Ellicottville

US 219 runs north from I-86, and south from Buffalo. NY242 runs into the village.
The closest airport is in Buffalo, as is the closest Amtrak station. However, driving to Buffalo is not hard at all: take the 219 north to the end of the road at the New York State Thruway (I-90), then get off at Exit 53 (I-190 north). Downtown Buffalo is five minutes past the exit.
Fullington Trailways, an intercity bus provider, runs once daily through the village, northbound from Pennsylvania during lunch hour, and southbound from Buffalo during early afternoon. The Seneca Allegany Casino also operates a shuttle between Salamanca and Ellicottville on weekends, several times a day.

Within the village of Ellicottville (downtown), you do not need a car, as the village is very compact and everybody walks. Everything you want to see or do is on or near Washington Street, the main thoroughfare. However, if you are going from town to the ski resorts, you will need a car. Holiday Valley is about a mile from the village on US 219, and HoliMont is on NY 242 before you enter the village.

• Griffis Sculpture Park

  phone: +1 716 667-2808
  address: 6902 Mill Valley Rd., East Otto
  The oldest sculpture park in the country (founded in 1966) is a 400-acre outdoor museum with over 250 sculptures that can be discovered along the trails that wind through the woods.

• Nannen Arboretum

  address: 28 Parkside Drive
  The 8-acre site, open year-round, is a sanctuary for hundreds of trees, shrubs, perennial flowers, herbs and nature walks. It also includes a Japanese meditation garden, a pond with a fish, and 2 wonderful locations for wedding ceremonies and outdoor educational events at the Chapman Nature Sanctuary and the Northrup Nature Hall. Admission is free; donations are gratefully accepted.

Skiing and snowboarding are what a vast majority of visitors to Ellicottville come to do. The two ski resorts are:

• Holiday Valley

  address: Holiday Valley Road
  Rated the number 4 resort in the east by readers of Ski magazine , this is the larger of the two resorts, and has full snowmaking capabilities to stay operational throughout the winter. In the summer, "the valley" boasts an 18-hole golf course. Holiday Valley also includes the Holiday Valley Tubing Co., for snow tubing.

• HoliMont

  phone: +1 716-699-2320
  address: 6291 NY Route 242
  Open to the public Monday through Friday, in order to ski here on the weekends, you must be a member. This is the largest privately owned ski club in North America. For weekend skiing, head over to Holiday Valley.

Besides the ski resorts, there are many other things to do in Ellicottville:

• In the fall, check out the Nightmare Hay Rides , and in the summer check out the Ellicottville Rodeo. 6319 Sommerville Valley Rd, outside the village.
• Ellicottville Village Park, Just off Maples Rd behind the Legion, +1 716 699-2240. Fully equipped park with picnic shelter, tennis, soccer, baseball, inline skating, washroom and changing facilities.

Funky Washington Street has a surprisingly huge selection for a small village- Check out some of the shops:

• Alexandra

  address: 10 Washington Street
  Eclectic collection of jewelry, gifts, pottery, books, cards, stationary, party ware and toys for all ages. Create an atmosphere with An array of scented candles, incense and aromatic bath and beauty treatments.

• Betsy's Consignments

  address: 34 Washington St
  Patterned after Aspen's best consignment shop. Betsy's has high-end items for men, women and children.

• Bruce Candles of Ellicottville

  address: 12 Monroe St
  They specialize in finely made, handcrafted candles and candle accessories. They can also custom-make candles, and refill empty candle jars.

• Earth Arts

  address: 24 Washington St
  Fine crafts, original art, sculptures, objects of interest and amusement. This is a must-see for all in Ellicottville.

• Gado-Gado

  address: 18 Monroe St
  Unique women’s & children’s clothing, handpainted textiles, accessories, antiques, silver & beaded jewelry, handcrafted candles and lighting, unusual home furnishings, incense, World Music.

• Gone Wild Creations

  address: 25 Washington St
  Custom-made furniture.

• Pathway Books

  address: 14 Washington St
  Excellent local used bookstore.

• Watson's Chocolates

  address: 20 Washington St

• A Touch of Ellicottville

  address: 30 Washington St
  The one-stop shop for Ellicottville souvenirs, including T-shirts, bumper stickers, and a toy store in the back.

Because Ellicottville is known as the "Aspen of the East", there are many ski- and snowboard-specific shops. A good tip for those looking to buy new skis or snowboards is to wait till the end of the season. Prices are typically $200-300 lower than what they would be at the beginning and during the ski season. Typically, prices go down in mid-March, which means you can still get a couple of weeks in before the resorts close.

