25 Must-Do Experiences

1. Set Sail!

Get your feet wet at Cuba Lake – bring your boat, kayak, fishing poles, or learn how to sail at the Cuba Lake Yacht Club. After a day well-spent on the water, navigate your crew over to Carpie’s Bar and Grill on the North Shore to recharge with food, drinks, and live music.

2. Up, Up and Away!

Floating high above the Village of Wellsville, hot air balloons fill the sky in a delightful rainbow of colors. There’s no more magical sight! The Great Wellsville Balloon Rally is an annual tradition worth making the trip for – don’t miss it on the third weekend in July!

3. Hit the Trails!

Western NY Wilds has plenty of room to ride your ATV or UTV. Whether you’re looking to get muddy or prefer a quiet ride in the woods, Tall Pines ATV Park boasts over 90 miles of scenic trails for you and your family to enjoy.

4. Fun is Brewing!

Raise your glass at Wellsville Brewing
Company. Enjoy over a dozen craft brews and the friendliest small-town atmosphere at the newest brewery on Main Street in Wellsville. Don’t leave without trying the Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter! Cheers!

5. The Trill of the Hunt!

What’s old is new again on Western NY Wilds’ antique trail. Whether you’re looking for the perfect vintage piece or just browsing – the fun is in the hunt! Start your antiquing in Cuba (don’t miss Cuba Antiques on Water Street!) and take the scenic route, with stops along the way in Friendship, to Angelica’s Street of Shops!

6. Take a Hike!

The WAG Trail is a 9 mile, multiuse
recreational trail and historic transportation corridor extending from the Village of Wellsville to the Pennsylvania state line. It also offers access to the Genesee River. Take a hike or bring your bike and spend a day on the WAG Trail – or join us in October for the annual Ridgewalk and Run!

7. This is Oil Country!

Learn about Western NY Wilds’ oil history – the boom and bust of the oil economy when you visit the Pioneer Oil Museum in Bolivar, located in the heart of the old “Allegany Oil Field.” Take a guided or unguided tour of two sites – the Museum on Main Street and the Hahn & Schaffner Site.

8. Allegany Artisans!

Western NY Wilds is home to a diverse body of artisans working across mediums, including clay, wood, metal, fiber, jewelry, and paint. Every October the Allegany Artisan community hosts the Allegany Artisan Studio Tour,  featuring 32 artisans and 26 locations across the county. Learn about their craft and shop during this special event.

9. Rollin' on the River!

Originating in Pennsylvania and flowing North, extending over 50 miles through Western NY Wilds, the Genesee River is perfect for fishing or just floating! Teeming with trout, the Genesee River offers plenty of public fishing access. Bring your kayak (or rent one) and enjoy floating along this calm, scenic waterway!

10. Hit the Slopes!

Don’t miss hitting the slopes at Swain Ski Resort during the winter months. Skiers of all skill levels can enjoy a variety of trails ranging in difficulty. Swain is also home to festivals throughout the year – like the Western NY Bowhunting Festival and Swain Beer Festival, so check out their events calendar to see what’s appening during your visit!

11. Walk through History!

History comes to life on Main Street in Angelica every September for Civil War Reenactment Weekend. In the picturesque Village of Angelica, surrounded by 1800’s architecture, you can get up close to the ‘battle’ and learn how Civil War soldiers and civilians lived, dressed, and interacted.

12. Say Cheese!

Folks come from far and wide to get their hands on Allegany County’s famous Cuba Cheese! Once the “Cheese Center of the World,” indeed, no trip to Western NY Wilds is complete without a trip to the Cuba Cheese Shoppe! With dozens of cheeses, cheese spreads, squeaky cheese curds, gourmet gifts, and more, stock up on goods to enjoy long after your trip has ended!

13. Knuckle Up!

Check out the world’s only Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame in Belfast, or as we like to call it, “Knuckletown, USA.” Visit the restored 1889 barns where John L. Sullivan, the last great heavyweight champion of bare knuckle boxing, trained for the last Bare Knuckle Boxing Championship of the World against Jake Kilrain!

14. Visit a National Natural Landmark!

Moss Lake Preserve in Houghton is a designated national, natural landmark and is owned by The Nature Conservancy. The preserve features an outstanding 15-acre bog lake, formed thousands of years ago after the last continental glacier melted, leaving behind a water-filled depression. Watch for wildlife like turtles and osprey and enjoy hiking the trails around the lake.

15. Got Garlic?

Hosted at Cuba’s iconic Block Barn, the annual Garlic Festival brings together music, culinary demonstrations, over 100 vendors, children’s activities, and more. Don’t miss this fun event for the whole family in mid-September!

16. Take the Stage!

Built in 1867, the Palmer Opera House on Cuba’s Main Street is a historic landmark and cultural icon that has been restored to all it’s former glory. The Palmer hosts musical and theatrical performances weekly and is also home to The Cuba Cheese Museum and Sweet Meredith’s Fudgery.

17. Visit an Eco-Resort!

If wood-fired pizza and wine in the wilderness sounds like the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon, don’t miss Pollywogg Holler Eco-Resort! Located on 30 acres of lush forest land, Pollywogg Holler offers ponds, a winding creek, sculpture garden, and a variety of lodging options for a completely unique stay!

18. Let History be Your Guide!

History Awareness Week is an immersive, educational experience celebrating the people and distinct places that make Allegany County a unique, historic destination. Enjoy artifacts and exhibits on display and attend presentations from local historians and national experts.

19. Go in the Snow!

Snowmobilers Welcome in Western NY Wilds! Bring your snowmobile and experience scenic winter trails, with plenty of rider-friendly businesses, bars, and restaurants along the way.

20. Fun at the Fair!

Reacquaint yourself with a more rural way of life. At the Allegany County Fair in Angelica, you’ll be welcomed with warm, old-fashioned hospitality! Enjoy classic carnival fare, livestock exhibitions, rides and games for the kids, shows and demonstrations, and more.

21. Take a Swing!

FORE! – actually, make that FIVE beautiful golf courses in Western NY Wilds. All five courses are open to the public and surprisingly affordable. Looking for something a little different? Leave the clubs at home and give SoccerGolf a try at Vanderview Golf Course in Alfred!

22. Music to Your Ears!

Enjoy the brilliance of timeless classical music, performed by world class musicians, at the MostArts Festival in Alfred. This annual, week-long celebration of music includes concert series, workshops, and a young pianists competition.

23. Take an Art Walk!

Alfred takes art to the streets! Tour local artists’ studios, view special exhibits, and even take a mini art class along the Alfred Art Walk.

24. Fresh from the Market!

Shop for farm fresh produce, homemade pies and jams, local meats, fresh flowers, maple syrpup, and other fresh-from-the farm goods in one of Western NY Wilds’ local Farmer’s Markets – like the one in Angelica’s historic Park Circle! The Angelica Farmer’s Market is open every Saturday from June through September.

25. Set up Camp!

Look up – yes, those are the stars! Camping in our great outdoors reconnects you with the things that matter most in life – the people you care about and this wild place we call home.

Check out Trout Run Camp Resort in Wellsville or Sunny Hill Campground in Bolivar to enjoy all the camping activities they have to offer.