Things to do while at the Vinehurst Inn

            Vinehurst Inn is central to all the Finger Lakes has to offer.  Whether you  have a few days or a few weeks to spend there is much to see and do in the area.  With so many nearby attractions and activities there’s absolutely no need to be bored on your holiday in our area unless, of course, that is the purpose of your getaway.  In that case, there’s also plenty of places to ‘do nothing’ nearby.

The Wineries

            The Hammonsdsport area is home to some of the finest wines and wineries New York State has to offer.  Bully Hill, Dr. Frank, Heron Hill, Pleasant Valley, Chateau Renaissance and MacGregor are some of the award-winning wineries within a few minutes travel from the Vinehurst Inn.  All have tastings and some feature tours illustrating the entire winemaking process from the vineyard to the bottling line.  Some have distinct historical significance.  Pleasant Valley Wine Company is US Bonded Winery Number 1.  It was the first winery license issued after Prohibition.  All offer fun……..one winery we know of will even let you assist with bottling and custom labeling of your wine.  Many of the wineries feature events and music so there is always something happening. 

The Lake

            There’s lots to do on and around Keuka Lake.  The lake itself is a long and narrow lake (22 miles x 2 miles) resplendent with scenic beauty.  It’s valley location helps to keep it calm and its clean water makes it ideal for fishing, boating and water sports.  There are boat rentals available and fishing guides, too.  Several launch facilities are located around the lake.  If you just want to take a quick dip or plunge the kids to burn off some youthful energy there are two public swimming areas in and near Hammondsport with lifeguard supervision.

            After you‘ve been in the lake its fun to relax on the lake.  The Keuka Maid is reminiscent of an old paddle wheel ship which features a dinner cruise from Hammondsport up the lake toward Penn Yan.  On weekend nights there is also a dancing cruise with live music. 

            The lake is habitat for several species of game fish including lake trout, large and smallmouth bass, pike and muskie.  So……..bring a pole and catch dinner.

Hiking / Biking

            The Finger Lakes Trail, part of the Appalachian Trail system, winds through the region and directly adjacent to the Vinehurst Inn property.  The trail features varied terrain from flat to a moderate climb.  The winding roads and rolling hills make bicycling in the area both a scenic and challenging experience. 

Motorcycling

            Hammondsport is a mecca for motorcycle enthusiasts due to its proximity to the Cutriss Museum.  Also, a ride through the Finger Lakes, with its beautiful hills and scenic lakes, is hard to beat, indeed.  The ‘Pride Ride’, a Marine Corps ’Toys for Tots’ event, held in early July, usually attracts in excess of 2000 motorcycles (and their riders) for a day long ride through the Finger Lakes.

Shows and Festivals

            Hammondsport, through its community associations and chamber of commerce, is host to a variety of shows and festivals the year around.  Some interesting examples are the Art Show and the Craft Show, in which the Village Square is turned into a wonderful array of artists, artisans, and craftspeople on summer weekends.  The Wine Country Antique and Classic Boat Show features boats from around the country and is a definite must-see for those who love the style and grace of antique and classic mahogany runabouts and cruisers.  Another annual event, Winetique Weekend offers participants an opportunity to combine wine tasting with antique shopping.

            Genundowa, the Festival of Lights, is a Native American festival.  At it, the Village Square is transformed into a compendium of Native American craftsmen and artisans accompanied by musicians, dancers and storytellers from the Iroquois Nation.  Visitors have the opportunity to have a great time as well as learn about the history and culture of the area’s first inhabitants.  At night there is a huge bonfire where participants are taught the native dances and songs.  At sundown, area residents light fires on their properties around the lake to take part in the celebration, also.  It is truly an awesome sight. 

            During the holiday season the Village is host to Christmas in the Park, with caroling and sleigh rides.  In February, the Mardi Gras celebration takes off, replete with a local version of the famed New Orleans parade (costumes included).

            Music in the Park is a regular Thursday evening event during the summer on the Village Square featuring the Vine City Six and other guest musicians.

