Elmira, USA - New York

A few dozen miles from the New York/Pennsylvania border, Elmira - a resident of the former - is a city which took on the conventional grid platform, making it rather unimpressive in the visual scheme of things. Instead, the energy of Elmira is much devoted to tech and commerce, with the globally recognized Corning Inc. leading the pack. There are many reasons why founders of Corning chose south-central New York as the grounds for their operations - relatively low property taxes; affordable housing (in comparison to figures inside New York City); scenery - but most see Elmira not as the site for innovation or American growth, but as an access point for cultural attractions, the arts, and a closely-held relationship between society and its natural surroundings. Resembling something of a pint-size NYC, Elmira is home to a great number of theatre and musical performances, with appearances by Broadway acts as well as international symphonies. Of course, nightlife in Elmira is not quite on par with that of the districts inside the cultural capital of the world on an island roughly 250 miles away, however the people here seem to make due quite well with that which is offered. As long as forecasters on Wall Street predict calm waters for their NASDAQ listings, both Elmira and Corning need not worry about a resurgence of economic strife. And as for the region's tourism industry: Elmira and its wooded neighbors are open for business. Book your flight today!

When to go

New York State is well known for its rolling - and occasionally rough - terrain, and Elmira's surroundings, well, fit the description well. Because the majority of landowners in the northeastern US are environmentally conscious consumers and look with shame on extensive development, they've molded the land into a vast preserve with pockets of compact of industrial, commercial, and residential complexes. With for definitive seasons, it's quite easy to calculate when the most suitable time to visit would be. Summers in New York tend to be dry, though with recent heat waves and unexpected and lengthy showers, it seems climate conditions are whim decisions for the region's atmosphere. New York is known for its sogginess in spring, however if it looks like a dry spell is coming Elmira's way, jump at the opportunity to experience the city with warm days and a blooming countryside to boot.

Getting there and around

The majority of Elmira-Corning Regional Airport's schedule is reserved for flights reaching just a few hundred miles in all directions. This may seem somewhat of a crippling fact for international travelers to grapple with, however connections both to and from New York City and the state capital of Albany are available, bestowing upon the flier a chance to get a few glimpses of well-known cities on the way. Most people residing in or have been to Elmira and/or Corning will divulge that a private car is likely to be the best tool for both inner-city and suburban travel in the region. Not only will you avail yourself to mapping your own timetable during your stay, but you will also have great possibilities for discovery of New York's less populated portions.

Attractions

If not to lose yourself in volumes of natural history and psychology then to see it for its sights, a visit to Elmira College is a recommended activity for anyone interested in beautiful campuses. Providing an interesting look into a renowned author's life and work, the college's Center for Mark Twain Studies. The Arnot Art Museum is a great place to spend an afternoon, where European canvases from the last few centuries can be seen, along with a good variety of contemporary American pieces and Egyptian relics.