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  • View of Schoharie County along Route 88

Allegheny & Chautauqua

The Southern Tier

tours-map-allegheny

(3 Days)

DAY 1

From I-86 east, take Exit 33 and follow Rte 21 south to 417 west for a scenic drive through Wellsville, Allentown, Bolivar and Little Genesee. 

Enjoy brunch at Sprague's Maple Farms (716/933-6637) in Portville. Afterwards, burn off those pancakes with a stroll through the farm's gift shop, nature center or trails.

Drive west on Rte 417 and take Rte 16 south out of Olean for a visit to Rock City Park (716/372-7790), where you can enjoy a mountaintop vista that spans for miles. Or take I-86 to Allegany State Park, New York's largest state park, with 64,000 acres and 79-miles of hiking trails. If you have some time, pick up a park map and head to Thunder Rocks or Stone Tower for more great foliage views.

Stop at the R&M Restaurant (716/358-5141) at Exit 16 in Randolph and dine in an authentic Amish buggy.

Continue west on I-86 taking Exit 8 and then a right onto Rte 394 west. Enter through the gates of Chautauqua Institution where the brick walks and rustling trees of this 141-year-old National Historic District make a wonderful setting for an autumn stroll.

Before the sun sets, head into the village of Westfield where you will find a fine dinner at Zebro's Harbor House (716/326-2017) for waterfront dining, or enjoy Italian specialties at Calarco's Restaurant (716/326-3415) and Quagliana's Bark Grill (716/326-2112) and casual dining at Brazill's on Main (716/326-2203). Stay at a B&B or return to the Chautauqua Institution to overnight.

DAY 2

Begin mid-morning in Westfield, at New York's oldest family-owned estate winery, Johnson Estate Winery (716/326-2191), where only grapes grown in their vineyards are used in their wines. Take a tour and enjoy the scenic landscape overlooking Lake Erie.

Head east along Rte 20 and stop for lunch at the White Inn (716/672-2103), a historic country inn in Fredonia.

Head west to Dunkirk and Chadwick Bay for some lake views and shopping at Dunkirk's Boardwalk Market. Swing by the Dunkirk Historic Lighthouse at Point Gratiot. The 61-foot tower has kept watch over the entrance to Chadwick Bay since 1857.

Continue west on Rte 5 to the Sugar Shack for free tasting of over 20 flavors of farm-made fruit syrups on ice cream. Stop in nearby Barcelona Harborfor fishing or just another chance to be near the water. Take a walk along the Dan Reed Pier and spy the Barcelona Lighthouse, the first to be fueled by natural gas.

From Barcelona, head west along Rte 5, then south on Rte 89 and Rte 426 to Findley Lake. Enjoy some afternoon shopping and a stop at the Marion LaBar Walford Memorial Water Wheel Overlook, a refurbished water wheel where Alexander Findley, the town's namesake, operated a gristmill at the turn of the last century.

The Peek'n Peak Resort (716/355-4141), just five miles down the road, offers a perfect spot for dinner and overnight accommodations. Plan ahead and book an evening treatment at the spa.

DAY 3

Take a scenic drive through the Amish and dairy communities near Clymer and head along Route 474 to Jamestown. 

Continue your morning with the birds at the Audubon Center & Sanctuary, three miles south of Jamestown on Rte 60. 

Head back into Jamestown for tours of the Lusy-Desi Museum and the Desilu Studios - dedicated to Jamestown's most celebrated daughter and her talented musician husband.

Stop for lunch at Babalu Café (716-708-6077) on E. Second St. 

Next, visit The Roger Tory Peterson Institute, a relaxing spot for an autumn stroll. Its trails and butterfly garden complement the art and photography exhibits created by this Jamestown native, naturalist, artist and author.

APPROXIMATE MILEAGE: 239 miles 

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