Finger Lakes Attractions
Finger Lakes Attractions
 | Corning Museum of Glass One Museum Way Corning, NY • 800-732-6845 Mixing small kids and delicate glass may seem like a recipe for disaster, but this cool museum and classroom makes it work. You can view gorgeous and grand glass sculptures (all placed safely away from inquisitive hands), discover the science behind their creations in the interactive Glass Innovation Center, or watch demonstrations where artisans make (and break) beautiful glass. Daily classes allow kids and grownups to make their own art using blowing, fusing and other techniques. Best For: Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Fillmore Glen State Park 1686 Street, Route 38 Moravia, NY • 315-497-0130 You can camp in this gorgeous state park -- or simply spend the day exploring the dramatic waterfall, taking a dip in the summertime "swimming hole" and checking out the replica of the rustic log cabin where native son, 13th President Millard Fillmore, spent his early years. There's a fabulous playground right near the park entrance where younger kids can let off a little steam. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Ganondagan 1488 State, Route 444 Victor, NY • 585-742-1690 This re-creation of a traditional, Seneca-bark longhouse sits where the Ganondagan settlement once stood before it was destroyed in a 1687 French attack. You can walk self-guided tours through the gorgeous natural scenery or have one of the Seneca guides take you through the longhouse and answer questions about how the Senecas lived. Best For: Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Genesee Country Village and Museum 1410 Flint Hill Road Mumford, NY • 585-538-6822 Get a glimpse at what life was like for 18th- and 19th-century Americans by wandering through this living history museum. The Genesee Country Village features authentically furnished Colonial-era cottages and grand Victorian mansions as well as a town center including everything from a church and doctor's office to a tinsmith and shoemaker. Costumed "interpreters" demonstrate the way things used to be made -- from the proper method of butter churning to how the printing press worked -- and kids are welcome to lend a hand. If you really want to go back in time, apply to take part in their "Pioneer House" weekends, where you get to see how you'd survive a few days in the 19th century. Keep in mind that the village has dirt paths and the homes often have second stories, so navigating the museum with a stroller could be a challenge. Best For: Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Lilac Festival Rochester, NY Held in Rochester every year in mid-May, this 10-day free festival pays tribute to Highland Park's massive lilac collection and features 500 intoxicating varieties in 1,200 different bushes. But beyond the blooms, there's also a parade, wine tastings, free concerts, magicians and a family fun run. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Mark Twain Study One Park Place Elmira, NY • 607-735-1941 Mark Twain wrote the bulk of his most classic works, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, in a beautiful octagonal study his sister- and brother-in-law built for him outside their home at Quarry Farm. It was moved to Elmira College's Center for Mark Twain Studies where guests can tour and view photos and other memorabilia from Twain's time in Elmira. Best For: Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Montezuma Wildlife Preserve 3395 US Route 20 East Seneca, NY • 315-568-5987 This serene preserve is home to dozens of species of wildlife, from beavers and blue herons to deer and bald eagles. You can view the wildlife from the Visitors Center and the nearby observation tower, walk one of several nature trails, or drive a three-mile loop through the preserve, stopping off to take pictures and look around. Best For: Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | National Strong Museum of Play One Manhattan Square Rochester, NY • 585-263-2700 Don't call this mammoth center a children's museum. While it has the classic preschooler-friendly, make-believe supermarket and ode to children's lit, this shrine to play has plenty up its sleeve to entertain anyone who walks through its doors. eGameRevolution lets older kids explore the origins of their favorite electronic games and try to beat the highest scores on Guitar Hero, while adults may want to wander through the museum's Toy Hall of Fame and extensive vintage toy collection, pointing out a few of their favorites. The museum's grand 1,700-gallon, coral-reef aquarium is one of the largest in the Northeast and can keep kids (and adults) entertained for hours. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | New York State Festival of Balloons Dansville, NY While the gorgeous balloons are the stars of the show at this Labor Day weekend event, you'll find plenty to enjoy even if you don't take flight -- including children's rides, lumberjack shows and music acts. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Rockwell Museum of Western Art 111 Cedar Street Corning, NY • 607-937-5386 This beautiful museum of Native American and Western art has inventive ways to engage the smaller set. Ask at the admission desk about the free Art Hunt, which lets your kids search for paintings and art objects that match up with drawings, and the ArtPack Activity, a backpack full of puzzles and games to keep kids entertained even after the visit is over. Best For: Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Watkins Glen Thunder Road Tours 2790 County Route 16 Watkins Glen, NY • 607-535-2338 Through this program, NASCAR fans can race a few laps around the legendary track. On select days from May to October, you can drive your own car right behind the pace car (unfortunately, you'll have to drive just 55 mph instead of the blistering speeds that race car drivers can hit). You have to be 18 years old to drive the track, but anyone can come along for the ride. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
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