Shopping

            The Hammondsport area is known for its unique blend of shopping including a multitude of antique shops, a wonderful art gallery, a nationally recognized potter as well as several charming gift and specialty shops.  In addition, the Windmill, a large indoor and outdoor market open on Saturdays and holidays, featuring Amish and Mennonite craftspeople as well as area shops, is a favorite of locals and visitors alike.

            Corning’s historic Market Street (a 25 minute drive) and the Corning Museum of Glass are the places to shop for fine art glass and the like.

Dining

            The Hammondsport area boasts a plethora of restaurants of many styles and motifs from  casual country charm to Victorian elegance to everything in between.  There are waterfront restaurants of several varieties as well as those on the Village Square, or at some of the wineries.  In addition, the Keuka Maid offers dinner cruises for those who wish to dine ‘at sea’. 

Family Fun

            No need to leave the kids home for fear that they will be bored on your Finger Lakes holiday.  Boat rentals are available and there is a water park about 30 minutes away.  Many of the museums offer interactive exhibits for kids and adults alike.  At least one of the area wineries takes special care of kids by offering them grape juice during tastings and keep them in line by telling them that if they misbehave the penalty is………..grape stomping!  Also, there is always the ’swimming hole’, a lifeguard supervised swimming area on the lakefront where the kids can burn off that youthful energy.

The Museums

            Our area is home to some of the most diverse and interesting museums anywhere, including:

The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum.  Hammondsport, NY

            Just a minute down the road from the Vinehurst Inn is one of the nation’s finest collections of early aircraft and aviation memorabilia as well as early motorcycles.  Glenn Curtiss was a motorcycle and engine builder who set the World Land Speed Record (136.9 MPH) in 1907 on his V-8 powered motorcycle.  He also teamed up with Alexander Graham Bell and others to form the Aeronautical Experimental Association.  Among his accomplishments were the Jenny, a WWI aircraft, the Flying Boat, the world’s first seaplane as well as the P-40 fighter and C-47 transport, used extensively during WWII.  For the mechanically challenged, there are exhibits outlining Hammondsport’s early history and its winemaking legacy, as well as a collection of the Curtiss family china, dolls, and art from the turn of the last century.  The museum is extremely well done with wonderful exhibits of distinct historical significance that will keep you spellbound for the entire time you are there.

The Corning Museum of Glass.  Corning, New York

            Only a 20 minute drive away, the Corning Museum of Glass is a must-see.  It is home to one of the world’s premier collections of glass objects and art glass from the Egyptians to the present.  It also includes a Technology Center, an expose’ of the many and varied uses of glass today from auto windshields to huge telescope lenses to the screen in your laptop as well as fiber optics (a Corning invention) and photonics.  The museum features a glass blowing exhibit and even has an area called 2300 Degrees (the melting point of glass) where the visitor can participate and even create their own piece of custom glass. 

The Rockwell Museum.  Corning, New York

            Near the historic Market Street shopping district, the Rockwell Museum is a wonderful collection of Western art and includes themes of the cowboy, Indian, horse, buffalo and the wilderness.  In encompasses both classic masterworks and works from emerging artists.

The National Warplane Museum.  Elmira / Horseheads, New York

            Adjacent to the Corning / Elmira Regional Airport, the Warplane Museum boasts a truly impressive collection of military aircraft from WWI to the present.  There are early biplanes, WWII transports and fighters, Vietnam era jets and an F-18 Tomcat.  You can even purchase a flight in an actual WWII fighter trainer!

The National Soaring Museum.  Elmira, New York

            Called by many the ‘soaring capital of the US’, Elmira is home to the Soaring Museum on Harris Hill.  There you can experience the adventure of motorless flight at the largest single collection of gliders in the world.  At the museum you can fly a glider in a simulator or even take to the skies in the real thing on Harris Hill.

For additional information about places and things to do while at the Vinehurst Inn, check out the Hammondsport Chamber of Commerce at their website or call at 607-569-2989.

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