Outdoor Adventure is Calling Your Name!
Outdoor Adventure is Calling Your Name!
Get into the swing of spring: breathe in some fresh air and explore the best our area has to offer
Now that the warm weather has finally graced us with its presence, let’s get out and enjoy it! Spring is a great time to be outdoors and most people take full advantage of this opportunity to explore. There is so much to do in and around the Ellicottville area that anyone looking for adventure has a plethora of choices.
GOLFING GREATNESS
@ Holiday Valley Resort | 6557 Holiday Valley Rd. | Ellicottville NY
716-699-2345 | holidayvalley.com
Holiday Valley Resort isn’t just known for its ski slopes - they’re also known for their Double Black Diamond Golf Course. Now that spring is here, it’s time to get out on the green! The course is a pleasant blend of mountain and flat terrain and the grounds are diligently manicured to provide optimal putting surfaces. The Practice Facility is open now daily from 8:00am until dark. The front 9 of the actual golf course is also now open for your enjoyment. Keep an eye on their website and Facebook page for updates on the full 18-hole course opening and any upcoming special events.
HIT THE TRAILS
@ HoliMont | 6921 Route 242 | Ellicottville, NY
HoliMont is ready to help you welcome in the spring with a little bike adventuring on their ever-popular bike trails and bike park. They have 16 mountain biking trails, over 10 miles of track and are planning on building even more, featuring cross-country, downhill, technical terrain and freeride terrain trails for beginners to expert level riders. Trails are open now to ride at your own risk and will open officially with lift service on May 25th. Come out to experience New York State’s first mountain bike park. Visit holimont.com for more details and information on park operating hours, events and programs.
KEEPING IT LOCAL
@ Ellicottville Village Park | 11 Parkside Dr. | Ellicottville, NY
716-699-4636 | 716-244-7573 | Open Daily
Ellicottville’s own local outdoor hot spot that’s been a part of the town since most of us were kids ourselves, features a pavilion and picnic area with grills, swing sets, slides, basketball court, and tennis court. It’s the perfect place for a spring outing! And it is now also the home of the extremely popular Ellicottville Skatepark. This is the place to shred on your skateboard, roller skates, scooters or BMX bikes, with multiple bowls and street area. Rest in between tricks on one of the newly installed benches and picnic tables. Gather your family and friends, pack a picnic and visit Ellicottville’s local park.
WHIMSICAL WANDERING
@ Griffis Sculpture Park | 6902 Mill Valley Rd. | East Otto, NY
716-667-2808 | griffissculpturepark.org
Located between Ashford Hollow and East Otto is a 425-acre outdoor art museum. Created by artist Larry W. Griffis Jr. in 1966, this was the first sculpture park in the U.S., and now the park features over 250 large scale sculptures that guests can view and interact with dispersed over miles of amazing hiking trails. Each sculpture was placed with the natural setting in mind, creating a truly unique experience between art and nature. Griffis Sculpture Park is also home to some very unique events including Night Lights and the Griffis Summer Music Festival. It’s an epic place to spend a beautiful spring day!
STATE PARK SOIRÉE
@ Allegany State Park | 2373 ASP Route 1 | Salamanca, NY
Allegany State Park is the largest state park in New York, divided into two sections - the Red House and the Quaker area. The Red House area is a staple location to take the family for a cookout, hike, or a combination of any outdoor activity. It offers 5 miles of paved bike paths, boat and bike rentals, beach, swimming, fishing, cabin rentals, camping areas, tennis court, basketball court, two rentable pavilions, multiple picnic areas with outdoor grills and more. Visit parks.ny.gov for information on the Quaker area and to make camping and/or pavilion reservations.
ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP 10
@ Kinzua Bridge State Park | 296 Viaduct Rd. | Mt. Jewett, PA
Located in McKean County, PA, the Kinzua Bridge State Park is 339 acres of spring and summer fun possibilities. With great views, self-guided exhibits, and the 600-foot pedestrian walkway over the Kinzua Gorge, its a great place to visit for a breathtaking afternoon. Named “One of the World’s Top 10 Most Beautiful Skywalks and Viewpoints in the World” by the Culture Trip UK, the Kinzua Bridge Skywalk is an engineering masterpiece with a rich history and one of the most stunning views you’ll see in the Pennsylvania Wilds. Picnicking and hiking opportunities abound.
AN EIGHTH WONDER
@ Rock City Park | 505 Route 16 | Olean, NY
716-372-7790 | rockcitypark.com
Rock City Park has been a popular attraction since 1890, with the largest exposure of quartz conglomerate in the world, hence its label as one of the Eighth Wonders of the World! You can join thousands of visitors who enjoy climbing over, under and through massive rock formations on the 45-minute self-guided trail. Rock City Park also boasts a museum, picnic areas, and of course a souvenir and gift shop, where you can find something to remember your adventure. You can even book your special events there - birthdays, weddings... you name it!
EXPLORE THE FOREST
@ Allegheny National Forest | Throughout McKean County, PA
The Allegheny National Forest is made up of over 514,000 acres. It dominates the western end of the Pennsylvania Wilds and contains within it and around it some of the region’s most treasured places and experiences. It includes two national scenic areas, two wilderness areas and two national wild and scenic rivers (one of those being the Allegheny). The Allegheny National Forest (ANF) offers a wide variety of recreational activities including hiking, mountain biking, boating, camping, hunting, fishing, ATV riding and snowmobiling that result in about 4 million visitors annually. No wonder it’s called the “Land of Many Uses”!