Travel Log: The Glen

This isn't your typical New York trip. Not at all.

Driving through Upstate New York is a picturesque scene, one that rivals any from a Midwestern prairie or a Southern farmland. Flying there lands a visitor in either Elmira, N.Y., perhaps known to many as Mark Twain's hometown, or in Ithaca, home of the prestigious and beautiful campus of Cornell University.

Both are similar distances from Watkins Glen -- between 25 and 30 miles. And while it may be near impossible to secure lodging in the Watkins Glen village, that's where the real culture of Upstate New York lies.

MAP OF WATKINS GLEN, N.Y.
Click here for directions and an aerial map.

DID YOU KNOW?
Watkins Glen is located in what is considered Upstate New York, a vast area with a population estimated at 7,121,911. If it stood as its own state, it would be the 13th largest in the United States. Currently, New York ranks as the third largest state.

WHAT THE AREA OFFERS
Captain Bill's -- This could double as a dining experience or simply a tourist attraction. Either way, Captain Bill's is a stop that should be added to the itinerary. Located on Seneca Lake and providing daily themed dinner cruises as well as scenic walks or sightseeing lake rides, the calmness of the water with rolling hills as the backdrop is worth the price.
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Farm Sanctuary -- Political and menu choices aside, this stop is one the kids and adults alike may remember for a while. There are few places along the NASCAR tour where visitors can rub the belly of a pig, or kiss the lips of a cow. But this 175-acre farm serves as a rescue shelter to rehabilitate and care for animals that have been taken from stockyards, factory farms and slaughterhouses.
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Summit to Stream Adventures -- Looking at the scenery set in Watkins Glen is one thing, but experiencing it is another. Visitors can hike through Watkins Glen State Park (don't miss the gorge trail) or kayak the Queen Catherine marsh. There's also fishing and hunting, while others can taste the area through wine tours. Be prepared for a day-long adventure.
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MUST-VISIT RESTAURANT
Bleachers Sports Bar & Grill -- It's a sports bar and it has good wings. That alone should be enough for a visit. But when locals list it as the place they go for their wings, that endorsement outweighs all.
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WEATHER FORECAST
Mostly sunny with highs in the mid- to upper-80s. Complete forecast

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL
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