The village of Watkins Glen, about one and a half hours southeast of Rochester at the southern tip of Seneca Lake, is best known for Watkins Glen State Park and the 1.5-mile gorge that cuts through the village’s center. Beyond the gorge, the village offers lakefront parks, boat cruises, wineries, restaurants, and the renowned Watkins Glen International race track.
Plan Your Day Trip to Watkins Glen
Breakfast
You can enjoy a sit-down meal at Curly’s Family Restaurant or a smoothie and a breakfast sandwich at Babes and Buds Coffee Lounge.
Morning
Begin your day by exploring Watkins Glen State Park. The Gorge Trail follows Glen Creek past 19 waterfalls, winding through tunnels, over stone bridges, and beneath cliffs sculpted by thousands of years of erosion. Although the trail is well maintained, it is not ADA-accessible and features a 520-foot elevation change with approximately 800 stone steps. Three parking areas provide access to different sections of the park. The Main Lot on North Franklin Street includes the visitor center at the lower entrance to the gorge. The South Lot is near the Olympic-sized swimming pool, roughly midway through the park, and the Upper Lot sits at the top of the gorge. A cash-only shuttle connects all three lots on weekends from Memorial Day through Independence Day, daily through Labor Day, and again on weekends through mid-October. You can hike the Gorge Trail in either direction, use the rim trails to reach different trailheads, or exit at any of the three parking areas and return to your vehicle by shuttle.
Lunch
There are dozens of places to eat in the village. North Franklin Street has numerous restaurants, cafés, and pubs, including Rooster Fish Pub, El Rancho Mexican Restaurant, and Nickel’s Pit BBQ.
Afternoon
Captain Bill’s Cruises on Seneca Lake offers 50-minute sightseeing tours aboard the Seneca Spirit. After the cruise, head to Graft Wine + Cider Bar, Upstate Brewing Company, or Seneca Cheese Company for a tasting. While exploring the area, check out the historical marker across from the Schuyler County Courthouse that commemorates the 1948 road race that helped establish Watkins Glen’s place in American motorsports history. Stop for a sweet treat from Colonial Inn & Creamery or Great Escape Ice Cream Parlor.
Fun fact, on days when the racetrack is open to the public, visitors can Drive the Glen in their own car or truck for two laps around the 3.4-mile Grand Prix circuit behind a paced vehicle and take a photo at the finish line.
Dinner
Enjoy dinner at Jerlando’s Ristorante & Pizza Co. or at Seneca Harbor Station, a repurposed train depot overlooking Seneca Lake.
Evening
End the day at Seneca Harbor Park, where a lakeside walkway and a fishing pier extend into Seneca Lake. The park is a popular spot to watch the sunset beyond the Seneca Lake sign.
Signature Events
Opening Weekend at The Glen in early April gives visitors the opportunity to drive their own vehicles on Watkins Glen International’s historic racing circuit. Held at Watkins Glen International, the event benefits the RACE Foundation.
The Finger Lakes Wine Festival in mid-July brings nearly 100 New York wineries to Watkins Glen International. Wine tastings are complemented by live entertainment, shopping, seminars, and culinary demonstrations.
The Grand Prix Festival along North Franklin Street in early September celebrates Watkins Glen’s rich racing history with more than 600 vintage cars, vendors, and live music. A late-afternoon reenactment of America’s first post-World War II road race commemorates the event that helped establish Watkins Glen as a destination for auto racing.
Contact Information
Babes and Buds, A Coffee Lounge and Boutique 103 3rd St., (607) 210-4155, babesnbudsacoffeelounge.com
Captain Bill’s Seneca Lake Cruises 1 N. Franklin St., (607) 535-4541, senecaharborstation.com
Colonial Inn & Creamery 701 N. Franklin St., (607) 535-7545, gocolonialinn.com
Curly’s Family Restaurant 2780 New York State Route 14, (607) 535-4383 curlysfamilyrestaurant.com
El Rancho Mexican Restaurant 212 N. Franklin St., (607) 210-4497, elrancho-ny.com
Graft Wine + Cider Bar 204 N. Franklin St., (607) 210-4324, graftwineciderbar.com
Great Escape Ice Cream Parlor 221 S. Franklin St., (607) 535-7354, thegreatescapeicecream.com
Jerlando’s Ristorante & Pizza Co. 400 N. Franklin St., (607) 535-4254, jerlandospizza.com
Nickel’s Pit BBQ 207 N. Franklin St., (607) 210-4646, nickelspitbbq.com
Rooster Fishro Pub 223 N. Franklin St., (607) 535-9797, roosterfishpub.com
Seneca Cheese Company 29 N. Franklin St., (607) 210-4223, senecacheesecompany.com
Seneca Harbor Park 1 Harbor Drive, schuylercounty.us
Seneca Harbor Station 1 N. Franklin St., (607) 535-6101, senecaharborstation.com
Upstate Brewing Company 17 N. Franklin St., (607) 742-2750, upstatebrewing.com
Watkins Glen State Park 1009 N. Franklin St., (607) 535-4511, parks.ny.gov
Explore More
Watkins Glen State Park
Watkins Glen State Park is one of the most transcending, awe-inspiring, and wondrous displays of nature’s beauty on Earth.
Havana Glen Park
Discover Havana Glen Park, where a short gorge hike leads to Eagle Cliff Falls, a hidden 40-foot waterfall tucked inside a mossy ravine.
Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen
Farm Sanctuary sits on 175 acres in Watkins Glen, just west of Sugar Hill State Forest, and is home to more than 500 rescued farm animals.
Seneca Lake
Visitors to Seneca Lake can spend the day exploring Geneva on the north end and Watkins Glen on the south end.
Where are your favorite places to visit in Watkins Glen?
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See you out there!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
