The Finger Lakes Region of New York has been a popular destination for people seeking recreational activities for many years. There are numerous state parks in the region, but one of the most popular is located in the town of Watkins Glen, on the shores of Seneca Lake. Besides auto racing in the summer months, the Watkins Glen State Park offers visitors an interesting stroll through the glen (really a chasm, cut by a river), with numerous waterfalls and very pleasant surroundings. 

Watkins Glen State Park

            Because of the abundance of waterfalls in the area, a great way to explore is by driving from waterfall to waterfall. Besides Watkins Glen,

A Waterfall at Watkins Glen

mentioned above, some of the other noteworthy stops should include Letchworth State Park, in Castile, 

Letchworth State Park

Taughannock Falls State Park, north of Ithaca,

Taughannock State Park

 and Buttermilk Falls  

Buttermilk State Park

and Robert H Treman State Parks, in Ithaca. 

Robert Treman State Park

            Corning, New York and the Corning Museum of Glass, in upstate New York, not far from the Finger Lakes, offer visitors a look at one of the world’s major centers for the production of glass. The town has been restored to its 19th century appearance and is a pleasant stroll. The Museum is accessible via shuttle bus from the town and is an interesting and informative look at the glass industry.  Demonstrations and other interactive activities make this museum a worthwhile experience for people of all ages. 

Museum of Glass

            A bit further away (about 100 miles/160 kilometers), west of Corning, is the small, elegant community of Chautauqua, New York, which has long been associated with adult education and the sharing of ideas through seminars. Classes in many different disciplines are offered each summer when this secluded town with tree-lined streets and Victorian homes becomes a Mecca for those wishing to improve their knowledge or pursue the Arts. All of this takes place at the famous Chautauqua Institution, located on Lake Chautauqua.

            Gary’s Gem:

                        In the evenings, during the summer, return to Watkins Glen State Park for a multimedia presentation called Timespell, outdoors, in a section of the glen. The show dramatizes the geological origins of the area as well as its Native American presence..