Glassblowing has a long history as a male-dominated field, but that hasn’t stopped women in glass from achieving their dreams. While you’re in Steuben County, dive into our ties to glassmaking and discover the women who are shaping the future of this art form.

Kick off your journey in the heart of America’s Crystal City at the world-renowned Corning Museum of Glass. Watch live demonstrations from master glass artists like Helen Tegeler and Catherine Ayers, two of the Corning Museum’s Hot Glass Team veterans, and more. Explore exhibits celebrating 35 centuries of glass history, and don’t miss the Contemporary Art + Design Wing, where you’ll find work by women trailblazers like Katherine Gray, Vanessa German, and Karen LeMonte.
Lunch: Refuel at the Museum Café
From noodle bowls to pizza, sandwiches, soups, and more, there are so many delicious offerings at the café. After a morning exploring the art and science of glass, it’s the perfect place to relax and recharge.

Before you leave CMoG, swing by The Shops. Browse everything from CMoG branded merch like mugs and t-shirts, to tiny flameworked glass animals (seriously, they have any animal you can think of), plus fine artwork from world-class glass artists. You can even shop work by local artist Cat Burns of Netflix’s "Blown Away" Season 2 and "Blown Away: Christmas."

Ready to roll up your sleeves? Head to Hands-On Glass Studio! Founded by Rodi Rovner, Hands-On Glass was the first to offer public-access glassblowing in Corning (thanks, Rodi!). When you arrive you get to make a fun decision... you get to choose which piece to make! You can make a paperweight, an ornament, or a seasonal favorite like a glass pumpkin. Experience firsthand the creativity, patience, and skill it takes to shape molten glass into a treasured work of art.
Rodi’s mission in establishing Hands-On Glass was to make this traditionally male-dominated craft accessible and inspiring for everyone, and you’ll feel that welcoming energy the moment you walk in!
Note: Glass made at Hands-On needs to go through an overnight cooling process. Your piece will be available for pick-up at noon the next day, or you can have it shipped to you!

You’ve had quite the day, from glass history to hands-on fun. Wind down in the charming Gaffer District in downtown Corning. Pop into unique shops like The Glass Menagerie and Vitrix Hot Glass Studio to see more glass work by local artists.
While you're strolling the streets and soaking in the vibes of Market Street, take a moment to reflect on Sophronia Houghton, the woman whose investment in Brooklyn Flint Glass helped birth Corning’s glass legacy. Her vision helped shape what would eventually become Corning Incorporated, and helped shape what would become one of the most influential glass hubs in the world.
Wrap up your night with dinner at one of the Gaffer District’s cozy restaurants. Whether you’re craving BBQ, Thai, a classic burger, or something upscale, the options are endless.

About 40 minutes from Corning, you’ll find the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, a must-visit for aviation history lovers. Learn about fearless pioneers like Blanche Stuart Scott, the first American woman to pilot a plane (trained by Curtiss himself!), and Ruth Law, who became the first person to perform a loop-the-loop and in 1916 shattered cross-country flight distance records, flying from Chicago to Hornell! Can you imagine?!

After a morning of flight history, shift gears and head into wine country. The rolling hills and vineyards around Keuka Lake are home to women continuing to make waves in the winemaking world!
Start with lunch (or all-day breakfast if you’re in a brunch mood!) at Crooked Lake Ice Cream Company, a retro diner in downtown Hammondsport.
Once you’re fueled up, it’s time to indulge in what our region does best...wine! There’s no way to hit every winery in a single day, so we recommend checking out our Wine Guide for a selection of amazing local wineries and to customize your wine tour based on your preferences!


Many of the wineries around Keuka Lake have deep family legacies, and behind those legacies are generations of women whose contributions have often gone unnoticed, but whose impact is undeniable. One local winery has even dedicated a special wine series to honor the women who helped build their success, a beautiful tribute to the often-unsung roles women have played in shaping the Finger Lakes wine scene! Let’s raise our glass to those amazing ladies of the wine world, shall we?