In Penfield NY 2017 a great day trip is to the Corning Museum of Glass. Ninety minutes from Rochester (I-390 South to Exit 46 and it’s off I-86/Route 17), the museum holds interest for young and old alike, and for both novices and those with some knowledge of the fascinating art and science. The CMOG website contains an excellent list of reasons to visit – here are some favorites:
First off, it’s free to those 17 and under! That’s a great savings. Many places will give a freebie to the very young kids, but very few offer something for the ‘tweens and definitely not the teens! It demonstrates that the museum really holds an educational mission and is trying to spark the interest of a young audience that hopefully will blossom into a lifelong interest.
The You Design It; We Make It! program allows visitors to draw a design of something they’d like to see made from glass. The glass-makers select one drawing from entrants submitted each week and manufacture the design in front of a live audience. And if you really enjoy this program, you can watch it via live-stream from anywhere with an internet connection around the globe 
all summer!
Other programs show processes making everything from prosthetic glass eyes to beautiful mosaic tiles. The 2015 addition of the Amphitheater Hot Shop gave the museum 500 more seats, 360-degree views, and 80-inch digital monitors providing unmatched views of the glass-makers at work. It is the largest space for watching such demonstrations in the world! And not only can you observe, afterward there’s a program for every skill level that allows you to make your own designs! (This 40-minute workshop requires advanced sign-up, so get your name on the list as soon as you can.)
If anyone is traveling in an RV, no worries! The museum provides free RV parking on the grounds. Corning is in the heart of the historic Finger Lake Region. There are internationally recognized wineries, craft breweries, cider makers, and distilleries throughout the area if you want to enjoy a meal and beverage to or from the destination.
The museum stays open until 8 p.m. to provide visitors with ample time to take everything in – and if one day isn’t enough, the purchased passes are good for two consecutive days! Take your time and fully absorb the experience! There’s also an ‘After 4 Deal’ where visitors can take four dollars off a ticket purchase after 4 p.m. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year. It’s open 361 days a year, only closing on January 1st, Thanksgiving, Decemebr 24th and 25th.
The Corning Museum of Glass truly goes the extra mile to accommodate guests. It’s affordable, too. Adult tickets are $19.50, with discount tickets for 55-Plus, AAA, Military, and Students at $16.60. To confirm details for your visit, call 800-732-6845. For a fun-filled and educational summer day trip (or two-day trip since they give you that option with the ticket purchase), you can’t go wrong!
Day trips like this leave us feeling excited and inspired! Not feeling that way about your current living situation? Contact me today so I can help!
