Chemung: Gliding, Nature and History

Harris Hill passenger flights use a powerful, two-seat ASK-21 glider. Harris Hill also offers the public scenic glider flights with aerial views of Chemung County. This makes unpowered flight tangible both as an experience and as part of the region’s history.

Experience Gliding and Discover History

The National Soaring Museum preserves the legacy of unpowered flight and presents it to the public. Its glider collection includes models dating from the late 19th century to the present day. Passenger flights and the museum offer different perspectives: one focuses on the flight itself, while the other traces the development of the glider over many generations. Those interested in the history of flight can therefore explore the subject through both the experience at Harris Hill and a historical perspective.

Nature Trails, Gorges and River Views

At Steege Hill Nature Preserve, distinctive terrain features create a habitat that differs from the rest of the preserve. Five gorges have a comparatively cooler and more humid habitat. The trails in the preserve are suitable for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter.

Two Rivers State Park Recreation Area offers miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking. From a ridge, the view extends over the river valleys of the Chemung River and the Susquehanna River. Hiking and mountain biking trails are defining features of the area, as is the view of the two river valleys from the ridge. Tanglewood Nature Center offers another connection with nature: it is home to more than 40 animal species known as Animal Ambassadors.

Literature and Regional History

At the Mark Twain Study at Elmira College, Mark Twain wrote substantial portions of several works, including Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The site is therefore connected to a specific chapter in literary history. Those interested in the region’s history can visit the Chemung Valley History Museum, which has four rotating gallery spaces.

The American Revolution also features prominently in the historical record: the Battle of Newtown was the decisive clash in one of the largest offensive campaigns of the Revolution. Newtown Battlefield Reservation was designated a historic landmark and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Another distinctive site is Woodlawn, considered the northernmost Confederate cemetery in the United States.

Market Life and the Regional Setting

Wisner Market brings together farmers, artisans, food and beverage vendors, nonprofit organizations, and entertainers. The participating groups may vary by season. In 2026, the market was scheduled to take place in Wisner Park from June to September, on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Chemung River flows through the center of Chemung County and is known for its scenic beauty and opportunities for outdoor activities. The Chemung River Valley forms the southern gateway to the Finger Lakes wine region, New York’s largest wine-producing region.

If you’re planning a hotel stay in Chemung, you can decide in advance what you’d like to focus on during your trip: gliding and its history, nature trails, river views, or literature and regional history all offer different points of interest. The ones that appeal to you most can help guide your plans.

Discover more destinations: Elmira, Horseheads, Pine City, Wyoming County, Kings, Seneca County, Ulster and Lewis.

For the full travel overview: New York.