Escape to Steuben County
The New York Finger Lakes region offers plenty of diversions for the entire family.

Cities are great. But sometimes you need to go someplace where all the stars are visible; where you don't have to fight for a seat on the bus or a spot on a crowded highway during rush hour; where business decisions are discussed over dinner and not in front of a boardroom of investors.

Steuben County in New York is less than a day's drive from the East Coast's major metropoles: Philadelphia, New York City, Buffalo, Syracuse, Cleveland, Toronto, Boston, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Steuben County is in the region of the Finger Lakes, which means recreation is not difficult to come by. Glaciers formed long, narrow lakes that resemble the fingers of a hand that points away from the palm of Lake Ontario. Wooded and dotted with welcoming towns, Steuben County welcomes visitors to a homemade retreat.

Corning is the largest city in the county and serves as a good jumping-off point to explore the rest of the region. Hammondsport, to the north, is on Keuka Lake and is birthplace of the area's long history in wine production. Bath is the county's oldest town. Hornell and Cohocton have easy access from Interstate 86 and Interstate 390 respectively, though you're also apt to find hospitality and diversion in any of the many towns along the country roads. It seems nearly every town hosts a weekly farmers' market that brings locals together for trade and conversation.

A Day on the Farm

Farm visits make a welcome escape from city life that can be enjoyed by the entire family. Close-Knit Alpacas is a farm in Woodhull that boards and breeds domesticated animals native to South America. Similar to a llama, alpacas are smaller and prized as a source of fiber. The farm is also home to a variety of other farm animals.

The Farm Sanctuary, just down the road in Watkins Glen, adopts and harbors abused farm animals. Each animal has a story, and a visit and tour of the farm may or may not change your life, but it certainly will be diverting, especially for kids. And if the kids like farm animals, why not try a farm stay? Overnight lodging at Button's Creekside Farm B&B will give you a taste of life on a real working farm, complete with sheep, cows and horses.

Blueberry Hill Farm in Hornell and Hillview Blueberry Farm in Prattsburgh allow visitors to pick their own fruit. Each farm has a general store at which homemade preserves and berries, if you're not already inspired to can your collection yourself, may be purchased. This is a certain escape from city life.

It's not difficult to find stores and roadside stands that sell the produce of local farmers and craftsmen. Golden Age Cheese Co., Jenkins Farm Market and Deli, and Bonny Hill Honey are just a few of the independent grocers and suppliers in the area.

Wine Country

Wine production has a long history in the Finger Lakes region of New York. The first grapevines were planted in Hammondsport in 1829. Pleasant Valley Wine Co. is the oldest winery in the region, established in 1860, and it bears the designation "US Bonded Winery #1". Several of its impressive stone buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Vitis Vinifera varieties of grapes, native to the Mediterranean and Southwest Asia, were introduced to North America by Dr. Konstantin Frank in the 1960s. Frank is known for adapting the vines to the harsher climates in New York, Michigan and Canada, transforming wine production in the area. Dr. Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars' wines win a long list of awards and accolades every year.

Heron Hill Winery, Bully Hill Vineyards and Ravines Wine Cellars are also noted stops on a wine-geared weekend getaway. They offer tours and tastings and sport beautiful views of the green countryside, depending on what time of year you visit. It's difficult not to relax with an inspiring view and a glass of Riesling.

Outdoor Excursions

You'll find ample opportunities for outdoor recreation in Corning & the Finger Lakes. Whether you prefer an easy walk or a challenging hike, there are miles of trails to explore. If you prefer water sports, Keuka Lake and the area's rivers allow for ample water-based recreation. And if biking suits your fancy, peddle a loop around Keuka Lake, or wander through small towns and rural countryside along NYS Bike Route 17. Trail maps for hiking and biking are available and a map of boat launch sites on the rivers and lakes is also available. If you prefer a guided hike or boating excursion, licensed guides are eager to show you the way.

A Trip to Town

In Corning, visitors may enjoy the charms of a small town with the amenities of a bustling city. Corning Inc., formerly Corning Glass Works, is a Fortune 500 business headquartered in Corning. A world-leader in specialty glass, the company produces glass used in consumer electronics, telecommunications and mobile emissions control.

The company founded the nonprofit Corning Museum of Glass in 1951, which houses one of the most impressive glass collections in the world. The Corning Museum of Glass collection of 45,000 objects spans 3,500 years and includes works from Roman and Grecian antiquity and the Middle Ages, up to the 20th century's Tiffany windows and contemporary works by artists such as Dale Chihuly. The museum itself is an impressive structure. Renovated several times, the current building was recently listed as number 136 on America's Favorite 150 Buildings in a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects.

The museum commissions an established or emerging artist yearly, adding cutting-edge pieces to its already impressive collection. One of the great strengths of the museum is its hands-on and interactive programming. Dynamic, live glass-blowing and glassmaking demonstrations are held daily, and visitors may sign up to make their own glass souvenir at the Make Your Own Glass studio.

The Rockwell Museum of Western Art in Corning hosts the largest collection of Western and American Indian art east of the Mississippi. Family-friendly, the museum offers individual Artpacks filled with puzzles and projects to keep kids entertained and engaged in exploring the collection. Kids also love the Trading Post, where they can dress up in period costumes and re-enact life in the Wild West.

Corning also has a planetarium and observatory. The Patterson Inn Museum complex has a schoolhouse, an inn, a blacksmith shop, a barn and a log cabin and is the perfect stop for a historical perspective. The museum focuses on the preservation and presentation of the lives of the first white settlers to the area.

The Gaffer District in Corning is the center of commercial activity for the city. This historic district is home to art galleries, glass studios, antique shops and boutiques and is the city's primary dining area. Historic Market Street within the district is nationally recognized for its architectural styles and main street restoration. Corning's Gaffer District is the one-stop spot for all things cultural.

Corning and the Finger Lakes are ready to invite you in. And once you're in the family, you may never want to leave.

For attraction and lodging information in Steuben County, call (866) 946-3386.

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