Sounds like some here have been to Watkins Glen (so I'm @'ing all the people who have mentioned it and hopefully someone can help). @saw50st8 ; @@yehuda ; @iwlw2 ; @shaulyaakov ; @Yonah
We're planning to stop for a hike at Watkins Glen on the way up from the Poconos area to Niagara. We're aiming to be in Buffalo before 7 for dinner, so I need to budget out the time for various stops, including this hike. We have 2 couples and a 7, 6, 3, and <1 year old. One of the adults has limited mobility, and will therefore have to stay back (by the car, or in the general entrance area). The baby will either stay back with that adult, or come in a carrier.
- So I guess the first question is whether there's anywhere to hang out at the entrance/parking area?
- I see some suggestions that it might be best to hike to the best of the falls areas and then just turn back. What trail and to what point is this? I'm using this map as a reference, but I can't nail down where to go exactly:
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/attachments/WatkinsGlenTrailMap.pdf - Can younger kids handle it? The older boys are usually up for this kind of thing, but obviously can't handle anything too extreme. The 3 year old is somewhat limited, but might be able to hack it following his brothers if it's short enough.
TIA
Well, as hashgacha would have it, I just made my third visit to Watkins Glen two days ago on my way back from Toronto, so I can give you a completely updated report!

Sometime within the last year or so they completed an upgrade and redoing of the visitors center and gift shop on the bottom of the Glen (at the entrance/parking of the park) and while I didnt spend much time in there as I too was in a rush, it looks really nice. My reccomendation would still be to take the shuttle up and then walk down. The shuttle stop is right across the street from the park entrance, and it's only $5 a person with 10 and under being free. That meant for my family of two adults and six kids with only one being over 10, it cost only $15. The schedule seems a bit unclear, but definitely seems to go at least twice an hour (Be aware though that it says the last shuttle is at 5:30 P.M.). It takes about 10 min. to get to the top. Then just follow the Gorge trail down for some of the most stunning scenery I've ever seen! (I wish I knew how to upload my pix...

). The trail is very easy, mostly steps, and was easily navigable for my kids including a 10, 8, 5, and almost 3 year old, and the <1 baby who my wife and I traded off carrying the whole way down (I dont think a stroller can work). I am not one for much hiking, and this was seriously easy, more like a walk than a hike. It took us right around an hour without speeding through, but also not hanging around too much, as we were rushing a bit, it can easily stretch to 1.5 hours if you want to be a bit more leisurely about it. All in all, you will not regret doing it, I can guarantee that.
ETA: A couple of things I forgot to mention. First of all the trail is quite wet with puddles etc through a lot of it (probably varies depending on recent rain, did make for nice waterfalls though

) and you will get a bit wet from some of the waterfalls, dress and footwear accordingly. Also a good idea to take some water with you, although much of the way is shady due to the walls of the gorge, it can get hot.