This is an update to a review I originally wrote 11 years ago, and somehow, I love Allegany State…read morePark even more now than I did then. I've been coming here since I quite literally fit into a bucket (not exaggerating). Allegany has been a constant for me and probably the beginning of my love for everything outdoors. Growing up, my family spent Columbus Day weekends camping here, originally along McIntosh Trail and later at Summit Trail near the Art Roscoe Ski Area and fire tower on the Red House side of the park. Now, they go extra fancy and stay on Bova Trail. Over the years, Allegany became the backdrop for countless adventures from tent camping, cabin stays, hiking, geocaching, and just being together outdoors. These days, instead of Columbus Day, I usually start the year here by staying in a cabin and doing the First Day Hike with my dad. While my most recent visit wasn't the best, it doesn't erase the years of great memories before it. I've visited Allegany in every season, but autumn will always be my favorite thanks to the foliage. The trails shine in summer and fall. I've backpacked the North Country Trail through the park, hiked nearly every trail, and uncovered some lesser known gems along the way. I participate in the park's hiking challenges, serve on the board of the Allegany State Park Historical Society, and appreciate organizations like Friends of Allegany for the work they do to protect and enhance this place. The Red House Restaurant serves up some good times and great food, too. From Thunder Rocks to the Bear Caves, beaches, creeks, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, geocaching (including night caches and GeoBash!), and endless quiet corners, Allegany surely offers something for everyone. It's located a mere hour and 45 minutes from Buffalo and to me, it's a crown jewel of the New York State Park system. My advice? Do a little research before you go so you can make the most of your visit. Stop by the Administration Building on the Red House side, explore Thunder Rocks or the Bear Caves, and camp if you can. And whatever you do... don't feed the bears!

Beautiful place! I didn't explore everything and it was my first visit…read more $7 to drive in. A huge lake A small dock to launch from in a canoe/paddle board A beach. Paved trail to ride bike (or electric scooter, etc.) 2 trails I saw for hiking in foot. 1 mile trail and 5 mile. Maybe there's more somewhere. This was near the building with the restaurant, gift shop, etc. I took the shorter (1 mile). It was really nice and shaded by the trees. Not too challenging. I saw the restaurant inside and outside. The inside was just a casual area upstairs. I thought the patio was a muncher better option. There's a nice outdoor area with wooden lounge chairs to take in the view. Gift shop is average ... clothes and trinkets with Ellicottville on them, snacks and drinks. There's some rooms with taxidermy showing you names of different animals; especially birds and their eggs. I saw a creek off the bike trail and many people were swimming in there. I saw a wetland area. Didn't see anything there (no animals).

Great selection and staff. Very knowledgeable. Even if they weren't, they had videos to show the…read morefireworks. I was here after July 4th, crazy deals!

I stopped in on my way back from selling some Harley parts to a new friend in Pa. Incredible…read moreselection and maybe a bit overwhelming cause you don't know what to buy! Prices are great! Had fun shopping! My advice, check out their website and know what you want before hand! Grab them and then shop! Great staff as well! Ty!

HUGE selection of fireworks. Everything from sparklers and fire crackers to big mortars and cakes…read more Lots of offers year around and especially towards July 4th. Store is well layed out and easy to find everything. Staff is always ready to help if you do need it.

They have a great selection but their prices are ridiculous, much higher than Phantom Fireworks in…read moreNortheast, Pa. They might have buy one get one free but the price you pay for the first one is over twice as much as other local fireworks stores.

From the owner: Since 1984, Rizer Fireworks has been Northeastern and Central PA's favorite fireworks store. We are…read morecommitted to suppling the public with high quality products and world class service. We operate as a summer seasonal business, open from May to September. Appointments can be made the rest of the year by calling our store number.

overpriced and you can't just buy one. It's a buy one get two free with the price jacked up.read more

From the owner: Since 1984, Rizer Fireworks has been Northeastern and Central PA's favorite fireworks store. We are…read morecommitted to suppling the public with high quality products and world class service. We operate as a summer seasonal business, open from May to September. Appointments can be made the rest of the year by calling our store number.

