Top 10 Get Outside & PLAY Bucket List…Before Summer Ends!
Top 10 #getoutside & PLAY Bucket List
Before summer is over!
With plenty of summer still on the table, NOW is the time to fill your cup with adventure. We have a great menu of outdoor destinations to choose from. Explore as many as you can before the days run short - from treetop obstacle courses to larger-than-life rock formations, from a plethora of hiking trails to the thrill of a hawk walk, from awe-inspiring views to the much simpler experiences. Pack a picnic for the park or head to the waters for a cool-down. However you choose to spend your final days of summer, take time to explore the great outdoors and reconnect with nature.
Cattaraugus County, also known as the Enchanted Mountains, boasts a number of unique destinations to keep your summer in check. Plan a family vacation that is packed with fun, not with dollar signs. How many of these adventures have you already conquered? Find more ways to explore by requesting a free Cattaraugus County Travel Guide, 800-331-0543 or download a guide at:
SKY HIGH ADVENTURE PARK
@Holiday Valley Ellicottville, NY 14731 716-699-2345 holidayvalley.com/skyhigh
The largest in New York State and 3rd largest in the U.S., Sky High’s Aerial Park is a series of platforms, bridges, and ziplines built in a 4-acre section of the woods. There are 13 courses with varying levels of difficulty, so no worries, even the kids (ages 7 and up) will have plenty of action to play on. And we can attest that it is SAFE. At Sky High, everyone wears a harness with a special locking lanyard that safeguards you from falling if you slip or let go. Sky High also boasts a Climbing Forest (also kid friendly, ages 5 and up), and a super fun Mountain Coaster that zigs, zags and spirals down the mountain through the trees. Oh, and while you’re there, hop on a chairlift ride and enjoy the view to the top of Spruce Lake, available Saturdays and Sundays through mid-October.
2. ROCK CITY PARK
505 Route 16 Olean, NY 14760 866-404-ROCK rockcitypark.com
Explore the world’s largest exposure of quartz conglomerate as you meander through rocks that are bigger than a house! Once a prehistoric ocean floor, this gigantic ‘Rock City’ towers many stories high. An attraction since 1980, Rock City Park first operated as a local rail system which welcomed thousands of visitors by trolley. Famous for its beautiful Bon Air Hotel and dance pavilion, guests enjoyed its amusement park with merry-go-round, box ball alleys, and many other forms of entertainment. Today visitors come to enjoy the natural beauty of the rock formations. The hiking trail is family friendly and takes about 45 minutes to complete. Most of the rock formations have special names based on their appearance. Keep your eye out for “Balancing Rock”, “Old Man” and “1/2 Sphinx Head.”
3. ALLEGANY STATE PARK
Salamanca, NY 14779 800-456-2267 EMFun.us/ASP
With 65,000 acres, Allegany State Park is the largest State Park in New York and offers fun and excitement year round. There are two sections of the Park - Red House and Quaker - both offer nature and adventure tourism for those seeking to explore the great outdoors with miles of trails. Take to any of the trail systems for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, or head to the lakes for great paddling! Favorite hiking trails of ellicottvilleNOW staff include Black Snake Mountain and Three Sisters. Check out the bear caves, too! (on Bear Cave Trail) on the Quaker side of the park when visiting. The park also offers group-style camping, cabins, tent and RV sites. In winter, Allegany State Park is a popular destination for cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobilers.
4. STONE TOWER
@Allegany State Park Salamanca, NY 14779 800-456-2267 EMFun.us/ASP
During your visit to Allegany State Park, be sure to add the Stone Tower to your must-see list. In June of 1933, Company 249 of the Civilian Conservation Corps (part of FDR’s New Deal) arrived at the park to construct a stone observation tower on the summit of a hill. The men commenced the Stone Tower in October 1933. Their campsite of World War I surplus tents was located just below where the tower now stands. Stone Tower includes a winding staircase leading up to the top deck. The stone used to build the octagonal shaped tower was all collected and cut in the park. It stands at an elevation of 2,250 feet and overlooks Salamanca to the North and Red House Lake to the South. A carving of an arrow pointing north was etched in the center of its upper deck. The Stone Tower was completed in the spring of 1934. It is a unique and beautiful site to visit.
