We were hosted by Chautauqua County. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.
In Northeast Ohio, we know a lot of skiers. Our family keeps talking about learning to ski but, we hadn't pulled the trigger. We can't say that anymore! Thanks to Macaroni Kid, my 10-year-old daughter and I had a wonderful weekend in western New York learning to do just that and more.
We spent the weekend exploring greater Chautagua County, a two-hour drive from our home on the east side of Cleveland.
Skiing
Peek'n Peak Resort in Clymer, New York is an easy two-hour drive from Cleveland. My daughter fell in love instantly. Our hotel room was spacious, there were multiple dining options, a heated indoor pool, indoor playground, and an indoor/outdoor hot tub all in the same building. She was convinced she'd hit it big time!
This is also where we had our first ski lesson. With three other Macaroni Kid publishers and their mini macaronis, many of us strapped on skis for the first time. We had a private group lesson with two of the kindest and most patient instructors. It wasn't long before we were heading up the magic carpet and down a training hill. I wasn't sure what my daughter would think of skiing but, it was obvious that this was the beginning of a new sport for her.
Peek'n Peak also has snow tubing, cross-country skiing and golf and mountain adventures in the summer.
Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, New York is a three-hour drive from Cleveland. It is a gorgeous and vast resort. On 1,400 acres of land, Holiday Valley has 60 slopes and 13 lifts over four different mountain faces. We stayed in a beautiful room right by the main lodge where there is an indoor/outdoor heated pool, outdoor hot tub and a continental breakfast in the morning.
My daughter and I took a private ski lesson here, and we were impressed with the facility and instructor. We wish we had more time for skiing!
Holiday Valley also has a snow tubing area as well as a mountain coaster which we road at least five times. If we had brought hats and gloves, we would have done it more. It takes roughly four-and-a-half minutes to get to the top of the mountain but a quick two minutes to speed down. My coaster-hesitant kiddo had a blast!
Culture
Western New York isn't all about skiing. There is also culture, history and art. Here is what we experienced:
National Comedy Center, Jamestown, NY
This was a special treat. Still under construction, we got a tour of the National Comedy Museum which opens August 2018. This place is going to be amazing. It seems that most every artform has a venue to celebrate both the history of and the great artists, but comedy has been overlooked. We can't say that anymore!
The entire facility impressed me but what really peaked my interest is that, similar to some amusement theme parks, each visitor will receive a wristband with a chip in it. Through a survey, the wristband will learn what type of comedy each visitor prefers and then gears many of the exhibits towards their individual sense of humor. Talk about a personal experience!
While comedy is mostly geared toward adults, the National Comedy Center takes into account that children will be visiting. They have put together scavenger hunts to keep kids engaged and interested in the Center and learn the history of comedy.
Lucy and Desi Museum, Jamestown, NY
Why is Jamestown so central to the history of comedy, you wonder? Because it is Lucille Ball's hometown. This Museum, short walk from the National Comedy Center, is dedicated to the life and work of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. I didn't know much about the careers of Ball and Arnaz but was really excited to see the Museum and my daughter, who had never heard of them, really enjoyed it.
Griffis Sculpture Park, East Otto, NY
Local artist Larry Griffis, Jr. had a vision. His vision was to create a vast outdoor space filled with art where no one ever needed to say, "no." He was fully aware that, for the most part, the only way for children to experience art was to stand behind a rope and look.
Don't touch. Be careful. Not too close! Take a step back.
He wanted something different. He acquired the land in East Otto, NY and created Griffis Sculpture Park, with fields, hiking trails and ponds, he added larger than life art that can be climbed on and into. The Macaroni Kids traveling with us couldn't believe that they could sit on a giant beetle, climb a spaceship and so much more. Griffis Sculpture Park is a treasure and not-to-be-missed. A 20-minute drive from Holiday Valley Resort, this is an easy half-day trip the whole family can enjoy.
As a family, we have explored other parts of New York State but never southwestern New York. My daughter and I can't wait to take our family back and share this beautiful and fun part of the state.
