Things to do in Finger Lakes, Finger Lakes: The Best Museums

January 27, 2022 Sheron Bogner

New York’s Finger Lakes region takes its name from 11 freshwater lakes placed like a handprint between Lake Ontario and the Pennsylvania border. Skiing, hiking and biking trails traverse the landscape; visitors can also indulge in various wine, cheese and beer trails. The area offers a culinary bounty, with an emphasis on farm-to-table cuisine. Rich history and culture are found throughout the region, with one attraction more inviting than the next.
Restaurants in Finger Lakes

1. Glenn H. Curtiss Museum

8419 State Route 54, Hammondsport, NY 14840-9795 +1 607-569-2160 [email protected] http://www.glennhcurtissmuseum.org
Excellent
81%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 601 reviews

Glenn H. Curtiss Museum

The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, bearing the name of Hammondsport's favorite son, is located on Route 54, one half mile south of the village of Hammondsport, New York. Dedicated to the memory of pioneer aviator, Glenn Curtiss, the museum contains a priceless collection relating to early aviation and local history. The museum also features a 75-seat theater, large open area for special events and a gift shop. In addition to motorcycles and aircraft, visitors will also see antique tools, toys, boats, home-furnishings, fire equipment and much more. Visitors are also welcome to visit the Museum Restoration Shop, talk with volunteer craftsman and watch them work on historic aircraft.

Reviewed By KMJackson60

We popped over to this museum on a rainy day. I knew very little about Glenn Curtiss and early airplane history. We loved it! Glenn Curtiss was a very creative, very interesting person who did a lot of inventing. It was fun watching his life and inventions play out, and the early air pioneers start the industry.

2. The Strong National Museum of Play

1 Manhattan Square Dr, Rochester, NY 14607-3941 +1 585-263-2700 [email protected] http://www.museumofplay.org/
Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,156 reviews

The Strong National Museum of Play

The Strong is a highly interactive, collections-based museum devoted to the history and exploration of play. It is one of the largest history museums in the United States and one of the leading museums serving families. The Strong houses the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play and is home to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, the National Toy Hall of Fame, the World Video Game Hall of Fame, the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play, the Woodbury School, and the American Journal of Play. Together, these enable a multifaceted array of research, exhibition, and other interpretive and educational activities that serve a diverse audience of adults, families, children, students, teachers, scholars, collectors, and others around the globe.

Reviewed By V7823XUmichaelb

This museum is fun for all ages and for hours! They have a mini Wegmans, toys HOF, a butterfly exhibit and so much more! Fabulous.

3. Corning Museum of Glass

1 Museum Way, Corning, NY 14830-2253 +1 607-937-5371 [email protected] http://www.cmog.org
Excellent
81%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3,696 reviews

Corning Museum of Glass

From children looking for an adventure to artists looking for inspiration, there is something for everyone at The Corning Museum of Glass. The world's largest glass museum offers the opportunity to browse 3500 years of glassmaking history in the collection galleries. See works ranging from a small Egyptian pharaoh head to enormous works by Tiffany and discover the wonder and artistry behind glassmaking. Explore the day-lit Contemporary Art + Design Galleries which house the best of the last 30 years in glass, and a 500-seat Amphitheater Hot Shop, a space dedicated to live glass demos and design sessions. See glass created before your eyes during a live, narrated Hot Glass Demo, and be inspired to experience glassmaking for yourself during a Make Your Own Glass experience, with projects for all ages for an additional fee (reservations available online). Best of all, kids and teens 17 and under are free! Advance tickets required. Tickets are valid for two consecutive days.

Reviewed By DEP3 - Binghamton, United States

If you love glass, this is the place for you.Beautifully laid out, with exquisite temporary and permanent exhibits. Lots of demonstrations of glassblowing, ability to make your own objet d’art, as well as a huge gift shop with Pyrex, Corelle, Steuben Glass, jewelry, trinkets,glass gift items, games, and more and more. A definite highlight of Corning, not to be missed.

4. Safe Haven Museum

2 E 7th St, Oswego, NY 13126-1197 +1 315-342-3003 [email protected] http://safehavenmuseum.com/
Excellent
83%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 58 reviews

Safe Haven Museum

5. The Children's Museum of Oswego

7 W Bridge St, Oswego, NY 13126-2049 +1 315-216-6387 [email protected] http://cmoo.org/
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5 reviews

The Children's Museum of Oswego

Reviewed By Incan_Thunder - Saint Simons Island, United States

Took my two children and they both did not want to leave after hours playing and exploring there. It is two floors. The bottom floor has a farmers market stand, a kitchen, an area to play dress up, an area with large gears to create large mechanical devices, two small tables with educational toys and the most popular station is a set of vacuum tubes where one can insert scarves and watch travel and then shoot out. The second floor has an area with large blocks, stations for building things, a race car ramp where you can tests the cars you build, a set of percussion pipes, and more gears. It is not large but it seems there are plans to make it bigger. Eventhough it was only 2 floors they were never bored. It is only open (as of July 7, 2017) Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. For $5 a kid it was an educational bargain. bargain.

