A day in upstate NY - what to do

In My Humble Opinion
1

We do an annual trip to Western NY, about an hour from Buffalo. We also usually take an extra day on the way home to go somewhere though I’m running out of ideas.

IF the water’s up, we’ll probably go kayaking down the Pine Creek Gorge (The Grand Canyon of PA) but if it’s at it’s typical lower level, then I’m passing on the tubing, which becomes the only option to get downriver. Have been there multiple other times before so; otherwise, no overwhelming desire to go to PCG.
As for in NY, we’ve already done:

  • Cooperstown - Hall of Fame & Ommegang Brewery
  • Corning Glass Museum
  • Curtis Museum
  • Watkins Glen - Gorge & track
  • Wings of Eagles Air Museum

Ultimate direction is SE, towards NJ but totally willing to ramble a bit. Any suggestions from the Dopers who know the area.

2

I was pleasantly surprised by this. It was expecting a dinky little small town museum with a cheesy diorama or two. It’s not, it’s a massive very well funded museum, think MoMA or similar.

3

Also worth a visit is Letchworth State Park, known as the Grand Canyon of the East.

4

You could go to wineries in the Finger Lakes. There are plenty of them.

I’ll second Letchworth

If you get to Binghamton, you can visit Ross Park Zoo or the Roberson Museum.

5

Where do you think we’re coming from? :wink:

If the weather cooperates, we’ll be IN the gorge, as well as hiking & photos. Let’s not forget the annual root beer float at Inspiration Point

6

The National Comedy Center in Jamestown is perhaps the best small museum I’ve ever been to. They did the impossible - made a museum about the history of comedy fun.

Definitely get to the x-rated section.

7

Not necessarily opposed but it’s waaay outta the way as we’re heading SE & that’s SW. Is there other stuff to do there that’ll make it worthwhile to spend a night?

8

When we go we make a stop at the Chatauqua Institution. Beautiful place to stroll around and you might get lucky with the evening’s entertainers.

I know Jamestown is out of the way. Everyone in Jamestown knows that, which is why they exploited their one resource: being Lucille Ball’s birthplace. Oh, right, she has a museum there too.