Need a charming small-town getaway with world-class glass art, Finger Lakes wine, and historic charm? Head to Corning! Nestled in the southern Finger Lakes region, Corning is known as “America’s Crystal City” thanks to its legendary glassmaking legacy. With its walkable Gaffer District, award-winning museums, and nearby vineyards, Corning blends culture, beauty, and small-town hospitality.
Corning, NY Highlights:
- For Adventurous Travelers: Hike Spencer Crest Nature Center – Enjoy wooded trails, scenic overlooks, and wildlife viewing on this 250-acre preserve just minutes from town.
- For History Buffs: Visit The Corning Museum of Glass – Explore 3,500 years of glassmaking history and watch live glassblowing demonstrations.
- For Shoppers: Browse the Gaffer District – Discover art galleries, boutiques, and locally owned shops in a beautifully restored downtown.
- For Couples: Wine taste along the Finger Lakes Wine Trail – Enjoy romantic vineyard views and tastings at nearby Keuka Lake wineries.
- For Families: Get hands-on at The Rockwell Museum – A Smithsonian affiliate focusing on American art, with fun activities for all ages.
Best Time to Visit Corning, NY
The best time to visit Corning is spring through fall (May–October), when the weather is ideal for outdoor exploration and local events. Fall is especially scenic, with colorful foliage and harvest festivals throughout the region.
How to Get to Corning, NY
- If you are traveling by car: Corning is located off I-86, about 1.5 hours from Ithaca, 2 hours from Rochester, and 4.5 hours from New York City.
- By Air: The nearest airport is Elmira/Corning Regional Airport (ELM), about 15 minutes from downtown Corning.
- By Bus: Trailways and other regional carriers provide service to Corning with stops near downtown.
Where to Stay in Corning, NY
- Hilton Garden Inn Corning Downtown – Modern hotel within walking distance of the Corning Museum of Glass and downtown attractions.
- Radisson Hotel Corning – A comfortable stay located right on Market Street in the heart of the Gaffer District.
- Rosewood Inn – A historic Victorian B&B offering elegant rooms and gourmet breakfasts just a short stroll from downtown.
Best Things to Do in Corning, NY
1. Corning Museum of Glass
Rating: ★★★★★
The Corning Museum of Glass is the largest glass museum in the world, providing an opportunity for visitors to explore around 3,500 years of history in glassmaking throughout its collection galleries. Works range from a massive Tiffany window to a small Egyptian pharaoh head, highlighting the artistry and wonder behind the art of glassmaking. Guests can browse the most recent works in glass in the Contemporary Art and Design Wing, watch a live Hot Glass Demo, test their skills with Make Your Own Glass, and much more. The Corning Museum of Glass is open seven days a week, year-round.
1 Museum Way, Corning, NY 14830, Phone: 800-732-6845
2. The Rockwell Museum
The Rockwell Museum in the Finger Lakes city of Corning is a community center that offers opportunities for people to reflect on, connect with, and enjoy the essence of American values, character, and spirit through American artists. The museum’s collection of original masterpieces by American artists include a mix of landscape paintings, traditional bronze sculptures, contemporary Native American artwork, and many other works embodying America, as well as the migration west. The unique Rockwell Museum is open daily from 9:00am until 8:00pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day, or 9:00am until 5:00pm the rest of the year.
111 Cedar St, Corning, NY 14830, Phone: 607-937-5386
3. West End Gallery
The West End Gallery in Corning, New York is home to a great assortment of representational artwork. Changing original art exhibits highlight an array of mediums, such as glass, bronze, wood, ceramic, pastel, watercolor, acrylic, oil, and more. Works by olver fifty talented artists are featured in the West End Gallery, including Thomas Buechner, Martin Poole, GC Myers, Brian Keeler, Tom Gardner, Joseph Daily, and Trish Coonrod. This family-owned and operated art gallery is also the longest standing fine arts gallery in the city of Corning, having been located on the historic Market Street for more than forty years.
12 W Market St, Corning, NY 14830, Phone: 607-936-2011
4. Iron Flamingo Brewery
The Iron Flamingo Brewery may have gotten its name from a simple friendly prank, however, the people behind the local brewery are definitely serious when it comes to creating good brews. Corning’s first craft brewery, the Iron Flamingo Brewery focuses on crafting beers for distribution to local bars and restaurants, along with a handful of larger retail outlets in the region. Visitors can stop by the brewery to sample their brews or enjoy a pint or two in the uniquely designed tasting room or in the outdoor seating area. Iron Flamingo also regularly hosts local food vendors and uses ingredients from local farmers.
196 Baker St, Corning, NY 14830, Phone: 607-936-4766
Where to Eat in Corning, NY
5. Hand and Foot
A creative and unique bar in the city of Corning, Hand + Foot serves “craveable food” from lunch through late night within a setting focused on community and craft. Everything at Hand and Foot is lovingly curated and crafted by the owners, Laurie and Dan Morton, who have a passion for establishing a place that guests will feel is a “home-away-from-home.” The space features chairs and couches nestled in window niches, a long community table, and good music. Hand + Foot is open Monday to Wednesday 11:30am until midnight, until 1:00am Thursday to Saturday, and 12:00pm until 9:00pm on Sundays.
69 W Market St, Corning, NY 14830, Phone: 607-973-2547
6. The Cellar
The Cellar offers both a fine dining experience for guests in the main restaurant dining room or a more casual experience with its bar area. The goal of this unique Corning dining establishment is to provide a fun and non-intimidating environment for people to savor the excellent wines produced at the local wineries of New York’s Finger Lakes wine country. Hard-to-find international wines and highly acclaimed domestic ones are also available. The food menu at The Cellar is a “modern fusion” menu featuring farm-to-table cuisine that utilizes organic and local produce and meats as much as possible.
21 W Market St, Corning, NY 14830, Phone: 607-377-5552
7. Sorge's Restaurant
Sorge's Restaurant provides homestyle Italian fare with a touch of Old World flair to the community of Corning, New York. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant menu features lasagna, meatballs, garlic bread, pasta, and several other popular Italian dishes. In addition to its regular menu, Sorge’s Restaurant also offers a brunch buffet on Sundays and a dinner pasta buffet at night. House specialties include the fried ravioli, featured pasta, broiled haddock, and the deep fried scallops. The local restaurant has been a family tradition in Corning of serving authentic Italian dishes and homemade pasta since 1951.
68 W Market St, Corning, NY 14830, Phone: 607-937-5422
8. Rico's Pizza and Subs
The flagship store of Rico's Pizza and Subs is situated at the West End of the Historic Gaffer District of Corning, New York. Opened by three brothers and their father in 1985, the restaurant has long been a family affair and has seen quite a bit of success over the years with a menu of New York-style pizza, chicken wings, subs, and salads that boasts unique flavors and spirit. Since it originally opened its first shop, Rico's Pizza and Subs has grown to now include two additional locations in Horseheads, opened in 1992, and Bath, which opened in 2011.
92 W Market St, Corning, NY 14830, Phone: 607-962-2300
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