The Elmira center point is approximately 2 miles west of Elmira College and 2 miles east of Tag's Summer Stage & Restaurant.
Elmira, NY shines in all seasons, breathtaking under a blanket of winter snow and dressed in stunning fall foliage. In the spring and summer, blooms and greenery carpet the Chemung River Valley, offering beautiful vistas from its trails.
When you visit depends on your objective, but some of Elmira's attractions are seasonal. The National Soaring Museum at Harris Hill's fascinating museum offers a glimpse into the world of hang gliding and soaring and, essentially, any aircraft not powered by motor. Guests can even pay to take an unforgettable sailplane ride. From March to December, the museum is open seven days a week, but come January and February, hours are shortened. Likewise, hours vary throughout the week, so do call ahead before you visit. A sailplane ride in the autumn months will give you a birds-eye perspective of the autumn leaves worth bragging about.
Similarly, local amusement park Eldridge Park offers seasonal rides, including a beloved 19th-century carousel. It's a paradise for children and adults alike. Kids love the mini train, arcade, and pony rides, while adults like coming and enjoying the river view or playing a round of minigolf. If you plan to spend a day paddle boating and enjoying the amenities at Eldridge Park, the park opens in May and stays open through Labor Day. To be safe, check ahead on the park's website or call to verify open hours.
If you're a AAA member, you're in luck. You can get even lower rates at the affordable Econo Lodge Elmira-Corning with proof of membership. This airport hotel is practical and built for efficiency. Though rooms are on the smaller side, you'll find everything you need for an overnight stay. Rooms feature handy microwaves and minifridges, plus free Wi-Fi. Rooms are designed with accessibility in mind; however, be aware when booking that this property does not have an elevator. Be sure to book a ground-floor room if you aren't keen on stairs.
Guests here enjoy proximity to the airport, plus upgrades like an indoor pool and free breakfast. The pool is a highlight of this value property. It's housed in a unique wood plank interior with a pitched roof that feels very upscale.
For its convenience, comforts, and all-around welcome, the Holiday Inn Elmira — Riverview offers great value. Light-filled and designed with understated décor, the hotel offers ample space in its guest rooms and meeting facilities. You'll find special upgrades in room, like complimentary name brand toiletries. Breakfast comes at a surcharge, but the price is reasonable.
Guests really enjoy the on-site restaurant and lounge, which offers entertainment beyond its delicious beverages with a billiards table. The indoor pool offers wrap-around window views, lounge chairs, and even accessible pool access for guests with special needs.
The Holiday Inn Elmira has become a local favorite for special events thanks to its events coordinating team. For weddings, conferences, and holiday parties like New Year's Eve bashes, the Holiday Inn Elmira-Riverview earns rave reviews.
If you're looking to get closer to the Corning Museum of Glass, consider the Staybridge Suites Corning, about 11 miles outside of Elmira. This homey facility was made for families, with suite configurations up to two bedrooms and two baths at reasonable prices. Room layouts include cozy couches and chairs, plus spacious kitchens in an apartment style that feels just like home. Free breakfast each morning is fresh and plentiful, and you can even play a game of basketball, take a swim in the indoor pool, or cook out on one of the property's barbecue grills.
There's a free shuttle to the Corning Museum of Glass, a popular attraction, and you'll see nods to this regional connection in the glass artworks hanging from the ceiling in the dining space. Guests should also take advantage of the evening reception next to the fireplace in the lobby.
Mark Twain's study now stands at Elmira College. This unique (and small) octagonal shack once stood on a farm in Elmira, NY, where Twain summered with his family every year. It was in this small structure, overlooking the Chemung River Valley, that he wrote some of his greatest works. Students and visitors can even sit at his desk, in his chair, next to the stone fireplace where he wrote his greatest works, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Literary lovers should also take the Twain Trolley tour while visiting Elmira, presented by Chemung Valley History Museum guides who know all about Twain's connections to the city. The Museum (housed in an old bank building) also dedicates a wing to his life, and visitors can learn about the history of Elmira dating back to the Native American tribes that once dominated the region.
Woodlawn Cemetery has also become an unlikely local destination for Twain fans. Many visitors come to pay tribute at Twain's gravesite but end up taking a peaceful stroll through the well-kept grounds. Visitors can marvel at grave sites dating back to the Civil War. Not far away, visitors may wish to check out Newtown Battlefield State Park, a local revolutionary war site.
History lovers will find even more to admire at the Arnot Art Museum, whose purpose-built gallery was built in the late 1800s. Despite its small size, this museum's collection is well-curated, with paintings ranging from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Collection highlights include a Claude Lorrain and a small masterpiece by Jan Breughel the Elder. It is a wonderful, quiet escape for a rainy afternoon or snowy winter day. A new wing showcases modern and contemporary art, with current exhibitions.
Spend some time in Elmira, NY, and you'll discover so much you didn't know. From soaring gliders to literary, art, and military history. You'll also leave more relaxed than when you came, having made fun memories and seen beautiful sites. Whatever the reason for your visit, you won't forget Elmira, NY.
Below are reviews of the city of Elmira, NY from an actual visitor's perspective.
Lovely old buildings. We have relatives living in Elmira.
Wonderful old community buildings and charming old homes. Friendly helpful people.
Stayed one night for airport convenience.