Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Hornell, NY

  • Published 2022/09/02

The city of Hornell is in Steuben County, New York, about 55 miles south of Rochester.

The city got its name from the Hornell family, early immigrants.

On the other hand, Hornell earned its nickname “Maple City” from the massive maple trees covering the Canisteo Valley hills.

The region’s largest Saint Patrick’s Day parade and festival occur in Hornell.

It attracts many people who come out to celebrate the holiday and wear green.

The New York and Erie Railroad arrived at Hornell in 1850.

This railroad became part of four rail lines that helped the city’s expansion and prosperity during the following 120 years.

Thanks to the railroad, this town became a significant hub.

Its steam engine shop handled repairs for the whole Erie line.

The Erie Railroad shops employed over a thousand workers during World War II, who played a vital part in the war effort.

Do you want to visit New York State?

Discover the 15 best things to do in Hornell below!

Explore the Olden Days in Hornell Erie Depot Museum

To preserve the history of Hornell and the railroad industry, the city founded the Hornell Erie Depot Museum in 2005.

Hornell Erie Depot Museum informs the public about the history that served as the lynchpin of Hornell.

The Erie Railroad was a massive transportation system that connected New York City to the rest of the state and beyond.

Moreover, the museum provides a glimpse into the city’s historical past.

It features hundreds of vintage photos, records, outfits, furniture, tools, and model tracks.

The fascinating Hornell Erie Depot Museum provides escorted group excursions and organizes the annual Erie Day.

This program introduces kids to the development of the railroad business.

In the past, Hornellsville, now Hornell, served as Erie’s central storage facility, train yard, and repair facility.

The museum sits inside the old Hornell Depot.

It has a variety of images and artifacts related to Erie trains.

Feel the Rush at the Smash & Paint Hornell

The Smash & Paint Hornell is the perfect place for those who love to paint and smash things.

At the Smash & Paint Hornell, you can let your creativity flow as you paint on canvas or ceramic items.

You can also smash plates, glasses, and other objects in the Smash Room.

This 15-minute session is ideal for blowing off steam.

Try the Smash Your Own Stuff option so you can bring your own stuff.

If you enjoy painting, grab the Splatter Paint Service.

This service will provide a 16-inch × 20-inch canvas for you to paint on with paintbrushes, towels, your body, and other materials.

Typically, these sessions last for 30 minutes.

Smash & Paint Hornell offers a unique and fun experience for people of all ages.

Enjoy Some Family-Friendly Fun at the Maple City Bowl

The Maple City Bowl is a great place to have fun because you can do so many things, besides bowling.

You can have a blast at Maple City Bowl whether participating in one of their leagues, Junior or Classic.

Otherwise, stop by on a weeknight with your kiddos.

Their affordable meals, drinks, bowling, and pool tables make every visit memorable.

Enjoy wide lanes, a friendly ambiance, and a restaurant and bar with full service.

Likewise, Maple City Bowl’s excellent location makes it a fantastic choice for a night out or a day trip.

Additionally, Maple City Bowl offers a variety of party-planning options.

For instance, you can rent the entire facility for five hours, rent a few lanes, order catered food, and more.

Explore the Campgrounds at the Kanakadea Park

Kanakadea Park is one of the most popular places in Hornell because it has something for everyone.

You’ll appreciate the park if you love nature and the outdoors.

Almost every campground in Kanakadea Park faces the little lake.

It’s a lovely place to camp.

Some sites are shaded, but they are farther from the water.

Likewise, Kanakadea Park is still a lovely campground, with 70 places that can house tents, RVs, and campers.

However, only 40 of these sites have electricity, though.

Additionally, there are four rustic cabins, two of which have electricity.

The campsite is dog-friendly with rabies vaccination documentation; however, the cabins are not.

Bond with Your Family at the Hornell Area Family YMCA

The Hornell Area Family YMCA is the perfect place to take your family for quality time and bonding experiences.

You can do activities with your family at the YMCA, such as swimming, working out, and more.

There’s also a Child Watch area where you can leave your kids while you work out.

The YMCA Hornell Area Family YMCA originally comprised two stories of dormitory housing, a gym, and meeting rooms.

Likewise, the facility welcomed train workers who needed affordable housing and access to recreational sports facilities.

The Hornell Area Family YMCA members benefit from a spotless, well-lit, climate-controlled exercise center.

It has a wide selection of free weights, numerous cardio and weight equipment, and both.

The YMCA is a great place to visit if you want family-friendly fun.

Try the Micro Beer at Paddy’s Pub & Grill

Paddy’s Pub & Grill is a family-friendly bar with private balcony seating for large groups of up to 35 individuals.

With 30 rotating taps, Paddy’s Pub & Grill specializes in micro beer.

Paddy’s Pub and Grill offers regular dinner specials, including signature pairings from Tuesday to Thursday.

Their chefs prepare a range of specialties on the other nights, which changes weekly.

Visit this pub if you want to sample microbeer and try some delicious food.

Paddy’s Pub & Grill also offers daily soup and lunch deals.

Teach Your Children to Dance at Miss Sam’s Dance Centre

Bring your toddlers to Miss Sam’s Dance Center and let them learn the art of dancing from professionals.

This center is the only studio in Hornell that employs certified Dance Masters of America instructors.

They deliver top-notch dance instruction in a secure learning environment for their students.

