Things to do in Watkins Glen

Top Things to Do in Watkins Glen

Things to Do in Watkins Glen

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Top Attractions in Watkins Glen

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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.

What travellers are saying

  • Freya123456
    Gloucester, VA79 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Gorge Trail was closed for season, but the North and South trails remained open. We had the wildest winter experience as the snow fell and the winds almost carried us off. It was awesome. The bridges, the overlooks, the gorge and the waterfalls. Nobody was there, and we had an amazing time. We highly recommend Watkins Glen in December.
    Written 15 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kevin G
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A great way to enjoy the beautiful scenery, excellent food and wine and craft beers of the region. Absolutely stunning views.
    Written 8 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Shawn H
    Washington DC, DC413 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This large-scale, corporate feeling winery was the most built-up and tourist-oriented of the ones we visited on a recent trip to the area. We had pre-booked a tour. While the tour was friendly and we enjoyed the conversation - it was a pretty short walk through the non-public areas of the building - which are warehouses, tanks, and a small bottling line. There wasn't a ton to see, though the tour guide was knowledgable. I probably wouldn't recommend the tour. The tasting was conducted as part of a large group and was really nice, well done. There was a large variety of wines - with tastings for sweet and dry wine drinkers. We bought several bottles to go of our favorites.
    Written 16 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • SwissPinkPanther
    New York City, NY122 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    In my many years of travel I've sought out the more exotic locations to get my full of nature from .... Patagonia, Bora Bora, Huangshan Mtns, Chamonix..... little did I know that such a spectacular state park existed only a 4+ hour drive from NYC.

    I did the Watkins Glen State Park hike on an early Sunday morning the first week in October. As others have noted, try and arrive early. That being said, I arrived around 8:30 AM on an absolutely beautiful Sunday morning the first week in October and found that I was only the third car in the Main Entrance Parking lot on North Franklin Street in Watkins Glen. I'm guessing that the main parking lot can hold a good 80 - 100 cars. There are pay machines in the lot where you can get a parking ticket to display in your car window.

    Maybe because it wasn't yet peak season for viewing the fall tree colors but the town of Watkins Glen seemed surprisingly empty of tourists as did the state park ..... which was a bonus for hiking this amazing trail.

    Sunday may also be less busy than Saturday. When I viewed the parking lot on Saturday at around 1 PM, the day I arrived, it looked full. Yet on Sunday after I completed my hike around noon the parking lot was only 2/3 full. The weather both days was outstanding.

    NOTE - apparently the park closes Nov 1 until the Spring due to the icy trail conditions which occur during the winter. In addition, the park also has a hunting season from Nov - Dec. which also keeps the park closed. Consequently, there is a relatively short period of the year when you can avoid the hordes of people who come to hike the trail in summer.

    The 1.7 mile Gorge Trail is the only trail to hike if you want to get close up to the numerous falls....if you've parked at the Main entrance car lot which I strongly suggest, then when completing the Gorge Trail you will arrive at the Upper Entrance. There you can take a breather before heading back to the Main Entrance. The Upper Entrance also has a picnic area, rest rooms and food vendors.

    The Gorge Trail hike one way from the Main Entrance will take you 1 - 1.5 hrs depending on how often you stop to take in the views and take pictures. It may take slightly longer if the trail is crowded which it wasn't the day I went. Apparently you can do it in only 35 mins walking non stop.

    The return hike along the north Rim trail will 30 mins or less and it is about 1 mile in length.

    Now how about trail difficulty.... yes this trail has 800 steps..... but even I who had a bum knee that day was able to manage assisted by a hiking pole. Yes, in places the trail was a bit rocky and wet primarily from the spray from the falls but not to the point that one needed to be overly concerned. I wore a pair of good hiking type sneakers, not hiking boots, and had no problem.

    If it had rained the day before or the day of my hike I definitely would have taken water proof hiking boots to avoid jumping over the numerous puddles that form on the rocky trail and to give me better footing on a wet surface.

