Location: Elmira
Top Things to do in Elmira
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The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Elmira, New York (NY)
Elmira /ˌɛlˈmaɪrə/ is a city in Chemung County, New York, United States. It is the principal city of the Elmira, New York Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses Chemung County, New York. The population was 29,200 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Chemung County.
Restaurants in Elmira
1. The Christmas House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 144 reviews
You'll find favorites for not just the holidays but EVERYday in our seasonal Queen Anne Victorian Shop. Check our on-line calendar of events as we almost always have something fun going on or become our Facebook friend to know the latest and greatest!
Reviewed By JerseyVacationer
So many endless Christmas decorations to choose from. We found our perfect 2020 ornament for our tree in this store. And the owners are so lovely
2. Woodlawn National Cemetery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By PeterG756 - Buffalo, United States
Visiting here was a very moving experience. All the white headstones are lined up in orderly rows, magnificent. This is NOT to be confused with Woodlawn cemetery where Mark Twain is buried despite other reviews saying so. This is a National veterans cemetery right next to the other one. There are over 2,500 confederate soldiers buried here among the 10,000 + graves. They were victims of poor conditions and over crowding at the Elmira Prison during the civil war. The cemetery is excellently maintained.
3. National Soaring Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
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
4. Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
Nine miles of scenic trails in the Finger Lakes area that begin at the Nature Center allow you to experience the natural beauty of the Chemung Valley first-hand. We offer hiking year-round and winter activities including snowshoe rentals and GPS rentals. Our 12,000 square foot building features a museum with 43 species of live animals. Our trails are open 365 days/year dawn to dusk. Our museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9-5 (May-October) or 9-4 (November-April). Admission is free but donations are appreciated.
Reviewed By JohnandJaneS - Elmira, United States
I confess that I'm prejudiced and that I am a frequent volunteer at Tanglewood. I maintain a glass walled observation beehive, do an occasional construction project, plus all sorts of things around the place. I do all this it because its a great place for kids and adults and I want to help them get even better. The facility has miles of beautiful walking/hiking/cross country ski/snowshoeing trails. There are trails for everyone.....a kids trail, moderate ones, long ones, short ones, you name it. The main building/museum has live animals (hawks, owls, other birds, tortoise, rattlesnake, other reptiles, cockroaches!, geckos, various rodents, etc) on display plus several very good mounted specimens including a mountain lion and a grizzly bear. there is even a tree-house and it has a great view of the surrounding countryside! The staff is ultra friendly and helpful and there's always something going on. No dogs are allowed on the trails at the main location but Tanglewood maintains a dog-friendly facility (Personious Woods) nearby. Both the main building and the lodge are available, for a fee, for parties, weddings, meetings, etc. Check out the website for upcoming events. Admission to the trails and building is free but joining and/or donating is money well spent.
5. Chemung Valley History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By dee-you08
Terrific local history museum. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Housed in a former bank that is fascinating on it's own. Sad to see how much important industry closed down in 70s and 80s, leaving an enormous economic gap in the city. Never knew the toll that Hurricane Agnes took on the town. Give yourself at least an hour to see the exhibits. Admission is very reasonable.
6. Woodlawn Cemetery of Elmira
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 104 reviews
Reviewed By youthgoes - Lewisburg, United States
A beautiful cemetery! Stopped in while I was in Elmira for the day. Of particular note are the graves of Hal Roach, creator of the Little Rascals, and director of Laurel and Hardy’s early films, and of prolific American writer Mark Twain, norm Samuel Clemens, and his wife and family. Well worth a stop to pay tribute.
7. Eldridge Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
Reviewed By FJDriver - Exeter, United States
Stopped here while traveling to our destination in Clinton, NY. Played a round of miniature golf, and loved all that this park has to offer. It's a great community resource. A pond for fishing and paddle-boating; a great carousel for kids to enjoy; and a great mini-golf course. We enjoyed this course immensely, in part, for the great quips from Mark Twain and others at each hole. Our only impediment during our 18 holes was the left over paper debris from the previous night's fire works.
8. Arnot Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
The Arnot Art Museum is a landmark jewel of the art world in downtown Elmira, New York. Housed in the 1833 neo-classical Arnot family mansion, it is one of the last remaining private art collections formed in the 19th century still exhibited in its original showcase. Temporary exhibitions highlight various aspects of the collections and include works from museums around the world.
Reviewed By I4669MGjohnn - Jamestown, United States
This small museum, housed in a renovated Greek Revival home, contains one of the few private collections left intact in its original setting. The first curator and home owner was Mattias Arnot, the founder of the museum. His 70+ pieces of 17th-, 18th-, and 19th-century European paintings of world-class art is displayed in a drawing room in a salon style not normally seen in art museums. There is a galley of artists from the Hudson River School. Another small gallery contains early Egyptian antiquities including scarab beetles, ushabtis, cuneiform tablets and a life size xray of a mummy. Other changing exhibit galleries hold representational and contemporary art which I found intriguing and different. For a museum this size, it holds its own. Admission is a value and there is free parking in the back of the museum.
9. Mark Twain's Grave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By michaelpH2708QB - Collinsville, United States
Mark Twain’s grave is clearly marked how to get to it before you even enter the cemetery. Very nice. Easy to fine. In a beautiful cemetery.
10. Mark Twain's Summer Home
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