Visiting Letchworth - any suggestions?

[SinceThe70s]

 

Me and the fam' are headed to Letchworth State Park in early July. We plan on booking a balloon ride and rafting. Any suggestions for hikes, restaurants or other things to do in the area? My boys are in college and high school. 

 

Thanks in advance.

[T&C]

4 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

Me and the fam' are headed to Letchworth State Park in early July. We plan on booking a balloon ride and rafting. Any suggestions for hikes, restaurants or other things to do in the area? My boys are in college and high school. 

 

Thanks in advance.

Nice. Used to be my other back yard BackInThe60s-70s. The Glen Iris Inn is basically a trinket shop nowadays. Always liked the Wolf creek area, good for an hour. There is a pretty cool museum but I forget exactly where that is, worth seeking out. All 3 falls are great of course, middle falls is the main one (backdrop on my phone). Are you all camping there?

[SinceThe70s]

14 minutes ago, T&C said:

Nice. Used to be my other back yard BackInThe60s-70s. The Glen Iris Inn is basically a trinket shop nowadays. Always liked the Wolf creek area, good for an hour. There is a pretty cool museum but I forget exactly where that is, worth seeking out. All 3 falls are great of course, middle falls is the main one (backdrop on my phone). Are you all camping there?

 

Thanks.  Camping is a non-starter for the wife. Staying at a house we booked on airbnb just outside the park (Portageville). Options were limited because we booked so late. 

[Your Brown Eye]

Plenty of trails in Letchworth State Park. Not much to do in Mount Morris. They have a Puerto Rican restaurant that gets good reviews. But aside from that You have to travel outside the area for things to do. (I.e village of Geneseo may have some interesting things since its a college town, Conesus lake which is a small overcrowded finger lake).  Growing up in the area, it was the park and what you could do in the park, like hot air ballooning, white water rafting, hiking, touring the damn and that was it, there was no XYZ in the immediate area outside the park.

[T&C]

58 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

Thanks.  Camping is a non-starter for the wife. Staying at a house we booked on airbnb just outside the park (Portageville). Options were limited because we booked so late. 

Gotcha. Well, if you were camping there is a trail right behind C12 that takes you down to the river... maybe 1/2 a mile or so. Really fun down there and scenic. Lots of big crayfish for a steamed supper too. Not really a ton to do around there besides nature stuff really. But, it is a must see if someone has never been there... 17 miles long and 1 mile wide, just a beautiful place.

 

I would highly suggest walking the glen at Watkins Glen, not terribly far away. You'll never forget it.

[SinceThe70s]

12 minutes ago, T&C said:

Gotcha. Well, if you were camping there is a trail right behind C12 that takes you down to the river... maybe 1/2 a mile or so. Really fun down there and scenic. Lots of big crayfish for a steamed supper too. Not really a ton to do around there besides nature stuff really. But, it is a must see if someone has never been there... 17 miles long and 1 mile wide, just a beautiful place.

 

I would highly suggest walking the glen at Watkins Glen, not terribly far away. You'll never forget it.

 

We have a day allocated to Watkins Glen.  Not sure how much time we would need there - also thinking of possibly hitting that on our way home. 

[HereComesTheReignAgain]

The Glenn Iris Inn is right in the park and is very good. At least it was years ago when I was there. 
 

https://www.glenirisinn.com/dining/#menus

[T&C]

34 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

We have a day allocated to Watkins Glen.  Not sure how much time we would need there - also thinking of possibly hitting that on our way home. 

Probably a half a day... 4 hours or so.

[SinceThe70s]

3 minutes ago, T&C said:

Probably a half a day... 4 hours or so.

 

Thanks - that's probably too much for my drive home day.

[Bad Things]

1 hour ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

We have a day allocated to Watkins Glen.  Not sure how much time we would need there - also thinking of possibly hitting that on our way home. 

If you're already at Watkins Glen, be sure to stop by for a beer or food at the Seneca Lodge.  It has a lot of racing history behind it, and is one of the coolest taverns I've ever been in.  It's the real deal.

http://senecalodge.com/contact/

[AlCowlingsTaxiService]

View the gorge? 😂

[SinceThe70s]

33 minutes ago, AlCowlingsTaxiService said:

View the gorge? 😂

 

You are clearly a master of the obvious!

