Katie's post: Horseheads, N.Y. -- Where nature is the highlight

Horseheads, NY—Where nature is the highlight! by Katie


The town I grew up in located in upstate New York on the Pennsylvania border and nearly two hours from any major city, is unknown to most people. After hearing the name, Horseheads, I usually get a laugh and then “What?!” Horseheads does not have much to offer in terms of trendy malls, high rise buildings, and other sought after qualities of today’s booming metropolises, but it is a place of quiet natural beauty. Surrounded by rolling hills in the Finger Lakes region, the town offers a laid back atmosphere with friendly people who appreciate nature without much urban excitement.

Summer days growing up revolved around Seneca Lake, the largest of the eleven Finger Lakes. The days would float by while on a boat, water skiing, tubing, and swimming. With friends who owned cottages I spent most waking moments at the lake surrounded by the plush green rolling hills spotted with vineyards. Now that I am twenty-one I have been able to take advantage of fall in the Finger Lakes region where people from all around the world come to enjoy the foliage and visit the 35 wineries that surround the sparkling waters of Seneca Lake. Packages are offered throughout the year featuring special events at the wineries as well as limousine service to cruise the 38 mile shoreline and enjoy multiple wine, champagne, and beer tastings without worrying about driving.


At the base of Seneca Lake in the town of Watkins Glen, just 15 minutes up the road from Horseheads, lays many family activities. The town which is known for its tourist rush in the summer has a State Park where natural beauty is defined as water crashes through the side of the cliff. The park has hiking trails along the gorge following over 19 water falls ranging from 3 to 60 feet high. Watkins Glen is also home to an International Raceway which hosts all sorts of race events including NASCAR every summer.

A trail connecting Horseheads and Watkins Glen has recently been completed giving people the opportunity to walk or bike over 15 miles each way. In the winter many people enjoy numerous outdoor sports such as cross country or downhill skiing and tubing. Although Horseheads is “in the middle of nowhere,” the area is surrounded by natural beauty with plenty to do for adventurous and nature loving soles.


Photos from Google Images