Named after Revolutionary War field general Baron von Steuben, Steuben County, New York is in the south-central portion of the state and serves as home to roughly 10,000 people, according to the county's website. Across its 1,600 square miles, visitors can find both indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy. Activities and recreation range from its most populous communities like Corning and Bath, to its rural, wooded areas.
The Pigtail Hollow State Forest is in the Steuben County villages of Wheeler and Urbana, approximately 8 miles north of Bath. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation oversees the area, which the state purchased during the 1930s. The forest covers around 998 acres of land.
Outdoors lovers can hike along the Bristol Hills trail at Pigtail Hollow State Forest. A few developed mountain biking trails are also available, and the park permits hunting and trapping throughout the forest unless otherwise posted. Visitors may also camp overnight in tents.
Pigtail Hollow State Forest is open daily, year round. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation does not charge an admission fee to access the park. The area is rustic with no amenities like restrooms and drinking water.
The Corning Museum of Glass is on Museum Way in the downtown area of the Steuben County city of Corning. The museum opened in 1951 and was founded by the Corning Glass Works, the city's largest company. The collection of glass objects at the museum includes more than 45,000 pieces.
History lovers can browse through the art glass exhibits to see pieces made by ancient Islamic and Roman civilizations as well as historical European, Asian and American objects. The Corning Museum of Glass offers glass-making demonstrations daily. With advanced reservations, visitors can make their own glass art during their museum trip.
The Corning Museum of Glass is open seven days per week year round, excluding New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. General admission was $14 as of November 2010. Senior citizens, college students with identification, active U.S. service members and AAA Motor Club members receive admission discounts. Kids and teenagers receive free admission daily. The museum has free parking.
The Steuben County Fair is an annual event held for five days during the month of August. The Steuben County fairgrounds in Bath serve as home for the event.
Visitors to the Steuben County Fair can attend events like demolition derbies, live country music and agricultural demonstrations and shows. A talent contest is held annually during the festival. Vendor booths feature arts and crafts and browsing, and a number of concession stands are on-site. Games and drawings take place each day.
The schedule of events at the Steuben County Fair varies each year and is published online and in paper form prior to the event. For the 2010 fair, general admission was $5. Children aged 12 and under received free admission. On-site parking is available for a fee.
