2025 Empire State Tour Itinerary:*

We’ll be based at an all-new hub hotel this year, the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel.
Here’s what we have planned:

Day 1: Sunday

Check in with us at our new host hotel to receive your welcome packet, then settle in for the afternoon.

Our hotel is located right on the shores of Seneca Lake in Watkins Glen, so you can kick back and relax on the patio, walk along the lakeshore, or watch the boats go by from the dock.

After you’ve had some time to get comfortable, we’ll convene for our welcome dinner at the hotel and get to know each other before our adventure begins.

Day 2: Monday

We’ll start our tour by heading way north toward the Rochester area, specifically Fairport, NY, “the crown jewel of the Erie Canal”. There, we’ll board the Colonial Belle for a private cruise down the Erie Canal and lunch on the water. After that, we’ll make our way back to Watkins Glen on scenic roads.

Once we’re back at the hotel, we’ll reconvene at our signature parking lot bar before getting ready for dinner.

Day 3: Tuesday

Today we’ll visit the fascinating Finger Lakes Boating Museum, dedicated to the history and preservation of the region’s wooden boat crafting heritage.

Then, we’ll journey up the hills towards the beautiful Bully Hill Vineyards, where we’ll enjoy lunch with sweeping lake views.

But the day doesn’t end there: Next, we’re off to Corning to see the world-famous Corning Museum of Glass. With exhibits and live demonstrations of the artistry, history and science of glassmaking (not to mention a lovely gift shop full of works by the museum’s in-house artisans), there’s something there for everyone.

Feel free to spend more time at the museum or head out on your own adventure. Dinner tonight is your choice, so you can grab a bite in Corning, find a spot to stop along the route home, or eat back in Watkins Glen.

Day 4: Wednesday

Gentlemen (and ladies), start your engines: today we’ll head Watkins Glen International, the former home of the Formula One United States Grand Prix. We’ll drive the current race track, head back into town to grab some lunch at the Seneca Harbor Station, and then drive the public roads that made up the original Watkins Glen Grand Prix Course from 1948-1952.

After all that driving, we’ll visit the International Motor Racing Research Center, then we’ll finish the day with cocktails and dinner at the famous Seneca Lodge, a favorite watering hole for many racers passing through the Glen. After dinner, we’ll all head back to the hotel to rest for the night.

Day 5: Thursday

We’ll start our final driving day with a stop at the breathtaking Taughannock Falls, a natural wonder that stands out even in a region known for stunning waterfalls. After that, we’ll have a delicious farm-to-table lunch at the charming Elderberry Pond restaurant.

Our final stop of the tour will be at the Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation Museum, a 60,000 square foot facility housing an incredible collection of aircraft, vintage motorcycles, automobiles, and aircraft engines and focusing on the works of Glenn Curtiss, a contemporary and sometimes-rival of the Wright Brothers.

Back at the hotel, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner and celebrate the good times we’ve shared with a magnificent meal.