| Tucked
away in the narrow valley of the Chemung River, just north of the
Pennsylvania state line, is the town of Corning. Though the name is
familiar to most Americans because of the glass manufacturer of that name
here, few know anything about the town or its attractions - or the
attractions of this area of the country.
This is the southern
end of what is called the Finger Lakes Region (so named because of the
dozen narrow lakes created during the glacial age). Lush, narrow valleys
with clear, cold, fast-running streams and rich soil (well populated with
rocks) that is great for growing grapes (this is wine country).
Corning was
incorporated in 1847. Historic Market Street, with its intact 19th Century
architecture, is a graceful, street lined with over 100 shops and
restaurants. Hot glass studious form art works of blown glass right in
front of your eyes. The kids, especially, are thrilled at the experience
of watrching the hot, red glob being blown and shaped into a beautiful
object.
There are 9 golf
courses, 20+ parks, incredible hiking trails (e.g., the 500 mile Finger
Lakes Trail System) and a constant sucsession of festivals in the area.
|
The
'glass works', Corning, Inc., put the town on the map and made the name a
household word and, it is the glass works that most folks come here to
visit.
The Corning Museum of
Glass houses a huge display of glass objects. You just may be amazaed at
what has been manufactured from glass. You can even make your own object
d'art (they'll teach you how).
»
Corning
Museum of Glass
«
The Corning Glass
Center is a set of buildings designed to show off glass while housing
exhibits and a multi-media theatre.
»
Corning
Glass Center
«
Rockwell Museum of
Western Art proclaims it has "the Best of the West in the East".
The museum houses the largest, and finest, collection of Western art in
the eastern US. They have special programs to fascinate children. An old
west cantina offers a variety of eats (including 'Tex-Mex') to complete
the experience.
»
Rockwell
Museum «
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