It gets bigger and better every year. No admission charge, and some free events and live music. The…read morecorn is so sweet in peak season

This was my first time here. What a great little festival,…read moresomething to do. Traffic was not the best getting into the parking lot. Very slow moving and took about 10-20 extra minutes waiting in line. I like that the school was using their parking space for fundraising for the sports clubs so you know the cost of parking is going to a good cause. The festival itself was decent. It had a lot of food vendors and a crap load of local shops/vendors (added photos of some hand made items). It actually took a while to look at everything! There was a handful of rides for the kids too. I do wish there was more corn themed food options like elote, or grilled corn, or other food dishes using corn in more creative ways. There was only 4 corn things (that I saw): corn on the cob, corn ice cream, kettle corn and a stand to buy a fresh bunch of corn. Corn on the cob 10/10. Delicious, sweet corn, dipped in butter (pretty sure it's unsalted butter). They had tall stand-up tables set up with salt shakers to eat your corn at or in the tent next door had picnic tables to sit down too (or you can eat in the beer tent... It was crazy to me that they allowed underage people in the beer tent if they were with their parents. They couldn't drink obviously, but allowed the family to stay together. At that point, they might as well just have allowed you to walk around with a plastic beer cup.) I didn't try the corn ice cream but I'd like to next time! Kyle tried the bacon bomb sandwich from Hammi's BBQ truck (photo posted). He says he could eat it every day for the rest of his life. I thought it had too much sausage in the mixture. I'd like to taste more of a bacon/pork flavor than sausage. But other than that it really was good.

This is an absolutely lovely park, with wide open spaces as well as trails through the woods. All…read morealong beautiful lake Erie. The grounds are well-maintained and there is strategic seating along most trails. There were these chain link basket devices located around one field and it took me almost a month to find out that it has something to do with a frisbee game. There are bathroom facilities and grills and garbage pails so this is designed to be used by families for picnics. I plan on returning in the summer to see this beautiful park in full bloom.

Beautiful, peaceful park... Perfect stop off on scenic route 5. Camping, fishing, hiking... Looks…read morelike you can find it all here. Wish I had more time, but was just passing through and decided to make a quick stop. Don't miss it, if you're in the area!!

For local flavor and a break from the regular weekend routine, the Ellicottville Fall Festival is…read moredifficult to beat. While in Buffalo recently, friends suggested we make the hour trek to Ellicottville to check out the festival. It's located in a small ski village, and -- never one to turn down the chance to check out a new place -- I jumped at the chance. Street parking was relatively easy to find, and we soon were meandering through the downtown at the foothills of the ski resort. With hills all around us and brilliantly color-changing leaves, it was here to beat the beautiful setting. If you know local festivals, you know what to expect -- booths with all sorts of arts, crafts, snacks, and unique local finds lined the middle of the streets, which had been closed off for pedestrian-only traffic. We perused the different booths and stores before stopping a spell for lunch. Happen to be out this way in the fall? Head on over and check it out for a relaxed afternoon in a colorful and cozy setting.

As a San Diego transplant that hasnt experienced fall in a good 10 years, this was a perfect way to…read moreenjoy all the season has to offer. The drive down the (do I need to stop saying "the" in front of highways?) 219 was beautiful, and the weather was just the right amount of chilly to be enjoying my flannel and boots and hot apple cider. The main downside here is the traffic getting into town, but there really is nothing that can be done about it. You just have to be ready and be patient. The church just inside town was graciously offering "donation" parking (as opposed to the $10 parking further into town), and since it was on the edge of town, made it super easy to leave when we were done. The town of Ellicottville is also very charming, and I would love to come back again to enjoy the area on a normal day!