Visitors Guide to Western New York

Points of Interest in Western New York

5 to 30 minutes from Houghton
Letchworth State Park

This "Grand Canyon of the East" is located 14 miles north on Route 19a in the town of Castile, Letchworth is a perfect spot for picnics and hiking. The park is known for its beautiful waterfalls and for the striking gorge carved out by the Genesee River.

Letchworth state park

Before reaching Letchworth, the Genesee River wends its way through the hamlet of Houghton and the nearby village of Fillmore. A popular recreational area for local paddlers, the river provides canoe/kayak access in the spring.

Moss Lake Nature Sanctuary

Moss Lake

A short ride up Sand Hill Road (just south of Houghton on Rt 19) will bring you to a delightfully placid lake full of such unique flora as the insect-eating pitcher and sundew plants. Enjoy walking around this scenic spot or watching the catfish.

Angelica, N.Y.

Unique historic district and antique trails (about 20 minutes south of Houghton)

30 to 75 minutes from Houghton

The Charcoal Corral
Mini golf, ice cream, restaurant, and drive-in movie theater near beautiful Silver Lake (about 30 minutes from Houghton, in Perry).

Swain Ski Resort
A popular choice among skiers in winter, this resort is located in Swain, about 40 minutes east of Houghton.

Rock City Park
Giant, unique natural rock formations located in the town of Allegany (about 50 minutes southeast of Houghton).

Genesee Country Village and Museum
"Where 19th century America comes to life" (about 50 minutes north of Houghton in Mumford)

Holiday Valley Ski Resort 52 slopes and 12 lifts (about 60 minutes from Houghton in Ellicottville).

Seneca-Iroquois National Museum
Featuring Iroquois art, culture, and history (about 60 minutes southeast of Houghton in Salamanca).

Allegany State Park 65,000 acres filled with forests, trails, and streams (about 60 minutes southeast of Houghton in Salamanca).

Darien Lake Theme Park & Resort Largest theme park/resort in New York State (about 70 minutes northwest of Houghton).

Rochester, N.Y.

Rochester is home to Eastman Kodak, the George Eastman House, the Geva Theatre Center, the Erie Canal, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Memorial Art Gallery and lots of great restaurants (about 70 minutes northeast of Houghton). View Rochester Professional Sports Teams

Buffalo, N.Y.

Buffalo is home to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the Buffalo Zoo, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Buffalo Bills and much more. (Buffalo is about 70 minutes northwest of Houghton). View Buffalo Professional Sports Teams

75 minutes or more from Houghton

Chautauqua Institution
Historic cultural and arts center on Chautaqua Lake (about 90 minutes west of Houghton).

Corning, N.Y.

Home to the Corning Museum of Glass, the Rockwell Museum of Western Art and great shops on historic Market Street (about 90 minutes from Houghton).

Watkins Glen
19 waterfalls in a beautiful glen (about 90 minutes from Houghton).

Niagara Falls
Located on the U.S./ Canadian border (approximately 90 minutes from Houghton), these magnificent falls receive an estimated 10-12 million visitors each year. Attractions include the Niagara Falls Aquarium, Marineland, the Maid of the Mist excursion boat, and Cave of the Winds. 

Sonnenberg Gardens Victorian mansion and gardens in Canandaigua (about 90 minutes from Houghton).

 

 

 

 

 

Arts, Culture, Sports

Art Galleries

Albright-Knox (Buffalo): internationally know for its fine modern art collection (70 minutes from Houghton)

Memorial Art Gallery (Rochester): a balanced collection that ranges from ancient to contemporary art (about 70 minutes from Houghton).

George Eastman House (Rochester): one of the finest photographic collections in the world (about 70 minutes from Houghton).

Griffis Sculpture Park  225 sculptures located  in a 400 acre nature preserve at Ashford Hollow (about 1 hour from Houghton). Directions

Rockwell Museum of Western Art Native American art and art of the American West (about 90 minutes from Houghton)

Museums

Genesee Country Village and Museum "Where 19th century America comes to life" (Located in Mumford, about 50 minutes from Houghton).

Seneca-Iroquois National Museum Featuring Iroquois art, culture, and history (Located in Salamanca, about 50 minutes from Houghton).

Corning Museum of Glass (Corning, N.Y.) The most comprehensive collection of glass in the world (about 90 minutes from Houghton).

Buffalo Botanical Gardens (about 70 minutes from Houghton)

Buffalo Museum of Science (about 70 minutes from Houghton)

Information on several Rochester area Museums

Music

Houghton College Artist Series (right here at Houghton College!)

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (about 70 minutes from Houghton)

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (about 70 minutes from Houghton)

Parks and Preserves

Moss Lake Nature Sanctuary 5 minutes from Houghton on Sand Hill Rd (south on Rt. 19)

Letchworth State Park "Grand Canyon of the East" (20 minutes from Houghton)

Rock City Park
Giant, unique natural rock formations located in the town of Allegany (about 50 minutes from Houghton).

Allegany State Park 65,000 acres filled with forests, trails, and streams (about 1 hour from Houghton).

Watkins Glen
19 waterfalls in a beautiful glen (about 90 minutes from Houghton)

Sports

Buffalo Professional Sports Teams

Rochester Professional Sports Teams

Theater/Performing Arts

Geva Theatre Center (Rochester is about 70 minutes from Houghton)

Shea's Performing Arts Center (Buffalo is about 70 minutes from Houghton).

Listing of Buffalo area Theaters

Zoos

The Buffalo Zoo The third oldest zoo in the United States (Buffalo is about 70 minutes from Houghton).

Seneca Park Zoo (near Rochester, about 70 minutes from Houghton)