20 Attractions to Explore Near Chestnut Ridge Park

Eternal Flame Falls is a unique spot in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Located in Chestnut Ridge Park, it is one of the only natural locations in the world where a burning flame can be seen cascading down the falls. The flame is believed to be fueled by a natural underground gas source, and it has been burning for over 100 years. The area around the falls is popular for picnicking, hiking and camping, and people come from all over to witness this natural phenomenon.

Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve is a unique natural attraction located near Hamburg, New York. The park is home to a rare fossil bed, containing fossils that date back 400 million years. Visitors can explore the park's trails and take part in educational programs and events such as fossil digs, lectures, and hikes. The reserve is also home to a variety of wildlife including bald eagles, beavers, coyotes, and deer.

Knox Farm State Park is located in the heart of Erie County, New York. The park is a 633-acre oasis of rolling meadows, woodlands, wetlands, and ponds. Visitors can enjoy its many trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. The park also features an equestrian campground, a picnic area, and a playground. It is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and fox.

The Millard Fillmore Museum in Erie County, New York is a historic museum dedicated to preserving the legacy of President Millard Fillmore and his family. The museum showcases artifacts from the Fillmore family such as photographs, books, artwork, documents and other memorabilia. Visitors can also explore exhibits on local history and culture as well as interactive media presentations.

The Roycroft Campus is a historic preservation site located in East Aurora, NY in Erie County. The site is a former industrial complex that encompasses 14 buildings, including the Roycroft Inn, the Roycroft Power House, the Roycroft Copper Shop, and the Roycroft Chapel. The site was home to the Roycroft Arts and Crafts Movement, which took place in the early 1900s, and was one of the country’s first intentional artist colonies.

Emery Park in Erie County is a wonderful outdoor destination for families and nature-lovers alike. The park features scenic hiking trails, picnic areas, and lakeside views. There are also several recreational activities available including swimming, fishing, boating, biking, golfing, tennis courts, and playgrounds. During the summer months there are often concerts and festivals at Emery Park, providing an exciting atmosphere for friends and family to enjoy.

The Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica is a beautiful and storied landmark. Built in 1926, it was originally designed as a shrine to Father Nelson Baker, a 19th century priest who served the poor and disadvantaged of Western New York. The basilica is constructed in the Romanesque Revival style with stunning Italian marble altars, dramatic stained glass windows and magnificent frescos. In addition to the basilica, the shrine has a museum, library, gift shop and auditorium

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, is a historic 10-acre botanical garden featuring over 2,000 species of plants from around the world. The gardens provide a wide variety of attractions, including a 36-foot high domed glass conservatory, a Japanese Garden, a Bromeliad Conservatory, a Bonsai Display, a large collection of orchids, and a variety of seasonal displays. The gardens also host events and programs throughout the year, such as educational classes and demonstrations.

The Charles E. Burchfield Nature & Art Center is located in Erie County, Ohio and offers visitors a unique experience combining nature and art. The center features an expansive outdoor display of native plants, trees, birds, and butterflies as well as a variety of interactive educational activities for children and adults alike. Visitors can take part in guided tours around the center's gardens, learn about the local ecology, and explore the history of the area.

Cazenovia Park is a stunning 685-acre park with a wealth of recreational amenities. The park features two golf courses, a pool complex, playgrounds, trails and picnic areas. During the summer months, visitors can take advantage of sports fields, tennis courts and an outdoor amphitheater for special events. Visitors can also explore the park’s historic features, including the Cazenovia Park Casino and historic stone arch bridge.

Gallagher Beach in Erie County is a popular tourist spot for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Located along the shores of Lake Erie, this beach offers incredible views of the lake and its many islands. The water is crystal clear and perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing. With miles of sandy beaches along with plenty of picnic areas and playgrounds, Gallagher Beach is a great spot for families to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Tifft Nature Preserve is a 264-acre nature preserve in Erie County, New York, owned and operated by Buffalo Audubon Society. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including beavers, foxes, great blue herons, and over 250 species of birds, including bald eagles. The preserve contains a variety of ecosystems, including marshland, woods, meadows, and ponds, as well as a 1.5-mile boardwalk which allows visitors to explore the wetlands and observe wildlife.

Sprague Brook County Park is a beautiful park located in Erie County. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities including camping, horseback riding, fishing, hiking and mountain biking. It is also home to a number of wildlife species such as white-tailed deer, beaver and blue heron. Visitors can rent cabins or campsites for overnight stays and make the most of the park's amenities, including a picnic area with grills and fire rings and an amphitheater.

Buffalo Harbor State Park is a premier waterfront destination in Western New York. Located on the banks of the Buffalo River near downtown Buffalo, the park offers spectacular views of Lake Erie and a unique mix of recreational facilities. Highlights include a boardwalk, fishing pier, boat launch, playgrounds, picnic areas, and trails. Visitors can also explore the park’s wetlands, nature center, and shoreline beach.

Eighteenmile Creek is a 22-mile tributary of Lake Erie located in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Originating in the East Branch and West Branch near Girard Township, it passes through Springfield Township, Lawrence Park Township, and Harborcreek Township before draining into Lake Erie at its mouth in North East. Along its course, the creek is fed by numerous small tributaries, including North Branch, South Branch, and Cold Run Creek.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Graycliff estate includes a three-story main house, a chauffeur's cottage, a gatehouse, a guest house, and a boat house - all located on an eight-acre site overlooking Lake Erie. The main house features terraced stone walls and a flat roof, with windows and balconies designed to take advantage of the views. Inside, a central breezeway connects the three main living areas.

The SS Columbia was a side wheel steamer that operated on Lake Erie in the 19th century. Built in Buffalo, New York in 1859 for the Union Steamboat Company, it was one of the first modern steamers to be built on the Great Lakes. The ship sailed out of Buffalo and offered trips up and down Lake Erie between Detroit, Cleveland, Sandusky, and Buffalo. It was a popular passenger ship, with the capacity to carry 1,500 passengers and up to 500 tons of cargo.

The Larkin Building Wall in Erie County, created by Frank Lloyd Wright, is an impressive example of modern architecture. Built in 1904, it was one of the earliest applications of steel-frame technology and featured a remarkable integration of stone, brick and metal cladding. The wall's façade was composed entirely of precast concrete blocks that had been placed over steel frame supports, thus creating a unique blend of modernism and traditional masonry.

Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve is a popular outdoor destination located in Erie County, New York, that covers over 200 acres of wetland, meadow, and woodlands. It features five miles of walking trails and a variety of wildlife viewing opportunities, including birds, turtles, frogs, and beavers. Reinstein Woods is also a great place to learn about the environment, as it offers educational programs, classes, and workshops for children and adults alike.

The Edward M. Cotter is a fireboat located in Buffalo, New York on the Erie Canal. It was built in 1900 and has served as an active fireboat since then, making it one of the oldest operating fireboats in the United States. The boat is named after Edward Martin Cotter, who was killed in the line of duty while fighting a five-alarm fire in Buffalo.