Families Can Enjoy Festive Holiday Fun at The Corning Museum of Glass in Finger Lakes Region
Corning, NY â€" Get away this holiday season to the cozy hills of Finger Lakes Wine Country, home to The Corning Museum of Glass, where the holidays sparkle with family-friendly activities and unique gift shopping opportunities.
The Corning Museum of Glass opens the doors into its glittering glass wonderland free of charge on December 2 and 3 for its annual Holiday Open House. With live music, children’s crafts, an assortment of holiday activities spread throughout the Museum, and special holiday sales, guests of every age will find something to celebrate.
This surprisingly child-friendly destination houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of glass art and history, with amazing pieces of glass from 35 centuries. An interactive Glass Innovations Center offers guests the opportunity to see how some of the most incredible advances in technology and science have been made because of glass.
Families can also watch as expert glassblowers create pieces at a live, narrated Hot Glass Show. Working with professional glassmakers, guests can then create their own glass masterpieces at the Walk-in Workshop, which allows all ages to work with hot or cold glass to create special souvenirs or gifts, such as ornaments, glass icicles, picture frames and even jewelry. This weekend only, all of the Walk-in Workshop experiences, half-hour workshops running all day, will be offered at the discounted price of $10.00 per person per activity.
Holiday shopping opportunities start with a glass art sale in the Museum’s Studio, one of the world’s best glassmaking schools. Find original glass art made by the students and world-renown faculty and visiting artists who have taugh at The Studio this past year. One-of-a-kind pieces will be sold for attractive prices at any budget — from hand-blown bowls, to beads, to stunning glass sculptures.
In the Museum’s international GlassMarket, one of the largest museum gift shops in the country, shoppers will find unique gifts for everyone on their shopping list, from delicate glass ornaments and jewelry to functional glass golf putters and clothes.
The picturesque town of Corning, NY, dresses up its charming shops, abundant restaurants, and many unique glass galleries this weekend for its annual holiday festival, “Sparkle.” On Saturday, December 2, Corning, called the “ Crystal City ” because of its
rich glassmaking heritage, invites visitors to enjoy horse and carriage rides through its downtown historic Gaffer District ( “gaffer” is another term for glassmaker ), live entertainment, food and craft vendors, a Parade of Lights, and the opportunity to visit with Kris Kringle in his Crystal House.
A great weekend trip, several of the region’s wine trails also offer holiday activities featuring regional food, crafts and wine tastings the first weekend in December. The Keuka, Cayuga, and Seneca wine trails will each be hosting special holiday-themed events and tastings this weekend. Visit www.fingerlakeswinecountry.org for details, or to find great deals on accommodation packages for this weekend.
Corning, NY, is conveniently located off Exit 46 on I-86/Rte. 17. It is 4 hours north of New York City, 2 hours south of Buffalo and 6 hours north of Washington, D.C.
The Corning Museum of Glass ( www.cmog.org ) is home to the world’s most comprehensive and celebrated collection of glass, with more than 45,000 objects reflecting 3,500 years of glassmaking history. An independent, non-profit, educational institution, the Museum is dedicated to the art, history, science, research and exhibition of glass. The Museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day and from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the summer. Children 17 and under receive free admission.
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This story was released on 2006-11-04. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.