Looking to shift gears? Grab your mountain bike or your hiking shoes and your best picnic basket and head for the hilltop overlooking the Cohocton Valley. There you’ll discover an out-of-the-way park perfect for picnics, hikes, and mountain biking.

Sometimes natural disasters remind people of the value of a thing and they work hard to make it better. That is true of what is now known as Mossy Bank Park, located on 167 acres of land at an elevation of 1,647 feet (500 feet above the Cohocton River which ambles eastward down below). Struck by lightning back in 1963, the hillside was set ablaze and burned for days. After the final flames were extinguished, the land was designated for development as a public park where today you will find pavilions for picnics, a playground, woodland trails for hiking and mountain biking, and a scenic overlook. Mossy Bank offers a tranquil retreat to nature. Don’t be surprised if you see bald eagles circling the air as they often have a nest nearby in the valley.

Of course, come for the annual Hills on Fire mountain bike race for some pure adrenaline fun. The cycling trails at Mossy bank are the result of years of volunteer efforts by the folks at Steuben Strong who are blazing a handful of other trails throughout the county for cycling enthusiasts to enjoy. You can learn more at Wheels Unlimited, located on Liberty Street in downtown Bath.

Pulteney Square This beautiful public square frames historic Liberty Street which is currently home to a collection of small independent businesses including some spots places for guest food. The square has long been a gathering place and once held an annual lumberjack festival and bathtub races. Today, you’ll still find free live music during summertime and other markets and festivals throughout the year. It’s a great spot to just take a beat, sit on a bench or in the gazebo, and catch your breath.

To the park’s east is the Courthouse and Clerk’s Office, northeast is the historic Old National Hotel, and directly south you’ll find a historic prize in the First Presbyterian Church.

Sometimes you can find world-renowned treasures in the heart of a small town. This is one such place. If you’re an art-lover or history buff, you’ll want to spend some time visiting this beloved sanctuary.

While there are a number of old stone churches throughout the region, The First Presbyterian Church on Bath stands out as one of the most outstanding examples of stained glass work by famed designer Louis Comfort Tiffany. The circular South Window, made of famous Tiffany Favrile glass is said to be one of the finest examples of Tiffany windows in the country. The dominant colors and Cosmic Cross of the window are beautifully displayed in the afternoon sun. The church is one of the few remaining sanctuary interiors completely designed by Tiffany—from windows to light fixtures and everything in between—and is the only existing church designed by an architect who also had a role in Buckingham Palace, Central Park, and the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art.

There are weekly public Sanctuary Tours during the summer months, and a handful in September and October (by appointment only), so be sure to schedule a tour by calling ahead. There is no charge for admission, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Bath National Cemetery
If you’re someone who appreciates military history or sacrifices made throughout the past two centuries to keep our country safe and free, you might enjoy a stop by the Bath National Cemetery.

A place of reverence and reflection, the cemetery is the final resting place for soldiers from the War of 1812, as well as soldiers from the Civil War, and numerous other local veterans over the years. Located on the grounds of the Bath VA Hospital, the cemetery’s lone road winds itself among the regiments of headstones on a quiet hillside just outside town.

Take a prime location on the main street in downtown Bath, add in a long-standing recipe for “world famous sticky buns,” a chef-owner with exceptional culinary training and a desire to put a fresh take on traditional comfort food, and you have a great spot to share a meal with your family or friends.

Focusing on local fresh foods with a modern twist, The Chat is still one of those old-school local spots where folks just like to hang out and enjoy delicious food. With occasional elevated themed dining experiences, The Chat is bringing flavor to downtown.

Talking about flavor, this small, unassuming bakery has been dazzling tastebuds from the day it opened. Specializing in macrons, delicious muffins, streusels, cookies, and an ever changing assortment of other delicious baked items, Park Café is one sweet spot.

You can also find select breakfast and lunch items sure to fill the belly and please the tongue. If you’re a dog lover, then your whole family is in for something special, as Park Café creates speciality treats for dogs as part of its Barkery, and even plays a part in local rescue adoption.
Not sure where to start? Check out our Wine Guide for a selection of the best local wineries and customize your wine tour based on your preferences!

Located in the heart of one of the county’s original towns which was founded around 230 years ago, Liberty Street Pub offers a casual atmosphere and tavern-style digs to compliment unpretentious popular pub foods. In other words, they aren’t going to try to wow you with presentation, but with taste. Known for their great burgers and tasty wings, among other things.

Travelers driving along Route 54 between Bath and Hammondsport will notice this popular dining spot.

