Corning is one of Western New York’s destination gems. Of course, the name, Corning, is known for dishes and glassware. The city of Corning, however, is home to not just one, but two world-class museums. It is also the southern gateway to the Finger Lakes region and nearby Watkins Glen.
The Corning Museum of Glass was founded in 1950 as a testament to the history and versatility of fused silica. Spend at least half a day touring the exhibition halls, feasting your eyes on intricate examples of cultural glass. You will learn the history, art and science of glassmaking.
Consider the size of the building. This is not a small town museum. In fact, it is the third most popular tourist destination in the state. The glass facades rise to the sky. The 120,000-square-foot museum houses 3,500 years of glassmaking art. This is a destination worth your time.
Stroll through the modern art gallery from the airy lobby. Massive shapes of amazing variety resemble free-form stalagmites in an otherworldly cave. The world’s leading glass artisans created these designs: from solid mass to intricate and fragile sculptures: intertwined vines of glass tubes, disks and plates, bizarre shapes, solid or spiral colors, and multi-media art.
Explore the fascinating history of glassware from the earliest primitive forms to intricate gifts for ancient royalty. See rare artifacts from before King Tut to 20th-century Tiffany. Thimble-sized jars, jewelery jars, perfumes and spices. Finely detailed dollhouses, masks and statues. Imagine a crystal throne or a bed with a crystal headboard. Crystal Eggs. glass dolls Even a Baccarat crystal pot! Anything that can be molded from clay, wood, metal, or other materials has been created over the centuries in glass.
Examine the science and wonder of glass through various interactive exhibits. Stand on a glass floor. Watch master craftsmen at work, demonstrating various ways of working with glass. Allow time to make your own keepsake: an ornament, beads, wind chimes, or etched glass. The Corning Museum of Glass is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm (9-8 during the summer). Before you leave, browse for household items, trinkets and collectibles at the Glass Market.
The Corning Museum has free parking, so park during the day. Hop on a shuttle bus (in summer) to the Gaffner district. This historic area along Market Street features art galleries, specialty shops, and restaurants. Create your own pottery in Earth Paint and Fire Studio. Find a painting for your living room or family room at West End Gallery or Oil Paintings of Interest, both galleries are nearby. If you love antiques, explore Twin Tiers Antiques Plaza on Market Street or head to Antique Revival just outside of town.
The Gaffner District is also home to the Rockwell Museum of Western Art, listed as “Best of the West in the East.” Explore our American West through paintings, artifacts, and special exhibits. From Ansel Adams to Indian art, the museum showcases some of the best Western art in the world. The exhibits change periodically. The museum is not associated with Norman Rockwell, although one of his paintings is on display. Museum hours are the same as the Corning Museum of Glass. A combined entrance ticket is a good bargain if you plan to tour both places.
When you get hungry, try the Gaffner Grill and Tap Room for succulent Angus steaks or grilled ribs. If you’re in the mood for Italian food, stop by Sorge’s, a 50-year tradition on Market Street. In addition to delicious Italian specialties, Sorge’s also holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest noodles (418 feet in 2003!). For fine five-star dining, make a reservation at Three Birds Restaurant. Menu selections include elegantly prepared and exquisitely prepared seafood and regional specialties.
If you have more than a day to spend in the area, visit the Corning-Painted Post Historical Society’s Benjamin Patterson Inn Museum on Pulteney Street. The Inn, originally known as the Painted Post Tavern, was built in 1796. It has been restored, along with a log cabin, blacksmith shop, schoolhouse and other historic structures. The original painted post railway yard (c. 1881) has also been restored. A combo tour ticket includes lunch at Sorge’s restaurant and a discount shopping booklet. Contact the Patterson Inn Museum http://www.pattersoninnmuseum.org.
Other notable area attractions include Watkins Glen, the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center, and numerous winery tours. The Discovery Center (near Elmira-Corning Regional Airport) houses an airpower museum with more than 30 aircraft. With reservations, you can take to the skies in a vintage plane.
Watkins Glen is known for the race track. It hosts several SCCA and other races each year. Watkins Glen State Park has some of the most beautiful scenery, hiking trails, and campgrounds in the United States. The waterfalls (19 of them) drop the creek nearly 400 feet along the two-mile trail. Bring a swimsuit for the outdoor pool and walking shoes to explore the trails or the canyon rim. If you like to fish, take a rod! Seneca Lake and area streams are famous for their excellent fishing.
For an enjoyable stay, consider a historic Bed and Breakfast. Hillcrest Manor, a restored 1890 mansion, is within walking distance of downtown. The Rufus Tanner House, located just outside of town, is an 1864 Greek Revival farmhouse with fireplaces in the rooms, beautiful gardens, and an outdoor hot tub (always our favorite way to end the day).
Of course, traditional hotels are also available. The Radisson Hotel Corning is located in the historic district. Settle in, soak your aches in the Jacuzzi spa, then curl up in a Sleep Number bed while you dream of tomorrow’s bargains! For ‘suite’ accommodations, try Staybridge Suites, within walking distance of the historic district and the Corning Museum of Glass. Staybridge offers a complimentary breakfast. Other hotels include Comfort Inn, Days Inn and Fairfield. Camping sites also abound.
The city of Corning (current population 10,478) was established in 1788. Lumber and farming built the community. It was formally incorporated in 1848 as a ‘village’. The canal system (Erie Canal and its tributaries) helped develop the area by providing transportation for lumber, coal, and other goods. Twenty years later, coal shipments from Pennsylvania supplied fuel for a developing glass industry. Corning became a city in 1890. Today, the company that has become synonymous with the city, Corning Inc, is one of America’s Fortune 500 companies.
If you’re within driving distance, or even if you’re not, Corning NY is a worthy destination. Located just off I-86, it’s easy to get to and eminently pleasant. Take a day trip, a mini-vacation, or an extended stay.
