Established in 1951 by Corning Glass Works as a gift to the nation for the company’s 100th anniversary, The Corning Museum of Glass is a not-for-profit museum dedicated to exploring a single material: GLASS. Annually welcoming just under half a million visitors from around the world, the Museum’s campus is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of glass, the world’s foremost library on glass, and one of the top glass working schools in the world. Over 50,000 objects representing more than 3,500 years of history are included in the Museum’s collection; items range from the portrait of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh to contemporary sculpture.

Guests can learn about the science and technology behind innovations in glass through hands-on exhibits in the science and technology gallery, called the Innovation Center. The Museum is a center for glass scholarship. It also brings glass to life through live, narrated demonstrations which take place in the auditorium which can seat 500 people. To enable the visitors to try a hand in making glass they have a make your glass session for beginners.

The Corning Museum of Glass is nestled in the heart of the picturesque Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, where you’ll find many activities and attractions to create a memorable weekend or week-long vacation. Located halfway between Niagara Falls and the New York City, the finger lake region is beautiful year-round. This region is a 9,000 square mile, four-season playground, set against a backdrop of Mother Nature’s best work—from waterfalls and gorges, to thick, cool woods, to rolling hills, to miles of spectacular shoreline on 11 glacial lakes and one Great Lake.

It was a cold Saturday morning, so going out for a hike or something outdoor seemed like not a good option. We had heard about the Museum of Glass from couple of our friends. With the museum being just few hours away we thought it would be a good day trip for us and the kids. We drove to the upstate area and to this little town with the Museum being the only highlight. The beauty of the museum gets enhanced by the mountain which makes a beautiful backdrop. If you love glass, this place is for you. We did not know what to expect when we arrived. The museum is a cross between a Science museum, art museum and history museum. From the entrance to the gift shops all the things are beautifully laid out with exquisite temporary and permanent exhibits. The exhibition is informative in both technical and artistic manner. The museum even hosts extensive glass art through the centuries, with pieces from all over the world which got my older one excited.

The Live shows of glass blowing and shaping of the glass art is impressive and gave the kids time to relax their leg. We got our children into some glass making class, which was the highlight for them of the trip. The glass plate and the cup which they made with some help and instruction and saw how it was sandblasted made their day. The kids had a good time with the scavenger hunt too! They still cherish the things made by them and have been making plans to go back to the museum again when possible. As we started towards the exit, we went through the gift shop with Pyrex, Corelle, Steuben Glass, Jewelry, Trinket glass gifts, Games and much more. There is a large cafeteria too. Which was to be a visit for four hours turned out to be a whole day affair, promising ourselves to go back again when possible. This is a definite highlight of Corning, which is not to be missed. Everybody will find something to love about the museum.

This museum is open throughout the year, except on January 1, December 24 and 25 and the Thanksgiving. #corningmuseum #museum #corningmuseumofglass @corningmuseumofglass #museumsofusa