Western New York Attractions

Western New York is full of attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Whether it is a trip to the breathtaking Niagara Falls or skiing in the many mountains in western New York, there is no shortage of things to see and do. Here is your guide to some of the attractions of western New York.

History

There are several attractions associated with the history of western New York. Among them are such museums as the Clara Barton House in Dansville, the Erie Canal Museum in Lockport and the Salamanca Rail Museum in Salamanca. Several historic sites are also open to visitors. Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown, the Newtown Battlefield in Elmira and the Ganondagan Historic Site all have connections to western New York's past and are of interest.

Types

The heavy snow that falls due to the proximity of the Great Lakes makes the many ski resorts in winter a popular destination. There are plenty of parks, trails and nature preserves to see, along with wildlife refuges. Zoos such as the Buffalo Zoo in Buffalo and theaters like the Bristol Valley Theater in Naples are open for the public's enjoyment.

Geography

Two of the major attractions in western New York are closely related to its geography. Niagara Falls is the first and foremost attraction in the region. These are huge waterfalls on the Niagara River on the border with Canada near the city of Niagara Falls. Created by retreating glaciers from the Ice Ages, Niagara Falls brings in over 20 million visitors a year. Letchworth State Park is known as "The Grand Canyon of the East"; it is a spectacular array of waterfalls along the Genesee River which flows through a gorge.

Size

Niagara Falls is North America's most powerful waterfall, with an average of 4 million cubic feet going over the falls each minute. It is divided into separate waterfalls, with the Horseshoe Falls being 170 feet high and the American Falls being close to 100. The Horseshoe Falls are 2,600 feet wide, much bigger than the American Falls, which is 1,060 feet in width. Letchworth State Park cover over 14,000 acres and features rock walls along the river that rise some 550 feet in spots. It is 35 miles south of Rochester and 60 miles east of Buffalo. It contains the 350-foot-high Inspiration Falls, the highest in the state of New York.

Considerations

Western New York is home to the Buffalo Bills of the NFL and the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. Horse racing takes place at Batavia Downs and OTB in Batavia and Finger Lakes Race Track in Farmington. Car racing is the highlight at Watkins Glen, in the city of Watkins Glen.