5. GRIFFIS SCULPTURE PARK
6902 Mill Valley Road East Otto, NY 14729 716-667-2808 griffispark.org
Griffis Sculpture Park is a hidden gem in Cattaraugus County. It matches art with nature as guests walk through, climb on, and stroll around over 250 enormous multi-dimensional sculptures set on Mother Nature’s canvas. Since the early 60’s, these steel sculptures created by Larry Griffis, Jr. and other international artists have been residing in the woods, fields, and even ponds of the park. Each sculpture was placed with the natural setting in mind, creating a truly unique experience between art and nature. Located just eight miles outside of Ellicottville, Griffis Sculpture Park draws visitors from far and wide as it has the distinction of being America’s largest and oldest sculpture park. Pack a picnic and explore at your own pace.
6. KINZUA SKYWALK
296 Viaduct Road Mt. Jewett, PA 16740 1-800-473-9370 visitanf.com
If you have not yet experienced the Kinzua Sky Walk, put this at the TOP of your list this summer! Located about an hour drive south of Ellicottville, the Kinzua Sky Walk is built on six remaining towers of the Kinzua Viaduct, which was at one time the highest and longest railroad bridge in the world. Partially destroyed by a tornado in 2003, the viaduct was reinvented in 2011 as a tourist destination. Walk out onto the Sky Walk, which juts out more than 600 feet and features a partial glass floor at the very end. You may get the jitters as you take that step onto the glass floor; it surely is an invigorating experience! After you’ve showcased your brave side, hike down the Kinzua Trail, which winds down the side of the gorge, and view the fallen towers from below. Open dawn to dusk; admission is FREE!
7. HAWK WALKS & OWL ENCOUNTERS
Book Your Experience 716-949-9221 americanhawkeye.com
If you’re a nature enthusiast, bird nerd, photographer, hunter, or just love doing cool things, Jonathan Clarkson of American Hawkeye has the perfect experience for you! As a master falconer, Jonathan has been working with birds of prey most of his life, and he is proud to share the amazing world of falconry with the public. He offers guided nature hikes and demonstrations with his raptors for individuals and groups. Two of his most popular experiences are the night time “Owl Encounters” and daytime “Hawk Walks.” Jonathan recently added a new experience to his falconry school at a discounted rate just for families. As he stated, “Now more than ever, people need to be outdoors to reconnect with nature. We want families to experience nature together with our amazing birds of prey and build unforgettable memories.”
8. ALLEGHENY ADVENTURES
210 Green Street Olean, NY 14760 585-933-0006
Paddle your worries away on the Allegheny River with kayak and canoe rentals from Allegheny Adventures. You can pick up your rental and launch from Steam Valley Launch in Portville, where you can float downstream and end up right back at Allegheny Adventures. Then you can grab a bite to eat from Four Mile Brewing (right next door) if you choose. In addition to the gorgeous views, it is also common to see wildlife such as beavers, bald eagles, or deer as you paddle your way down the river. Life jackets are included with rentals.
9. PFEIFFER NATURE CENTER
Portville, NY 14770 716-933-0187 pfeiffernaturecenter.org
Pfeiffer Nature Center is home to approximately 650 acres of natural beauty and is split into two properties: Lillibridge and Eshelman. Both properties offer breathtaking views and miles of hiking trails. The Lillibridge Property is also known for its rustic, American Chestnut log cabin listed on the National & State Registers of Historic Places. The nature center is open daily from dawn to dusk and offers fun, self-led activities throughout the summer. This month’s activity is “Fitness Fun for Kids at Pfeiffer.” Find the route posted at the kiosk of the Lillibridge property, then follow the self-guided walking trail through the old growth forest. The fitness trail contains 12 stations, each with a fun fitness activity to carry out. Perfect for all ages. Be sure to wear comfortable exercise shoes and bring plenty of water to drink.
10. BLUEBERRY PICKING
Farms Throughout Cattaraugus County enchantedmountains.com
Often labeled as Mother Nature’s Superfood, blueberries are not only a tasty treat, they are incredibly good for you too! Low in calories and high in nutrients, blueberries are packed with fiber, vitamins C and K, and manganese. They are known for their antioxidant properties, and are heart-friendly too. Spend an afternoon in the sun, picking fresh blueberries at any one of Cattaraugus County’s local berry patches. It’s a favored past-time for so many families. Burdick Blueberries, 8267 Thompson Rd., Cattaraugus, offers both pick-your-own and already picked blueberries. The Great Valley Berry Patch, 5608 Humphrey Rd., Great Valley, offers blueberries, strawberries, and a variety of other freshly picked fruits and vegetables, as well as sunflowers. For a complete list of berry patches in our county, visit enchantedmountains.com and search Events.