The Crosspatch

Aim for Ellicottville (10 minutes' drive) in winter if you're into skiing, or head over here in the warmer months for year-round activities like Sky High Adventure Park, a golf course, mountain biking and a mountain rollercoaster. Also close by is Allegany State Park (15 minutes), where there's a large lake for boating and swimming plus excellent hiking and fishing opportunities. Want to learn about traditional Mennonite life? Cattaraugus County's Amish Trail is approximately half an hour from base, with a range of interesting tours and itineraries available for newcomers. Feed your curiosity further with trips to Salamanca Rail Museum (10 minutes) or Seneca Iroquois National Museum (10 minutes) to learn about railroads and traditional Native American life. Further afield, the dramatic landscapes of the Allegheny National Forest are about half an hour to the south and make a great spot for scenic drives (especially in autumn). Finally, if you don't mind a slightly longer drive, you could just as easily head north up to the Canadian border and the spectacular Niagara Falls (an hour and 20 minutes) for a classic ride on the Maid of the Mist boat tour.