Elmira was the third stop in our Finger Lakes adventure tour. Don’t forget to read about Corning and Watkins Glen, too!
We’re so lucky that we got to experience three totally unique Finger Lakes destinations: Corning was perfect for a stroll and a brew, Watkins Glen was a lovers’ paradise, and Elmira? It’s the place to be if you’re an arts and culture lover.
But before we explored our artistic and literary sides, we got a unique glimpse of the entire area — in a sailplane! Our first stop in Elmira was to the National Soaring Museum at Harris Hill, where we took turns sailing 4,000 feet above Chemung Valley.
Much like with hang gliding, the craft you ride in is towed behind a bigger plane with a motor, then released once the right altitude is reached. A pilot steers the plane while the passenger (you!) gets to just sit back and enjoy the views. Below, Liz is in the white plane getting ready to take off!
After our sailplane rides, we went inside to explore the National Soaring Museum and learn about the history of soaring. It was fascinating seeing some of the first sailplane models — while they have the same general shape of today’s sailplanes, they looked terribly uncomfortable because of their limited room for the pilot!
Next we did something that any literary buff would be thrilled by: we visited the Mark Twain Study, located on the campus of Elmira College.
This little octagonal building was built in 1874 for Mark Twain — or Samuel Clemens — to use for writing. The study was originally located on his in-laws’ family farm where he spent summers, but was relocated in 1952 to the Elmira College campus, allowing more people to visit and appreciate it.
The study isn’t heated or cooled, but has windows all around and a fireplace that would certainly keep things toasty if need be.
Oh, and a little tidbit for all you cat enthusiasts out there: Mark Twain was one too, so there’s a little door on one side of the study that allowed his cats to come and go as they pleased! 🙂
A nearby campus building houses the Center for Mark Twain studies, including a small exhibit where you can watch a brief video about Samuel Clemens’ life and view some of his possessions.
Below are some enlarged excerpts from Twain’s “A True Story, Repeated Word for Word as I Heard It,” which is told from the perspective of an enslaved black mother called Aunt Rachel. You can read the full story at NPR.
To conclude our time in Elmira, we spent some time at the Arnot Art Museum. The museum was created to preserve the collection of its namesake, Matthias H. Arnot, and to collect and exhibit representational art to honor Arnot’s favored art style.
This museum is simply stunning. Below is the first gallery we saw, with European art from the 17th to 19th centuries.
But my favorite part of the Arnot Art Museum were the galleries of newer American art, which are housed, fittingly, in a new addition to the museum.
Below are two beautifully moody pieces by local Elmira artist Debb Vandelinder that captured my attention. They are created with a technique called scanography, which I had never heard of but now I’m obsessed with.
If you’re an art lover or literature buff visiting the Finger Lakes, Elmira is a must-see for you! For more visitors’ information about Elmira, visit the Mark Twain Country website.
Comments & Reviews
My sister was an art major and is ALL ABOUT art. She would LOVE a visit to Elmira!!
She definitely would! The Arnot museum is amazing.
New York is such a diverse and beautiful state, I’l love to see some of it’s more rural areas from a sailplane! I bet you felt like you were literally floating on air.
What a great trip idea. My kids would love to visit the soaring museum. We need to visit every aviation museum no matter what city we are in.
My best friend is doing her Master’s in art history so this place would be perfect for her! We’ve been trying to think of trips to take together and this would be lovely for her.
This would be such a neat place to check out. This is exactly what I’d love to see. I love seeing art like this.
Sounds like an awesome adventure. Definitely would love to visit.
What a great trip! I may have to add this to my bucket list! I love the fact that he had kitty doors!
Wow! Sailplane? I watch them over our house all the time but I have never ever thought/wished I was up there. Ha! You have a heart for adventure and I commend you for it! Now the art museums… that’s where you’re going to find me! Who knew Elmira had so much to offer!!
Looks so cool! I am sure my kids will love to visit here!
That looks like such a fun getaway! I would love to see the art and all of the Mark Twain history. But the sailplane needs to happen too!
There is a lot more than I thought to Elmira! I would love to try gliding in the planes. It seems like such a cool adventure! The inner book nerd in me would enjoy visiting Mark Twain’s study as well.
Wow this looks as though it would be a wonderful place to visit! I am going to have to visit the next time I am in New York.
This is the first time I am hearing about Elmira but it definitely seems worth exploring, Chanelle. When would it be the best time of the year to explore this place?
Hi Agnes! We’d love to have you visit Elmira and the S. Finger Lakes! Weather permitting, glider rides are offered on weekends starting mid-April, and daily from mid-June through Labor Day weekend. The Mark Twain Study is not heated, so it’s open from mid-May through Labor Day weekend, or by appointment. Many people like to visit late spring–fall.