Making glass (and more) at the Corning Museum of Glass in the Finger Lakes region of New York
This is my ten-year-old son, working with fire, to make a glass pendant at the Corning Museum of Glass in the Finger Lakes region of New York:
Can I just say that the Corning Museum of Glass rocks? Because it does. Really.
My kids loved making glass, watching others form glass into art and they even enjoyed walking through galleries of glass art, inspecting nearly every single piece. Really.
And they liked the hands-on learning stuff, too.
(I’ll admit standing on the section of the second floor that was glass and looking down kind of freaked me out, even though my brain knew it had to be safe. I might have to cross the Grand Canyon Skywalk off my travel to-do list. Gulp. Other than that tiny heebie-jeebie part, I loved every bit of the museum. It was awesome.
Here’s how our visit went:
The night before we visited, I signed us up and bought tickets for some hands-on glassmaking. I was able to find spots for all of us to make glass, and we were thrilled with what we made, but I really should have planned ahead to reserve some of the seasonal projects.
My ten year-old and I registered to make glass pendants. My husband, 5 year-old and 8 year-old signed up for glass fusing.
Since our class times were different, my husband and I divided the kids and explored, with our oldest and me heading straight to our class.
We were greeted by our instructor and given aprons, goggles and arm covers to wear for protection. We looked at other pendants, selected our designs and colors and then learned a bit about the flame and technique as our guide made an example for us and explained each step.
Then it was our turn to burn. Or create. Whatever.
My son got right to work, rolling the glass to keep it from falling and adding the decoration from other glass rods. I have to say I was impressed at how he kept cool, trying something he had never done (or seen) before and also working in front of the flame!
Next it was my turn and, after watching him, I wasn’t nearly as nervous as I expected to be. Plus, our guide was great at explaining things and helping every step of the way.
After that, we checked out some of the art in that building and then walked back over to the main part of the museum and watched the end of a glass-making demonstration with the rest of our family before exploring the rest of the museum on our own.
For the demonstration, there was plenty of room for kids to get right up close, and there was also a video screen for those farther away from the action.
My son spent about 45 minutes exploring the hands-on exhibits, but well over an hour looking at all the glass from different centuries and different parts of the world.
I didn’t expect him to be so intrigued at all the pieces, but he definitely was. He kept pointing out intricate details and referring to world events in the art that he had read about. (Not to self: All those Magic Treehouse books and 39 Clues books do teach something other than ‘just’ a love of learning!)
He was tickled by this chess set of Roman Catholic and Jewish characters.
We also enjoyed the glass market with a new appreciation after our class and after viewing the exhibits. As any boy would, he especially liked watching George Rhoads’ “Marble Machine.” Marbles roll along tracks to play the xylophone, ring other bells and do all sorts of crazy things:
We met back up with my husband and our other two children, took a few family photos in front of the giant Christmas tree of glass balls and decided to have lunch at the museum as well. The cafe served soups, sandwiches, pizza, pasta and other option and offered reduced-price kid-sized portions. The prices were definitely reasonable.
Bottom line:
I would definitely go back to the Corning Museum of Glass if I was back in the area with my kids. We spent several hours there and the kids were occupied and happy the entire time (as were the adults!). We loved making the glass and looking at the glass… and I know we’ll cherish our own art for years to come. If you are planning a trip to the Finger Lakes with kids, this is a definite must-do.
The Corning Museum of Glass
One Museum Way
Corning, NY
800.732.6845
Admission and fees:
The museum was kind enough to give us complimentary admission passes for our visit (kids and teens are free, adult passes range in price from $6 for locals with ID to $12.75- $15). The glass-making classes require a separate a fee, which we paid ourselves. (Classes range from $10 to $40 depending on the project.)
Wondering about wineries in the Finger Lakes? Click over to VineSleuth Uncorked for a few Finger Lakes winery reviews from my last trip.
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Trip Journal: Finger Lakes- JELL-O & more from Buffalo to Watkins Glen
Yesterday we drove from Buffalo to Watkins Glen to begin our vacation in the Finger Lakes region of New York.
What was supposed to be a straight drive of about 2 and a half hours changed a bit when we saw a billboard along the highway.
It advertised a JELL-O museum in LeRoy, the birthplace of JELL-O. I Googled it as my husband drove and we decided it wasn’t too far out of the way. So how could we not stop?
We exited the highway, followed a few signs
and pulled into the empty parking lot. We were a tad early as the museum opens at 1 p.m. on Sundays. (I guess I was caught up in the excitement and missed that part of the website.)
It was Noon, so we wandered around town, picked wildflowers, played in leaves (we don’t have those at home),
took pictures of the water (We don’t have that at home, either!)
and then had a bit of a picnic in the parking lot.
Once it was open, we learned all sorts of JELL-O history and enjoyed looking through old advertisements, products and reading JELL-O stories.
