Letchworth © Keith Walters Photography
Begin your journey in Wyoming County and end in Orleans County—from Lakes to Letchworth
Follow your curiosity and veer off the “beaten path” of Western New York, where you’ll find natural resources and hidden treasures you never expected! The “beaten path” that we refer to is the NYS Thruway (I-90), which connects several well-known cities. We invite you to exit at Pembroke or Batavia and explore the backroads of Orleans County to the north, where you can venture to Lake Ontario, and Wyoming County to the south, where you can experience Letchworth State Park—the “Grand Canyon of the East.”
Adventure: We offer you family-friendly experiences that thrill adventurers of all ages and make memories to last a lifetime. Try whitewater rafting next to Letchworth State Park’s 600-foot gorge walls or fly above the 100-foot Middle Waterfall in a hot air balloon. The Ultimate Fishing Town of Point Breeze on the “Oak” offers over 30 professional fishing charters that will venture out on Lake Ontario for the ultimate fishing experience in the spring and summer. In the fall, winter and spring, try casting at any number of tributaries to capture trophy-sized salmon or trout.
Back to Nature: Looking for serenity in nature? Several outfitters will provide kayaks and canoes for you to explore the gentle currents of our creeks, streams, and lakes. The Erie Canal is a perfect choice to kayak or cycle along the towpath from village to village. Hiking trails and bird watching are popular at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Beaver Meadow Audubon Center or Autism Nature Trail in Letchworth State Park, among others.
History: The development of our region includes awe-inspiring engineering feats from the Mount Morris Dam to the Erie Canal. Explore the canal town villages along the banks of the Erie Canal by boat, bicycle or car. They are teaming with specialty shops, activities and a variety of restaurants. Let your curiosity rein at our museums devoted to Cobblestone architecture and Sandstone architecture specific to the region. Train enthusiasts will discover a few railroading opportunities: train excursions in Arcade and Medina, where you can marvel at one of the largest model train displays in the country!
Agri-Tourism: The rich agricultural history is prevalent in the lake plains region of New York state. Farm-to-table is a way of life here. You can find fresh produce and artisanal preserves at farm markets, roadside produce stands and food-tastic festivals throughout the region during the fall harvest. Craft beverages will scintillate your taste buds at any one of the breweries, cideries, wineries, and meaderies. Plan your visit around harvest-themed events this fall, such as the AppleUmpkin Arts Festival, Kendall Scarecrow Festival, Taste of Orleans or Niagara Wine Trail events.
Lodging: You won’t find many big-chain hotels here, but what you will find are lush boutique hotels and homey vacation rentals such as cabins, waterfront cottages and bed and breakfast inns. Plenty of family-friendly campgrounds are available, ranging from rugged to state-of-the-art. Some courses offer lodging packages for golf enthusiasts, whether you prefer a nice comfortable inn or “RV to a Tee.”
Orleans and Wyoming Counties are located approximately an hour apart, so we invite you to take the roads less travelled and spend a day, weekend or week-long vacation.
Visit lakestoletchworth.com or call 585.589.3100 to order a Travel Guide to plan your trip today.
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Chase the colors this fall when you visit Orleans & Wyoming Counties in the Greater Niagara Region of New York State