Dancing is a perfect way to help kids develop physical, social, and cognitive skills.

While learning dance methods, Miss Sam’s Dance Centre wants your kids to have fun.

Choose from private and semi-private dance classes at Miss Sam’s Dance Centre.

They also think that a lower student-to-teacher ratio leads to more effective teaching, so they keep an eye on their class numbers.

Explore the Hornell Golf Club

Anyone can play golf at the 18-hole Hornell Golf Club, a family-run facility.

Hornell Golf Club’s picturesque hilly golf course allows players to work on their accuracy.

The club’s number one priority is the satisfaction of its customers, featuring a par-37 golf course had one par-3 and two par-5 holes.

Moreover, Hornell Golf Club aims to provide a welcoming, family-oriented environment.

If you want a scenic wedding venue, Hornell Golf Club is the perfect place.

Tie the knot at Hornell Golf Club and celebrate an informal or elegant wedding.

They can save you time and worry while working within your financial limitations.

Hornell Golf Club also hosts ceremonies; you can hold wedding receptions there.

You can have your ceremony within the banquet building or on the golf course.

Discover Hornell’s Veterans Memorial Park

Built in 1974, Veterans Memorial Park has expanded and improved to provide locals with various leisure options.

The Department of Public Works built six family picnic huts for events like reunions, weddings, company outings, and field trips.

In 1995, they also built a public swimming pool in the park.

Individuals tracking their walking and jogging miles can do so at the designated paths.

In addition, the park has two softball fields, a baseball and soccer hybrid field, handball walls, and tennis courts.

There are restrooms in the center concession area of Veterans Memorial Park.

Teach Your Children Ballet at Miss Lisa’s Artistry of Dance

Bring your kids to the lovely Miss Lisa’s Artistry of Dance.

The dance school offers professional ballet, jazz, and tap instruction for younger kids.

There are also hip-hop and lyrical/contemporary classes for older students.

Miss Lisa’s Artistry of Dance is on Broadway Mall in the city’s center.

Miss Lisa’s Artistry of Dance has two spacious studios, a lovely waiting area, and an office where you can check in.

Enjoy a Unique Moviegoing Experience at Spotlight Theater

Spotlight Theater boasts a sensory-friendly movie viewing experience you won’t find anywhere else.

This theater caters to people on the autism spectrum or sensitive to loud noises and bright lights.

For instance, the theater turns down the sound and leaves the lights on.

Moviegoers can see if they need to get up and move around.

People are also free to make noise and walk around during the movie.

Spotlight Theater recognizes the importance of providing sensory-friendly movie viewings.

You can schedule parties with Spotlight Theater for your kids and their friends.

Chill Out with Friends at the RBI Sports Pub

If you want to bond with your friends, head to the RBI Sports Pub.

RBI Sports Pub is great for watching sports, playing pool and darts, and listening to music.

The pub also serves American food favorites, such as burgers, wings, sandwiches, fries and tots, and onion rings.

RBI Sports Pub also boasts VIP Lounge, perfect for weddings, meetings, parties, and events.

The 1800-square-foot VIP Lounge and Function Suite overlooks a completely manicured patio, accommodating up to 100 people.

If you want to chill out in the open air, hang around RBI Sports Pub’s Beer Garden while munching on some delicious food.

Play Golf at the Twin Hickory Golf Club

If you’re looking for a challenge, head to the Twin Hickory Golf Club and try to win a game of golf.

The 18-hole, USGA-rated Twin Hickory Golf Club, is in the stunning Finger Lakes Region.

John C. Sherburne and his son, John David Sherburne, founded Twin Hickory Golf Club.

Dave and his wife, Elizabeth, have owned and operated the course since it opened in 1965.

Twin Hickory Golf Club is a semi-private club open to the public.

It has 18-challenging holes and a driving cart storage.

The Twin Hickory Golf Club is a stunning golf course with a pro shop, locker rooms, and a snack bar.

Find Your Zen at the Michael Fucci Memorial Park

You can find the Michael Fucci Memorial Park at the end of Thacher Street.

The park provides people a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Likewise, the park shares space with an already existing skateboard park.

It has a lighted walking trail, a pavilion, and a playground.

The Michael Fucci Memorial Park also features an accessible fishing pier, a concession stand, and horseshoe pits.

If you want to relive the past, visit the nearby Hornell Erie Depot Museum.

Other Things to Do Nearby

If you still can’t find something to do in Hornell, check out these other things to do nearby.

Discover the Wonders of Savor Vineyards and Wines

Savor Vineyards and Wines is a charming and unique tiny farm winery that creates a minimal amount of tasty, reasonably priced, award-winning wines.

You can find it in Arkport, New York, 12 minutes from Hornell.

Try the wine slushies and seasonally produced mulled wine at Savor Vineyards and Wines.

Likewise, you can see the Canisteo and Almond Valleys from the Savor Vineyards and Wines tasting room.

Savor Vineyards and Wines allows you to enjoy wine, entertainment, comedy, events, and conversation.

Final Thoughts

Hornell is a great place to visit whether you’re looking for things to do with friends or a challenging diversion.

With its beautiful scenery, delicious food, and excellent wines, Hornell is a place that you’re sure to enjoy.

Plan your trip today and discover the best things to do in Hornell, New York!

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