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

My father hauled steel for that damn dam.  They would chain the trucks to bulldozers, and the dozer would control their getting down and up from the river bed.  That story, and a couple of bucks will get you a cup of coffee. 🤔😁

Edited June 6, 2022 by Ridgewaycynic2013

[SoTier]

New York State Parks info

12 hours ago, T&C said:

Nice. Used to be my other back yard BackInThe60s-70s. The Glen Iris Inn is basically a trinket shop nowadays. Always liked the Wolf creek area, good for an hour. There is a pretty cool museum but I forget exactly where that is, worth seeking out. All 3 falls are great of course, middle falls is the main one (backdrop on my phone). Are you all camping there?

 

The Glen Iris offers a decent restaurant in a beautiful setting (Middle Falls).  You can walk to the museum from the restaurant.    The Mary Jemison site (there's a monument there) marks the Jemison family home and possibly their family cemetery.  

 

 

8 hours ago, Bad Things said:

If you're already at Watkins Glen, be sure to stop by for a beer or food at the Seneca Lodge.  It has a lot of racing history behind it, and is one of the coolest taverns I've ever been in.  It's the real deal.

http://senecalodge.com/contact/

 

If you're going to Watkins Glen, you might also want to make a day of it, and take the winery trail along the east side of Seneca Lake.   The Ginny Lee Cafe at the Wagner Winery is a thumbs up.   Unfortunately, your boys probably won't be able to do any wine tasting but on the positive side, one can be the designated driver!    

 

Geneva, at the north end of Seneca Lake, is a beautiful historic village.  The historic district is awesome if architecture is your thing.

 

From Geneva, you can take Route 20 west to Cananadaigua, which is a very touristy little city with an interesting little commerical district  on the city pier.  Sonnenberg Gardens is a great historic home with extensive gardens on the grounds. 

 

Ithaca and Taughannock Falls State Park on Cayuga Lake is another good side trip from Watkins Glen, especially if waterfalls and gorges are your thing.  Ithaca is famous for its gorges, many on/around the Cornell University campus.   Taughannock Falls is the highest waterfall in NYS.  You can hike the gorge right up to the falls.

 

If you are going to hit a number of New York State parks on this trip or later in the year, you might consider investing in an Empire Passport which gives you unlimited free access to most state parks for a single fee.   (New York State Parks info)

 

Here's the official Finger Lakes tourism website for more ideas:  Finger Lakes Tourism

 

 

 

 

Edited June 6, 2022 by SoTier

[ExiledInIllinois]

Mt.Morris Dam. What else?

 

When it's not saving Rochester and surrounding areas:

When it is saving (Flood of 1972, Hurricane Agnes I believe) the Greater Rochester area:

Go ACoE... ESSAYONS!

 

For my fan club... Best bunch of groupies eva!

@BringBackFergy

@Beerball

@Gugny

@Mike in Horseheads

[Just Jack]

19 hours ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

We have a day allocated to Watkins Glen.  Not sure how much time we would need there - also thinking of possibly hitting that on our way home. 

 

If you're heading that direction, you could take a side trip to Naples and get some grape pies. 

 

Cindy's Grape Pies

 

Monica's Pies (I believe they may be closed until Sept)

 

Those are two I've bought from in the past that typically have them year-round. 

Edited June 6, 2022 by Just Jack

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

Lots of bug 🐜 🐛 🐞 spray 

 

[MarkyMannn]

I guess you can get pics of trains on the new bridge, but there are few trains. Bridge is strictly off limits

[Marv's Neighbor]

On 6/5/2022 at 6:56 PM, Your Brown Eye said:

Plenty of trails in Letchworth State Park. Not much to do in Mount Morris. They have a Puerto Rican restaurant that gets good reviews. But aside from that You have to travel outside the area for things to do. (I.e village of Geneseo may have some interesting things since its a college town, Conesus lake which is a small overcrowded finger lake).  Growing up in the area, it was the park and what you could do in the park, like hot air ballooning, white water rafting, hiking, touring the damn and that was it, there was no XYZ in the immediate area outside the park.

Puerto Rico holidays in July:

Birthday of Don Luis Muñoz RiveraMon, Jul 18, 2022

Puerto Rico Constitution DayMon, Jul 25, 2022

Birthday of Dr. José Celso BarbosaWed, Jul 27, 2022

Maybe the restaurant will be busy?

