Watkins Glen

Watkins Glen is a village in Schuyler County in the western part of New York State, sitting at the southern end of Seneca Lake and serving as the county seat. The landscape features steep gorges with waterfalls running through rock formations within a roughly 778-acre park that has become the most recognized feature of the area.

Settlement began in 1791 and the place carried other names before being renamed in 1852 to honor Dr. Samuel Watkins. In the 1940s, a racetrack was built that attracted motorsport events for decades and brought international attention to the village.

The settlement takes its name from Dr. Samuel Watkins, who supported growth in the 19th century and whose family holdings became the foundation for today's village. On summer days, locals walk the lakefront path as sailboats pass on the horizon and waterfront cafés welcome visitors.

The park with the waterfalls sits within walking distance of the village center, and a roughly two-mile trail runs through the gorge with a drop of around 400 feet (120 meters). Sturdy footwear is recommended because of wet steps and bridges, and paths can be especially slippery in spring after snowmelt.

A research center dedicated to motorsports history is integrated into the public library and displays documents and memorabilia. In 1973, a music festival at the racetrack drew around 600,000 visitors and became one of the largest concerts of its era.