We learned how the owner of the company finally convinced people to buy his product: He sent a team door-to-door, handing out either a box of JELL-O or a recipe book free to each home. The moms started making it and the demand at the grocery stores grew.
We learned that no, JELL-O is not made from ground up cow bones or horse’s hoofs and that a bowl of lime JELL-O and the human brain have similar waves on an EEG machine.
Our son (the one who hates writing and will do anything to get out of writing anything) enjoyed following a scavenger hunt through the museum, filling in the blanks on a sheet
and was rewarded at the end with a box of chocolate JELL-O pudding from the gallery.
We also watched a DVD journey through the 30-year history of Bill Cosby’s relationship with JELL-O and all of his silly commercials, as well as some other commercials through the years. (My, how times have changed!!)
We also visited the transportation museum downstairs and saw carriages and beautiful sleds like I had never seen.
After about an hour, we loaded back into the minivan and continued our journey to Watkins Glen.
Once we turned onto Route 14, we drove alongside Lake Seneca, one of the Finger Lakes, and all of us were amazed as to how long it is.
“It’s still going!!” my daughter marveled.
We stopped at Fox Run Vineyards, a winery we will be visiting later in the week, to pick up a few bottles of wine to taste and then continued to the Harbor Hotel in Glen Watkins.
Once we arrived at the hotel, we were greeted with a very friendly staff. We checked in as the concierge pulled together quite a stack of literature on the area for us and then pointed out several family-friendly options. She gave a us dinner recommendation within walking distance and promised more help throughout the week.
Our room is amazing. I’ll try to post some photos soon (although now it is quite messy!!). We have a great view of the lake and lots of space to spread out.
So far, our travels here have been just what we needed: a bit of adventure and a lot of relaxation.
On tap for today: A winery visit to Anthony Road and potentially some waterfall sightings.
Later in the week we will definitely hit the Corning Museum of Glass and some more wineries.
Psst. This just in: The JELL-O museum was featured on CBS Sunday Morning on November 27. Click over and watch the six-minute story for more jiggly fun.
Filed under New York, Trip Journal | Tags: Finger Lakes, Glen Watkins, JELL-O Museum | Comment (1)
Trip Journal: New York’s Finger Lakes Travel Day
It is early in the morning and I’m in the hotel bathroom with the light on, trying not to stir anyone. We got in after midnight, so everyone should be pretty tired and sleep for a bit, but you just never know. For now, though, the kids are asleep. My husband has gone to get the rental car, and I’ve finished my devotional time. I was debating between trying to catch a few more winks, or sharing a bit about our trip.
I guess I’ll share for a bit…
We are over the river and through the woods, but not quite to grandmother’s house.
Last night we arrived in Buffalo and later today we will drive to the Finger Lakes for our Thanksgiving vacation.
A few years ago, after fitting in two different family trips in two different states within the week of Thanksgiving, we decided to use Thanksgiving as a time for our own immediate family vacation. Sometimes we see extended family and sometimes we do not. But we always have great adventures.
This year we plan to explore the wineries of the Finger Lakes in New York and also add in some family-friendly activities. We packed a few of the kids favorite games and intend to s-l-o-w down the pace and relax together this week.
And our traveling has already gone well.
The airport was quiet yesterday… so quiet that there wasn’t even a line at security at all! Cha-CHING!
And, at security we learned that kids under age 12 no longer have to remove their shoes at security.
My 10 year-old was bummed at this news.
“Now they won’t know how good we are at getting through security,” he said.
(My kids do rock at getting their backpacks and shoes off and in the bins at security. I think they breeze through faster than many adults, to be honest.)
So we got through security in a snap and then found a restaurant to grab dinner and just hung out for just over an hour before heading to the plane and boarding. Both of our flights were on time and all of our luggage made it beautifully. (Yippeeeee!)
The aforementioned 10 year-old did leave his sweatshirt on the plane which, thankfully, when we called from the baggage area, a USAirways employee cheerfully retrieved from the plane and brought it to us. (Thank you!!!) Guess he’s great at security, but can still be a bit forgetful. Oh well.
Right now we are at the Fairfield Inn and Suites right near the airport for just one night.
We were looking for a hotel near the airport with a shuttle from the airport and this hotel had that, as well as several great reviews on TripAdvisor.
It has proved to be an excellent choice. The shuttle driver was extremely friendly and helpful last night and the lady at check in was equally delightful and accommodating. Our room is the perfect size for a quick overnight, is very clean and has a groovy decor, which is always fun.We have a room with a king bed and a pull out sofa and I like how the room is arranged so the beds are not right next to each other but, instead, that the pull-out is an a different alcove.
We have free wi-fi (yay!!) and there is a complimentary hot breakfast downstairs.
After breakfast, we will be on our way to the Finger Lakes!
I’ll report back later and try to snap a few pictures to share.
So far, our Thanksgiving travels have been easy-breezy. If you are traveling this week, too, I only wish the same for you.
Filed under New York, Trip Journal
| Tags: Finger Lakes, Thanksgiving |
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