Discover Elmira: Parks, Nature and Mark Twain

Elmira offers several distinct themes to consider when planning your trip: green space, a lake and rides at Eldridge Park; trail systems and an indoor museum at Tanglewood Nature Center; and Mark Twain sites on the Elmira College campus. When choosing a hotel, it may help to consider whether you want to focus your stay mainly on parks, nature or the connection to Mark Twain.

Green spaces, walks and events

Eldridge Park covers 45 acres of green space, including an 11-acre lake, and has a 1.4-mile loop around the park grounds. Other features include historic rides, walking paths, a skateboard and bike roller sports park, and a 9-hole disc golf course. This brings together a measured loop and a range of recreational activities. Some attractions operate seasonally. If a particular offering is important to your visit, check the current visitor information in advance. The lake therefore accounts for just under a quarter of the park’s total 45 acres.

Mark Twain Riverfront Park offers a leisurely walk through downtown Elmira and is the venue for Music on the Riverfront. This walk offers a different reference point from Eldridge Park: there, a 1.4-mile loop around the park grounds is specified, while here the focus is on a walk through downtown. If you plan to attend Music on the Riverfront, check the event dates before your trip.

Nature trails and animal exhibits

Tanglewood Nature Center in Elmira has two trail systems and an indoor museum. Its exhibit hall includes a darkened forest with mounted native animals, as well as more than 40 species of live animals. The nature center therefore offers both trail systems and an indoor museum with a specific animal exhibit. If you want to include nature in your plans, consider whether the trails or the exhibit are your main priority.

Mark Twain on campus

The Mark Twain Study and the Mark Twain Exhibit on the Elmira College campus are free to the general public. The exhibit focuses on Mark Twain’s connection to Elmira College. Staffing is seasonal; visitor information may change. Check the current visitor information before your visit, especially if you plan to include these sites in your itinerary.

The exhibits also differ clearly in subject: Tanglewood Nature Center’s animal exhibit includes mounted native animals and more than 40 species of live animals, while the Mark Twain Exhibit focuses on Twain’s connection to Elmira College. This makes it easy to distinguish between nature and Mark Twain themes when choosing visits to suit your interests.

Discover more destinations: Pine City, Horseheads.

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