Welcome to the Enchanted Mountains of Cattaraugus County!  In the Chautauqua-Allegheny Region!

When you think of New York, you probably envision tall buildings, bright lights and cement or the bustling crowds of people and noisy traffic, Madison Avenue or Wall Street…

THINK AGAIN!

We are the other side of New York. We are the Enchanted Mountains of Cattaraugus County in the Chautauqua-Allegheny Region in Southwestern New York; where beautiful scenery displays forested, rolling hills and clean, sparkling lakes, rivers and streams; quaint villages and friendly people, with events and activities for all interests.

Come away from that fast paced, hurry-scurry life and relax in the Enchanted Mountains of Cattaraugus County. Here you can participate in a plethora of activities – OR NOT! Whatever you do for relaxation, you can do it here in our serene, peaceful locations.

Unwind in the tranquil setting of Allegany State Park. Travel along NY’s Amish Trail to experience a step back in time. The Old Order Amish people continue to live everyday life without modern day conveniences. Griffis Sculpture Park is a hands-on outdoor museum on 400 acres with over 200 sculptures that can be touched, sat on or climbed.

Regroup as you hike our trails, visit our nature centers or enjoy our museums, galleries and stage productions.

Sample the tastes of a variety of dining, from the Beef ‘n Barrel to The Old Library to Sprague’s Maple Farms, you will want to return!

Do you want a faster pace? 

Then come to Ellicottville, Holiday Valley and HoliMont where wintertime is an experience you’ll enjoy – skiing, boarding, tubing…  après skiing experience – it’s all here in the location voted #4 by Ski Magazine readers. For more fun, Sky High Adventure Park and Mountains Coaster are now open at Holiday Valley.

Don’t forget to take a chance at the Seneca Allegany Casino located in Salamanca for an exciting time!

Want more? We have snowmobiling, motor sports, boating, biking, golfing and so much more!

Come for a day; come for a stay! We have a wide variety of accommodations to please the most discriminating tastes as well as a diversity of restaurants and plenty of attractions to round out your stay. 

So no matter what you choose for your relaxation, come find it in the Enchanted Mountains of Cattaraugus County, the other side of New York!

www.EnchantedMountains.com               1-800-331-0543

Aquarium of Niagara

The primary purpose of the Aquarium of Niagara, Niagara Falls, New York,  is to create a greater awareness, understanding and appreciation of the aquatic world.

Learn about the Aquarium’s inhabitants during penguin, shark and tidal pool feeding presentations. Watch as our California sea lions educate and entertain you in our 100,000 gallon central pool. Learn more about these fascinating birds as you watch our aquarists feed and interact with our Peruvian penguins.

Special events are held throughout the year including Storytelling Saturdays, SEAsonings, Penguins Days, Seaster Egg Hunt, Putting for Penguins, Halloween Happenings, Reptile Experience, Winds, Waves & Wines. Enjoy a party with your family and friends by celebrating your birthday at the Aquarium with a special party package.

When you visit the Aquarium of Niagara, remember to bring your camera!

Aquarium of Niagara

701 Whirlpool Street

Niagara Falls, NY 14301

1-800-500-4609

Sky High Family Adventure at Holiday Valley

Sky High Adventure Park is Holiday Valley Resort’s newest outdoor activity for family fun. The park features an Aerial Adventure Park  and a Mountain Coaster (opening July 4th). 

Strategy and balance are required as you navigate the 103 platforms, bridges and zip lines of the Aerial Park. You will explore the tree top courses as you cross bridges, climb ladders, navigate obstacles and soar on zip lines. There are eight different courses that increase in difficulty as they rise in height above the ground.

The Mountain Coaster is similar to a roller coaster with cars that ride on a track. Ride alone or with a friend up the mountain. At the apex, the car begins its thrilling descent zigzagging and spiraling down the mountain and through the woods. You can accelerate or decelerate using handles on the sides of the car.

 Holiday Valley Resort also boasts a challenging and scenic 18-hole golf course, over 25 miles of cross country mountain biking trails and a fun filled 3-pool swim complex, complete with poolside service and a Cabana Bar. The Tamarack Club condo/hotel, the course-side Inn at Holiday Valley and the nearby condominiums provide plenty of family friendly lodging at a range of prices.

