Watkins Glen is one of the most famous cities in New York. It is renowned for its car race track, the Formula One United States Grand Prix.
Known for its stunning natural beauty, Watkins Glen offers a perfect blend of outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, and mouthwatering delights.
From hiking through breathtaking gorges and waterfalls at Watkins Glen State Park to exploring charming wineries along Seneca Lake’s shores, the city promises an unforgettable experience for visitors of all interests.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a wine connoisseur, or simply seeking a serene getaway, Watkins Glen is sure to captivate you with its enchanting charm and warm hospitality.
Below is a comprehensive list of some of the best and most fun things to do in Watkins Glen (NY) including amazing places you can visit during your stay.
Things To Do In Watkins Glen (NY)
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1. Watkins Glen State Park
Watkins Glen State Park offers easy and enjoyable recreation for you and your family. It has an Olympic-size swimming pool, scheduled gorge tours in the summer, campsites, and picnic facilities.
Fishing is in nearby Seneca Lake and Catherine Creek.
It is considered the most beautiful and the most popular of all Finger Lakes State Parks.
2. Glen Mountain Market Bakery and Deli
Glen Mountain Market Bakery & Deli is a must-visit. They offer cookies, French pastries, cookies, and bars of all kinds. There are also several gluten-free options.
The New York-style deli makes excellent fresh sandwiches and wraps, salads, homemade soups, and lots of homemade condiments. Cheese and eggs are locally sourced.
3. Captain Bill Seneca Lake Cruises
You can relax lakeside at Seneca Harbor Station and enjoy a meal at their restaurant on the sandy beach patio. The views are breathtaking.
You can also embark on a sightseeing cruise on the Stroller IV, Captain Bill’s historic 49-passenger vessel.
For dinner, lunch, or afternoon cocktails, take a cruise on their tastefully appointed Seneca Legacy.
For an hour, you will sail along the beautiful lake enjoying the scenery, peace, and quiet.
4. Castel Grisch
The winery is part of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail and is a popular wedding destination.
Castel Grisch uses the freshest and highest quality grapes, mostly from its vineyard, to produce high-quality wines, from dry to dessert and from red to white.
There is an indoor and outdoor terrace with a beautiful view.
5. Seneca Lake
The views of Seneca Lake are breathtaking.
Seneca Lake has been home to recreationists, anglers, hikers, and racing enthusiasts.
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6. Mark Moskal Adventure Streaming Summit
Mark Moskal’s Stream Adventures will take you on an unforgettable Finger Lakes adventure, whether you’re charter fishing, kayaking, archery, or fly fishing.
7. Watkins Glenn Farm Sanctuary
Visitors can spend a day at the sanctuary and let a guide tell them the stories of the pigs, cows, turkeys, and many other animals that now live happy lives in a lush natural environment. Farm Sanctuary is easy to find, and it’s right next to Sugar Hill State Forest.
Farm Sanctuaries is a network of pet sanctuaries across the country that provide homes for animals in need and educate visitors about the realities of factory farming.
8. Brick Tavern Museum and Wickham Rural Life Centre
The museum’s research room is a popular stop for genealogists.
The museum’s exhibits tell the story of Schuyler County’s rich past through shows such as Native American textiles, medical artifacts, fashion, transportation, and industry in the area.
9. Finger Lakes Wine Festival and Expo
The Finger Lakes Wine Festival and Expo feature more than 90 wineries, restaurants, hotels, and vendors of other products such as musical instruments. All exhibitors are under a tent, so the show runs rain or shine.
The festival brings in local artisans, musicians, chefs, and thousands of visitors who enjoy great wines, food, live music, and events such as cooking classes and culinary demonstrations.
10. Lakewood Vineyards
Anyone can take a guided tour of the vineyard to learn about their unique winemaking process or take a stroll through the vineyard with one of the winery’s knowledgeable guides.
Lakewood Vineyards offers a wine that will satisfy every visitor’s palate. In addition to their great variety, what makes Lakewood Vineyards unique is their dedication to their craft and the legacy they carry.
11. Big Escape Ice Cream
Everything is fresh and made to order. Ice cream cakes and pies can be hard or soft in any ice cream flavor.
You can also bring any photo; they will print an edible version of your cake.
They also offer vegan and non-dairy items.
12. Watkins Glen International Company
Watkins Glen International is a world-famous auto racing track located in the village of Watkins Glen, NY, at the south end of Seneca Lake.
The racecourse is also home to races in almost every other class.
