April Shows bring May Openings!

Warm Nights, Time Outdoors and Fun in the Sun are all on the way!  Make a plan to sprout Spring Plans in the Enchanted Mountains of Western New York! 

Warm weather is here and we are now officially out of the chance of a snowstorm.  The leaves have started to grow, the light stays with us past dinnertime and it's time to watch the renewal of nature!  You don't want to miss a minute of enjoying nature awakening around you, so make plans to visit one of our incredible outdoor attractions that just happen to open up in May as well!   Rock City Park, Griffis Sculpture Park, Sky High Adventure Park and Onoville Marina invite you to come find the signs of Spring with them this year!

Rock City Park will offer visitors a spectacular view of the Enchanted Mountains from "Signal Rock", where they can see all the new leaves forming on the trees.  You might be amazed to find some leftover ice and snow hidden deep in the crevices of the rocks!  Discover 80 feet tall rocks that have been left over from the ice age.  Hike the trail that leads under, around and sometimes through these magnificent rocks then check out the souvenir and rock shop or the Fluorescent Light Rock Room.  Plan a trip there for their annual Mother's Day Weekend Arts and Crafts Show.  Artisans will display watercolors, oils, sculptures, photography, glass, metals and much more!   

Just like an opening of a flower, the fields of Griffis Sculpture Park appear to come alive at the sight of Spring.  At Griffis Sculpture Park, where nature combines with art, visitors hike along the trail in the woods to then come upon enormous sculptures in the fields.   Adults like the park because it has beauty like no other, while children like the park because you can climb on some of the sculptures!  Fun to visit in any season, visitors enjoy feeling the warmth of the sun while resting beside a giant giraffe or by the ladies near the lake. 

See the budding trees up close and personal at Sky High Adventure Park.  Plan your attack through a series of platforms and "bridges" where the challenge is to figure out how to get to the next platform.  The platforms are built high amongst the trees and connected by logs, hanging chunks of wood or other obstacles.  If tend to prefer to have your feet on the ground, never fear!  There are 12 courses with varying levels of difficulty; the more difficult the course marking, the higher up it is in the trees.  Most courses include a zipline ride, and some have more than one!  Suitable for visitors age seven and up.  And don't forget the most fun on four tracks, the Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster!

Warmer weather also means warmer water!  Float your boat and soak up the sun along 91 miles of natural shoreline in the Reservoir, launching at Onoville Marina.   "Put in" at Onoville Marina, the largest inland marina in New York State.  Campsites, dock space and fuel dock are available as well as great dining nearby at the Horseshoe Inn and the Nic-L-Inn.  View the beautiful scenery of rolling hills, clear water, and wooded areas as you drift or speed along!  Boat rentals are available at the Bayview Mini-Mart and Ice Cream Parlor.  Mark July 22nd on your calendar for Onofest!  A day-long event filled with good music, food, crafts and fireworks alongside the water!

Or slow down to really enjoy the unfolding beauty of nature and find a simpler way of life along the Amish Trail.  The ice and snow have all melted along the back roads of the Western side of Cattaraugus County which is home to a community of Old Order Amish.   Adventure through this area to find unique handiworks and learn about the culture of these people, who live separate from the modern world.   Stop by one of the greenhouses for beautiful flowers, plants, and small vegetable plants to improve your own garden. 

Live to Ride?  Then you have been waiting all winter to get your motorcycle out for some fun!  Keep a heads up for two motorcycle events in our area.  First, join the rest of the gang at Gowanda Harley-Davidson on Memorial Day for their Ride to Remember.  Honor and respect those who served and the reason behind the day.  Then let loose at the Hollywood Happening, one of the area's largest motorcycle events.  Three days of live bands, contests, vendors and rides to benefit the ongoing restoration efforts of the Hollywood Theater the first weekend of June!

So plant some plans to see Spring unfold by making a trip to the Enchanted Mountains of Western New York.  For free information on any of these activities or events, or to request free guides, call 1-800-331-0543 or request online.