FAQs

Where is the Schuyler County Visitor Center located? When is it open?
The Schuyler County Visitor Center is located at 214 North Franklin Street, Watkins Glen, NY, 14891, on the corner of North Franklin Street and Third Street. The Visitor Center hours vary by season. During the off-season it is generally open weekdays from 9 am - 5 pm. While during the busy season, generally from Memorial Day through Columbus Day, the Visitor Center is open 7 days/week, and most evenings is open later into the night. To confirm the Visitor Center's hours during your upcoming visit, or while you're here, please call at (607) 535-4300.

Does the Visitor Center offer wireless Internet access?
Yes! Feel free to stop in and use our complimentary Wi-Fi. The Visitor Center also has two handicap accessible bathrooms, air conditioning, and seating.

Where can I park in Watkins Glen?
There is free two-hour parking in the parking lot located behind the Visitor Center on Third Street. The Village of Watkins Glen does not have parking meters, so parking on the streets is free. There is also public parking at the lakefront near Seneca Harbor Park.

Where is the closet airport, bus station, train station? Do ou have Uber and Lyft?
The following are transportation facilities that are closest to Schuyler County and Watkins Glen.  Please note that literally all of these places are at least 30 minutes from Watkins Glen, and some considerably further away. Most visitors that use public transportation (plane, train or bus) ultimately have to rent a car both for the final leg of their journey to our county, but also for getting around once they have arrived. Our rural destination is absolutely beautiful, but with our less dense population comes more limited transportation options. Near 2018 the NYS Governor authorized Uber and Lyft to begin offering their services in the Finger Lakes, and both currently have drivers. However, unlike in larger cities, there aren't an abundance of drivers running around 24/7, so those two services can be difficult to rely upon. 

Airports
Elmira/Corning Regional Airport - Elmira, NY (ELM / KELM)
Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport - Ithaca, NY (ITH / KITH)
Greater Binghamton Airport - Binghamton, NY (BGM / KBGM)
Greater Rochester International Airport - Rochester, NY (ROC / KROC)
Syracuse Hancock International Airport - Syracuse, NY (SYR / KSYR)
Buffalo Niagara International Airport - Buffalo, NY (BUF / KBUF)
Newark Liberty International Airport - Newark, NJ (EWR / KEWR)
LaGuardia Airport - New York, NY (LGA / KLGA

Bus Stations
Greyhound Bus Lines – Elmira, NY
Greyhound Bus Lines – Ithaca, NY
Greyhound Bus Lines – Geneva, NY

Train Stations
Amtrak – Syracuse, NY
Amtrak – Rochester, NY

Are there car rentals available in Watkins Glen?
Effective in 2020, there are no known car rental companies in Watkins Glen or Schuyler County. The closest car rental facilities are in Horseheads, NY and Ithaca, NY, which are each about a 30-40 minute drive from downtown Watkins Glen. 

How long does it take to get there?
The following are approximate drive times to Watkins Glen and Schuyler County from...
Albany, NY – 4.0 hours
Boston, MA – 6.5 hours
Buffalo/Niagara Falls, NY – 3.0 hours
Cleveland, OH – 5.0 hours
Harrisburg, PA – 3.0 hours
New York, NY – 5.0 hours
Philadelphia, PA – 5.5 hours
Rochester, NY – 1.5 hours
Syracuse, NY – 1.5 hours
Toronto, Canada – 4.0 hours
Washington D.C. – 5.0 hours

Do I need a license to fish?
Yes, a license is generally required to fish in New York State. For NYS fishing license information, click here for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation or call (585) 226-2466.

Where can I swim in Schuyler County?
The following are the main public swim areas in Schuyler County:
Clute Park, Watkins Glen - A public beach with access to swim in Seneca Lake; Fee: $5 for parking
Smith Memorial Park, Hector - A public beach with access to swim in Seneca Lake; No Fee
Watkins Glen State Park - an Olympic-size pool (and smaller kiddie pool): Fee: $8 for parking