Batavia (New York)

Batavia is almost impossible to miss if you're driving anywhere near Genesee County. As the oldest population center in this part of the state, it was only natural for major roadways to be built radiating outward from here. Sure enough, four different state routes all pass through the city, all meeting at the intersection of Main and Oak (and three of them concurrently occupy a small stretch of West Main). New York State Route 5 is a major east-west route through the state, from the Pennsylvania border all the way to Albany. Route 33 runs between Buffalo and Rochester. Route 63 starts up in Lyndonville, and runs southeast through Batavia (skirting Tonawanda Creek) to Geneseo and past Dansville. Finally, Route 98 runs from Lake Ontario's Point Breeze in the north all the way down to the Southern Tier just outside Salamanca.
Oh, and the New York State Thruway (I-90) also passes just north of the city. You know, the major cross-state expressway. It's a toll road, but it's unquestionably the fastest way to get to Batavia; take exit 48 (for Route 98).
If you'd prefer to fly, Genesee County Airport () sits just north of the Thruway off of Route 98. There are no scheduled commercial flights, but it's got a mile-long runway and about a hundred private planes come and go each day.

RTS Genesee (formerly Batavia Bus Service, or the B line) takes people around the region. It goes all over the place, and even takes people to the community college.

• Holland Land Office Museum

  phone: +1 585 343-4727
  address: 131 W Main St
  Museum housed in the former office building of the Holland Land Company, detailing the settlement history of Western New York.

• Batavia Muckdogs

  phone: +1 585 343-5454
  address: Dwyer Stadium, 299 Bank St
  Enjoy Minor League Baseball from mid-June to the end of August. During 2014, the Muckdogs are an affiliate of the Miami Marlins.

• Palm Island Waterpark

  phone: +1 585 344-2100
  address: 8250 Park Rd
  Great place to go if you have kids.

• Alex's Place

  phone: +1 585 344-2999
  address: 8322 Park Rd
  People flock from miles around for Alex's ribs, which are quite frankly among the best you'll taste anywhere. They've got a pretty good menu of other steak, seafood and chicken options, but if you're in the mood for ribs, you can't go wrong. The restaurant is a bit cramped and not well lit—thirty years ago, it would have been smoky, too—but there's always a crowd.

• Center Street Smokehouse

  phone: +1 585 343-7470
  address: 20 Center St
  A southern-style BBQ joint in an old building dripping with history. The industrial interior is the perfect setting for Center Street's slow-cooked meats. And though the meats—pork, chicken, brisket, and ribs—are the main attraction, they've got a wide-ranging menu, including flatbreads, pasta, seafood, salads, and more. Whichever way you go, the portions are huge; if you're not careful (or if you fill up on their complimentary cheese biscuits) you're going to have a ton of leftovers.

• Willow Bend Inn

  phone: +1 585 343-9767
  address: 3489 W Main St Rd
  Once a stagecoach stop along the road between Rochester and Buffalo, this building has been through a lot of owners in its two centuries of existence, but it's continued to serve travelers and locals alike. Dinners (as opposed to bar fare) are served only on Friday and Saturday nights, with steaks cooked up in the open char pit right in the dining room.

• Best Western Crown Inn & Suites

  phone: +1 585-344-8882
  address: 8210 Park Rd
  71 smoke-free rooms. Hot breakfast. Heated indoor pool.