One of my favorite things to do when my husband and I travel north to visit my in-laws is to go to Watkins Glen State Park. Known for its gorgeous waterfalls and natural beauty, the park has various hiking trails with several activities nearby. There are guided tours, swimming areas, restaurants, festivals, and more!
If you’ve been contemplating visiting the area, this park is filled with adventure and a fantastic way for your family to enjoy time outdoors. I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite things to do at this scenic New York wonder!
Go Hiking on the Gorge Trail
If you enjoy the great outdoors like we do and love hiking, you can’t leave Watkins Glen State Park without hiking the Gorge Trail. The hike is a moderate one, mostly flat, and has stone staircases throughout the trail.
As we made our way through, I was mesmerized by the curving rock formations, towering cliffs, and the abundance of waterfalls we saw. Since this is a popular hike, it was relatively crowded the day we went.
Pro Trip: The Gorge Trail is only open from the middle of May through November. Several other trails within the state park are open all year round.
Ride the Park Shuttle
If you’re visiting Watkins Glen State Park when the park shuttle is in operation, I highly recommend using it as you only need to hike in one direction. My mother-in-law didn’t want to hike up the 800 stairs, so she used the shuttle instead. Through the season, the Watkins Glen Shuttle remains operational, costing $6 (cash) per person.
The shuttle runs from all the parking areas, and if you’re parked in the main lot, you can be picked up across the street in the more prominent parking location. The shuttle is operational on weekends from 9 am to 6 pm, and from July 4th through Labor Day, it runs daily.
Visit Rainbow Falls
As I mentioned earlier, as we hiked the Gorge Trail, we noticed an abundance of waterfalls, but our favorite was Rainbow Falls. We found Rainbow Falls between Jacob’s Ladder and the Gorge, as the trail went directly underneath the waterfall. If you walk through at just the right time, you might be able to feel a mist to cool you off.
This was one of the most iconic areas of Watkins Glen State Park, and you’ll want to spend some extra time here to take in the gorgeous views. If it’s a clear sunny day, you might be able to spot a rainbow in the falls. It lives up to the name.
Visit the Spiral Tunnel
Also along the Gorge Trail, we found the Spiral Tunnel, a hidden gem of the park known for its architectural designs. The spiral tunnel took us through the central heart of the gorge, giving us a creative perspective of the waterfalls and rock formations. As we made our way through this hidden gem, the shadows and light added to its unique elements, making it a must-see park area for those who enjoy natural designs.
Pro Tip: If you need help finding this area of the park, I recommend making conversation with the park rangers who know about all of the hidden gems in Watkins Glen State Park.
Grab a Bite to Eat at the Brewery
After spending most of the first part of the day hiking the park, we made a short six-minute drive to the Crooked Rooster Brewery, a brewpub that puts an alternative spin on your typical brewery. While there, I enjoyed delicious craft beers and a flatbread pizza. Our favorite was the Signature Rooster Rocket Pizza, as it had a mouthwatering spice to it.
If you’re not in the mood for pizza, we also passed the Blue Heron Café, only five minutes from the park. They offered various American dishes, such as their juicy burgers.
Swim in Seneca Lake
If you’ve ever spent a summer In New York, then you know just how hot and humid it can be. In Watkins Glen, there are many places to cool off, and Seneca Lake is one of my favorites! Even though the swimming area is small, surrounded by a park and a beach, it’s an excellent way to spend a hot summer afternoon.
On this particular day, the temperature was in the 90s, so swimming in the water was one of the first things we wanted to do to make our day more tolerable.
Pro Tip: This is a great place to bring your furry friends, as dogs are permitted if kept on a leash.
Take a Kayaking Tour
After we grabbed a bite to eat, we wanted to head back out on the water, this time for a kayak tour. Through Seneca Lake Kayak, we booked a tour with a small group and kayaked through Catherine Creek while catching views of the wildlife, such as great blue herons and bald eagles. Catherine Creek has a marsh that provides wildlife with a safe habitat.
Seneca Lake Kayak tours are operational from May through October but also depend on the current weather for that day. They also offer a Hector Falls tour, a sunset paddle, and a tiki bar lunch.
Attend the Wine Festival
As we finished up many of our physical activities for that day, one of our last stops was the Watkins Glen annual wine festival, which is usually held in July. Each summer, many artists, musicians, food vendors, and local wineries come together for their kick-off event.
The famous wine festival is at Watkins Glen International, with Glamping sites and onsite camping available. If you plan to attend this festival, leave the kids at home because adults 21 and over are only permitted.
While at the wine festival, we relaxed in an exclusive cabana as we’d purchased their exclusive cabana package. The package included a 12-pack of bottled water and two bottles of wine.
Pro Tip: If you’re purchasing a cabana, I recommend doing so in advance as they quickly sell out. Our festival admission was also not included with this package, so we had to purchase it separately.