A steam locomotive, a river gorge and trails through the landscape give Wyoming County a varied character. The Arcade and Attica Railroad offers the only regularly scheduled excursion rides with a steam locomotive in New York State. Its schedule is seasonal. The railroad is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places—another reason to view the ride through the lens of railroad history.
Steam Train Rides and Railroad History
On the Picnic and Cycle Tour, the Arcade and Attica Railroad transports bicycles from the Arcade Depot to the historic Curriers station. Availability depends on the schedule; check it if you plan to take this ride. This makes it possible to combine a bike outing with a specific train ride while keeping the seasonal dates in mind.
The museums also explore different aspects of history. The William Pryor Letchworth Museum tells the story of Letchworth State Park from prehistoric times to the modern era. Its collections include William Pryor Letchworth’s personal belongings, Indigenous and pioneer-era artifacts, and materials from the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Attica Historical Society Museum displays a diverse collection of objects from the Attica area, spanning more than a century. The society’s history includes a 1951 donation from the Stevens family: they donated the original parlor in Judge Alden Stevens’s home, as well as a parcel of land for an extension intended to serve as a museum.
Gorge, Waterfalls and Nature Education
At Letchworth State Park, the Genesee River cuts through a gorge and plunges over three major waterfalls. The cliffs reach heights of up to 600 feet in some places. Visitors interested in the natural story behind this landscape can find public environmental education programs at the Humphrey Nature Center year-round. Programs and interactive exhibits cover the park’s geology, wildlife and ecology, adding an understanding of the natural connections behind the scenery.
The Autism Nature Trail at Letchworth State Park is an accessible, one-mile-long trail with eight different sensory stations. Its length is easy to gauge if you’re looking for a shorter route, and the stations focus on a variety of sensory experiences. Silver Lake State Park has a boat launch for boating and fishing on the lake. Along Cattaraugus Creek, 13.8 miles of easements provide public fishing rights. This means the area offers nature experiences that include both activities on the water and designated public fishing rights.
Trails with Different Profiles
The Genesee Valley Greenway is a 90-mile public multi-use trail from Rochester to Cuba, New York. In Wyoming County, it runs south of Portageville along the Genesee River; natural and historic resources are among the trail’s features. Most of it follows a former railroad grade and has a straight, level surface of cinders, gravel and mowed grass. This describes the surface of most of the route, not every section.
The Tour of Mount Morris Dam has a different profile: the ranger-led hike lasts about an hour and includes a steep, one-mile section through the Genesee River Gorge to the top of Mount Morris Dam. Dates may change; check the schedule before your visit. The Greenway and the dam tour differ considerably in length and route—a useful distinction when weighing how much time you have and what kind of outing you have in mind.
Regional Themes and Trip Planning
The Wyoming County Barn Quilt Trail showcases more than 80 barn quilts across the county. Another regional theme is the farms throughout Wyoming County that offer locally produced food and products for sale directly from the farm. These experiences complement the area’s landscapes and history with arts and crafts and agriculture.
The activities described vary in theme and the time they take, so they may not all fit into a single day’s itinerary. Choose a stay that leaves room for the experiences that interest you most.
More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Attica, Sheldon, Bliss, North Java. More places: Oneida, Madison, Fulton, Orange.
Return to the main travel overview: New York.
