things to do
Things to Do: Elmira
Chamberlain Acres Garden Center and Florist
Offers a Farmer’s Market every Sunday year round in addition to the nursery and gift shop.
County Chamber of Commerce
Our award-winning Chamber really is all that! Stop by and pick up brochures, maps, coupons and free chocolate turtles from the big bowl in the lobby!
Antique Revival
If you love antiques, you MUST go here. Check out their website and you’ll see why.
Eldridge Park
The Town of Elmira did an amazing renovation on this park, with waterfalls & marble statues. They have rides, the most beautiful miniature golf course in the world, and a lake with rental paddle boats. Go back in time and enjoy a day at the park.
Harris Hill
A mini amusement park with put put, go karts, ice cream, swimming pool.
Harris Hill Soaring
Take a glider ride! Or just go and watch them being towed. They're beautiful silent birds. 5-10 mins away.
National Soaring Museum
The museum presents the heritage of motorless flight.
Wings of Eagle Discovery Center
Tour a 25,000 sq ft hangar with aircraft on display inside and outside. Self guided tours and flight simulators.Also has a gift shop and you can grab a bite to eat at Wings Cafe.
Chemung Valley History Museum
Dedicated to the collection, preservation, and presentation of the history of the Chemung Valley region.
Booth Library
The center for genealogy and historical research at the Chemung County Historical Society. It holds approximately 3,000 books, 30,000 manuscripts, 16,000 photographic images, and 11,000 maps and architectural drawings.
Clemens Center
Has fabulous shows including traveling broadway shows.
Tanglewood Nature Center
Has great hiking and a nature center.
Mark Twain Study
Located on the Elmira College campus, Twain wrote many of his works in this octagonal building.
Heritage Village of the Finger Lakes
An oldtime village with buildings and interactive exhibits.
Woodlawn Cemetery
Final resting place of Mark Twain, as well as many confederate soldiers from the Civil War.
Rockwell Museum of Western Art
Housed in Corning’s old City Hall, this museum features American art. Note: this is not a museum featuring Norman Rockwell.
TAGS
Premier destination for live music.
Arnot Mall
If shopping is your thing, the Arnot Mall is 15 mins away. In that same area is a conglomerate of chain stores: Sportsman's Warehouse, JoAnn Fabrics, Lowe’s, PetSmart, WalMart, etc.
Restaurants around Elmira
WMC North
Elmira's jazz club, featuring music, food and drinks.
1157 North
Serves up fresh homemade pasta.
Finger Lakes House features locally crafted beer and wine and a light finger-food menu.
Taninos has Italian food and brick-fired pizza.
Louie's in Horseheads. Very good Italian food. Upbeat, upscale, bit pricey but worth it.
Lib's Supper Club serves up Old World Italian cuisine with steaks and seafood.
Simons is a Japanese restaurant in Horseheads.
Light’s Bakery is a classic diner with desserts.
Hill Top Inn is located at the top of Jerusalem Hill Road, giving you a magnificent view of Elmira while dining in style.
Downtown Grind
Breakfast and brunch with a good vibe.
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Elbow Room
Family restaurant bar and grill. The self-proclaimed “Cheers” of Elmira.
Pietro & Son
Italian pizzeria and restaurant, (with a beautiful enormous fish acquarium).
Barb's Soups On
Family-owned lunch spot with a deck.
Things to Do: Corning
Things to Do: Watkins Glen
Corning Museum of Glass
It's Corning Glass! You can blow your own glass creation. 20 min drive.
The town of Corning is upscale and has nice shops, antiques, restaurants.
State Parks
Within an hour's drive are many state parks, many with gorges and waterfalls. If you like to hike, it's an amazing area.
Things to Do: Watkins Glen
Things to Do: Watkins Glen
Things to Do: Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen Raceway
Watkins Glen International is an automobile race track, recently purchased by NASCAR. 45 mins away.
Watkins Glen State Park (45 mins):
One of the best parks in the area, where you can walk behind a waterfall.
Tioga Downs
Casino in Nichols, NY. 30 mins away.
Things to Do: Ithaca
Things to Do: Watkins Glen
Things to Do: Ithaca
Lab of Ornithology
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a world leader in the study, appreciation, and conservation of birds.
Cornell Plantations
Cornell Plantations is alive with plants, purpose, and a presence that truly distinguishes the university among its peers. Has a mature botanical garden and arboretum.
Taughannock Falls in Ithaca (1 hour):
Taughannock Falls has a 215-foot drop and is quite impressive, and runs all year long.
Within the Ithaca area, there are about 25 state parks and forests, so you can explore those on the website.