2024 Empire State Tour Itinerary:*

We’ll be based at a different hub hotel in 2025 and have some new and exciting destinations in the works,

here’s where we went and what we did on the 2024 Empire State Tour:

Day 1: Sunday

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

Our hotel is located in the heart of downtown, adjacent to the Ithaca Commons and a variety of great places to shop and dine. It is also located less than a mile from the historic Cornell University and Ithaca College campuses.

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

Day 2: Monday

This morning we will head east into wilder country. We’ll travel through the New Michigan and McDonough State Forests toward our destination: the Northeast Classic Car Museum.

We’ll have a private lunch at the museum, then wind our way back to Ithaca through the Ludlow Creek State Forest. For dinner, we’ll head into downtown Ithaca to wine and dine at the fabulous Creola Southern Steakhouse.

Day 3: Tuesday

This morning we’ll drive through the vineyards along the finger lakes and make a stop at the breathtaking Taughannock Falls, a natural wonder that stands out even in a region known for stunning waterfalls.

Then we’ll head to Seneca Lake and the quaint town of Watkins Glen; arguably the birthplace of sports car racing in the United States. We’ll drive the original track (and most likely the newer track as well) and enjoy lunch near the lakeside at Seneca Station.

After lunch, 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 Ithaca to rest for the night.

Day 4: Wednesday

We’ll start our day with a stop at gorgeous Ithaca Falls before heading down to Corning for our main attraction of the day: 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.

Lunch today will be at the museum - we’ll split into two groups to enjoy the wide variety of offerings at The Café, including a coffee bar, noodle bar, pizza, soups and salads and more.

After lunch, 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 along the road back to the hotel or explore all of Downtown Ithaca’s culinary offerings.

Day 5: Thursday

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 and a guided tasting of their wines.

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.

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