Holiday Valley is located in Western New York State in Ellicottville, a quaint village with one-of-a-kind shops, restaurants and lots of friendly people with a welcoming attitude. Niagara Falls is a 1.5 hour drive to the north, Allegany State Park and the Seneca Allegany Casino are just 15 miles south.  

Information is available by calling 716-699-2345 or visiting www.holidayvalley.com

Travel to New York to visit the beautiful Cattaraugus County in the Enchanted Mountains.

Travel to New York and take a leisurely cruise along New York’s Amish Trail, where you can purchase handmade products made by talented craftsmen in the Enchanted Mountains.  You can download GPS Points of Interest from our website containing the addresses of Amish shops, tourism businesses and trails throughout the County.

INVESTIGATE THE OUTDOORS FOR FUN:

Summer is for family activity and fun, filled with busy, long days and warm long nights!  Bring your family and investigate our outdoors!

Stretch those muscles at one of the various nature centers throughout our County. Visit Allegany State Park with its many miles of paved multi-use trails as well as horseback riding and mountain bike trails. Allegheny River Valley Trail offers 5.6 miles of paved multi-use trails in the Olean and Allegany area. Enjoy a warm, sunny summer’s day hike at Pfeiffer Nature Center in Portville, Rock City Park in Olean, Little Rock City State Park in Little Valley, Nannen Arboretum in Ellicottville or Griffis Sculpture Park in Ashford.

If you like boating, you will love the Allegheny Reservoir’s uncommercialized shorelines with a peaceful, quiet setting.  Reserve your spot at the Onoville Marina where you can camp by the water or in the shady areas.

Even more fun can be enjoyed searching our Enchanted Mountains Geo Trail, find our caches (there is a total of 32 in every part of the county) and you get a wooden nickel for each one you find.  Find all 32 caches and you will receive a commemorative Enchanted Mountains Geo-Coin!

EVENTS FOR EVERYONE:

Gowanda’s Hollywood Happening, a motorcycle event, June 4 – 6; Ellicottville’s Summer Festival of the Arts and Ellicottville Championship Rodeo, July 2 – 4; Salamanca’s Allegheny River Fest, July 9 – 10; Olean’s Enchanted Mountains Outdoor & Rec Sports Show, August 7 & 8; & Rally in the Valley, August 27 – 29

For information on all the Enchanted Mountains’ events or for a free activities guide, contact the Cattaraugus County Tourism at 1-800-331-0543 or www.EnchantedMountains.com or e-mail us at visitor@enchantedmountains.info

It may sound like an impossible dream, but you absolutely can have the best family vacation getaway of your life even if you’re bringing a brood of energetic youngsters with you.

Whether you’re heading to a South Carolina resort or taking a journey to Paris, France, you have the power to make your trip fantastic regardless of number of kids in your group.

What’s the secret? It’s quite simple: Have reasonable travel objectives.

Often, the biggest problem isn’t that your children are behaving like tots (e.g., crying at inopportune moments, pitching fits at airports, requesting potty breaks every 20 minutes.) The dilemma is that most adults expect too much of their youngsters. They want their family vacation getaway to mirror their romantic getaways to the Canadian hotels they took pre-parenthood… but that’s just not realistic.

Being pragmatic isn’t always easy, but with some planning, it’s doable. Here are some helpful tips to keep you from uttering the phrase, “We’re never taking a vacation with the kids again!”

1. Redefine Your Expectations

Obviously, you need to have some expectations. But don’t forget that toddlers and young kids require frequent breaks and tons of hand-holding. They aren’t little adults, and they won’t magically behave differently just because you’ve paid to stay at any number of Tennessee log cabins. Readjust your expectations, and you’ll have fewer frustrating moments.

2. Have a Flexible Itinerary

Unless you’re traveling by air or train, be flexible in terms of when you leave your home and when you arrive at your destination. The unexpected will always occur… especially when kids are involved. So be flexible and you’ll experience less stress.

3. Maintain a Light Schedule

Yes, your travel to New York may be a dream come true, but trying to cram every sight into a week-long adventure is a recipe for anxiety. Instead, pick a few of the places you really want to see… and save the rest for the next time.

Have travel tips of your own? GuestQuest wants to hear how you ensure your vacations are kid-friendly and fun for everyone!