There are certain vacations in New York that will always be timeless. Those are the trips we make a point of taking annually, if not more. With roughly two more months of summer left, now is the time to take advantage of the warm weather and to cross some things off of your bucket list. Haven't even given your summer bucket list a thought? Well, this one charming lake town in New York may be the perfect place for you to start:
Located on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, you'll find the small hamlet of Olcott.
Often referred to as Olcott Beach, this small and charming lakeside town has been a longtime favorite summer destination. Visitors enjoy the boardwalk and friendly locals who are nothing but a pleasure, always keeping you coming back for more.
The small town is filled with interesting history, a stop many travelers tend to include on their trips to Niagara Falls.
From here, you can get to Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Lockport all in just under an hour or less, putting many of our states most well-known attractions right at your finger tips. Pictured above, you can see the Olcott Light, a replica that was built back in 2003 to resemble the original lighthouse from the 1800s. The original lighthouse was out on one of Olcott's piers and was moved to a different location in town in the 1930s, only to later be destroyed. Today, you can see the eye-catching landmark in Olcott right along the water. Stunning!
Utilize Lake Ontario and cool off during a hot summer's day on Olcott Beach!
While the beach recently had to be temporarily shut down to due unfit bacteria levels in the water, Olcott Beach is back open once again. The beach is lifeguarded and is open now through September.
One of the main attractions that draws in visitors to this town is Carousel Park, filled with vintage rides that only cost 25 cents.
You read that right! In Carousel Park you'll find restored vintage ridges from the 1940s and 1950s, all costing 25 cents a ride! The park features a variety of children's rides like a carousel, car ride, sky fighter ride, rocket swing, ferris wheel and a Mahogony boat ride. Pictured above you can see the popular carousel that was restored to look like the original carousel that once operated in the park during the 1940s all the way through the 1980s.
Carousel Park hours: July through Labor Day the park will be open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 12 PM until 6PM and Saturday from 12PM until 8PM!
How to get here: 5979 Main Street Olcott, NY 14126
The area is also known for being the host of several exciting and entertaining events.
Celebrating nearly 30 years of car shows, the Olcott Beach Car Show will take place on Saturday, September 3rd. Mark your calendars!
Another exciting event taking place at Olcott Beach is the Pirate Festival on July 8th. Events begin on Saturday, with the festival in Krull Park from 6PM until 12AM. The following day, July 9th, there will be a car show from 7AM until 12PM, as well as a parade that will begin at 12PM! Throughout the weekend there will be rides, music, entertainment, vendors and food, AKA everything you could ever want.
To check out more events happening in Olcott, click here.
Another Olcott attraction is the charming little shopping area you'll find at Lakeview Village Shoppes!
Enjoy the beautiful view of Lake Ontario as you shop around the adorable and vibrant colored shops of Olcott. You'll find a variety of stores and places to eat, and there's truly something here for everyone. From boutiques to ice cream shops, you won't leave this little village empty handed.
To check out a full list of the shops at Lakeview Village, click here.
Speaking of places to eat... there are some pretty amazing restaurants here.
You'll find an assortment of delightful dining establishments out along Lake Ontario, but are you ready for a popcorn stand to blow your mind? Brace yourself, seen in the first picture above, Bye's Popcorn is some of the best popcorn you can find inside of New York state. Serving gourmet popcorn, Bye's has been shocking taste buds since 1923! You can't take a trip to Olcott Beach without stopping here.
You can't have a charming town without a charming park... can you?
Mentioned before, Krull Park is a 325-acre area in Olcott that is actually the largest county-operated park in all of Niagara County. Wow! The park is open all year, giving you wide open spaces right along the water. Here, you'll find plenty of picnic tables and shaded areas underneath picturesque trees, making for wonderful spots to spend time outside.
How to get here: East Lake Road Olcott, NY 14126
Looking to find further inspiration for your summer bucket list? Click here, to check out some of New York's best lakes and swimming holes to visit during the summer along with other warm weather activities!
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!