13. Seneca Sunrise Coffee
Seneca Sunrise Coffee offers brewed hot or cold coffee and beans. You can buy their beans at local grocery stores and other retail locations.
All the coffees they sell are certified organic, shade-grown, and fair-trade and are single-sourced from around the world.
They sell coffee in a small shop on the ground floor of a house in the heart of the village.
14. Painted Bar Stable
The painted bar stable offers lessons, horse hire, and stables. Their well-trained horses and American Paint Horses guarantee a safe adventure for riders of all ages and skill levels.
They also offer year-round guided trail rides.
15. Wine Trail Around Seneca Lake
Most wineries on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail use grapes from their vineyards to make their wines.
In addition to wine tasting, trail members offer food and wine pairings and special events such as performance art, live concerts, vineyard yoga, and more.
16. Hector Falls
Hector Falls is a beautiful waterfall that tumbles over a large area of limestone and shale rock on its way to Seneca Lake.
But it’s worth renting a boat or joining a tour to see the entire massive cascade of falls.
17. Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls is scenic and lush.
It is part of the incredibly scenic Watkins Glen State Park in the village of Watkins Glen, at the southernmost tip of Seneca Lake. Rainbow Falls can be reached via the relatively easy and popular Gorge Trails and is one of four named waterfalls in the park.
18. Reisinger’s Apple Country
The farm offers bagged seasonal produce for purchase as well as homemade goods such as apple butter, apple donuts, and a range of delicious jams and jellies.
Reisinger’s Apple Country brings friends and family together to bond and makes memories by allowing them to spend a day picking delicious apples and quality raspberries.
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19. Scuteris Cannoli Connection
Scuteris Cannoli Connection is a bakery and pastry shop best known in the area for its fantastic cannoli, the most famous of all Italian sweets.
The Scuteris offered their sweets to the people of Watkins Glen.
They have delicious cannoli, tiramisu, Italian cookies, rum cakes, and many other pastries.
20. Kayak Lake
If you are interested in a more active way to explore the lake, bring your kayak or rent one and spend the day kayaking on Seneca Lake.
21. Grist Iron Brewing Company
Grist Iron Brewing Company is a local microbrewery in beautiful Watkins Glen (NY)
Grist Iron brews a wide variety of different styles and flavors. The brewery taproom also offers delicious fresh pub grub, and the menu is to go well with what’s currently on tap.
22. Windmill Farm and Craft Market
Most families spend the day, starting with a hot breakfast, later picking up fresh produce to take home, browsing antique toys and musical instruments, and finally enjoying lunch and a free show or concert in the shade of the surrounding pines.
The Windmill Farm & Craft Market is a large farm and craft market and is the region’s leading tourist attraction.
About 200 vendors have set up shop here, selling everything from fresh produce, ready meals, and clothing of all kinds to tattoos, furniture, and even vintage cars.
23. Read About The History Of The Races
Older travelers will enjoy a glimpse into the history of road racing. Free entry.
Anyone can learn more about the history of racing at the International Motor Research Center.
FAQ
Is Watkins Glen worth visiting?
Watkins Glen is a perfect town in the Finger Lakes from which to visit other attractions in the area like Keuka Lake, Cayuga Lake, and towns like Elmira and Ithaca.
How long is the walk at Watkins Glen?
About 1.5 miles
How many days do you need in Watkins Glen?
2 days is enough to spend and go around Watkins Glen.
How long does it take to get to Watkins path waterfall?
It is about half an hour or so.
How far up the Watkins Path are the waterfalls?
Starting at the closest of all the routes to sea level at just 60m, the Watkin route is the steepest of all the Snowdon routes. It is less than 12.9 km up and down. There is a small car market at Pont Bethania in Nant Gwynant.
How much does it cost to walk Watkins Glen?
US$ 8
How much does it cost to walk the gorge in Watkins Glen?
walking in the gorge in Watkins Glen is totally free.
Which entrance is best for Watkins Glen?
The main entrance to the park is the most popular and the main access to the gorge trailhead.
What should I wear to Watkins Glen?
You need to wear sturdy shoes.
Do you have to pay to get into Watkins Glen?
It costs $10 per car to enter the park, $35 for non-commercial buses, $75 for commercial buses, and $75 for the non-profit seasonal bus to fall from mid-May to mid-October.
Conclusion
Watkins Glen (NY) is a beautiful town, and it feels good to be in the city.
Many people love it because they cannot run out of things to do in the beautiful city.
