Steuben County summers in New York’s southern Finger Lakes means it’s time for splashing in Keuka Lake, sipping Finger Lakes wine, and keeping cool in the region’s world-class museums. A pure slice of Americana, Steuben County is home to stunning waterfalls, gorgeous lakes, local farm-to-fork eateries, and world-renowned museums.
In a destination known for its water, wines, and wings (and innovation!), visitors will find a myriad of activities for everyone to celebrate the season.
Wine (and more)
The region adds to their prestigious roster of world-class wine producers with two brand new Keuka Lake wineries and a new grape variety.
- Living Roots Wine & Co., known for their minimal input and maximum quality wines, will be opening a brand new tasting room and wine production facility this summer. The new winery will come with sweeping views of Keuka Lake. Prior to the official opening, guests can stop by the property for a tasting under their pop-up tent.
- Divided Sky Vineyard just opened a new tasting room sitting on 15 acres of vineyards on the west side of Keuka Lake. Though the vineyard was planted in 2018, owners Megan Granata and Alek Ajder are now inviting guests for tastings. Divided Sky focuses on Dry Riesling, Rosé, Cabernet Franc, Blaufränkisch, and Saperavi wines.
- “Aravelle,” a cross between a Riesling and a Cayuga White grape, is the newest Cornell-developed grape variety in the Finger Lakes region. Keuka Lake’s Weis Vineyards–crowned New York State Winery of the Year in 2022—is one of just two producers in the region growing and making wine with the Aravelle grape. Guests can taste their Heart of the Lake wine made in their newly renovated tasting room on the east side of Keuka Lake.
- While the region is best known for its extraordinary wineries, there are more than a dozen breweries, cideries and distilleries giving craft beverages their own special place in wine country. ‘Spirited’ tasting rooms, sprawling lawns to relax and unwind, and events throughout the summer invite guests to sip and savor their way through the southern Finger Lakes.
Water
- Boating, sailing, kayaking, fishing, and stand up paddleboarding are great ways to take in the beauty of Keuka Lake. Watersport enthusiasts have plenty of adventurous options and can bring their own water equipment or rent from outfitters in Hammondsport.
- For those who prefer two feet firmly on the ground, learning about the history of boating and boat making at the impressive Finger Lakes Boating Museum is the way to go. This museum houses 200 boats built throughout the region during the last century.
- Those looking to get out on the water for a guided tour will delight in a historical tour on the Pat II. The Pat II is a fully restored 1924 39’ wooden launch boat painstakingly salvaged by the Finger Lakes Boating Museum team in 2014. Public and private tours are offered throughout the season, launching from Hammondsport.
- The area boasts more than 150 waterfalls and stunning Stony Brook State Park stands out as one of the most popular destinations for hiking as hikers can get close to its many waterfalls. Other waterfall trails can be easily accessed within a 30-minute drive from Corning or Hammondsport including Watkins Glen Gorge Trail, Grimes Glenn, Conklin’s Gully.
Wings + Innovation
Steuben County is known for innovation. Hammondsport is known as the Cradle of Aviation for good reason, as it was the home of famed aviation and motorcycle pioneer Glenn Curtiss. The Corning Museum of Glass in Corning (aka America’s Crystal City) is the world’s premiere museum of glass with a history of pioneering the glass industry since the mid-1800s.
- Those looking to escape the heat can visit the new Dawn of a Legacy Exhibit at the Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation Museum in Hammondsport as it commemorates the 120th anniversary of Glenn H. Curtiss’ pioneering motorcycle manufacturing business. The exhibit explores the earliest years of Curtiss’ business and engine designs. More than thirty motorcycles built between 1902-1912 are on display alongside other artifacts from the period. This exhibit is open until August 31, 2023.
- Kids get free entry into the awe-inspiring Corning Museum of Glass, home to the largest collection of art glass in the world. With over 3,500 years of history housed in a building designed to mimic the flow of glass. Guests of every age love the museum’s interactive hot glass shows with more than 30 live shows a day during the summertime. This summer visitors are invited to “dig deeper” with the new exhibit Dig Deeper: Discovering an Ancient Glass Workshop, an immersive and fun exploration of the world of ancient glass makers and those who study them. Admission is also free to all active military and their families through Labor Day.
