Get Out & Experience Winter
Get Out & Experience Winter
The Enchanted Mountains of Cattaraugus County are Calling
Photo / William O. Smith Recreation Center
Experience winter in all its glory by snowmobiling, tubing, making your own cross country ski trails on state land, ice skating, ice fishing, and so much more! Whatever it is you do for relaxation, you can do it here in our serene, peaceful locations. Enjoy your leisure time by spending an extended amount of time here; we have a wide assortment of fine accommodations that will meet every need. While we wait for Mother Nature to bless us with some snow, here is a list of winter opportunities to experience in the Enchanted Mountains…
Ice Skating: Put your ice skates on or rent a pair and glide along the ice indoors at the William O. Smith Recreation Center in Olean, NY. Call 716-373-RINK to confirm ice skating hours. The Enchanted Mountains also has two outdoor rinks as long as the weather allows - Little Valley Skating Pond and the Ice Pond in Salamanca.
Ice Fishing: For the heartier sportsperson, try ice fishing on our lakes during one of those sunny, brilliant wintry days. There is plenty of room to spread out and set up your shanty. Our lakes provide excellent habitat for many sports fish, including tiger musky in Lime Lake and Walleye along the reservoir. Drop a line in at New Albion, Case, Harwood, Quaker or Red House Lakes for even more fishing fun! For information on licenses, bait shops, and guidelines for fishing in the Seneca Nation, please visit EMFun.us/Fishing.
Historical Sites in Cattaraugus County: Explore the unique history, culture and heritage that can be found in Cattaraugus County Museums and historical sites, as well as in the Seneca Nation’s Onöhsagwë:de Cultural Center.
The Onöhsagwë:de Cultural Center welcomes visitors to explore the "American History you Won't Find In Textbooks". Seneca History is rich, but little known and understood. Though faced with constant challenges, the culture and depth of the Seneca tradition is still very much alive and celebrated. Known as “The Keepers of the Western Door” for being the westernmost among the six nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, the Seneca are a matriarchal society that has participated in what is accepted as the first modern democracy in the Western hemisphere since 1100 A.D. Yet many sacred lands have been taken by the United States, even as recently as the 1960s to build the Kinzua Dam in northwestern Pennsylvania. See this historical exhibit and others, as well as modern exhibits like “Indian Ink: Iroquois and the Art of Tattoos”. The Cultural Center is open seven days a week. The beautiful building sits on the opposite side of Rt. 86 (Rt. 17) as the Casino and half of the rooms in the Casino gaze upon the Cultural Center.
There is an expansive amount of cutlery history that can be found in the Village of Cattaraugus, the Town of Little Valley and the City of Olean. One such place that tells one of these stories is the Cutco Ka-Bar Visitors Center in Olean. Known all over the world, this Center has knowledgeable and helpful staff that will help you learn the timeline of how the company started and grew, as well as the how the products are made and sold. There are antique displays, historical photographs and documents. Plus, bring in your Cutco products for factory sharpening through their lifetime guarantee!
SENECA ALLEGANY RESORT & CASINO: Try your luck at 1,800 state-of-the-art slot machines and your skill at 33 table games at the Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino. Nestled along the New York/Pennsylvania border at the foot of the majestic Allegheny Mountains, you will find comfort, fun and relaxation all in one place. The area’s only AAA Four Diamond Award-winning resort features luxurious hotel rooms, a full service salon, an indoor pool with a fantastic view and a fantastic mix of fine dining and casual restaurant options. The slot machines include classic favorites and the latest in technology and themes. With over 68,000 square feet to the casino floor, you are sure to find your lucky machine. The Seneca Allegany Events Center (located in the same building) brings top-notch entertainment to the area. Country artist Brantley Gilbert will perform Feb. 10th (purchase tickets at senecaalleganycasino.com). Past performances have included Chicago, Peter Frampton, and REO Speedwagon, as well as comedians Howie Mandel and Jeff Foxworthy.
Theater: The theater is alive and well, and as you know the saying goes, "The Show Must Go On". And that means in the winter as well. Spend a delightful evening inside dreaming of other lives lived and hearing the great stories and musicals put on by our fantastic local talent. The Olean Theatre Workshop has provided family theater for over 35 years, offering fine live performances for those wishing to enjoy a little more of the indoors over the winter months. Upcoming shows of Barefoot in the Park (February 25-28), The Odd Couple (April 25-28), and Witness for the Prosecution (October 26-29) are just some to look forward to! Follow Olean Theatre Workshop on Facebook or visit their website oleanworkshop.org to see what other shows are on the docket for this year.
Experience a Simpler Way of Life: For the ultimate viewing, travel through our Old Order Amish community on New York's Amish Trail in a rural setting with open landscapes. You will come upon Amish buggies that go a comfortable speed of 10mph. Don’t be in a hurry… slow down and appreciate the winter scenery. Make sure you stay on the main roads, as the side roads may not be plowed. As you make stops at the different Amish owned shops, you will be able to fill up on delicious baked goods, buy a handmade quilt and stock up on wonderful gifts all before going home. Not sure where to go? Visit AmishTrail.com to request the newly updated, FREE brochure and map which can be mailed directly to you.
There’s so many things to do in our beautiful Enchanted Mountains, even when there’s no snow! Don’t let winter pass you by - get outside and see for yourself. To learn more about any of these and other fun adventures, visit EnchantedMountains.com/Winter.