Rockwell Museum

More than just a museum, the Rockwell also considers itself a community center. Art enthusiasts can find a year-long roster of events, from annual Day of the Dead celebrations in early November to artist residencies, school programs, and even the opportunity for art students to exhibit their work. Around the corner from the museum, the Rockwell runs the Kids Rockwell Art Lab, an interactive family studio. General admission tickets are valid for two consecutive days to both sites.

An art museum might sound too stuffy to appeal to kids, but think again. In addition to the Kids Rockwell Art Lab, the museum has special gallery games on request, including an I-Spy book and art-themed scavenger hunt. Kids and teens 17 and under also get free admission.

• All museum entrances and galleries are wheelchair- and stroller-accessible, and a wheelchair-accessible restroom is available on the mezzanine level. Manual wheelchairs are loaned to guests on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Looking for a unique gift? The Rockwell Museum shop stocks USA-made artisanal wares, including pieces hand-crafted by Native American artists. You don’t need to buy an admission ticket to browse the gift shop.

• Senior citizens over 61, students, military personnel, and local Corning residents are all eligible for reduced admission tickets with a valid form of ID. Military veterans receive free admission to the museum throughout November.

• If you can’t make it to Corning, the Rockwell Museum offers a wide variety of virtual events and at-home art projects for parents and educators. Check online for downloadable activity sheets.

The Rockwell Museum is conveniently located in downtown Corning, just a stone’s throw from the restaurants and boutiques of Market Street. If coming by car, take Exit 46 on I-86E; turn onto 414/Center Way and follow signs for the museum. Free parking is available right behind the Rockwell. A free shuttle bus also runs all day between the Rockwell Museum, Market Street, and the Corning Museum of Glass.

The museum regularly hosts lectures and other special events, so check the calendar ahead of your trip. During the summer months—from Memorial Day through Labor Day—the Rockwell has extended evening hours. Summer is also the perfect time to visit upstate New York, particularly for those not used to the region’s infamously frosty winters.

Double your art intake with a combo admission package that covers the Corning Museum of Glass and the Rockwell Museum. Not only can you explore 3,500 years of glass art and design, but the museum gives everyone a chance to watch master glass blowers at work—or even make your own glass creations. As with the Rockwell, kids and teens 17 and under can visit for free, making this a family- and budget-friendly double feature.