Western New York is home to many gems waiting to be uncovered, and the village of Ellicottville is certainly one of them. This charming town has made a name for itself among ski enthusiasts and is now showing why it’s a go-to destination for year-round travel fun. We designed our Aranar vacation rental to give you a one-of-a-kind experience while visiting Ellicottville.
Regardless of the season you decide to visit Ellicottville, there’s always plenty of things to do. From skiing in the winter to hiking in the summer and a charming downtown always open with plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy, there’s something for everyone.
Want the best of the best? These are our top recommendations of 11 best things to do on your next vacation to Ellicottville.
1. Take advantage of the famous ski resorts
Wintertime means ski season in Ellicottville. It’s home to two of the best ski mountains in Western New York: Holiday Valley Ski Resort and HoliMont Ski Club. You can see HoliMont Ski Club from our Aranar vacation home!
Visit Ellicottville between late November and early August to enjoy winter sports. Both resorts feature multiple ski runs suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. It hosts lessons for beginners to learn to ski or show off your perfect Olympic form while speeding down the slopes. Don’t forget to keep warm with a cup of hot chocolate.
2. Outdoor recreation at Holiday Valley
The local ski slopes don’t go unused during the summer. With warmer temperatures, Holiday Valley Resort transforms into an outdoor recreational haven with activities for everyone.
Summer activities are open to the public. Cool off in one of three swimming pools, rip through the mountains on the Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster, explore Mountain biking trails, or tee up on the Double Black Diamond Golf Course. Ride the scenic chairlift rides for a bird’s eye view of Spruce Lake.
3. Conquer aerial obstacles at Sky High Adventure Park
Sky High Adventure Park is the third-largest aerial park in the USA and the largest in New York state. It has more than a dozen aerial courses navigating more than five acres of forest scenery.
Strap yourself into a harness and explore canopies up to 68 feet above the ground. Zipline between treetop platforms. Tip-toe across hanging bridges. Master each obstacle to reach the end of the course.
4. Peruse the charming downtown shops
Elliottville’s charming downtown area is only a couple of blocks long. With each block, you’ll stumble across quaint, locally-owned boutiques and shops with owners ready to show off their wares to curious visitors.
Peek inside shops that grab your attention—from the curb appeal to the decorative window displays. A few visitor favorites that you don’t want to miss are:
- The Purple Doorknob for fun socks
- Kazoo II for artisan toys and souvenirs
- Mud Sweat n’ Gears for ski rentals and other gear
- Aardvark Home Furnishings for home decor ideas
5. Try axe throwing at Ratchet Hatchet
Are you tired of traditional bar games? Well, step inside the Ratchet Hatchet for a new way to enjoy games and drinks. Axe throwing is the local craze and makes for a fun night out—whether it’s just two people or hanging with a group.
Check in for your axe throwing session and take notes on getting the perfect throw. Step into your throw, and you’ll get a bullseye every time. Make it competitive with your partner, and the loser buys the next round of Blackberry Bourbon Smash cocktails.
6. Explore Ellicottville’s local botanical garden
Ellicottville has scenic nature sights everywhere you look. To see the area’s most exotic trees, wander the nature trails inside the Nannen Arboretum. This eight-acre botanical garden features more than 250 different species of plant life.
Designated trails wind throughout the gardens for walking and jogging. Navigate through groves of native trees, paths lined by exotic shrubs, and colorful flower gardens. Unwind by the replica Japanese stone garden or relax by the small pond.
7. Local eats for casual to fine dining
Shopping sure does work up an appetite. While spending time downtown, dig into tasty local eats. The dining scene is diverse, with venues welcoming hungry guests straight off the slopes to an intimate dinner for two. A few top picks for a delicious meal and drinks include:
Indulge in sweets, treats, and more at these popular snack spots:
8. Take an art walk through Griffis Sculpture Park
The oldest and largest sculpture parks in the US are one and the same! Griffis Sculpture Park holds both titles and is just a 15-minute drive away north of Ellicottville.
The vast 450-acre park exhibits more than 250 large sculptures. See sculptures tucked within the woodlands, set on pond banks, or standing proudly in the middle of an open field. The setting makes these large-scale works look even more impressive. Spend a couple of hours sanding the park at your own pace to see works by Larry Griffis Jr., who founded the park, and several other artists from the region.
Visit Ellicottville during the summer to attend the annual Griffis Sculpture Park Summer Festival.
9. Schedule your trip alongside an Ellicottville festival
Every year, Ellicottville draws visitors from near and far to experience its annual events. Every season, there are parades, live music, tastings, and more to look forward to. If you’re still considering the best time to visit, these are excellent times to book your trip to Ellicottville, NY.
- Get festive for the Mardi Gras Weekend during the spring.
- Let your inner foodie thrive during the Taste of Ellicottville event every summer.
- Enjoy the colorful foliage decorating the Allegheny Mountains for the Fall Festival.
- Light up your winter holidays with Christmas in Ellicottville season kickoff.
10. Explore the trails at Allegany State Park
The largest state park in New York is located right here in Cattaraugus County, and Ellicottville is less than 20 miles away! Get ready for a day of outdoor adventures because 65,000 acres is a lot of ground to cover.
You’ll see the best regions of the park when embarking on its popular trails, such as the Bear Caves Trail, Red House Loop Trail, and the Blacksnake Mountain Trail.
In addition to hiking and biking trails, the area is also a destination for canoeing and kayaking the Allegany Reservoir or learning about Native Americans at the Seneca Iroquois National Museum.
11. Explore Western New York and Beyond
Use Ellicottville as your launchpad to explore other exciting destinations in western New York (WNY) and beyond. Take the hour-long drive north to reach Buffalo, NY. Hop across the US-Canadian border for the day to witness the hydropower of the mighty Niagara Falls. Rent a boat to spend the day on Chautauqua Lake, just an hour east of Ellicottville.
If you like to drive, take the WNY Southtowns Scenic Byway, a 108-mile loop of the Allegheny Mountain region that passes through Ellicottville.
Your Luxury Stay in Ellicottville
The best part about experiencing these popular Ellicottville activities is knowing you have a cozy, luxurious vacation home to return to at the end of the day. Aranar brings a taste of elegance to nature, giving you all the comforts of home. Whether looking for a summer getaway or anticipating the next ski season, see how you can make our modern luxury accommodation a part of your trip.
