Add these to your 2023 summer to-do list: What to do, see in the Southern Tier
Spring semesters are finished at local colleges, and high school commencement exercises are completed.
That means the summer season is upon us with more free time to indulge in warm weather activities.
New York's Southern Tier has ample opportunities for adventure, fun, shopping and relaxation this year.
Whether it's exploring one of several state parks, sampling the offerings at a food and wine festival, witnessing the majesty of a hot air balloon flight, cheering for future major leaguers or visiting the bustling midway at a county fair, our region has it covered.
Need some suggestions? Here are a few options for a summer of 2023 bucket list:
Check out Corning
It may take more than a day to experience everything this Steuben County gem has to offer. Browse the world-renowned glass museum, shop at the historic Gaffer District and choose from dozens of eclectic dining options.
The Corning Museum of Glass: The world's largest glass museum with more than 50,000 glass objects is open year-round, seven days a week, and offers activities for all ages and interests. Make your own glass — experiences vary in length from 15 minutes for hot glass projects to 40 minutes for fusing and sandblasting projects. For more information, visit cmog.org/.
Gaffer District: Visit the historic, tree-lined streets to discover independent boutiques offering unique finds for every age, style and budget. The Gaffer District includes more than 100 local artisans, including hand-blown glass from expert gaffers. A full schedule of summer events range from live music to the annual Corning Farmers Market.
Growing concert scene in Corning: Music, theater crowds starting to rebound in 2023
Nightlife: "Come hungry" is Corning's motto for visitors. With more than 45 restaurants downtown, there is something for every palate. Homemade ice cream, freshly roasted coffees and modern farm-to-table fusion cuisine are a few options. Enjoy the famed Market Street nightlife with a craft beer, fine wines and a chill atmosphere.
Visit a county fair
Nothing says summertime like the sights, sounds and tastes of a county fair.
Here are some fairs from across the region.
Allegany County Fair, July 17-22: The 178th edition of “The fair with a country smile” is held in picturesque Angelica. Special half price admission of $5 on July 19. The Outlaw Pulling Series is July 21 and the popular Demolition Derby takes place on the fair’s last night. alleganycountyfair.org
Broome County Fair, July 25-30: The Whitney Point fairgrounds has a schedule packed with attractions for the 148th event. The Gillette Family Shows Midway has been drawing customers for more than three decades. Other big draws include the Demolition Derby on Wednesday and Friday of fair week, the Rodeo on July 29 and the Super Stock/Modified Tractor Pulls on the fair’s last night. broomecountyfairny.com/tickets
Chemung County Fair, Aug. 1-6: “Experience the fun” is the theme for the 181st Chemung County Fair in Horseheads. Midway rides, horse shows and dozens of exhibitors and concessions make it special. Aug. 2 is live country music night featuring Parmalee. chemungcountyfair.com/schedule.html
Steuben County Fair, Aug. 14-20: The oldest continually running fair in the United States celebrates year 204 with fun, history, great food and more. Visit and learn at 4-H exhibits, the pioneer and log cabin museums, the one room schoolhouse and the antique farm equipment display. Carnival opens Aug. 16. steubencountyfair.org
Watch them soar!
Hot air balloon spectacles have become part of the summer fabric in the Southern Tier.
A free rally in Allegany County has been going strong for decades.
Great Wellsville Balloon Rally, July 21-23: For hot air balloon enthusiasts, the Wellsville rally held at Island Park is a can’t-miss event. The Genesee River and the Allegany County foothills provide an inspiring backdrop for four scheduled launches featuring nearly three dozen hot air balloons. And here’s the clincher: admission is free. Visit wellsvilleballoonrally.com/event-info/
Make your way to a food festival
Food and drink festivals spotlight regional favorites like strawberries, spiedies and wine, but these events offer plenty of other activities, including music, vendors and parades, to keep you busy between bites and sips.
