10 Best Things to do in Ellicottville, NY

Ellicottville is a a year-round destination for those looking for a weekend away with friends, outdoor adventure, or simply relaxing. From breweries to brunch, sports to spas and everything in between, this quaint town only 45 minutes from Buffalo is a must see.

Without further ado, here are our favorite fun things to do in Ellicottville to make your trip one to remember!

1. Get your Live Music On

Nothing says a great weekend like hitting up a local hotspot for some live music. Luckily, there are plenty of options in Ellicottville! Here are our favorites:

• The Gin Mill: a quintessential family-owned tavern with American pub grub, draft beer and great live music
• Balloons Restaurant: An EVL Staple – over 30 years of offering great pub food, and an amazing live music venue for local and touring bands as well as a DJ late at night

2. Enjoy Local Wine & Spirit Tastings

Head to the Winery of Ellicottville on the main strip for an afternoon or evening of wine tastings. Discover new wines by the glass or sample many with their wine flights. They make over 20 wines and ciders in small batches with local fruit.

If wine isn’t your thing, a quick 7 minute drive away you will arrive at Ellicottville Distillery where locally sourced ingredients are used to make spirits and flavored liqueurs. Check out the onsite tasting room where they whip up hand-crafted cocktails and you can browse their offerings. If your dates align, they have a great events calendar where there is live music performances, corn hole tournaments, pig roasts, bon fires and more!

3. Night Ski at Holiday Valley

Calling all skiers and snowboarders! This area has been attracting winter sport enthusiasts for decades to its famed ski resort, so it is no surprise that this makes the list. However, many people didn’t know that you can hit the slopes for a nighttime ski. There is nothing quite like seeing the mountain lit up along the runs.

4. Take in the Fall Foliage (Bonus: Experience Fall Festival!)

There is a reason hundreds of thousands of people head to the northeast USA during the fall to take in the breathtaking scenery. In our beautiful section of western New York you will see vast areas of rolling hills that turn into every shade of yellow, orange and red.

In neighboring Allegheny State Park, you can hike along miles of trails and check out two lakes that allow you to get the full experience. You can also visit Griffis Sculpture Park where there is over 450 acres of natural setting and over 250 large scale sculptures dispersed throughout.

Hiking not your thing? Attend one of the most popular events in Ellicottville – Fall Festival! Our village transforms into a walkable 4-block arts and crafts show accompanied by our one-of-a-kind shops, flavorful culinary culture, chair lift rides, live music, and so much more.

5. Stroll The Shops of the Charming Village

Quaint Shops? Check. Beautiful Historic Buildings? Check. A friendly town reminiscent of a bygone era? Check.

Anyone and everyone who visits the village of Ellicottville falls in love with it (so much so that it has been the set of a some Christmas movies). Chat with the friendly locals and pop into a coffee shop, gear supplier, boutique or restaurant and see why people come back again and again. Here are some of our favorite places to check out include:

• Watson’s Chocolates: A famous chocolate shop for over 75 years!
• Mud Sweat n’ Gears: Your destination ski shop for winter sports and the outdoor lifestyle, including rentals.

• Ellicottville Coffee Company & Adventure Bound: Grab a coffee and browse a huge selection of camping, skiing, fishing gear and more.
• Gado-Gado: Explore clothing, jewelry and unique gifts and accessories from all over the world

6. Try your hand at Mountain Biking

Check out one of New York State’s best mountain bike parks at Holimont! Never been mountain biking before (or in a long time?), don’t let that scare you. This is one outdoor activity everyone can try.

The park has trails for everyone; from beginner up to expert terrains. They have 19 mountain bike trails that make over 12 miles of track (8 are Cross Country and 11 are Downhill Trails).

6. Enjoy Brunch at West Rose

The perfect addition to a fun girls weekend getaway is a delicious brunch at West Rose. This stylish restaurant is right on the main strip in the town of Ellicottville; the perfect place to enjoy a mimosa and elevated breakfast fare.

Depending on the season there is an outdoor patio as well as an indoor fireplace for perfect ambience. They are only open for brunch on Sundays, so reservations are recommended!

7. Take a Paddle on Spruce Lake

Take the chairlift up the mountain and check out a beautiful lake at the top of Holiday Valley. In the peak summer months you can rent kayaks and stand up paddleboards to explore the lake. There are several hiking trails you can connect to at the top of the mountain. When you are done, you can walk down the hill or simply take the chairlift back down!

8. Have a Pool Day

Need to beat the heat? Head to the pools at the Holiday Valley Resort to cool off. There are three pools to enjoy with plenty of lounge chairs as well as poolside service if you want to order food and drinks from the cabana bar.

Bonus- you get great views of the hills and you are right around the corner from the golf course for those members of the group want to get a round in!

9. Find your Zen in Salt Caves

Slip into the Ellicottville Salt Caves for a 45 minute session and help to boost your immune system, recharge, ease muscle pain and see smoother, healthier skin. In addition to the salt cave, you can book a massage, do an infrared sauna or even do a yoga or meditation class in the salt caves.

10. Check out the Sky High Adventure Park

We love this all ages adventure through the trees. This aerial adventure park is fun for kids and adults to scale various courses through the trees – a fun way to test out your stability and strength! You are equipped with a harness, and this activity is great for ages 7+. Nearby is also the Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster for another family friendly thrill seeking advneture.

Don’t Miss these Best Things to do in Ellicottville

Every season has it’s own fun and unique things to experience. We can’t wait for you to come and discover our slice of heaven.

If you are looking for a perfect chalet as your home base, look no further than Stay Après Vacation Rentals. We have over 10 luxury cabins and chalets available to choose from. Whether you are looking for privacy, hot tubs, man caves or a gourmet kitchen, there is something for every group.