If you ever find yourself driving north up 81 and into NY, you need to make sure you visit Corning Museum of Glass. Much more than glass exhibits and ‘do not touch’ area, this is a place interactive and exciting for kids of all ages.
Founded in 1951 by Corning Glass Works (now Corning Incorporated) The Corning Museum of Glass is a not-for-profit museum dedicated to glass. You can learn about the science and technology behind the innovations and discoveries in heating and using glass through hands-on exhibits in the Innovation Center. The museum is gorgeous and stroller friendly!
Interactive Fun
In the Glass Innovation Center you can see the discoveries that changed the ideas of glass. Learn the power of optical fiber and how it will change the future. See yourself in the strange reflection of a flight simulator mirror, and magnify your features. Learn how glass bottles are made, how optic fibers work. This area is all about discover, exploration and interactive. There is definitely NOT a ‘do not touch’ feeling in this area. Exploring, listing, touching and watching are definitely encouraged (kids 17 and under are free!). Touch screens, looking glasses, personal speakers and much more to learn how glass and its uses has changed over the years is throughout the area. There were also a lot of glass making demonstrations. Check out the multiple galleries: Optics Gallery, Vessels Gallery and Windows Gallery. We spent a good amount of time in here, make sure you have at least an hour so you don’t feel rushed.
Contemporary Art + Design Wing
Corning Museum of Glass has a 26,000 square-foot art gallery building (opened in 2015), the largest space anywhere dedicated to the presentation of contemporary art in glass. The gallery holds more than 70 permanent exhibits that are playful and interesting. My kids loved the rope of beads, the glass evening gown and fallen chandelier. So many of these exhibits had the with open mouths, whispering wow. We did read many of the informational panels, so we were in and out of this wing in about 30minutes
Make Your Own Glass
Making your own glass is in a separate building where all ages (my 4 year old did it!) can make a piece of glass to take home. We all chose a Christmas ornament. The instructors provide you with protective glasses and if you are wearing flip flops (foot covers). Then you pick your colors (you can pick 2) and what shape ornament you want to make.
Making your own glass included the instructors heating your glass in a stove over 2,300 degrees, heating the glass to look like molten lava, then it is dipped in your choice colors. Glass makers get to sit and watch right at their glass blowing station, then when told blow (either small blows or large blows of air) to enlarge their glass. Once completed the instructor will complete the piece and place it in a finishing oven. You don’t get to take you piece with you that day, as it needs to reduce in temperature slowly, so you can either pick it up the neck day or have it mailed to you. (We received ours by then end of the week)
Hours: Open 7 days a week.
Monday – Friday 9:40 am to 4:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday 9:20 am to 6:00 pm
Open extended hours in summer and during school breaks.
Things to Know
Parking and Shuttle: You park in one parking lot, head into the welcome center (bathrooms are there) and then take a shuttle to the Museum. Shuttle drop off and pick up from the same area.
Admission: Kids and teens are FREE! Admission rates start at age 18 and up.
Strollers: You can bring a stroller
Café: food is available at the museum, beyond the gift shop.
Gift Shop: It is large and has everything. Collection pieces, housewares, games, necklaces. My kids loved the glass marble run S’Marblous.
Special Events: See them all HERE
Disclosure: The Corning Museum of Glass hosted our visit, which included two adult tickets (kids 17 and under are free) and the glassmaking experience. All opinions are my own.