6. City Market

401 Harrison St West Jefferson, Syracuse, NY 13204 +1 315-481-9960 [email protected] http://citymarketsyracuse.com
Excellent
90%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 67 reviews

City Market

City Market every Month is held on the 2nd Sunday of the month May to October In Syracuse . This year it is has moved to the Everson Museum of Art on Harrison Street.Features include Antiques, Art, Handmade, Clothing both Vintage and new local designers, Jewelry by local makers and vintage, Furniture by local makers and vintage,Repurpose, Mid Century Modern, Industrial Design, Mission, Local Food Vendors and so much more. Museum is open free on City Market Sundays A Market Designed for City Life

Reviewed By H3905PFkellyt

Great market for a Sunday afternoon activity in Downtown Syracuse. Unique shopping, food trucks, music, and even free admission to the museum. Free parking in the city on Sundays. No entry fee either.

7. Women's Rights National Historical Park

136 Fall St, Seneca Falls, NY 13148-1517 +1 315-568-0024 http://www.nps.gov/wori/index.htm
Excellent
58%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 425 reviews

Women's Rights National Historical Park

Women's Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women's Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls, NY on July 19-20,1848.

Reviewed By chasinUpstateNewYork - Romulus, United States

Everyone of us has a Mother. And many of us have sisters or wives. And 51% of the population is female. This museum is a MUST SEE! The Birthplace of Woman's Rights in the United States; come see where the battle was formalized. Read the declaration of sentiments. Understand why Woman's Rights are EVERYONE'S Rights.

8. George Eastman Museum

900 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607-2298 +1 585-327-4800 [email protected] http://www.eastman.org
Excellent
70%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,037 reviews

George Eastman Museum

The George Eastman Museum is located in Rochester, New York, on the estate of George Eastman, the pioneer of popular photography and motion picture film. Founded in 1947 as an independent nonprofit institution, it is the world's oldest photography museum and one of the oldest film archives. The museum holds unparalleled collections-encompassing several million objects-in the fields of photography, cinema, and photographic and cinematographic technology, and photographically illustrated books. The institution is also a longtime leader in film preservation and photographic conservation.

Reviewed By lesliek79 - Montreal, Canada

My primary interest was the history of photography, and the Kodak company’s inventions and innovations that popularized photography. The “History of Photography” exhibit was much smaller than I expected, featuring only a few historically important images and many cameras. A smaller exhibit (upstairs in the house) featured Kodak inventions and progress that included details about the early box cameras and the use of photosensitive emulsions on rolls (substituting individual plates). It was this exhibit that demonstrated Mr. Eastman’s genius. The temporary Warner Brothers Cartoons exhibit was informative and delightful; a throwback to my early television viewing experience. The congenial tour guide was a font of knowledge about George Eastman’s personal history and life, entry into photography, entrepreneurial skills, financial success and philanthropy. The tour of his mansion highlighted it’s history and attested to Eastman’s affluence, interests and tastes. He was a wealthy man whose interests reflected the mores of his time. His legacy reverberates in Rochester’s cultural and social life, generally, and through his inventions and philanthropy internationally.

505 Hawley Ave, Syracuse, NY 13203-2411 +1 315-218-5711 http://artragegallery.org
Excellent
53%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 15 reviews

ArtRage Gallery

10. National Soaring Museum

51 Soaring Hill Dr Harris Hill, Elmira, NY 14903-9204 +1 607-734-3128 [email protected] http://www.soaringmuseum.org/
Excellent
61%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 61 reviews

National Soaring Museum

The National Soaring Museum houses a world-class collection of sailplanes and gliders, preserving the history and heritage of motor-less flight. NSM is located next to an active glider port, allowing visitors to witness takeoffs and landings, especially during the busy summer months. Public glider rides are available on a first-come, fist-served basis. Harris Hill offers many enticements besides a visit to NSM. The Museum is located adjacent to Harris Hill Amusement Park, featuring miniature golf, go-karts, batting cages, a driving range, an arcade, snack bar and more: as well as a pool, picnic grounds and a scenic overlook.

Reviewed By NanaZooms

We were blown away by the extensive collection and presentation of information. It is high quality. An upscale museum with modern decor. In addition to gliders, there are miniature dollhouses on display in a separate area. Something for everyone. The curator and his wife are so friendly, welcoming and their pride of ownership is apparent. A top notch experience. My only regret is our time table did not allow me to take a glider ride. Make time for this. You will not be disappointed

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