CORNING, NY - Have you ever worked with glass as hot as molten lava? Bent glass - without breaking it? Or seen an 11-foot (335 cm) tree of swirling green glass?

You can experience this and more at The Corning Museum of Glass in upstate New York, where visitors of all ages explore the art, history, technology and craft of glass in a truly unique way:

• Explore the world's largest collection of glass. More than 40,000 objects showcase 3,500 years of glassmaking history. See a tiny portrait of an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh, beautiful Asian mosaics, large Tiffany stained glass windows, fanciful modern-day sculptures - and nearly everything in between.

• Watch live, narrated glassblowing demonstrations. On a stage floating above a working glass factory, master glassmakers take gobs of molten glass and turn them into beautiful bowls, vases and more in a narrated show of twirling, heat, sparks, and glassblowing.

• Try glassmaking in a hands-on workshop. At daily Walk-in Workshops, try the ancient art of glassworking. Projects exist for all ages. Children as young as two or three can decorate a sandblasted drinking glass or fuse a picture frame. Older children and adults will enjoy blowing a holiday ornament or forming a flower out of molten glass, or flameworking a glass bead.

• Explore the science and technology of glass. Glass changes the world - discover how in the Museum's award-winning, state-of-the-art, interactive science and technology exhibit called the Innovations Center. "Do It!" stations let everyone get hands-on with the science of glass.

• Shop for glass treasures from around the world. Featuring eight unique boutiques that enhance and reflect every part of the Museum, the GlassMarket at The Corning Museum of Glass offers everything from jewelry, inexpensive holiday ornaments and gifts, handmade glass art, books, and videos related to glass.

Each year, the Museum offers a special changing exhibition. In 2006, the Museum will exhibit "Glass of the Maharajahs," the world's first major exhibition of glass furnishings made for Indian palaces at the turn of the century when Indian Maharajahs and other elite families in India filled their palaces and homes with glass furnishings found nowhere else in the world: a massive 18-light candelabra in jewel-toned glass, table fountains of intricately faceted cut glass, a four-poster bed with rich hangings, and throne-size chairs. The exhibition runs through November 30, 2006.

Nestled in the heart of the Finger Lakes region, the Museum is located midway between Niagara Falls (3 hours drive) and New York City (4 hours drive). Parking (for cars, RVs, and busses) is available and the Museum is located right off the major highway, I-86. There are plenty of nearby hotels, restaurants and attractions, as well as more than 90 wineries in the region.

The Corning Museum of Glass is family-friendly, offering something for all ages. Children 17 and under receive free admission. Adult admission is $12.50 (certain discounts apply). Walk-in Workshop experiences are an additional fee.

Special tours and workshops are available for tour groups. All facilities are handicap accessible.

For more information about the Museum, visit www.cmog.org.

The Corning Museum of Glass (www.cmog.org) is home to the world's most comprehensive and celebrated collection of glass, with more than 40,000 objects reflecting 3,500 years of glassmaking history. An independent, non-profit, educational institution, the Museum is dedicated to the art, history, science, research and exhibition of glass. The Museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day and from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the summer. Children 17 and under receive free admission.