With a teenager and a tween in our household, my wife and I are always looking for (relatively) brief road trips that offer a little something for each member of the family. One of our favorites, Ithaca, certainly qualifies, and so does Ellicottville, the quintessential ski town just an hour south of Buffalo.
An asterisk: We are not skiers. Nor do we love the epic crowds that come with big events like the Ellicottville Fall Festival in October. So we decided to visit the village—for the first time with our kids—during the spring. While the weather was a bit chilly, the experience of wandering Ellicottville during this “off” time was a relaxing treat.
I should note that before heading to E’ville, I asked a friend who visits frequently about this time of year. She raved about the relative slowness compared to the busy season but also cautioned that much is dependent on weather. As she put it, “Spring around here can be cold and muddy, and then all of a sudden it turns 89 degrees.”
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This was not one of those 89 degree days, but it didn’t deter us. On the way into Ellicottville, after walking a bit around a breezy Griffis Sculpture Park (see sidebar below), we stopped at Steelbound Brewery & Distillery. This lively and warm spot is conveniently located at the cusp of the village. We dug the Mexican street corn bites, and I partook in the ultra-crisp Kaisertown pilsner. (Note that Steelbound also has a location in nearby Springville as well as in Williamsville and Dunkirk.)
Purple Doorknob
Next stop was the village proper, an inviting place with its own unique, small-town feel. Two shops that jumped out during our stroll were Rustic Buffalo Artisan Market, which features fun buffalo art and lots of clever Bills swag, and my personal favorite, the sock mecca known as the Purple Doorknob.
After some ice cream at Anzivino’s Sweets & Boutique, we hopped back in the car to visit Pour Taproom, the self-serve beer destination located near Holiday Valley. I was a fan of Pour’s now-closed downtown Buffalo location, but the vibes at the Ellicottville spot were certainly cozier; the bar decorated with pine trees and the fireplace fit the E’ville mood oh-so-well. Self-pouring takes some getting used to, but the staff was quite helpful.
Ellicottville Brewing Company
Back in the car, as it was now time for dinner. Ellicottville has several noteworthy restaurants, but the most pleasing option for all four members of my family was Ellicottville Brewing Company. My wife and I had fond memories of sitting outside at EBC during a previous summer visit; that was not in the cards today. We all agreed it was a fine choice—large but not too noisy, and with a vast menu. (I recommend the shepherd’s pie with a Ski Bum. Beer, that is.)
It will be nice to visit again during the warmer months and try some of the activities not available during spring time—the Sky High Adventure Park and scenic lift rides jump out. But for a short afternoon getaway, this was just right. Ski season may be long over, but Ellicottville is as charming in spring as it is any other time of year.
A must-stop on the way: Griffis Sculpture Park
6902 Mill Valley Road, East Otto
Griffis Sculpture Park
The first time I took my family to Griffis Sculpture Park in East Otto was on a horrifically humid July afternoon. We were enthralled … but also drenched with sweat.
This time, with a coolish breeze in the air, we were able to meander around the steel sculptures with ease. The hundreds of sculptures dotted throughout the hiking trails are stunning, and even after a brief visit, we walked away in awe.
One recommendation: Sneakers or—even better—hiking boots are a necessity. Learn from my mistake.