• The Boardroom, 6113 RT 219 S (next to Holiday Valley) +1 716 699-5620. The place to go for a snowboard in Ellicottville, as well as the only snowboard-specific shop. Right next to Holiday Valley. Very good service.

• Greg Dekdebrun's Ski & Snowboard

  address: 20 Washington St

• Mud, Sweat n' Gears Ski and Snowboard

  address: 21 Washington St
  A shop and social gathering place in downtown Ellicottville.

• Red Door Ski Shop

  address: 11 Washington St

• The City Garage

  address: 5 Monroe St
  This is a ski-specific shop

• Apres

  address: 23 Washington Street
  A ski, casual and sportswear boutique for all seasons. Browse through the assortment of jewelry, accessories, unique gifts, books and a lot more.

• Balloons Restaurant

  address: 20 Monroe St

• Barn Restaurant

  address: 7 Monroe St

• DJ's Restaurant

  address: 26 Washington St
• Ellicottville Depot, 6094 Rt. 219 S (near Holiday Valley), +1 716 699-4744. Pizza & wings, movies, and souvenirs.

• Hoagies

  address: 24 Monroe St
  Pizza, subs, & Mexican food.

• Madigans

  address: 36 Washington St
  A local favorite.
• The Hearth Restaurant, on-site at Holiday Valley. +1 716 699-2010. Expensive, but good food. Overlooks the slopes.

• Tips Up Cafe

  address: 32 Washington St

• Coolings Ice Cream Cafe, 10a Washington St +1 716 699-8860. A quaint coffee and ice cream shop.

• Ellicottville Brewing Company

  address: 28 Monroe St
  A micro-brewery of fabulous craft beers with a tremendous American cuisine menu. European style beer garden. No reservations accepted.

• Double Diamond

  address: 26 Monroe St
  Great food & beer- come here to play pool and socialize.

• Gin Mill

  address: 20 Washington St
• All of the above places have great food and should not be overlooked by families with children for a late-afternoon lunch or dinner.

• Adams Corner B&B

  address: 24 Washington St
  Four bedroom bed & breakfast two blocks from the quaint village of Ellicottville. Offers you a choice of room types, simplicity or luxury. All rooms have TVs and a small refrigerator. Simplicity rooms each have double bed and share a bath. Luxury rooms, over garage, with private entrance, each have queen bed, whirlpool tub for two, bath with shower, and deck. They share a kitchenette. No pets, no children, double occupancy only.

• Black Dog Lodge B&B

  phone: +1 716 699-6900
  address: 7975 Route 219
  Five minutes north of Ellicottville on Rte. 219. A country getaway on a beautiful hillside, invites visitors to coutry beauty and relaxation at its finest. The grounds surrounding the lodge feature a lovely stocked trout pond with paddle boats, wooded trails on over 60 secluded acres, for a romantic walk, a hearty summer hike or a winter snowshoeing trek. Each guest room is comple with fireplace, ensuite baths and Jacuzzi style tubs, and all the amenities expected in a fine country lodge.

• Jefferson Inn B&B

  address: 3 N. Jefferson St
  In Ellicottville, the only bed & breakfast not on a highway is behind the Town Hall, where you can walk to the restaurants and shops. Click on the website for availability, pictures, and description of the many amenities. Chose either the romantic B&B or the efficiency units for families with pets or young children. AAA approved.

• Edelweiss Lodge

  address: 27 Jefferson St
  In Ellicottville, in the center of the Village- walking distance to all shops and restaurants. 3/4 miles to Holiday Valley. Rooms, chalets. Pool summer and winter. Four tennis courts. Complimentary continental breakfast.
• The Inn at Holiday Valley, On-site at Holiday Valley. (716) 699-2336. A comfortably elegant Inn, on the golf course & ski slopes. Indoor/outdoor year round pool, spa, sauna & exercise room. Complimentary continental breakfast. Ski & golf packages available. On site meeting rooms.

• Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, 9 Washington St +1 716 699-5046.
• Ellicottville Memorial Library, 6499 Maples Rd +1 716 699-2842.

• Allegany State Park is 15 minutes south of Ellicottville. This 65,000-acre park offers excellent facilities for camping, swimming, fishing, biking, hunting, cross country skiing and snowmobiling.
• Buffalo is about an hour's drive north of here.
• Niagara Falls is half an hour north past Buffalo.
• The Finger Lakes region of New York state is about a 2-hour drive to the east, and is the largest wine producing region in the US outside of California.