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The national rankings confirm what many Corning residents and visitors have known for years: Crystal City is a great place for food, drink, art and entertainment.
USA TODAY announced its new 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards Wednesday, and Corning won the award for Best Small Town Culture Scene.
Corning was among 20 small cities nominated for this award by a national panel of experts. To qualify, each region had to have a population of less than 25,000 people.
The competition’s description says, “What museums, museums, performing arts and numerous events lack in scale, they make up in culture.”
Voting closed on April 1st. Corning finished in the top 10 in the final tally, ranking No. 7 in the nation.
Why Corning has the best small-town cultural scene
A big factor in Corning’s ranking was the presence of two “notable” museums enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year: the Corning Museum of Glass and the Rockwell Museum.
“Guests can marvel at the more than 50,000 exquisite artifacts and installations at the Corning Museum of Glass, while the Rockwell Museum has earned acclaim thanks to its collection of historic American paintings, statues, and other pieces. ” said USA TODAY.
The ranking also highlighted Corning’s location just south of the Finger Lakes, with abundant recreational opportunities, wineries, and distilleries.
The Gaffer District, Corning’s “center of artistic expression,” was also cited.
Centerway Square is also aiming for national recognition.
When it comes to the Gaffer District, Corning may not be done with the awards. Centerway Square was nominated for “Best Public Square” in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
“In these times, recognition such as this is a sign of our pride and is a great opportunity for visitors to explore the charm of this central highlight of our cherished Gaffer district.” Gaffer District Executive Director Colleen Fabrizi previously told The Leader.
“We deeply appreciate all votes.”
Voting for this contest is now closed. The winner will be announced later this month.
What other cities were recognized?
The top vote-getter for “Best Small Town Cultural Scene” went to Alamosa, Colorado, known for its sand dunes, public art, and museums.
Other cities in the top 10 include Staunton, Virginia, Marquette, Michigan, and Cullman, Alabama.
Click here for a complete list and description.
About 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards
The USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards highlight the best in travel, food, drink and lifestyle. USA TODAY 10Best asks a panel of industry experts to recommend their favorite sights and attractions across a wide range of categories.
10Best editors review these nominations and select the final set of candidates to present to the voting public over a four-week period.
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