Letchworth State Park: Home to the Grand Canyon of the East

Located on NY State Route 36, Stony Brook State Park—with its beautiful waterfalls, deep gorges, and unique rock formations—is another New York gem you won’t want to miss. Choose from a variety of hiking trails (including rim, gorge, or nature trails), and then cool off with a dip in the spring-fed, life guard-patrolled swimming pool. The park even features tennis courts, so don’t forget your racket! The park does get crowded on holidays and hot weekends, though, so plan accordingly.

In Letchworth State Park, you’ll find countless opportunities for adventure! The 17-mile-long park, known for its three large waterfalls—the Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls—is a perfect place for whitewater rafting, kayaking, fishing, and even snow tubing (in the wintertime, of course)! You also can take advantage of the 66 miles of trails by horseback riding, snowmobiling, biking, and cross country skiing. If you’d like a bird’s-eye view of the park, go hot-air ballooning to see the spectacular gorge and surrounding forest. Check out “Balloons Over Letchworth"... it's not cheap, but it's worth it.

There are only 338 drive-in cinemas left in the United States, and Silver Lake Twin Drive-In is certainly one of the best. Featuring two separate movie screens, a restaurant, AND mini golf, this drive-in is a great place to keep yourself busy. Each evening, the drive-in hosts a double feature, which only costs $8.00 for adult admission and $4.00 for kids (kids under three get in free). It also hosts weekly “Cruise Nights” that showcase vintage trucks, cars, and motorcycles. The restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat pasta buffet every Wednesday night with soup, salad, and breadsticks included. And if that weren’t enough, the park has giant inflatables for kids (and kids at heart) on Fridays and Saturdays!

Serving classic American fare since 1981, the Lumber Yard Restaurant is a great dinner stop for a night when you want to stay indoors. The restaurant is designed like a traditional log cabin, featuring high ceiling rafters and rustic décor. Lumber Yard serves lunch and dinner, as well as a Sunday brunch buffet (with yummy fresh cinnamon buns!). If you’re really hungry, the restaurant is famous for its endless salad bar with a soup selection included. Be sure to save room for a handmade dessert!

If you’re looking to spend a serene night in the Grand Canyon of the East, look no further than the scenic campground at Letchworth State Park. The park has 338 separate campsites, and allows you to make reservations ahead of time online. Amenities include a laundromat, a gift shop, and food concessions (so you can grab a midnight snack).