Corning, NY

Address:Corning, New York

Corning, New York, is a typical small town, but with an unexpected flair. The downtown area is fairly cosmopolitan for a small town, with 5 blocks of shopping, dining, and entertainment. Corning and its surrounding areas are also home to several well known universities such as Cornell University and Ithaca College. In fact, although the community has only a population of 10,000 people, Corning is home to a large Fortune 500 company, Corning Incorporated, as well as other profitable industries. Corning is most famous for its glassmaking, which is apparent at the Corning Museum of Glass, where visitors learn the art, history, and science of glass.

Other interesting places to visit include the Rockwell Museum of Western Art, the newly expanded Science Center, The National Soaring Museum, the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center, the Planetarium at Corning Community College, and the Painted-Post Erwin Museum. Definitely worth visiting is the Spencer Crest Nature Center, complete with over 250 acres and seven miles of interpretive trails featuring hard and soft woods, meadows, and wetlands. You can also travel by bike, skis, or horse across the Steuben County bike route that is part of the 435-mile route that stretches from the Hudson River to Lake Erie, or the Finger Lakes Trail, a 559-mile trail of wilderness foot trails across New York State. For more outdoor adventures, there are over 20 nature centers and trails to choose from in the area, as well as places to fish throughout the 500 mile Finger Lakes Trail System. Another favorite activity is golfing, as Corning has 9 golf courses. There are also several amusement parks with rides for kids and games for the adults. There's something for everyone at this great little city!

You can't get lost in Corning, but if you do, there is a convenient Information Center in the historic downtown area on Market Street in the Gaffer District. There you will also find interesting glass making studios, antiques, restaurants, and specialty shops. At night, there are frequent performances at the local theater and ballet. Every weekend there are also live events hosted by the local bars, coffee shops, and breweries, oftentimes showcasing some of the best local bands from the area. Throughout the year, the town also hosts community events. Market Street is also where you will find most of Corning's restaurants, from old-fashioned soup and sandwich shops to fancier meals. Just outside of Corning you can also visit nearby wineries, located in Seneca, Cayuga, and Keuka Lakes, an area known as Finger Lakes Wine Country.

There are many quaint places to stay in Corning, including full service hotels, motels, campgrounds, and Victorian style Bed & Breakfasts. We suggest the Benjamin Patterson Inn for the most authentic Corning experience, which houses displays on local history of the community's early settlers with a collection of restored and fully furnished historic structures ranging from 1796 to 1878. Vacation rentals are also available on any of the Finger Lakes.

Corning is located in a river valley in the Finger Lakes Region of Central New York. Corning can be reached directly off of Interstate 186 and Route 15. The closest airport is the Elmira-Corning Regional Airport, located only eight miles away from town. The closest interstate bus station is 14 miles away in Elmira, New York, where there are regional bus services to take you straight to Corning. Although Corning is clearly off the beaten path in New York, it is worth a visit for a relaxing, quaint vacation for the entire family!