    Visually, the Gorge Trail offers almost non stop falls from beginning to end ..... one should never have to ask if one is more picture worthy than another.... their beauty just all comes together. Despite there not being much rain in the area this year the falls still put on a GREAT show . I can only imagine what the falls would look like in the late Spring after a heavy rain.

    Along the trail there are a few places to sit where rock like benches have been created...but DON'T try sitting on the walls that line the gorge trail ....one slip and you've had it. There was even one place, half way down the trail, that I spotted that would make for a nice picnic with a rock ledge for a small group of 4 - 5 people to sit .

    You have the option at the Upper Entrance to return to the Main Entrance via the North Rim Trail or take the bus back at a cost of $6. The North Rim trail offers a really pleasant and easy walk through the woods , especially so in the Fall and Spring under a canopy of trees along a path that was flat 90% of the way back. It took me about 45 mins to return, but remember I had a bum knee that day. Only at the very end one needs to descend a fair number of narrow steps to get to the Main Entrance.

    NOTE - I don't remember seeing signage for the North Rim trail .... if I recall the trail in the park has a different name associated with it. But I'm not positive of this. Don't worry, the trail is pretty obvious , its the first one on the left, before you descend the first set of steps to the Gorge trail from the Upper Entrance.

    If you start your hike at the Upper Entrance, which I don't advise, especially if you expect to just hike to the Main Entrance and return by bus to the Upper Entrance, you should first proceed to hike down via the easy North Rim Trail. You would then return via the Gorge Trail which is a more strenuous hike.

    You would NOT want to hike down the Gorge Trail from the Upper Parking Lot to the Main Entrance since the waterfalls would primarily be at your back when hiking and you will be passing many more hikers hiking their way up the trail. There would also be more waiting time as hikers walk up the steps as you wait to hike down the steps. it would be like hiking up a down escalator.
    Written 5 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kevin G
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Despite the need to dodge a few raindrops, the Vintage Grand Prix Races were unequaled. Amazing cars and a truly great racetrack.
    Written 8 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • FTTN
    Washington321 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the best places for all information you'll need to see everything in area. Friendly and helpful staff.
    Written 28 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Debbie B
    13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had a fabulous time walking Watkins Glen State Park and touring wineries. We took at tour at Pleasant Valley to hear about the history. Great champagne.
    Written 7 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • LPLoveToTravel
    Ocala, FL1,654 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We were wandering around downtown Watkin's Glen and decided to stop in for lunch. Everyone in our group enjoyed their meal.
    Written 31 July 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Deborah B
    Charlotte, NC134 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    At least half the park is occupied by seasonal campers. We were in a pull thru spot that was plenty long enough for the truck and camper. The sites are close together and there are very few trees. The cable and wi-fi worked well.
    Written 21 May 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ejplum
    Clarks Summit, PA436 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    When my husband and I go to the Finger Lakes Region, we always stop at Castel Grisch. Our favorite is both the Dream White and Dream Red wines. They know how to make a delicious sweet wine! On other visits there, it was fairly laid back. However, it was rushed and a bit chaotic on this visit. There was only one person serving tastings to customers indoors and outdoors. I felt awfully sorry for her. So it wasn't very relaxed on this particular visit, but we bought our Dream Wines.

    One feature that was so much fun was their outdoor Dazzlingliffe Light Festival. I believe it started in the winter of 2022. We were there during daylight hours, so didn't get a chance to see how everything was lit in the evenings. Their venues featured Chinese culture, the Statue of Liberty, jungle animals, fairy gardens etc. There were several families who came just so the kids could enjoy it.
    Written 5 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ToireS
    Cape May, NJ11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We stumbled upon this place after a hike at Watkins Glen. We were pleasantly surprised to find not only top notch artwork but to have it displayed in such a beautiful space was an added bonus. We enjoyed so much the time spent with Kathy who was one of the owners. She was knowledgeable not only about her artists but gave us some tips about the region which we really appreciated. Hoping to return.
    Written 18 September 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Stacy L
    New York City, NY55 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is the most amazing place to visit for adults and children alike! The tours are wonderful and it’s great to see the rescue animals up close as they live their best lives!!
    Written 5 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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