[ExiledInIllinois]

1 hour ago, MarkyMannn said:

I guess you can get pics of trains on the new bridge, but there are few trains. Bridge is strictly off limits

Back in the day... On RR, my father would dead head out through Letchworth over the old trestle.  Just past that, he'd jump off... Hole up in a RR shanty till morning and catch the freight coming back to BFLo.

 

He claimed to have dove from the cliffs by the stone bridge as a kid... But I don't believe him.

[SinceThe70s]

3 hours ago, MarkyMannn said:

I guess you can get pics of trains on the new bridge, but there are few trains. Bridge is strictly off limits

 

First off, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to respond so far - keep the suggestions coming. We tend to never vacation in the same place twice and sometimes it takes more than the few days we have to get the lay of the land so all this info is much appreciated.

 

With that said @MarkyMannn, not sure what 'new bridge' is referring to. 

[T&C]

5 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

First off, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to respond so far - keep the suggestions coming. We tend to never vacation in the same place twice and sometimes it takes more than the few days we have to get the lay of the land so all this info is much appreciated.

 

With that said @MarkyMannn, not sure what 'new bridge' is referring to. 

Its the new trestle/bridge by the upper falls.

[Just Joshin']

On 6/5/2022 at 7:10 PM, SinceThe70s said:

 

We have a day allocated to Watkins Glen.  Not sure how much time we would need there - also thinking of possibly hitting that on our way home. 

A stop in hammondsport may be worth it.  There is a museum there dedicated to Curtis motorbikes and aircraft.  Some nearby restaurants and wineries - Dr. Frank is both.

[Just Joshin']

Outside the park there are not alot of good restaurants and attractions.  In nearby Nunda is the Whistling Farmer Pub.  In full disclosure, while I have not ate there but many have spoke well.

 

For some great Amish donuts, bread and baked goods head towards Nunda but take the side road towards Short Track.  Go thru town and up hill - the place is on the right.  Delish and cheap.

 

In Perry is the Silver Lake Drive-in. It has ice cream, pizza and road food including average beef on wick.  Then stay for a movie double header of new movies for $10.  

 

Someone covered Mt. Morris and Geneseo so I will skip.

[Just Joshin']

You can spend a day in the park.  Starting from the Portage end......

 

The train bridge is stop 1.  The old wooden bridge was better as you could go onto the bridge.  Upper falls is nearby.

 

Keep going and turn tight.  This will take you to middle and upper falls.  Park at each end or in the middle and walk.  IMO the middle falls is the best.

 

Head up the hill and turn left.  This will take you to The Glen Iris Inn and the museum.  I believe the food quality has gone down at the Glen Iris but may be worth a stop.

 

Go back up the hill and take left.  Here is the Mary Jemison area.  Some buildings and statues.

 

Go back and turn left.  Take road to Lower Falls.  This has a long walk for the best view.  The walk has been repaired recently so no terrible.

 

Head back and towards Perry Entrance.  There are  many turn offs and the wolf creek area to check out.  Explore and head towards Mt. Morris to see the damn.  If just looking, the turn offs are fine.  If going to tour the damn, you need to exit and reenter between MT Morris and Nunda.

 

If driving at night watch for deer.

 

I have not done rafting or ballons but all are highly recommended

[SoTier]

13 hours ago, MarkyMannn said:

I guess you can get pics of trains on the new bridge, but there are few trains. Bridge is strictly off limits

 

I only ever made it about a quarter of the way out on the old trestle bridge.   I got freaked out by looking down and seeing the river below.    The old trestle bridge was built in the 1800s IIRC.

[Wacka]

It's not a railroad and it it is a bit away from Letchworth, but a brand new wooden covered bridge  was built in Cowlsville. in Wyoming \County. It is located just south of Clinton Street  just past the Erie County line.It just opened a week or two ago. It crosses Cayuga Creek. That stretch had 5 covered bridges over a century ago.

 

Edited June 7, 2022 by Wacka

[ExiledInIllinois]

36 minutes ago, Wacka said:

It's not a railroad and it it is a bit away from Letchworth, but a brand new wooden covered bridge  was built in Cowlsville. in Wyoming \County. It is located just south of Clinton Street  just past the Erie County line.It just opened a week or two ago. It crosses Cayuga Creek. That stretch had 5 covered bridges over a century ago.

 

There was an "Iron Bridge" over Cayuga Creek back in the day....Near Marilla I believe.  Father said they used to jump off that into a swimming hole.  Had to push away to hit the deeper water... When he was 18, stumbled and landed in the shallow part.  Tore his left elbow up to the point where doctors wanted to ampute it... My grandmother wouldn't let the doctors amputate...