Owego Strawberry Festival, June 15-17: “Strawberry Magic” is the theme for the 41st festival, which is held downtown and hosted by the Historic Owego Marketplace. The festival kicks off on Thursday evening with a Rock-n-Run event at Hickories Park in Owego. The Strawberry Festival has vendors, a wine and beer tent, live entertainment and a parade, which steps off on Main Street at 9:30 a.m., June 17. And don’t forget what it’s all the about — the strawberries! Visit owego.org/strawberry-festival
Finger Lakes Wine Festival, July 8-9: Held at Watkins International Speedway, sample nearly 100 New York state wineries and artisan food vendors. Don’t forget to make some time to explore educational wine seminars and enjoy pace car rides around the 3.45-mile course. Live musical performances by Seneca Jam, the Nate Gross Band and Bonfire, an AC/DC tribute band. Looking to kick off the festival in style? Attend the Friday night “Launch of the Lakes” by turning out in your best toga. Compete to be crowned king or queen. flwinefest.com/
Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally Expo, Aug. 4-6: The three-day event in Otsiningo Park boasts live music, two volleyball tournaments, cooking contests, a car show, arts and crafts, delicious food choices, including the famous spiedies, rides and a large selection of vendors. The balloon rally is one of the largest in the United States with launches scheduled on all three days. Morning launches on Saturday and Sunday are free to attend. The Friday "Night Glow" is set for 8:30 p.m. This is a can't miss: Watch as the vibrant multi-colored balloons fill with light and glow against the evening sky. spiediefest.com/
Spiedie Fest 2023: Who's performing, how much concert tickets will cost
Explore a state park
New York has 180 state parks, with some of the finest in the Southern Tier and Western New York. State parks offer a smorgasbord of outdoor activities to explore and enjoy, from fishing and camping, to hiking and bird watching. Here are some regional options for an outdoor adventure.
Letchworth State Park, Castile: Called the "Grand Canyon of the East," Letchworth is one of the most scenically magnificent areas in the eastern U.S. The Genesee River flows through the gorge over three major waterfalls between cliffs — as high as 600 feet in some places — and is surrounded by deep forests. Hikers may select from among 66 miles of trails. Trails are also available for horseback riding and biking. Letchworth offers nature, history and performing arts programs, guided walks, a summer lecture series, whitewater rafting, kayaking and a swimming area. parks.ny.gov/parks/letchworth/details.aspx
Mark Twain State Park and Soaring Eagles Golf Course, Horseheads: The park features one of the most scenic and challenging 18-hole courses in the area. Soaring Eagles Golf Course has a unique design with only two parallel holes. The excellent conditions for this course were created thousands of years ago by a retreating glacier, which laid down hundreds of feet of sand, gravel and silt. Buried ice blocks slowly melted, leaving water-filled depressions or "kettle ponds" on the course. parks.ny.gov/parks/138/details.aspx
Chenango Valley State Park, Chenango Forks: Chenango Valley State Park is an ice age wonder. The two kettle lakes, Lily and Chenango, were created when the last glacier retreated and left behind huge chunks of buried ice which melted to form the lakes and bog. Study woodpeckers, nut hatches, warblers and thrushes along woodland trails and herons, ducks and kingfishers lakeside. Fine angling opportunities for trout, bass, perch and bullhead in Chenango Lake. Campers can choose from among 184 campsites and 24 cabins and golfers will appreciate the 18-hole Chenango Valley State Park course. parks.ny.gov/parks/chenangovalley/details.aspx
Stony Brook State Park, Dansville: The park features a rugged gorge in the rolling hills of Livingston County. Camping, picnicking, swimming and hiking are park favorites. The North Entrance for day use visitors features a picnic area with tables, grills, restrooms, a playground, a natural stream-fed pool and entrance to the hiking trails. The park has playgrounds, a tennis court, a baseball field, a volleyball court and a basketball court. Hikers choose among three trails, all about one mile long with stairs, making them moderately difficult. The Gorge Trail is the easiest and most scenic. The Rim Trails climb the towering cliffs through the woodlands that overlook waterfalls and fascinating rock formations. Two picnic shelters are available for rental. parks.ny.gov/parks/stonybrook/details.aspx
Watkins Glen State Park, Watkins Glen: The most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, Watkins Glen leaves many visitors spellbound. In 2015, the park was chosen from more than 6,000 state parks across the nation as a nominee in the USA TODAY Readers' Choice Poll for Best State Park in the United States, taking third place. The glen's stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Rim trails overlook the gorge. Enjoy the Olympic-size pool, scheduled summer tours through the gorge, tent and trailer campsites, picnic facilities and excellent fishing in nearby Seneca Lake or Catherine Creek. parks.ny.gov/parks/watkinsglen/details.aspx
Spend a day at the beach
There's nothing like a trip to the beach on a hot summer day. White sand, sunscreen and a cool dip might not be the first thing that comes to mind for those looking for fun in the Southern Tier, but surprisingly there are some attractive options available.
Champlin Beach, Hammondsport: Located on the southern shore of Keuka Lake, Champlin Beach is open free to the public seven days a week. Public swimming is available only when lifeguards are on duty. Picnic areas and green space make this destination perfect for family fun.
