Today’s travel route takes us through the cultivated Corning over the picturesque Finger Lakes to the pulsating Rochester to the magical and mystical Niagara Falls region.
Her name is wine, water, and wonder. It’s definitely worth spending a few extra days here from New York City before heading to Niagara Falls!
Corning, New York
Corning is a delightful small town and home to the famous Corning Glass Museum with its stunning array of glass art of all shapes and forms. You can be shown how glass is produced and register to make your first glass yourself.
On our tour of the museum, we learned that Corning is an integral part of NASA’s space programs. For the past 50 years, Corning has manufactured many of the glass windows used in manned space missions. The mirror for the Hubble telescope was also produced here. “Glass on a String” presents all possible uses of glass beads from Indian patterns on fur jackets to chains and bead-covered figures. The imagination knows no limits here.
READ: Boating, Fishing, Paddling and Lots of Sun and Sand in New York State
Another highlight was the live glass production show. It is fascinating to see the process of glass production from start to finish.
From pristine lakes, beautiful waterfalls and beautiful parks to charming villages, museums, and unique shopping opportunities, our next stop is ideal for every season! In addition, over 100 wine meters with award-winning wines sweeten your stay.
Watkins Glen State Park
The beautiful Watkins Glen State Park is the most popular of the Finger Lakes State Parks. You will be amazed when you take the pathway down to the gorge and walk past 19 breathtaking waterfalls. We took the love path, the Lovers ’Lane, and were amazed at the unique beauty of these magnificent fells and forests. The bridge at the end of the path gives you a wonderful view of the majestic rock curves carved by the water and the powerful currents of the Finger Lakes waterfalls.
The Finger Lakes are not only known for their overwhelming nature, but also for the numerous renowned wineries. With over 100 wineries, the decision was difficult. Finally, we paid a visit to the Glenora Wine Cellars, which are picturesquely situated on a colorful hillside above Seneca Lake. Here I had the opportunity to try some of the top-notch local wines.
READ:5 Not Famous Parks in New York City: Don’t Miss Them
Rochester, New York
Next, you need to travel to Rochester, the third-largest city in New York State with a population of over 1 million. The world of art, theater, music, photography, and history mixes well with the lively business life and its dreamy nature. The George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography and Film, was the home of George Eastman, the founder of the Kodak company. We walked along a bright corridor with a view of the picturesque garden, which leads us into the former living room of the inventor of the Kodak camera.
READ: Dubai Water Taxi: A Popular Form of Transport is the Dubai Water Taxi
The salon on the right side of this round dream house is equipped with the finest optical glass and provides a crystal clear view of the courtyard garden. Our guide told us that the tulips in the garden are still imported from the same company in Holland to this day – just like when Eastman lived here with his mother and servants. Grab a bite to eat at the Park Avenue Pub! Here I enjoyed wonderful pumpkin ravioli with fresh mushrooms and drooled lustily about desserts such as chocolate bread pudding and homemade crème brûlée. A visit to charming villages on the Erie Canal like Fairport and Pittsford will brilliantly round off your Rochester exploration trip.
As the next and last stop on your dream vacation, we recommend visiting the magical Niagara Falls. You will encounter many wonders with a boat trip through the fine mist of these majestic waterfalls or a voyage of discovery through the islands in the area. From rainbows to breathtaking panoramas to first-class wine – enjoy the Niagara region in all its splendor and diversity!
Like us on Facebook for more stories like this: