Modern Travel - Spending 24 memorable hours in Ellicottville, New York

Here’s how to spend 24 great hours in quaint Ellicottville,NY!

Holiday Valley

I’ve been to Holiday Valley several times and the experience simply keeps getting better. From the friendly and attentive staff, amazing amenities and being the premier ski destination in the northeastern US, this place is a winter paradise. They’ve been experts at this for over 60 years so it’s easy to see why they’re the go-to ski spot.
13 ski lifts + 58 trails = fun for any and everyone!

Laura and I always stay at the Tamarack Club because of it’s easy access to the main base area and so many amenities, guests of Tamarack enjoy the ultimate in comfort and convenience. Rental units range in size from standard hotel rooms to one, two and three bedroom condominiums.
You can walk out of the rear doors and the slopes are literally right there for you.
Plus, there are two hot tubs, an indoor/outdoor pool, underground parking and plenty more.

Oasis Spa

After your morning of skiing, spend a couple of hours at Ellicotville's Oasis Spa, inside the Tamarack Club. Upon entering the spa, you are greeted by a soft spoken receptionist and calming music. There are light scents of fragrance in the air, setting the mood for your upcoming appointment. The receptionist will lead you to the change rooms where you will be provided with a luxuriously soft robe fit for a king or queen as well as a towel to wear under your robe. There are lockers to store your clothing and any valuables. Your massage therapist or esthetician will greet you in the waiting area which is complete with a fire place, lounge chairs with blankets and a view of the mountain. There is also a single serve coffee/tea machine and water for spa guests. If you can make the time for two appointments, try the hot stone massage and a relaxing facial. The massage therapists are all registered so you can claim on your health insurance if you have it. The treatment rooms and beds are very comfortable. The rooms are very quiet and all you can hear is the music. The RMTs and estheticians are all superbly trained and skilled, making the experience that much better. The massage pressure is perfect and there are many facial options for all skin types - even the dreaded blemish prone sensitive skin. You will leave your treatment feeling refreshed and very relaxed.

John Harvard Brew House

Casual dining with a few upscale flairs, an inviting atmosphere, deliciouos beer selections and always friendly faces define the John Harvard Brew House, which happens to be conveniently on-site at Holiday Valley.
A new menu recently debuted and it’s full of wonderful, savoury and traditional fare that’ll keep nearly any stomach happy and full.
Hit them up for lunch or dinner…or both!

Steelbound Brewery & Distillery

On the outskirts of quaint Ellicottville (at the corner of 219 and 242) is where you’ll find the new Steelbound Brewery & Distillery. This new hotspot not only has been brewing since 2015 but they opened up this state-of-the-art facility in the spring of 2018.
They’ve created a beacon of cuisine, craft beer and spirits that leaves you with an amazing customer service experience.  Their carefully chosen menu features local purveyors which creates a fresh and seasonal snap shot of all the truly amazing tastes Western New York has to offer.  
The pizza and wings are absolutely amazing and they’ve got a second level for private events as well.

Katy's Cafe


Offering everything from designer coffees to hot sandwiches and comfy couches, Katy’s Café brings a sense of warmth and ease upon entrance. The small-town charm really flows through at Katy’s, everyone was friendly and welcoming and there decor is simply charming and inviting.
Laura and I wanted a really good cup of coffee and figured that there had to be something better than the Tim Horton’s coffee (sorry not sorry.) Fortunately, we found Katy’s, which gave us exactly what we needed for our morning coffee-fix.
We were so impressed, we went back for lunch, which was quite affordable and of course, delicious.