Greenwood Park, Lisle: This Broome County spot in the county's first and most diverse park features a white sand beach and is open 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. It has sections for both swimmers and non-swimmers. Swimming is permitted only when certified lifeguards are on duty. Changing areas with showers and restrooms are available. gobroomecounty.com/parks/greenwood
Nathaniel Cole Park, Harpursville: The park has a beautiful 53-acre lake, the largest protected beach in the Broome County system. A 1.25-mile trail encircles the lake. Swimming from the white sand beach from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Certified lifeguards, changing areas, restrooms and coin-operated lockers available. gobroomecounty.com/parks/natcole
Check out some future Mets at a Binghamton Rumble Ponies game
There has never been a better time to cheer for some of these young Mets as they stay competitive in the Double-A Eastern League standings.
Promotions, tickets and more: A new era has dawned at Mirabito Stadium with fans enjoying plenty of changes, including ballpark improvements, new food options, updated promotions and even super hero-themed uniforms. Fireworks follow every Friday night home game. The biggest fireworks display of the season will be July 3. Denim Richards, who plays Colby on the hit Paramount Network series “Yellowstone,” will be at the ballpark for the July 15 game. A new promotion this season, "607 Saturdays," celebrates the amazing communities within the 607 area code. Each Saturday a different town is featured and highlighted. For tickets and promotions, visit milb.com/binghamton/tickets/promotions
Go to a race at Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen
Make plans for another season of racing excitement at one of the premiere road courses in the nation.
Sahlen's Six hours of The Glen, June 22-25: One of the most prestigious sports car races in North America. The third leg of the Michelin Endurance Challenge features world-class drivers and a diverse range of Prototype and GT manufacturers. The weekend of nearly 24 hours of on-track activity also includes the Michelin Pilot Challenge, MX-5 Cup, Porsche Carrera Cup and the Lamborghini Super Trofeo. Visit theglen.com/events/2023-sahlens-six-hours-of-the-glen/
NASCAR Weekend, Aug. 18-20: Watkins Glen International is home to NASCAR's only trip to New York state, which has become one of the most anticipated stops on the series schedule. Catch a fun-filled weekend including the ARCA Menards Series on Aug. 18, the NASCAR Xfinity Series Shriners Children's 200 on Aug. 19 and the Go Bowling at the Glen NASCAR Cup Series race on Aug. 20. Kyle Larson was the 2022 winner. For more 2023 race details and ticket information, visit theglen.com/events/2023-nascar-cup-series-at-the-glen/
Watch golfing greats, superstar country artist at En-Joie Golf Course
Broome County has hosted one of the elite stops on the PGA Champions Tour since 2007.
The Dick’s Sporting Goods Open, Endicott: The annual PGA Tour Champions event is set for June 19-25 at En-Joie Golf Course. The First Round is Friday, June 23 and after the opening round, country music superstar Kenny Chesney brings his “I Go Back 2023 Tour” to Endicott for a Greenside performance. Second and Third Round action is Saturday and Sunday. Padraig Harrington was the winner by two strokes in 2022. For a schedule of events, tournament tickets, concert tickets and more, visit https://www.dsgopen.com/
Listen to the music
Pop music fans will have to travel quite a distance from the Southern Tier to see Taylor Swift, this summer's biggest drawing artist on stage, but there are plenty of top-notch acts performing at concert venues closer to home.
Tag's, 3037 Route 352, Big Flats: The Summer Stage at Tag’s celebrates its 30th year of music on June 16 with concerts by one of the best Fleetwood Mac tribute bands in existence, Tusk. Gates open at 6 p.m. There will also be a video montage capturing three decades of music at the venue. Tusk performs two shows, one at 8:30 p.m. and another at 10 p.m. Two of Country Music's coolest country cowboys, Rodney Atkins and Sammy Kershaw, perform July 2. Check out the the "Psychedelic 60's Spectacular" featuring Tommy James and the Shondells, Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone and The Grass Roots on Aug. 13. For tickets, concert schedules and more, visit tagstickets.com/
The L, 116 Breesport Road, Horseheads: Don’t miss a four-band lineup of metal and alternative rockers featuring Otherworldly Entity, Symmetrical Defiance, Absentia and Bound & Quartered on June 24. Doors open at 6 p.m. Other summer acts include Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters on June 27, Memphis May Fire on July 3, Kidd G on Aug. 3 and Born Of Osiris on Aug. 30. the-l.live/
Tioga Downs Casino Resort, Nichols: Legendary band Three Dog Night performs on July 28 and Wayne Newton appears on Aug. 31. For more information and tickets, visit tiogadowns.com/events/concerts/
Follow Neal Simon on Twitter @HornellTribNeal. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Summer in Southern Tier: Things to put on your 2023 summer bucket list
