AND SCHUYLER COUNTY 2017 TRAVEL GUIDE NEW YORK’S FINGER LAKES REGION Voted “America’s Best Waterfront Hotel” – USA Today Readers Choice L F L W C Four Diamond Level of Distinctive Accommodations Await You… • 104 Deluxe Guest Rooms and Suites • State-of-the-art Banquet and • Blue Pointe Grille – for upscale dining Conference Facilities • Coldwater Bar – perfect to meet and greet • High-speed internet access • e Patio – outside dining overlooking throughout the hotel beautiful Seneca Lake • Indoor Pool, Jacuzzi and Managed by • Professional Concierge fully-equipped Fitness Center www.harthotels.com (607) 535-6116 • www.watkinsglenharborhotel.com 16 N. Franklin St., Watkins Glen, NY 14891 inside , 04 welcome! Whats in a Name? 07 trek Schuyler County ORIGINS BRIEF HISTORY 11 Schuyler (pronounced Sky-ler) County was During the Revolutionary War, General John savor named in honor of General Philip Schuyler, one Sullivan and his army moved through the Finger of the four major generals in the Continental Lakes in 1779, known as the Sullivan-Clinton 17 Army in the American Revolutionary War. Expedition. After the war, some of the veterans celebrate When counties were first established in New of the Sullivan-Clinton Expedition returned to the York State in 1683, they were very large and region to settle the lands. Earliest permanent 21 explore changed significantly in size and scope over time. settlers arrived in what is now the town of Present-day Schuyler County boundaries were Montour Falls in 1788. (Source: Schuyler County 25 shopping finally formalized in 1854. Historical Society). 26 maps Our Villages: 29 arts, culture, & museums Burdett – home to the Finger Lakes National Forest, the only national forest in New York State 31 and one of only two in the northeast! Covering over 16,000 acres, this beautifully diverse outdoor racing history haven offers hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, horseback riding, and more. 33 dining guide Hector – located just a few miles north of the village of Watkins Glen, Hector’s most notable feature is the iconic Hector Falls. This roadside waterfall attracts many a passing motorist. Be 34 sure to put it on your list of stops! events & festivals 37 lodging Montour Falls – listed on the National Historic Register in 1978, the village of Montour Falls features a beautiful mix of architectural styles, quaint shops and restaurants, and even its own waterfall! Where West Main Street meets Genesee Street, the town’s Glorious T is the crowning 39 camping jewel of its history. Places of particular interest include the Montour Falls Library, the domed Montour Falls Village Hall, and Shequaga Falls. Source: Scenic USA 40 business directory Odessa – Odessa plays host to the Finger Lakes Cheese Festival each July. This family-friendly event includes a host of activities: hayrides, wine and beer tasting, arts and crafts vendors, a petting zoo, live music, and of course, plenty of cheese sampling! WATKINS GLEN AND SCHUYLER Front Cover Photo: Aidan DiGregorio • Photo this page: WGACC Layout and Design: CObP Design • Printing: Vanguard Printing, LLC, an COUNTY VISITOR CENTER FSC certified environmentally friendly local printer. All infomation is current Watkins Glen – located at the southern tip of Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen became internationally 214 North Franklin Street as of press time. Every effort has been made to maintain the accuracy of known as the host to the first post-World War II road race. The very village streets that welcome all information and the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce and its millions of visitors from around the world today are the same over which the green flag dropped Watkins Glen, NY 14891 contributors are not responsible for errors, changes and omissions. The on a 6.6 mile course from 1948 to 1952. You can still drive the historic race circuit yourself, just 1-800-607-4552 • 607-535-4300 Watkins Glen and Schuyler County Visitor’s Guide, copyright 2017. I LOVE NEW YORK is a registered trademark and service mark of the New York swing by the Visitor Center (214 North Franklin Street in Watkins Glen) to pick up a map! www.WatkinsGlenChamber.com State Department of Economic Development. Used with permission. 