Discover the ultimate Watkins Glen travel guide for a weekend getaway in the Finger Lakes! From luxury glamping at Naturluxe & Stars to hiking in Watkins Glen State Park, winery hopping, and kayaking on Seneca Lake, this guide has everything you need to plan your perfect trip. Book your stay at Naturluxe & Stars and experience the beauty and hospitality of the Finger Lakes.
A Glamping Weekend Experience in Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen, a charming village in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, is the perfect location for a weekend getaway. Surrounded by a backdrop of stunning scenery, the glacier-carved landscape of Watkins Glen is the ultimate setting for communing with nature and experiencing outdoor activities. Nature enthusiasts and foodies rejoice – the region also boasts a wide range of options for food and drink, as well as unique accommodations like the Naturluxe & Stars Glamping Resort. Naturluxe & Stars is conveniently located next to the main gate of Watkins Glen International Racetrack and less than a five-minute drive to Watkins Glen State Park and the Village of Watkins Glen, with stunning views of the Seneca Lake Valley. Ready to plan your perfect Watkins Glen weekend glamping trip? Here’s a guide to get you started.
Day 1: Check into Naturluxe & Stars Glamping Resort
Inhale nature. Exhale ease. You have arrived. Ready to take it all in? Upon checking in, you will immediately be taken by this truly unique and luxurious outdoor experience. Our glamping staff welcomes you into our lodge tent, furnished with comfortable lounge seating and a magnificent view of the Seneca Valley. You’ll then be escorted to your tent, equipped with a plush and comfortable bed dressed in cozy bed linens, and down alternative pillows and comforters, a gorgeous indoor/outdoor area rug, plush bath towels, and an inviting reading chair. Each tent is designed with individual chic interiors and many of the amenities you would expect from a luxury hotel room. You’ll either have a private bathroom in our safari tents or have access to the modern bathhouse from our platform and bell tents, which features private, individual full bathrooms and a private outdoor shower with double shower heads for the ultimate under-the-stars, rejuvenating experience. The designated community fire pit areas are the perfect spot to gather with friends and family for some s’mores and good conversation under the stars. We provide all the firewood, so all you have to do is relax and enjoy the warmth of the fire.
Naturluxe & Stars Glamping Resort offers a truly unique and luxurious outdoor experience. You may not want to leave the grounds, but the pull of the Watkins Glen area is too enticing to ignore! After you settle into your tent and have taken some time to familiarize yourself with the glamping resort, here are some ways you can enjoy the Watkins Glen area:
Explore & Shop Watkins Glen Village
After settling in at the glamping resort, head to the nearby village of Watkins Glen for some shopping. The downtown area boasts a variety of boutique shops and local artisanal stores. From handmade soaps and candles to unique clothing and jewelry, there’s something for everyone.
Dinner at one of our favorite picks, Graft Wine & Cider Bar
Continue your evening at Graft Wine & Cider Bar, which offers a wide selection of local Finger Lakes wines and ciders, as well as a delicious menu of farm-to-table cuisine. Open until 9 pm, it’s the perfect spot to unwind and nourish your soul after a day of travel.
End the Night Around The Fire at Naturluxe & Stars Glamping Resort
Head back to the Naturluxe & Stars Glamping Resort for a nightcap around one of several communal fire pits located throughout the glamping resort. Enjoy the warmth of the fire and get lost in the stars before retiring to your luxuriously comfortable tent for the night. Cozy up with a blanket and a good book in your reading chair and fall asleep to the sounds of summer.
Day 2: Explore Watkins Glen State Park
There is nothing like waking to the warmth of the morning sun, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves above your tent. Wake up rested and restored after a good night’s sleep and enjoy your morning coffee in an Adirondack chair. You’ll want to fuel up before heading to Watkins Glen State Park for a morning of hiking and exploring. The park has several trails that wind through stunning gorges, waterfalls, and lush forests.