With traditional Mexican fare like fajitas, enchiladas, tacos, burritos, carnitas, arroz compollo (grilled chicken smothered with cheese sauce over rice), fish tacos, mole, and an assortment of tasty appetizers like nachos, street fries, quesadillas (you’re starting to get the idea, right?!), Casa Mezcal has quickly established itself as a great spot for authentic Mexican cuisine and adult libations (thanks to the the Margarita Tower, Mojitos, their signature Mezcal drinks and other fun drink specials).

Visiting a fish hatchery can be fun for the whole family and it’s free! Stop by the New York State Fish Hatchery in Bath between 8:00am-3:45pm daily for an up-close view of fish in various stages of development from fingerlings to full-grown fish.

With many rivers, streams and canals connecting each Finger Lake to Great Lake Ontario, the region is a haven for boating and sport fishing.

The New York State Fish Hatchery in Bath produces close to 1,000,000 fish each year, specializing in brown trout, rainbow trout, and lake trout. On stocking days (which usually begin in March), you’ll often find avid anglers and non-fishermen alike observing the process if not helping.

This family owned farm offers a wide array of apple varieties for picking (typically from August into November). The trees are short so you can easily pick right from the ground making Crooked Line Orchard a great spot for the whole family. With classics like Macintosh and Honey Crisp, heritage style apples, even crab apples and other fruits for making your own jams back home. Visit with the highland cattle (you know, the cows with bangs).

Bath Country Club offers a scenic backdrop for your golf outing. None of the holes are excessively long, nor extremely narrow, and with a mix of holes tucked back in the trees and those that are relatively open, this course is a good fit for all skills levels, though probably the least difficult for advanced enthusiasts. The change in elevation on some holes makes for beautiful approach shots and often requires adjustments with regards to club selection.

Learn more about the many local golf courses here.

If you time it right and come in August, you can experience America’s oldest continuously-running county fair which originated back in 1819.

In addition to offering various forms of entertainment for the whole family—like tractor pulls, rodeos, monster truck shows, and demolition derbies, even racing pigs (that’s right)—the  Steuben County Fair carries on the tradition of being more than a gathering place for light-hearted fun. Enjoy the long agricultural heritage of the region which takes center stage each August at the Bath Fairgrounds.

Learn more here.

For some, fishing is therapy. It’s a spiritual experience. For others, it’s an activity shared with family. A tradition. Others still are driven by the challenge.

Steuben County is home to four rivers, numerous streams and tributaries, as well as several lakes, all of which means fishing abounds. The Cohocton River is a popular spot for fly fishing and for fishing from a kayak.

While you’re here, you might want to consider adding a little animal interaction each day. Less than 20 minutes from Bath, in the small community of Savona, you will find three very different farms offering experiences that have to do with bison, goats, and horses.

At ZiegenVine Homestead, you stay can overnight in a rustic cabin to get a feel for life in the country. Try one of the popular Goat Yoga workshops on the hillside or learn about goat milk soap.

Just down the road a bit, they’ve got bison.That’s right, the huge wooly creatures you see in Yellowstone, right here in the Finger Lakes.

Take the self-guided driving tour around Mud Creek Bison Ranch to get a closer look at these massive creatures. If you happen to be a carnivore, you might want to stop by Mud Creek’s new bar and restaurant for a delicious meal and tasty libations.

About ten minutes away, Mountain Rose Horse Farm offers daily trail rides, horseback riding lessons, and a gorgeous setting. You can also stay in one of their cabins, or bring your RV (they’re part of the Harvest Host program).

With beautiful Keuka Lake just fifteen minutes away, and the remarkable art and exceptional culinary scene found in Corning about 25 minus away, you’ll have enough to keep you busy for a week or two if you want to try something new every day.

There are there campgrounds in the Bath area and each offers a different experience. An affordable getaway option for families, campgrounds offer you a place to stay and serve as a basecamp from which you can explore the area.

As the name might suggest, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp Resort is a family-oriented camping resort, nestled in the Finger Lakes featuring a 10-acre pond, swimming pool, playground, barbecue pit, mini-golf and horseshoes, as well as a handful of cabins, pull-thru sites, waterfront sites and more.

Camp Bell Campground is family and pet friendly. Just 10 miles from the Corning Museum of Glass, this popular campground offers a playground, GaGa Ball pit, mini-golf, teen activity room, horseshoe pits, camp store, bathrooms, and heated in-ground pool.

Conveniently located in New York's Finger Lakes Wine Country, Hickory Hill Camping Resort is just minutes from the Finger Lakes most unique lake, Keuka Lake. A beautiful, guest-friendly campground and vacation destination with everything from tents to RV camping, featuring cabins and lodges for this looking for a little more comfort.