Nestled among the enchanting mountains of the Chautauqua-Allegheny region, Ellicottville is the ultimate destination for outdoor adventure and non-stop fun! The charming, walkable village is home to over 24 unique shops, 23 bars and restaurants, two top-notch ski resorts, and a jam-packed calendar of festivals and events, ensuring you’ll never run out of things to do. Whether you’re hitting the slopes in winter or enjoying hiking, biking, fishing, and paddling in the warmer months, here’s the perfect way to spend a weekend in Ellicottville no matter the season. Photo credit: @puzzitron on Instagram
Friday:
4:00pm Settle in
Credit: @escape.to.ellicottville on Instagram
Drop off your bags and get cozy at The Jefferson Inn, a charming 1800s Victorian bed & breakfast featuring four beautifully decorated rooms and one luxury suite, outfitted with period antiques and luxury amenities. Your stay comes with a full gourmet breakfast and the inn is conveniently located one block from the village’s main street. A stay at The Inn at Holiday Valley puts you right at the base of the slopes and just steps from Holiday Valley’s Black Diamond golf course. Rooms range from traditional hotel-style with two queen beds to spacious suites with fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs.
5:00pm Meander Main Street
Credit: @visitellicottville on Instagram
Head into the heart of the village to explore the unique shops and inviting restaurants that line Monroe and Washington streets. From quirky socks at Purple Doorknob to irresistible confections at Cupcaked Bakery to sporting gear at Mud, Sweat n’ Gears to the region’s famous sponge candy at Watson’s, there’s truly something for everyone.
6:30pm Dine at West Rose
Credit: @716delish on Instagram
Enjoy a meal at West Rose, a cozy and trendy venue that boasts an open kitchen where the impressive Mario Acunto wood-burning oven takes center stage. With a menu that changes seasonally to showcase the freshest local ingredients, there’s always a reason to come back for more. Dive into the salmon dip with focaccia crisps, homemade hummus, steak frites, fresh littleneck clams with brussel sprouts, confit potatoes and pancetta, and an array of mouthwatering pizzas like the Spicy 9.0, topped with tomato, caciocavallo, pecorino, capicola, garlic, red onion, calabrian chili, Castelvetrano olives, and fresh basil.
8:00pm Go Axe throwing at The Ratchet Hatchet
Burn off some energy before bed with a thrilling session of axe throwing at The Ratchet Hatchet. Take aim at wooden targets while sipping from their menu of creatively crafted cocktails and mocktails.
Saturday:
9:00am Grab Breakfast Out at Dina’s
Credit: @buffalobrunchguide on Instagram
Start your day at Dina’s, a cherished Ellicottville institution that has been delighting guests with flavorful, locally sourced dishes for over 27 years. The trendy, exposed-brick interior is complemented by an enticing menu featuring a mouthwatering mix of sweet and savory classics. Indulge in eggs Benedict, cranberry pecan French toast, corned beef hash, or banana walnut pancakes and pair your meal with a signature drink like the snickerdoodle latte or the house favorite Bowl of Soul (bittersweet chocolate, espresso, steamed milk and whipped cream served in locally made pottery bowls).
10:00am Gear Up for Adventure at Holiday Valley Ski Resort
Nicknamed the “Aspen of the East,” gear up and hit the 60 slopes, 750-feet vertical drop, five terrain parks, half-pipe, and glades at the Holiday Valley Resort. Explore the snowy landscape with snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, or race down the tubing park’s 20 lanes, each 900 feet long and dropping 100 vertical feet. For even more thrills, try the Mountain Coaster, similar to a roller coaster, but low to the ground, and you control the speed as it twists and turns with the natural contours of the terrain.
Visiting in the warmer months? Take a scenic lift ride, play a round of golf on the 18-hole course, or bike along picturesque trails. If you’re craving more adventure, tackle the aerial adventure course, an exhilarating challenge high in the trees, where swaying logs and hanging obstacles test your strategy, balance, and agility.
3:00pm Unwind at a salt cave or spa
Credit: @cassiekam07 on Instagram
Find serenity at Ellicottville’s first authentic European-style salt cave, made from over 20 tons of salt imported directly from Poland. Salt-encrusted floors, walls, and ceiling stalactites create the Ellicottville Salt Cave’s atmosphere that promotes deep relaxation. Beyond salt therapy, treat yourself to infrared saunas, massages, and facials or indulge in luxurious body treatments, manicures, pedicures, and Swedish or deep tissue massages at Ellicottville Oasis Day Spa, located at the Holiday Valley Resort.
6:00pm Enjoy an Italian feast at Villaggio
Photo courtesy of Villaggio
Nestled in a renovated two-story barn, just across from the Ellicottville Winery, Villaggio offers relaxed Italian dining in a trendy yet rustic atmosphere highlighted by twinkling string lights. Savor standout dishes like bucatini carbonara, chicken lasagna, lobster mac, osso bucco, and scallop and shrimp scampi.
8:00pm Cheers to a Good Time at Ellicottville Brewing Company
Credit: @tamrack on Instagram
Keep the good times rolling at Ellicottville Brewing Company, “brewed to entertain” since 1995. Enjoy unique small-batch brews in a lively atmosphere with their “Every Day Series,” offering refreshing staples like Blueberry Wheat Ale and Blood Orange, while the “Redeye Series” takes things up a notch with seasonal creations like Pumpkinville and the Chocolate Cherry Bomb Stout. Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast or just looking to relax with a cold one, Ellicottville Brewing promises a perfect pour every time.
Sunday:
8:00am Breakfast at Katy’s Cafe
Start your day at Katy’s Cafe. Their full-service coffee bar has everything from your classic cup of coffee to specialty espresso drinks to fruit smoothies. The menu boasts a variety of sweet and savory dishes, featuring sausage gravy and biscuits, blueberry French toast, steak and eggs, and breakfast burritos.
10:00am Visit the Alpacas at Sugartown Farms
Credit: @sambasdgerr on Instagram
Just a short walk from downtown Ellicottville, Sugartown Farms offers a cute and fluffy escape into the more rural side of life. Pet and interact with their 50 alpacas before making your way into the farm store to browse the collection of luxury alpaca apparel and gifts, including cozy socks, scarves, hats, sweaters, jackets, and cuddly alpaca teddy bears.
12:00pm Enjoy Outdoor Art at Griffis Sculpture Park
Credit: @kevin_lesika on Instagram
Just 15 minutes away in East Otto, Griffis Sculpture Park offers an outdoor artistic experience in one of America’s largest and oldest sculpture parks. Spanning 450 acres, the park is home to 250 sculptures made of steel and other materials, set amidst woods, fields, and ponds. You can either drive through the Rohr Hill area to view the sculptures or get your steps in on the trails at the Mill Valley Road section.
Getting there:
By car:
-
From Buffalo: 1 hour
-
Toronto: 2.5 hours
-
Pittsburgh: 3.5 hours
By plane:
By train:
By bus:
Share your New York State adventures with us on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter with #ILoveNY and #iSpyNY, and tag us on Facebook!
