Watkins Glen, NY Road Trips

1 Watkins Glen International, 2790 County Route 16, ☏ +1 607 535-2486, fax: +1 607 535-8918, [email protected]. NASCAR race track with on-site campground. 2 Grand Prix Festival of Watkins Glen, 211 N. Franklin St, ☏ +1 607 535-3003, fax: +1 607 210-4150. Annual main street gathering of classic and sport cars in early September.

1 Watkins Glen State Park. Watkins Glen contains running trails and various small rock waterfalls at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. The waterfalls cascade down a long slot canyon/gorge. Camping and cabins are available. Trails in the gorge close in the off season (between Columbus Day and Memorial Day) when fees are not collected. 2 Farm Sanctuary, 3150 Aikens Rd, ☏ +1 607 583-2225. Animal rescue farm with vegan bed-and-breakfast accommodations ($110/night) and guided farm tours. US $5/person.

1 Rooster Fish Pub, 223 - 301 North Franklin St, ☏ +1 607 535-9797. Brew pub and café with on-site bed and breakfast.

The Local, 220 S Franklin St, ☏ +1 607 425-4551. Check-in: 3PM-9PM, check-out: 11AM. One of the few hostels in all of Western New York, The Local features hand-crafted bunk beds, one pair to a room, with memory-foam mattresses. Shared bathrooms, common kitchen. The proprietors are eager to share advice and assist with trip planning. $25-30 per bed. (updated May 2016) 1 Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, 16 North Franklin St, ☏ +1 607 535-6116, fax: +1 607 535-6188. 2 Longhouse Lodge Motel and Manor Lodge, 3625 Ste Rte 14 (Rte 14 & Abrams Rd.), ☏ +1 607 535-2565, fax: +1 607 535-5415. 3 Clute Park, 155 S. Clute Park Drive, ☏ +1 607 535-4438. Wooded 35-acre municipal camp ground on Seneca Lake, swimming, lifeguard, tennis, soccer, fireplaces, picnic area, playground, ball field, skate park, boat launch adjacent. US $28-43/night.

From Ithaca, Watkins Glen is roughly half an hour west on NY 79. From Interstate 90 (exit 42, between Syracuse-Rochester) or Interstate 86 (Corning-Binghamton) take NY 14, which becomes the town's main street.

The fastest way around Watkins Glen is by racecar. Otherwise, Watkins Glen is best walked. Parking is easiest near the marina. Head north on Decatur St. and park in the lot to your left in front of the harbor hotel. Parking is also available across the street from the village's entrance to the state park, but the lot fills quickly in the busy summer season. If so inclined, state park parking is more available further uphill away from the village itself. A regional hop-on-hop-off bus called the Lakeside Trolley can be used to get around the village and travel to wineries around Seneca Lake.