glass classes at the Studio if you want to take your glass blowing experience to the next level.

Don't forget the on-site cafe for lunch or a snack and the GlassMarket, glass shop, features over 15,000 glass items for sale made by over 200 artists.

Best of all? Kids and Teens 19 and under are FREE! Come and experience this attraction that is featured in the best-selling book, 1000 Places to See Before You Die.

Watch this short video about glass art.

100 Things To Do in Finger Lakes Wine Country This Summer, #2 Wine Tasting Along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail

Finger Lakes Wine Country is home to over 100 wineries. That is a lot of wineries and many people call our office for recommendations of which ones to visit. A good place to start your Finger Lakes wine tasting experience is to focus on the region’s largest wine trail, the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.

Featuring 35 member wineries, this trail features all different types of wineries producing a broad spectrum of wines. Whether it is world-class Rieslings or fun sweet wines, there are wines along the trail that you will love.

To make your travels even more fun and affordable you can purchase your “Riesling to Visit Passport” for only $12, valid through August 31, 2009 and receive special promotions at participating Seneca Lake Wine Trail wineries, restaurants, accommodations, and tour companies.

100 Things To Do This Summer in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #1 Attend a Race at The Glen

Locals and racing enthusiasts refer to Watkins Glen International simply as “The Glen”. This legendary road course has a history dating back to 1948 and is home to three big summer races: Sahlens Six Hours at The Glen June 5-6, Indy/Camping World Grand Prix July 3-5, and NASCAR/Helluva Good! Sour Cream Dips August 6-9.

If you have never experienced live auto racing this is the year to head up to The Glen. From affordable ticket options including the McDonald’s Family Zone, and the chance to get close with the top racers in the world including Danica Patrick and Tony Stewart, you can add a day of exciting racing to your Finger Lakes Wine Country vacation.

Watkins Glen International sits on 3,000 acres of beautiful countryside and is only minutes from downtown Watkins Glen and Seneca Lake. Because race weekends bring many visitors into the region, make your accommodation arrangements now.

See you at The Glen…