COME EVERY SPRING, the Genesee River Valley is reborn, shaking off the frigid fingers of winter and blossoming to life.
So, where better for you to enjoy a little reset and rebirth following a long winter than in LivCo? A spring or summertime getaway to Livingston County blends the excitement of a new season with a sense of peace and tranquility that feels like a long-needed breath of fresh air.
From the hiking trails to nostalgic Main Streets, welcoming local shops to farm-to-table fare, you’ll find plenty to fill an itinerary for a relaxed weekend away — but if you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help. Here’s how to spend three days in the Genesee River Valley, after which you’ll leave with ample stories, a rejuvenated spirit, and (more than likely) plans to visit again soon.
DAY ONE
KICK BACK IN A HISTORIC SETTING
Check in for your stay at the 1915 Colonial Revival BrickInn, one of LivCo’s many charming and historic bed and breakfasts. As you settle into your cozy and elegantly appointed guestroom, take a peek out the window. Many of the rooms offer views of the lawns and forests spread out across the property’s five acres (you can also enjoy the views from the expansive porch).
When you’re not taking your culinary explorations elsewhere, plan to enjoy the inn’s three-course breakfasts on the sunny patio. Weekly stops at the area’s farmers’ markets ensure that each dish features as many locally grown and produced ingredients as possible. All the while, you’re just minutes away from Letchworth State Park, known as the “Grand Canyon of the East”.
FUEL UP AT LIVCO BASECAMP
Energize your day and let us welcome you to LivCo when you stop into the LivCo Basecamp and grab a signature latte or dirty soda from ReNewed Coffee Co. The award-winning local business serves up a roster of classic and seasonal beverages ranging from espresso favorites to refreshers and frozen drinks (you can’t go wrong with the signature peanut butter mocha or the s’mores latte).
While you're here, feel free to grab guides and maps from our extensive display or head to the heart of the building to visit Jereko Gear. This local shop specializes in sustainable adventure, offering e-bike rentals that are perfect for exploring the nearby Genesee Valley Greenway State Park trails located behind the building.
ENJOY A LEISURELY LUNCH
Since you can’t subsist on caffeine alone, walk the few minutes to High Banks Tavern next, right around the corner. You won’t be able to miss it, with the tavern’s bright green exterior and seasonal sidewalk seating. Find a spot in the sunshine and dig into all the fuel you’ll need for your upcoming hike, whether you’re devouring The Letchworth Burger (topped with blue cheese, pickled red onions, and bacon jam) or munching on one of the wide varieties of wings.
EXPLORE THE BREATHTAKING SETTING OF LETCHWORTH
Hands-down one of LivCo’s most can’t-miss spots is Letchworth State Park. The dramatic waterfalls and gorges are sure to take your breath away, and the park offers plenty of ways to enjoy the scenery. Hike across the more than 60 miles of trails, and stop into the Humphrey Nature Center.
Prefer a different vantage point? Experience the gorges from below when you take a thrilling whitewater rafting excursion with Adventure Calls Outfitters or see them from above via a romantic hot air balloon ride with Balloons Over Letchworth. Have a little extra time? Take a ranger-guided tour of the Mount Morris Dam, the largest concrete dam east of the Mississippi!
TREAT YOURSELF AS YOU STROLL DOWN MAIN STREET
Cap off your day with another visit to Mount Morris’s Main Street, where a stroll will reveal larger-than-life murals (perfect for a photo op that’s going to make all your friends back home jealous) and hidden treasures tucked into locally owned antique shops like Allegiance Antiques.
Grab dinner at Questa Lasagna, a long-standing and local favorite Italian eatery, and then satiate your sweet tooth with the creamy, rich goodness of homemade ice cream and milkshakes, courtesy of Zeppo’s Creekside Creamery.
DAY TWO
EAT BREAKFAST WITH THE LOCALS
The Waystone Restaurant & Trading Post is more than just a spot to grab a Southern-inspired, scratch-made breakfast. It’s a community hub, and you’ll feel just like part of the family as soon as you walk in the door. Snag a stool and watch the busy crew at work as you dig into a country-fried steak or biscuits and gravy. Side of grits? You know it.
