Any recommendations for parks or sites in Western NY?

[timthenomad]

Hi All,

We (me, the wife, and kids 6 & 8) are wanting to hop into the coach for the last couple weeks of summer. We are looking at a route that will take us from the Philly area, up to the Finger Lakes region, and maybe over as far as Niagara Falls before heading back. Can anyone recommend any great parks, sites or activities in the area? We usually stick to State Parks, but have had fun at some of the resort type campgrounds. I really like the look of things around Seneca Lake. We travel with small Kayak and Paddle Board, but would love to find a place to rents small sailboats for the day.

Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks

Tim

 

[werewilfs]

@tmsnyder lives out that way. Any recommendations Todd?

 

[Richard RV]

Hi All,

We (me, the wife, and kids 6 & 8) are wanting to hop into the coach for the last couple weeks of summer. We are looking at a route that will take us from the Philly area, up to the Finger Lakes region, and maybe over as far as Niagara Falls before heading back. Can anyone recommend any great parks, sites or activities in the area? We usually stick to State Parks, but have had fun at some of the resort type campgrounds. I really like the look of things around Seneca Lake. We travel with small Kayak and Paddle Board, but would love to find a place to rents small sailboats for the day.

Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks

Tim

Sampson State Park has it all. One stop shopping!

Sampson State Park - New York State Parks & Historic Sites

Located on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, Sampson is the perfect spot for camping, boating and mesmerizing sunsets. The park has campsites, luxe...

parks.ny.gov

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

And for a nice, small, secluded, in the middle of the woods, barebones campground there's this:

Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests : Recreation Site - Blueberry Patch Campground

New York—Blueberry Patch Campground is a small, semi-primitive campground located along Picnic Area Road (County Route 2), next to the large blueberry patch it received its name from. This is a popular spot to gather berries when they are in season. The berry patch features the high bush as well...

www.fs.usda.gov

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Tom Katzenberger]

Rich,

How about Letchworth State Park, Watkins Glen or Ricketts Glen as a suggestion.

Oki and I loved all three of those.

They're kind of more central , but still beautiful.

Take care,
Tom K.

 

[RF_Burns]

I second Watkins Glen for all the waterfalls, you must take a walk down the gorge, they are beautiful. Also other wonderful waterfalls in the area.

Letchworth State Park is also very beautiful, "Grand Canyon of the East". It's about half-way between Watkins Glen and Buffalo.

If going to Niagara Falls, go to the Canadian side for better views and much larger falls. Don't forget your Passports.

 

[tmsnyder]

I second Watkins Glen for all the waterfalls, you must take a walk down the gorge, they are beautiful. Also other wonderful waterfalls in the area.

Letchworth State Park is also very beautiful, "Grand Canyon of the East". It's about half-way between Watkins Glen and Buffalo.

If going to Niagara Falls, go to the Canadian side for better views and much larger falls. Don't forget your Passports.

Yeah the Canadian side does have a better view; because your looking at the beautiful natural state park which is Niagara Falls State Park in NY!

No offense Bruce

It's a beautiful, walkable, natural park which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. He also designed Central Park in NYC.

It's very walkable and gets you right up close to the water above, and the cliff face below the Falls, in a natural park setting.

I recommend parking on Goat Island for up close and exhilarating views of all the Falls, and I would recommend Cave of the Winds instead of Maid of the Mist. Maid of the Mist is iconic, but Cave of the Winds is a much more intimate experience of the power of the Falls. You can end up almost in them if you want, get as close as you want, and spend as much time there as you want. It's my favorite.

If you have time and energy, there is a hike of the lower Niagara Gorge which can be as long as you want it to be. You can get right up to the water, but be careful, one slip and it's game over, there's no surviving the rapids.
For camping nearby, we like Four Mile State Park which is North of the Falls on Lake Ontario. East of there is Fair Haven state park, that's my brother in law's favorite, on Lake Ontario. But there are many state parks to camp along Ontario lake.

Lewiston is a cute artsy town to explore, and Artpark there has good music you may want to check out.

Old Fort Niagara is interesting for a bit of American history.

There's a baseball team in Buffalo if that interests you, that's always fun. There is also a lot of waterfront in Buffalo and kayaking is popular. AI says: "Top kayak launch spots in Buffalo, NY include Ohio Street Boat Launch, Buffalo RiverWorks, and Mutual Riverfront Park. These locations offer easy access to the Buffalo River and Outer Harbor"

There's a Buffalo Transportation Pierce Arrow Museum which is great.

Buffalo Zoo would be great for the kids.

Near the Finger Lakes, Hammondsport NY has the Glenn Curtis Aviation museum that may be of interest.

186th Erie County Fair is August 12-23 if you're in town! That's always fun especially for kids.

There's tons to do, I'm sure I'm missing a bunch.

Feel free to camp overnight at my place if you want!