Explore the flavors of New York's southern tier.
Your winery short list should include a visit to Merritt Estate Winery, one Chautauqua County’s oldest. The area's finest wines call this small winery home, and visitors can tour vineyards before free fall wine tastings featuring Merritt Estate’s favorite vintages. Come for Septemberfest, September 8-9.
The Silver Creek Festival of Grapes is 45 years old and still growing with more arts and crafts, food vendors, a beer and wine tent, live entertainment and rides for kids. Weekend opening ceremonies are September 13, followed by the popular Grape Stomping.
Kids will get a kick out of Pumpkinville, open daily from September 15 to Halloween in Great Valley. Everything about this theme town celebrates autumn with fresh-picked apples, cider pressing, pumpkin picking, pumpkin muffins, fudge, jams and jellies, maple and honey. Storyland, Goat Mountain and the Corn Cannon keep youngsters busy. Book a helicopter ride for amazing aerial views of fall foliage.
Historic Busti Gristmill and Museum hosts the Busti Apple Festival on September 30, where a giant farmers’ market will offer all the bounty of fall harvest. Find local apples and pumpkins, honey and maple products, pies, cider, authentic apple butter and more. Demonstrations include spinning and weaving, quilting, flax breaking, candle making, soap making and Civil War reenactors.
Walk the path or ride the wagon to the sugarhouse at Sprague's Maple Farms for hot mulled cider and fresh maple cake donuts while you drink in the picturesque view. Wagon rides are weekends in October, weather permitting.
So many secluded B&Bs decorate the region within easy drive to major attractions. Just above the north shore of Chautauqua Lake, the Country House Bed & Breakfast is a sprawling 1847 country home nestled on 314 acres of farmland where six historically-inspired sleeping rooms await you and bountiful country breakfasts beckon you from slumber.
Visit Western NY for more information.