62 | GO WEST... USA
www.nitravelnews.com
September/October 2024
The Falls in... The Falls!
COME autumn, Niagara Falls USA explodes in color. Make the most of it by gassing up the car and setting out on these day-long trips to the countryside. We’ll tell you where to head for the best views, and where to stop and stretch your legs along the way. Niagara River Route You know a road trip is going to be epic when its very name is the Niagara Scenic Parkway. As the main thoroughfare north of the Falls, this route soaks in some of the region’s top blockbuster attractions — from mighty dams to historic ruins. To begin your journey, gush
at the fall foliage shrouding
Devil’s Hole State Park before driving across the spectacular engineering feat that is the Niagara Power Vista Dam. In the historic town of Lewiston, stop for a lazy lunch or pick up some deli staples for a picnic at Joseph Davis State Park. From here, leave the parkway for Route 18F which kisses the Niagara River’s mighty banks until it finally spills out into Lake Ontario at Old Fort Niagara. Lake Ontario Shore
Niagara Falls may steal the region’s natural limelight, but the county’s Lake Ontario shores also make for gorgeous road-tripping.
With the historic
EXPERIENCE NIAGARA FALLS, USA THIS AUTUMN
FROM haunted houses to fall foliage, harvest season in Niagara County is truly spectacular. Once you’ve gotten your fill of the awe- inspiring natural wonder that is Niagara Falls, set your GPS to any of the myriad fall festivals Western New York has to offer, or simply soak up the fall colors along some of the county’s best leaf-peeping routes. Here’s how to enjoy the very best fall activities the season has to offer in and around Niagara Falls USA. If You Love a Good Scare… Indulge in the ultimate horror destination. 7 Gates Screampark is Niagara County’s premier haunted attraction. All year round, visitors can test their skills in a series of escape rooms or in a horror-themed, glow- in-the-dark axe-throwing experience. But in the fall, the park transforms into a horror attraction for the ages, sure to keep a chill lingering up your spine. Take in the local haunted history. Thanks to the region’s rich past, ghost stories here are rooted in real events — and the frights are a bit more sophisticated than your average haunted house. Fall activities for adults
include tours of historic Oakwood Cemetery, Marble Orchard Ghost Walks through the town of Lewiston and wine tasting at Marjim Manor, where guests are treated to ghostly tales about the manor’s former residents. Bring the kids to a friendlier haunt. Families with kids 10 and older can experience Old Fort Niagara at night on a Lantern and Lore tour. At this fall event for kids and families, costumed guides take you on a journey through the dark fort, sharing haunted tales along the way. If You Love Getting Cozy… Go apple picking. Niagara County is ripe with classic fall attractions like u-pick apple orchards and farms during the fall harvest season. Use this guide to find the perfect orchard and help yourself to heaps of delicious apples, from Ginger Golds to Empires and many more. You can also enjoy a glass of crisp cider or warm baked goods at many locations.
Find your fall festival. With a different fall festival happening nearly every weekend, there’s no shortage of things to do in Western New York. Hayrides, bounce houses and goat races are all on offer at Becker Farms’ annual Pumpkin Fiesta, while Coulter Farms plays host to a Pumpkin Market that offers an array of fall favorites to choose from. Are you
more of a foodie? Check out the upcoming food and drink festivals as well. Browse the local antique shops. Find your next unique piece in one of Niagara County’s quaint and cozy antique shops. Spend an afternoon driving around the area to shop, and don’t forget to stop at one of the many local coffee shops and bakeries for a sweet treat, too. If You Love the Outdoors… Take in the fall foliage. Come autumn, Niagara Falls USA is one of the best places to see fall foliage in New York as the area explodes in color and the leaves turn red and gold. Soak up the stunning scenery from the comfort of your car on a fall drive or go a bit off the beaten path at one of the region’s campgrounds, where Western New York’s fall foliage is on full display. Grab your binoculars. Fall is also a great time for birdwatching in Niagara County, as birds from the Arctic Circle and Alaska make their way south for the winter. Known as a globally significant Important Bird Area, the Niagara River Corridor is famous for its gulls and other migrating birds. From bald eagles to peregrine falcons, ducks, geese and over 19 species of gulls, Niagara Falls USA is a birding paradise.
backdrop of Fort Niagara State Park as your starting position, drive east along Route 18 where the shimmering Lake Ontario flanks your journey. Fancy a seafood lunch? Pop into one of the charming restaurants
in towns like
Wilson and Olcott — or if you’re looking to dip a toe in the water, visit Wilson Tuscarora State Park (call ahead for the most up-to-date beach status). You’ll reach your journey’s end on the sands of Golden Hill State Park, where sunsets at Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse offer the most photogenic crescendo to any lakeside road trip. Niagara Wineries
Whether you have a penchant for chardonnay or a just for cruising scenic roads, a day trip to Niagara County’s winelands will suit your palate. Many of the region’s wineries are dotted around the town of Lockport, so head west from Niagara Falls and allow Route 104 to take you on a journey. You’ll encounter gorgeous farmlands and postcard vineyards along the way with over 20 wineries on the trail. Some pitstops? Shop for local rosebud wine at Niagara Landing Wine Cellars, experience an artisan ice cream shop at Lake Effect Ice Cream in Lockport, and hit Becker Farms & Vizcarra Vineyards for some pumpkin and apple picking. You’ll be a wine country connoisseur in no time! The Antiques Road Trip
What could be more romantic than a fall antiquing trip along the winding roads of Niagara County? The region is a treasure trove of quirky antiques and vintage finds, all within day-tripping distance of Niagara Falls. Make the Old Chapel Antique & Artisan Market, a former church-turned-market in North Tonawanda, your first stop, before tooling up the road to the quaint Shawnee Country Barns Antique Co-Op. Still looking for the perfect souvenir? Head north to the Lewiston Antique Mall, where you’re guaranteed to fill your trunk with local treasures.
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