[MarkyMannn]

3 hours ago, SoTier said:

 

I only ever made it about a quarter of the way out on the old trestle bridge.   I got freaked out by looking down and seeing the river below.    The old trestle bridge was built in the 1800s IIRC.

Yeah late 1800's and re-inforced with steel maybe 1900 to 1910.  Took the kids on the old bridge and got a quarter way out. Heard a train horn in distance and got off just in time.  Still people on bridge and they hugged the walkway railing with train maybe 5' away. Yikes

[Wacka]

1 hour ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

There was an "Iron Bridge" over Cayuga Creek back in the day....Near Marilla I believe.  Father said they used to jump off that into a swimming hole.  Had to push away to hit the deeper water... When he was 18, stumbled and landed in the shallow part.  Tore his left elbow up to the point where doctors wanted to ampute it... My grandmother wouldn't let the doctors amputate...

That iron bridge was on Clinton  where the creek crossed the road just before the county line.My cousin lived on the west side of the creek.  Every few years or so, someone would misjudge and die there. Cousin said they filled in the hole with rocks.The new covered bridge is within a mile or so of there.

[ExiledInIllinois]

14 hours ago, SinceThe70s said:

With that said @MarkyMannn, not sure what 'new bridge' is referring to. 

New trestle:

Old:

[ExiledInIllinois]

"Old Shaky" it was supposed to be terrifying crossing it on train! 

[Gugny]

3 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

"Old Shaky" it was supposed to be terrifying crossing it on train! 

 

Please stay on topic.  If you want to talk about Katherine Hepburn, then start your own damn thread.

[Luvbills]

On 6/5/2022 at 8:28 PM, HereComesTheReignAgain said:

The Glenn Iris Inn is right in the park and is very good. At least it was years ago when I was there. 
 

https://www.glenirisinn.com/dining/#menus

I had lunch there last September...it was awesome.  

[Augie]

On 6/5/2022 at 11:02 PM, SinceThe70s said:

 

You are clearly a master of the obvious!

 

While we are on the obvious, might I suggest cutting back on food and drink and hitting the can before climbing on a hot air balloon? I would really love to try that, but it would be a real concern for me!  😱

[T&C]

32 minutes ago, Luvbills said:

I had lunch there last September...it was awesome.  

$12 for oatmeal seem fair.

[SinceThe70s]

35 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

While we are on the obvious, might I suggest cutting back on food and drink and hitting the can before climbing on a hot air balloon? I would really love to try that, but it would be a real concern for me!  😱

 

I booked it so now it's just up to the weather to cooperate. It'll be my first time in a hot air balloon. Wifey actually bungee jumped off one years before we met.  

[Augie]

18 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

I booked it so now it's just up to the weather to cooperate. It'll be my first time in a hot air balloon. Wifey actually bungee jumped off one years before we met.  

 

I’ve never been bungee jumping, but have checked off zip-lining and skydiving. Did they drop the wifey into the tree line, then just drag her thru there? Yeah, there must be a better plan.   

 

Skydiving is tricky and we had to go three separate weekends and wait hours for the weather to comply. It would get windy, then cloudy, then wait behind others….then it would get late. I’m glad we stuck to it and crossed that off the list. 

 

Good luck on the hot air balloon! I look forward to hearing about your adventure. 

[SinceThe70s]

5 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I’ve never been bungee jumping, but have checked off zip-lining and skydiving. Did they drop the wifey into the tree line, then just drag her thru there? Yeah, there must be a better plan.   

 

Skydiving is tricky and we had to go three separate weekends and wait hours for the weather to comply. It would get windy, then cloudy, then wait behind others….then it would get late. I’m glad we stuck to it and crossed that off the list. 

 

Good luck on the hot air balloon! I look forward to hearing about your adventure. 

 

LOL, I 've never ziplined or went skydiving. Wifey has a great sky dive story. Went with her two brothers - their poor mother! It was solo jumps and involved somehow monkey-barring (not sure how else to describe it) under the wing to get far enough from the fuselage before letting go. Of course these days spider crickets scare her.  Go figure.

[Luvbills]

https://autismnaturetrail.com/

 

This trail is awesome for kids. If you have kids, check it out.  It's not just for kids on the spectrum. A good friend, Loren Penman, spearheaded it.