TAKE A SCENIC, EASY WALK ALONG TRAILS
Drive to the Erie-Attica Trail parking area, where you’ll have no trouble finding a spot thanks to the large lot. The trail is a 2-mile, out-and-back, family-friendly jaunt through dense forest. Wildflowers dot the side of the well-maintained path as you traverse what was once a rail bed. The trail also connects to the larger Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, which offers 90 more miles of trail, running between Rochester and Hinsdale.
TASTE-TEST WESTERN NEW YORK FAVORITES
Next up, it’s time to taste-test some regional cuisine. At T’s on Genesee, the Italian market and deli offers an array of subs, specialty sandwiches, and salads, but you’re looking for two things in particular: Beef on Weck and the Trash Plate.
The former is a scrumptious roast beef sandwich, dipped in au jus and smeared with your choice of spicy horseradish or horseradish mayo, all on a kummelweck roll. The latter is tastier than it sounds, trust us. A Trash Plate is layer after layer of menu items: fries and macaroni salad, topped with your choice of protein (burgers, hot dogs, steak, chicken fingers, or roast beef) and topped with meat sauce, onions, ketchup, and mustard. Believe us when we tell you, it’s a local delicacy.
SAVOR CRAFT BREWS
In Avon, you’ll find Mortalis Brewing Company. This local favorite is known for bold, experimental flavors, specializing in thick, fruited sours, decadent stouts, and hazy IPAs. Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast or just looking for a unique pour, the taproom offers a welcoming spot to sample some of the most sought-after brews in the region.
SPEND A NOSTALGIC EVENING AT THE DRIVE-IN
If you’re really loving the warmer weather and aren’t quite ready to head inside just yet, we wouldn’t blame you — so extend the fun further with a nostalgic trip to the drive-in. Located just across the street from Mortalis, the aptly named Avon Vintage Drive-In shows double features of old and new favorites alike. Take it all in under the stars, as the smell of popcorn fills the air — the concession stand is serving up all your favorite crave-worthy movie snacks.
DAY THREE
STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS
Linwood Gardens is an historic estate originally built as a summer vacation home around the turn of the century. Over the years, the owners established a distinguished collection of Japanese and American tree peonies, and, as of today, the gardens are home to more than 600 individual plants.
While the property is private, visitors are welcome to roam the grounds and take in the extensive collection during the annual Tree Peony Festival, marking three decades of this annual tradition. Held across three weekends in May, the event timing remains flexible to align with the peak bloom and spring weather. If you can catch it, it’s the perfect way to spend a morning in the Genesee River Valley, as you drift through the picturesque landscaping, the air filled with the fragrance of rare blooms. Otherwise, plan to make one of the estate’s seasonal Open Garden Days.
GO CHASING WATERFALLS
Squeeze in one last hike before you depart LivCo, as you escape into the cool shade of the ravine at Reynolds Gully. Secluded, soft waterfalls provide the soundtrack to your serene, easy hike. The out-and-back Reynolds Gully Falls trail is less than a half mile in length.
GRAB A LAID-BACK LUNCH
A new hotspot on the area’s dining scene, Springbrook Tap & Table sits within an old tavern property that dates to the 1800s. Get a dining room table, where you can glimpse the historic Caledonia Fish Hatchery out the window. Fun fact: it was America’s very first fish hatchery, established in the 1860s. After you delight your taste buds with a stone-oven pizza, gourmet burger, or chicken and waffles, consider taking a walk over and learning more about why the hatchery’s founding was such a big deal.
DINE ON ELEGANT FARE
End your weekend with dinner at the Caledonia Village Inn. Serving French-American cuisine in an upscale atmosphere and historic, 19th-century setting, the inn is particularly notable for its prime rib. However, if that’s not quite making your stomach rumble just yet, you can also find classics on the menu, such as clams casino, Coquilles Saint-Jacques, and pot de crème.
SOAR ABOVE LETCHWORTH
Lastly, if you didn’t take the chance to fly over Letchworth State Park in a hot air balloon during the first day of your stay, now’s the time to not let this experience slip through your fingers. A sunset flight gives you iconic views of the Valley, for a final, breathtaking perspective of LivCo that you simply can’t find on the ground. It’s the ideal end cap for what’s sure to be a getaway that you’ll fondly remember for years.