Six Ways to Safely Get Outside in Twain Country

Warm weather has arrived! If you are tired of hunkering down, there are limited, but growing, options to venture outdoors as the S. Tier begins to open up! Be sure to follow current CDC recommendations on social distancing and masks.

1 Shop a Farmers Market & Meet the Farmers

While not all farmers markets are open yet, the year-round market at Chamberlain Acres is available on Sundays from 11-3, providing local meat, cheese, coffee, honey, eggs, maple syrup, and homeopathic health items, along with a vast selection of garden plants and flowers.

2 Watch a Movie on one of New York’s Largest Screens

Drive-in movie theaters are scarce, but luckily, Elmira is home to a great one! Elmira Drive-In has two large screens, including one that’s 50’ x 100’, and is nestled among the foothills along Route 352. You might even be able to take in a free firefly show during early summer!

3 Play a Round of Golf

Golf is a relaxing option to connect and stay in fit. Chemung County courses have taken pains to provide a safe way to get back on the green. For details on local courses, click here.

4 Pay Tribute to Twain on a Walking Tour at Woodlawn Cemetery

Established in 1858, Woodlawn Cemetery covers 184 acres, and its winding roads make it a popular spot for a stroll. One of the first rural garden-style cemeteries in the U.S., Woodlawn is, perhaps, best known as the final resting place of Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), whose grave-site remains among the most visited in the country. Thanks to the Elmira College Center for Mark Twain Studies and Small Town 360, you can follow an interactive historic map of Woodlawn Cemetery that provides details on the Clemens/Langdon family site, as well as several other notable cemetery residents.

5 Take a Hike

Visitation numbers at area parks and hiking trails indicate that quarantine has rekindled a love affair with the outdoors. Whether taking a stroll or an ambitious hike, walking can lift spirits and boost cardio health. A resource for area hiking options can be found here. History and rail lovers should also check out the 8.7 mile paved Lackawanna Trail that runs from Eldridge Park to Lowman Crossover, frequently using old railroad overpasses to cross streets.

6 Discover your favorite Ice Cream StandDiscover your favorite Ice Cream Stand

I scream, you scream…We love our ice cream in Twain Country and have a plethora of ice cream stands to prove it! While some claim a loyalty to a favorite spot, many of us find choosing a top choice to be too daunting. Click here to find an ice cream stand near you.