Elmira, New York is just a hop, skip and jump away from the small town of Ithaca . Which in the overall scheme of things means absolutely nothing, except I was recently in Ithaca , NY and subjected my family to yet another side-trip which took me to Elmira . Why Elmira, New York ? Well, I heard Mark Twain used to pass his summers there and is also buried there, and beat-me-with-a-dumb-stick but I thought Mark Twain called St. Louis , Missouri home so when I heard THE Mark Twain (I mean, how many other Mark Twain’s are there) was a presence in Elmira, NY I had to go. It was a visit I won’t soon regret making. And go figure, my wife and daughter had a great time also.
Picture Perfect
Elmira is one of those small rustic kind of towns that fits the bill perfectly when you hear someone say that such-and-such place is ” pretty as a postcard “. Elmira benefits from a location that leaves many other small towns envious: for one thing it sits on the Chemung River and is likewise nestled within gorgeous hills in the Chemung valley. In fact, the autumn/early winter months make for one of the most stunning times of year to visit Elmira and if you go visit you’ll soon understand why: the weather is cool but not uncomfortably cold, the trees are changing color and it’s not too crowded. It’s no wonder Mark Twain hang his hat in Elmira . Of course he visited for over 20 years during the summer , so I’d venture to say he did not know what he was missing.
A Slice of History
I can just imagine Mark Twain immersing himself in Elmira ‘s rich history and then letting his pen run wild on paper. But you don’t have to be a famous writer to appreciate what the town of Elmira has to offer. Whether your interest lies in Elmira ‘s unique Native American heritage, or the many Revolutionary and Civil War sites, the famous Underground Railroad that passed through and saved countless lives or even the many Victorian Era mansions that remain well-preserved and still in use, there really is something for everyone.
Meanwhile back at the Ranch
Ok so it really wasn’t a ranch, it was a study. And as study’s go this one was a hoot: perched on a hill, Twain built himself an octagonal-shaped study with plenty of windows that overlooked the twisting waters of the Chemung River . Apparently the view was an inspiration because many of Twain’s celebrated novels like T he Adventures of Tom Sawyer , Adventures of Huckleberry Finn , The Prince and the Pauper and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court all became realized literary works during Mark Twain’s time in Elmira .
Modern Day Pursuits
When you visit Elmira , you’ll find yourself in the heart of some of the most stunning scenery in upstate New York . You can take advantage of the change of seasons by hiking in and the around the Tanglewood Nature Center which offers a series of easy-to-maneuver trails that wind through woods, meadows, and around two ponds.
And lest you think Elmira is just for nature lovers then think again. The recently renovated Clemens Center is the region’s premier performing arts center. Be sure to check out their schedule when in town for something to do in the evening. There is always an interesting show and depending on the time of year you can find everything from Broadway performances to concerts.
Or Better Yet…
Just visit the Visitor Information Center for more information on where to go, where to eat and where to sleep:
Mark Twain sure knew a good thing when he discovered Elmira, New York . But don’t take his (or my) word for it, schedule a visit and write your own exciting chapter on the great time you had!