Things to do at Watkins Glenn?

[Sigarms]

Due to the family structure, no way my wife and I can go on vacation with each other the last couple of years.

This year, I'm taking my one boy up to Watkins Glenn in NY.

Can any locals give me tips on where to go once there?

Now, I use to live in Syracuse and Watertown, but that was close to 30 years ago. May go up to Watertown for a trip down the black and see if any old friends still guide there (probably not LOL), and I have a buddy in Onieda who I may visit, but this trip really isn't for me, but my 17 year old son.

Being in the Finger lake region, there has to be more to see. May even take pictures for my dad (which I know my son would think would be cool) of Sampson AFB where he went to basic as my understanding is Sampson is in that area now per a museum.

Just looking for tips.

 

[BackRoad]

The Museum of Glass in Corning, NY is generally well liked and close to the Glen.

 

[civilian]

Is Watkins Glen where there is car races? Jon

 

[Fxfymn413]

One of our favorite places to visit with lots to do and see.

Besides the Glen itself at the state park there are multiple waterfalls in the area. We like Buttermilk Falls with it's swimming area and Rainbow Falls is a nice short hike. Obviously there are the finger lakes with their wineries, but probably not of interest for a 17 year old.

As a kid the Corning factory fascinated me.

Explore Watkins Glen

Explore a touch of nature. A hint of adventure. And a taste of world class in Watkins Glen and Schuyler County!

www.explorewatkinsglen.com

 

[dadiehl]

Letchworth state park is a neat place to hike and paddle.

 

[NorTracNY]

Depends on what you like and how far you want to travel. Glenn Curtiss Museum, Letchworth, CMOG, hiking are all nearby. Adirondacks is great for camping, Boxing museum is now in Oneida, but it's not very big. Baseball hall of fame?

 

[deezler]

Well of course the basic hike in the glen itself (state park) is pretty dang cool. You could get out on Seneca lake on a rented boat. Nearby Letchworth state park is even referred to as "the grand canyon of the east" but most laugh at that description when they see it. Nonetheless, beautiful.

Outdoor adventure stuff at bristol mtn ski resort:

https://www.bristolmountain.com/

I suppose a 17 year old isn't into wine tasting. But there are loads of wineries.

 

[crashz]

Gonna be a drive from Watkins Glenn, but Niagara Falls is cool to see.

 

[Sigarms]

Gonna be a drive from Watkins Glenn, but Niagara Falls is cool to see.

Didn't even think about that. Looks to be about a 2.5 hour drive. I think that would be worth doing just to see it.

It's been a cows age since I lived up there, isn't it the Throughway to get across on the interstate? I just remember something odd about NY on the interstates where they charge you a toll...

 

[Sigarms]

I suppose a 17 year old isn't into wine tasting. But there are loads of wineries.

The irony is where we live at in NC, wineries are becoming bigger business and tourist attractions as well. That said, we don't have the finger lakes (or any "large lake" LOL), but talking with some guys in the wine business, apparently NC has better weather than NY for east coast wines. Even doing tours and B&B around here for the wineries.

 

[deezler]

Didn't even think about that. Looks to be about a 2.5 hour drive. I think that would be worth doing just to see it.

It's been a cows age since I lived up there, isn't it the Throughway to get across on the interstate? I just remember something odd about NY on the interstates where they charge you a toll...

If you're driving up from NC.... then yeah it's worth the extra (long) day trip. Pretty sure I86 and I390 are free. I90 going across the middle/top of NY state is toll, I believe?

 

[Sigarms]

If you're driving up from NC.... then yeah it's worth the extra (long) day trip. Pretty sure I86 and I390 are free. I90 going across the middle/top of NY state is toll, I believe?

Agreed about the drive time to the falls vs getting to the finger lakes from NC, which is why I'm glad crashz suggested it...

I-90 is what I remember driving from Syracuse to Rochester. Been a LONG time since I drove with mickey mouse boots in the winter time with carhart insulated bibs and a heavy winter coat driving a box truck. Don't miss it!

 

[Fxfymn413]

Up state NY is just a great place to visit since there are many, many places to see and lots to do. But NY is pretty large and you can spend a lot of time driving instead of enjoying.

Niagara Falls are spectacular and if you are in that part of the state so is the Thousand Island area with Boldt's castle, the Welland canal, etc. The Baseball Hall of Fame is well worth the time to visit, but it is two hours away in the opposite direction from Niagara from Watkins Glen.

If you do decide to go to Niagara bring your passport to enter Canada since IMO the falls are best viewed from that side.

 

[NorTracNY]

The Thruway has changed since you were last here. The toll booths are no longer. It actually makes it easier for you to use, but it means that you'll drive on the road and have no idea how much it's costing you. You have to call a number and pay when you're done in the state. It's more than just I90. It's from just north of NYC to Albany, over to Buffalo, and down to PA. Only a few miles around Buffalo are free.

 

[Sigarms]

The Thruway has changed since you were last here. The toll booths are no longer. It actually makes it easier for you to use, but it means that you'll drive on the road and have no idea how much it's costing you. You have to call a number and pay when you're done in the state. It's more than just I90. It's from just north of NYC to Albany, over to Buffalo, and down to PA. Only a few miles around Buffalo are free.

Thank you for at least one reason for reminding me why I'll never move back

 

[Sigarms]

If you do decide to go to Niagara bring your passport to enter Canada since IMO the falls are best viewed from that side.

Guess the laws have changed. Use to go up to Canada all the time when I lived in Watertown. No passport, no Canada I guess, bummer.

Thousand islands may be off due to time. When my dad was stationed at Griffiss AFB, we use to go up there all the time for vacation when I was a kid. I only remember how beautiful it was.

 

[thclimer]

The Thruway has changed since you were last here. The toll booths are no longer. It actually makes it easier for you to use, but it means that you'll drive on the road and have no idea how much it's costing you. You have to call a number and pay when you're done in the state. It's more than just I90. It's from just north of NYC to Albany, over to Buffalo, and down to PA. Only a few miles around Buffalo are free.

If you think the tolls are bad in NY look up what it will cost you in PA without a E-Zpass on their toll roads.

I'm pretty sure in New York its 30% more but in PA its double or more so what would cost you $12 with a E-Zpass will cost $24+ without an E-Zpass.

If you are going to drive on any of the toll roads in the North East (NY, NJ, MA, PA, Maine,...) its well worth the effort to get an E-Zpass.

 

[Sigarms]

If you are going to drive on any of the toll roads in the North East (NY, NJ, MA, PA, Maine,...) its well worth the effort to get an E-Zpass.

I use to live on I-80, I-81 and I-79. The only time I can remember paying a toll was going from North of Harrisburg to Pittsburgh to visit relatives at the time.