HAMB friendly attractions near Watkins Glen, NY?

I had some success posting these inquiries regarding other areas. We'll be heading to the Watkins Glen area in a while and were curious what there was to see up that way. Any thoughts?

Thanks!
-Alden

 

Make sure you walk the Glen for excersize. A little west is the Glenn Curtis museum. Great motorcycle and speedboat display.

 

thanks, will check them out!

 

X2 I go there and the Corning museum everytime I'm in the area.

Pat

 

Wow, just showed that to my wife and I think we've booked at least a morning. Thanks!

About the Glen, is it open to walk during the week? We're tied up on the weekend and I couldn't find anything on their site about the weekdays.

 

You didn't mention when you were coming, but September 9th is the vintage grand prix. There's lots of stuff going on throughout the day, ending with vintage race cars doing laps around the original race couse through the streets. Its not exactly hot rod related, but still a good time. http://www.grandprixfestival.com/

 

I was just there a couple of weeks ago with a group of bikes.....we did the 3 hour Seneca Harbour boat / dinner tour
http://www.senecaharborstation.com/index.asp?pageId=150

Fantastic! Great band on board as well............

 

This is a little bit away from Watkins Glen, but if you're up for a hour and a half drive east, go to the Norwich Classic Car Museum.

http://www.classiccarmuseum.org/

 

Watkins Glen is a resort area and many (if not most) attractions are open 6 or 7 days a week. You'll have no shortage of things to do in the area.

If you're going to be there during the US Vintage Grand Prix (Sept 8-11) book your rooms ASAP as things get tied up pretty quick. They run everything from early teen cars up through the '70s Trans-am series cars. Any car guy/gal worth the grunge under his/her nails would appreciate these cars and would have a great time at this event.

You can get a tour of the race track and three (paced) laps around the track for 25 bucks. Hit "The Shop" on Franklin Street (the main drag) and sign up. Worth it if you've never been on a road course or past the grandstands at any major racing venue.

Mid-October is when the leaf colors peak in the area and there is no place more beautiful than upstate NYS in the fall. There are literally 100's of winerys in the area and many have tours, tastings and some have very nice restaurants. If you like wine, grapes/juice and/or apples this is the place to be.

Watkins Glen park is a state park and it is open year round. The gorge trail (what you want to see/hike) is open mid-May to early November. Take jackets and comfortable/grippy shoes or boots....and lots of film or camera memory.

Watkins Glen Racing Museum And National Motor Racing Hall Of Fame is also a great stop that won't chew up a whole lot of time but worth every minute. This is located down town.

X2 on the the Glenn-Curtis Museum and the Corning Museum of glass as must see places. The Rockwell Museum (in Corning) is a nice stop if you like fine arts and a gallery of western American frontier art and practical items.

Dinner at the Seneca Lodge is always nice. Every racecar driver who's been a racecar driver has had eats, suds and slept at the Seneca Lodge. Its rustic, reasonably priced and located perfectly for town and/or track access. Eat and/or sleep there.

Captain Bill's Seneca Lake Boat tours are nice if you have the time. There's a nice restaurant right next to Captain Bills that has always done us good. There are plenty of cool bars and small joints up and down Franklin Street.

There is a go-kart track near the corner of Rt414 and County Road 16 (on your way to the track from WG or Montour Falls) that is fun to hit.

Wanna kill your arteries with the good stuff then stop at Mr.Chicken right in Watkins Glen.....its been in town, oh....pretty much forever.

In near-by Montour Falls there is the Falls Motel (usually reasonable rate) and the Falls Lounge next door for pretty good food and a nice atmosphere.

Have fun!!

-Bigchief.

 

Get the brochure and drive the original Watkins Glen street race course.

Excursion train rides on the Wellsboro & Corning RR, not too far away.

Might still be a few events to see at Black Rock Speedway, in Dundee. Usually runs Friday night.

 

as my av shows, it's a must do for us every year

 

Just did the Curtis museum last weekend, had a great time ! Worth the stop for sure. Not car related,but your in some of the best wine country in the U.S. ! Got to do some tasting...

 

A buddy of mine just opened a winery in Lodi, NY...about 1/2 hour north on the east side of the late