02 www.WatkinsGlenChamber.com | 1-800-607-4552 03 “Seneca Lake is one of the most picturesque of the Finger Lakes. You won’t Vi s ito r s welcome! want to leave… “Loved our wine we sure didn’t!” tasting. The views are On behalf of the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, – Shannon Schmid, breathtaking and the Love us... welcome to Watkins Glen and Schuyler County in New York’s Travel Blogger wine is spectacular!” – Renee Blodgett, Finger Lakes Region! We Blog The World With incredible access to world-class wineries, craft breweries, and fine distilled “Walk the town. spirits, along with stunning natural beauty, endless opportunities to enjoy the “Home to one of The community is so inviting outdoors, amazing history, and internationally-renowned attractions, there is no time the most visited state parks in and right out of a movie. The like the present to explore Watkins Glen and Schuyler County! New York, surrounding multiple streets cater to pedestrians waterfalls and a stunning gorge. Head and you can walk from out on sunset sails on Seneca Lake. store to restaurant to pier Why Watkins Glen Vineyards dot the landscape, offering with ease. They also have impressive views paired with fantastic several murals to look at & Schuyler County? wine, which means you’ll also find and capture.” “The Finger Lakes plenty of great places to eat.” – Liz Cleland, The plethora of activities available allows you to tailor your experience for a truly is a world class wine Huffington Post memorable visit. But don’t just take our word for it… – Sara Ventiera, destination. The lakes and Food and Wine Magazine • Thrillist named Rainbow Bridge in Watkins Glen State Park one of the most rolling hills in the region beautiful places in upstate New York. make for not only amazing scenery, but also fantastic • Expedia named Watkins Glen one of the 55 Most Beautiful Destinations in wines, spirits and beers.” the world. – Jenna Kvidt, • Trip Advisor named Watkins Glen State Park one of its Top-Trending US “If you know me, Wander the Map Attractions in 2016. you know I love wine tasting. However, on my recent trip to the Finger • USA Today named the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel the Best Waterfront Hotel Lakes, I discovered that there’s a lot “Living only in the nation and the Finger Lakes Wine Festival the Best Wine Festival in the more to do there than just sample the two states away from New nation in their 10 Best Readers’ Choice contest. These are added to Watkins Glen region’s wine. That wine, by the way, York, of course I’d heard happy International being voted the Best NASCAR Track in the nation and a #3 finish by happens to be some of the best I’ve had chatter about the Finger Lakes. I Watkins Glen State Park in the Best State Park contest. in the United States. So while it’s well listened to stories about how folks • Zagat included over a half dozen stops in Schuyler County in its list of worth a trip to New York’s Finger Lakes fell in love with the area at first 8 Reasons to Drive the Finger Lakes. region to give that wine a try, there are sight… But until I visited for myself, more than a few reasons to stay a bit I didn’t get it. Did I fall in love at • Orbitz included Watkins Glen at the number 4 spot on its list of 8 Charming Small longer than you may think. Not only are first sight? Most definitely. ” Towns Close to Stunning Nature. there picturesque towns along the lakes, – Karyn Locke, • Travelers Today listed the Finger Lakes as one of the Top 5 Wine Regions but there are adventures to be had, Sand and Snow… and In America. many more than I expected.” everywhere in • Money Magazine named the Finger Lakes on its list of 6 Great Wine Trips That – Erin Musich, between! Are Cheaper Than Napa. The World Wanderer facebook.com/watkinsglentravelandtourism twitter.com/@tourwatkinsglen instagram.com/visitwatkinsglen Photo: Stu Gallagher Photo: 04 www.WatkinsGlenChamber.com | 1-800-607-4552 05 trek SOMETHING SPECIAL AT EVERY TURN... WATKINS GLEN STATE PARK Watkins Glen and Schuyler County can best be described as that place where Mother Nature meets Main Street. Watkins Glen State Park in the heart of downtown Watkins Glen offers a breathtaking walking experience of cliffs and waterfalls. The Gorge Trail winds over and under waterfalls – 19 of them to be exact! The Rim Trail overlooks the gorge and it is dog-friendly. Outside of these trails, campers and day visitors can also enjoy the Olympic-size swimming pool, summer tours through the gorge, tent and trailer campsites, picnicking and pavilions, and a playground. CATHARINE VALLEY TRAIL Experience the glacially carved valley south of Seneca Lake on this year-round, pedestrian friendly, easy path. It offers walking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. This easy-going trail is accessible at various points throughout Schuyler County. FINGER LAKES TRAIL A footpath for hikers which stretches 560 miles from the Pennsylvania/New York border in Allegany State Park to the Catskill Forest Preserve. 48 miles wind through Schuyler County, traversing Sugar Hill State Forest, Watkins Glen State Park, Finger Lakes National Forest, Texas Hollow Wildlife Management Area, Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area, among others. Not looking for quite so long a hike? The Queen Catharine Marsh Trail portion of the Finger Lakes Trail offers a 9-mile loop, starting at the entrance to Watkins Glen State Park.