Free
Hector Falls
A roadside waterfall tumbling down toward Seneca Lake on Route 414, just north of the village.
Finger Lakes, New York
Watkins Glen
At the south end of Seneca Lake: a gorge where a stone path passes 19 waterfalls, a famous racetrack, and wineries all the way up the lake.
Photo: A waterfall in the gorge, Watkins Glen State Park, bobistraveling, CC BY 2.0
The village sits at the foot of Seneca Lake, the deepest of the Finger Lakes. The star of the show is Watkins Glen State Park, where the Gorge Trail climbs past 19 waterfalls in two miles, crossing stone bridges and ducking right behind Cavern Cascade.
Afterwards, the Seneca Lake Wine Trail runs up both shores, and the village has hosted road racing since 1948.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Shequaga Falls, Montour Falls
A tall waterfall in the middle of the village of Montour Falls, five minutes south. Lit at night.
Free
Seneca Harbor Park and pier
The lakefront park and pier at the foot of the village, for lake views and boat-watching.
Free
Finger Lakes National Forest
New York's only national forest, between Seneca and Cayuga lakes, with pasture and woodland trails.
Cheap
Watkins Glen State Park Gorge Trail
Two miles of stone paths and 800-plus steps past 19 waterfalls, including the trail behind Cavern Cascade. Vehicle entry fee in season; the gorge trail closes in winter.
Cheap
Taughannock Falls State Park
A 215-foot waterfall (one of the tallest in the Northeast) at the end of an easy gorge trail. About 45 minutes away.
Paid
Seneca Lake cruise
Captain Bill's runs sightseeing and dinner cruises from the village pier in season.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Franklin Street
The village main street, with shops and diners and the old racing history marked on the pavement.
Free
International Motor Racing Research Center
A small museum and archive of motorsport history in the village. Free admission.
Paid
Watkins Glen International
The famous road-racing circuit outside the village, with NASCAR and IMSA race weekends.
Paid
Corning Museum of Glass
A huge museum of glass art and science, with live glassblowing demonstrations. About 35 minutes.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Paid
Seneca Lake Wine Trail
Dozens of wineries line both shores of Seneca Lake. Plan a driver.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Make Your Own Glass
Hands-on glassmaking at the Corning Museum of Glass, about 35 minutes away.
Also bookable, listed above
These are in the lists above, so we don't repeat them here.
- Seneca Lake cruise Cruise
- Watkins Glen International Tickets
Part of our Finger Lakes guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- The gorge is magic early, before the crowds, so be here the night before.
- Seneca Lake wineries and a lake cruise easily fill the rest of the day after your hike.
- Taughannock Falls, Ithaca's gorges and the Corning Museum of Glass are all within about 45 minutes.
Nearby and worth the drive
Corningabout 35 min · Guide ↗
The Corning Museum of Glass, with live glassblowing.
Ithacaabout 45 min · Guide ↗Gorges, waterfalls and Taughannock Falls State Park.
Ready-made trips with Watkins Glen
3 days · Niagara Falls → Watkins Glen
Niagara to the Finger Lakes
Cross from the Canadian falls to New York's waterfall gorge and Seneca Lake wine country.
3 days · Cooperstown → Watkins Glen
Baseball and the Finger Lakes
The Hall of Fame on Otsego Lake, then the waterfall gorge at Watkins Glen.
3 days · Ithaca → Watkins Glen
Finger Lakes gorges
Ithaca's in-town waterfalls and three state parks, then the Watkins Glen gorge.
Good to know
- State park: parks.ny.gov. The Gorge Trail is seasonal; check for closures.
- Tourism: Finger Lakes Wine Country.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: A waterfall in the gorge, Watkins Glen State Park, bobistraveling, CC BY 2.0
Photo: The pier on Seneca Lake at Watkins Glen, Photo by Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 4.0