Steuben: Art, Landscapes and Wine

Steuben offers several points of focus for planning a trip: art and glass, railroad history, lakes and gorges, and wine tastings. When choosing a hotel in Steuben, it may help to consider whether you want to make culture, nature or a wine tasting the focus of your stay.

Art, Glass and Railroad History

The Rockwell Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate and presents American art from the 19th century to the present day. In Corning, the KIDS ROCKWELL Art Lab offers a different focus: this interactive family studio is inspired by the art and themes of the Rockwell Museum. It offers activities, games and hands-on projects centered on American artworks. So, alongside the presentation of art, families can also take part in activities that let them engage with artworks hands-on.

The Corning Museum of Glass presents more than 35 centuries of glass art. Its collection includes over 50,000 glass objects spanning more than 3,500 years of human ingenuity. For planning your trip, it offers a distinct cultural focus alongside American art and the Art Lab’s interactive activities.

Railroad history offers another cultural highlight: the Hornell Erie Depot Museum displays more than 700 railroad-related artifacts in the former Erie Railroad Depot. It is open Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 12 to 4 p.m.; group tours are available by prior arrangement only. The opening hours make the day of the week an important planning detail. Check the hours before your visit, especially if you’re planning a group tour.

Keuka Lake and Landscapes

Keuka Lake is one of the few Y-shaped lakes in the world. Hiking and cycling around the lake take you along forest trails, paved back roads with vineyard views, and rural gravel roads. The settings described vary—from forests to paved roads with vineyard views to rural gravel roads—which may help you decide what kind of scenery you prefer for an activity.

For a drive along the shore, Route 54A offers a different way to experience the landscape: it passes vineyards on the hillsides around the lake. Hiking, cycling and driving along the route each offer a different focus, though they all relate to Keuka Lake.

Stony Brook State Park features a rugged gorge in the hills of western New York. Seasonal trail conditions can change and should be taken into account when planning. The Finger Lakes Trail passes through Birdseye Hollow Park.

Wine Tasting in a Distinctive Setting

The tasting room at Point of the Bluff Vineyards is located in a restored 19th-century schoolhouse. Guided wine tastings are offered for up to seven guests; reservation details may change, so check them before making plans. The tasting area also has regulation-size bocce courts.

Culture or Nature as Your Focus

To choose among the outdoor experiences, compare the activities described: around Keuka Lake, hiking and cycling on different trails and roads, as well as a drive along Route 54A, are mentioned. Stony Brook is known for its rugged gorge, while Birdseye Hollow has the Finger Lakes Trail running through the park. This can help you tailor your stay to your preferred focus; at Stony Brook, be sure to take seasonal trail conditions into account.

Discover more destinations: Painted Post, Corning, Hornell, Hammondsport, Cohocton, Wayland, Allegany County, Saratoga.

For the broader travel overview: New York.