Stokered for Transylvania

My wife, two kids (6 and 10) and I are going to Watkins Glen, N.Y., to see a Nascar race. Besides Niagara Falls, what should we see?

David McIntire Montgomery Village

This area of New York is ideal for a family vacation, especially if your brood is outdoorsy. Walking and hiking spots include Havana Glen, a shaded park with a short walk to a deep ravine and cascade; Watkins Glen State Park, with trails along a narrow gorge and 19 waterfalls; and Finger Lakes National Forest.

For something different to do on the water, sail for a few hours on Seneca Lake aboard the schooner Malabar X (607-535-5253, http://www.senecadaysails.com ; from $27). It's an alternative to kayaking or canoeing, which are available, too. The area has many farms, including ones where you can pick your own fruits and veggies. The Cornell Cooperative Extension http:// lists a bunch on its Web site, http://www.cce.cornell.edu/scnya (click on "local food guides"). Also consider a visit to the 175-acre Farm Sanctuary (607-583-2225, http://www.farmsanctuary.org ) in Watkins Glen, which provides shelter for rescued farm animals.

With the kids, touring the region's many wineries is probably out of the question. However, the Seneca Lake Winery Association (877-536-2717, http://www.senecalakewine.com ) has a wine trail that is a lovely driving route. The Catharine Valley Trail from the Village of Horseheads to Seneca Lake is a nice ride as well, with stops at a few local historical sites.

But if you really want to impress the kids, sign up to drive three paced laps on the Watkins Glen International racetrack (607-535-2338; $25). Tours are available May through October. Check in advance for blackout dates around time of races, especially during this summer's Winston Cup series race.

Info: Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce, 800-607-4552, http://www.schuylerny.com.

After a wedding in Missoula, Mont., we have a choice of visiting Glacier National Park or Yellowstone. Which would you recommend?

Anne Betz Arlington

There's a big difference between the two parks, says Steve Braun, owner of Yellowstone Glacier Adventures (406-585-9041, http://www.national-park-tours.com ), a wildlife education group and tour company.

Glacier is a remote and rugged wilderness park. It generally appeals to hikers rather than the traditional tourist, Braun says, though there are ranger-led tours and horseback riding, boating and other recreational activities that would appeal to less adventurous types. The popular Going-to-the-Sun Road runs alongside St. Mary Lake and Lake MacDonald, and there are a half-dozen other scenic roads for taking in amazing views.

As the oldest national park in the United States, Yellowstone is generally more accessible to tourists, especially those with children. There are more sights (Old Faithful geyser and Mammoth Hot Springs among them) and easier-to-spot animals such as bison, elk, bears and wolves, Braun says.

Info: Glacier National Park, 406-888-7800, http://www.nps.gov/glac ; Yellowstone National Park, 307-344-7381, http://www.nps.gov/yell .

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