Waterfalls and Wineries
from Elmira

Finger Lakes Region Approximately 340 miles

This trip begins in Elmira, home of the Mark Twain Study and Exhibit; the Mark Twain Musical Drama; Woodlawn Cemetery, where author Mark Twain is buried; and the National Soaring Museum, the world's largest exhibit of sail planes and historic gliders.

Travel northeast on Route 13 to Ithaca, the city of waterfalls: Dozens are within the city limits and hundreds more are within several miles. Enjoy the waterfalls by car, or stop and hike to hidden treasures, such as Buttermilk Falls. While in Ithaca, don't miss Cornell University. The stonework on the campus is set off by fresh streams, deep ravines and densely treed areas with winding paths.

Follow Route 89 north along the shore of Cayuga Lake and drive to Taughannock Falls State Park, where the state's highest waterfall drops 215 feet into a rock amphitheater. The Cayuga Wine Trail (for more information call 800/732-1848) with eight wineries is located along Route 89.

Travel northwest to Geneva. Take Route 14 south along the shore of Seneca Lake -- one of the 11 Finger Lakes, known for deep clear waters. Travel to Dresden and follow Route 54 west to Penn Yan.

You are still in wine country so travel south on Route 54A along the shore of Keuka Lake to Hammondsport. Here is the excellent Glenn H. Curtiss Museum and numerous wineries.

Next, drive to Bath on Route 54. Take Route 17 southeast to Corning, where at the Corning Glass Center you can explore 3,500 years of glassmaking. You can touch a perfume bottle that is 2,000 years old or use X-ray vision to view a mummy with glass amulets. From Corning, take Route 414 and visit Watkins Glen State Park, with its scenic hiking paths and natural pools formed by the age-old waterfalls tumbling into stone basins. Not all of the wonders here are natural -- visitors also enjoy world-class auto racing at the Watkins Glen International Race Track.

Take Route 14 south to the town of Montour Falls, where you can see Chequaqua Falls and visit Havana Glen Park, with a short scenic walk to Eagle Cliff Falls.

Continuing south on Route 414 will take you to Elmira the conclusion of the tour.