Hiking in Watkins Glen State Park
Watkins Glen State Park is home to several hiking trails that wind through stunning gorges, waterfalls, and lush forests. The Gorge Trail is the most popular, offering breathtaking views of 19 waterfalls along a 2-mile route. Within those two miles, the gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Rim trails overlook the gorge and visitors can also enjoy the Olympic-size pool to cool off after their hike.
Lunch at Nickel’s Pit BBQ
After a morning of hiking, head to Nickel’s Pit BBQ for a mouth-watering barbecue. This local gem serves up everything from brisket and ribs to pulled pork and chicken, all smoked low and slow until fork-tender and melts in your mouth. Nickel’s Pit sources its meat, produce, and spirits from local farms and distilleries, keeping the flavors and libations of the Finger Lakes close at hand.
Winery Hopping in the Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes region is known for its beautiful vineyards and award-winning wineries. Two great options to visit in the area are Lakewood Vineyards and Fox Run Vineyards. Both offer tastings and tours, allowing you to sample some of the region’s finest wines. More wineries and Seneca Wine Trail maps can be found at https://senecalakewine.com/ and https://www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com/wine-food/wine-trails/
Racing at Watkins Glen International Racetrack
For racing enthusiasts, Watkins Glen International Racetrack (“The Glen”) is a must-visit destination. The track hosts a variety of races throughout the year, including NASCAR and IMSA. Check their schedule to see if any races are happening during your visit. If you’re feeling adventurous, Watkins Glen International Racetrack offers “Drive the Glen” on Sundays and Thursdays – allowing visitors to drive their own car in a group led by an official track pace car!
The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC) is just a few miles away where you can learn about the history of racing in the more than 4000 books or 250 different motorsports magazines and newspapers titles; club and sanctioning body records; race results, programs and posters; papers of motorsports journalists and scholars; correspondence of race organizers; and still and moving images. Its knowledgeable research and archives staff assists hundreds of scholars, journalists, authors, documentary filmmakers, drivers, and race car owners from all over the globe with inquiries about motorsports history every year.
Day 3: Enjoy Seneca Lake
On your final day in Watkins Glen, take some time to enjoy Seneca Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes. From agritourism to boating, there’s plenty to do and see.
Agritourism
After breakfast, head to Sunset View Creamery where you can experience cow cuddling, group tours, or learn to milk a cow! This Creamery’s artisan milk cheese is the result of five generations of dedicated family dairy farming on the same 348-acre farm that has been in the Hoffman family since 1905. Sunset Creamery12 varieties of raw and pasteurized milk cheese, thirteen varieties of cheese curd, raw milk, locally sourced beef, pork, and chicken, free-range eggs, candies, maple syrup, honey, jams and jellies, breads, fresh veggies, coffee, tea & Ice Cream.
Seneca Lake Kayak, Sailing & Water Sports
End your weekend in Watkins Glen with a relaxing kayak trip on Seneca Lake. True Love Schooner, Summit to Stream Adventures, and Seneca Legacy Boat Cruise are just a few of the companies in the area that offer fishing, kayak rentals, guided tours, dinner boat cruises, or sailboat charters allowing you to explore the largest of the Finger Lakes and its surroundings.
Book Your Stay at Naturluxe & Stars Glamping Resort
This is just a sampling of all that Watkins Glen has to offer. Whether it’s just the two of you, a group retreat, or your bestie’s girlfriend’s getaway, you can take your weekend glamping trip in a more adventurous direction or make relaxation your number one priority. Whatever vibe you’re going for, Naturluxe & Stars is here to help you navigate the area, build a more custom itinerary, and be your landing pad for the weekend. From hiking in Watkins Glen State Park to winery hopping to relaxing by the communal fire pit, S’mores in hand, and Peace in your heart, there’s something for everyone in this picturesque area. Book your stay at the Naturluxe & Stars Glamping Resort today and experience a weekend enraptured by the beauty of Watkins Glen.
