The Enchanted Mountains Region is a great place to vacation, visit and live.  There are plenty of vacation "hot spots" to enjoy.

Fall Family Fun in the Enchanted Mountains

Naturally for Family

Day One:

Begin your day in West Valley, which is about 40 miles south of Buffalo, off of Rt. 240. At The Antler Shed Whitetail Museum (716-699-4427) there are over 4,000 sets of whitetail antlers, many complete with history. See hundreds of hunting, fishing and trapping related artifacts dating from 1800's to present.

Next, onto Gooseneck Hill Waterfowl Farm (www.gooseneckhillwaterfowlfarm.com; 716/942-6835) where you can see singing and dancing swans, hand feed the geese, see the two largest covered aviaries in the world, watch the fantastic parrot show, and see the endangered NeNe Geese from Hawaii….only 600 left in the world.

At Pumpkinville, (716-699-2205; www.pumpkinville.com) visit and enjoy the spirit of the fall harvest and the beauty of Western New York Autumn. Experience the sights, sounds and aromas of cider making. Sample a fresh pumpkin donut made while you watch. There are hayrides, pony rides, a cornfield maze and a corn cannon shoot. Purchase your Halloween pumpkin, jams & jellies, maple & honey products, candy, fudge and crafts all made locally.

Now, head south to Ellicottville. After lunch at The Store, drive by the Buffalo Ranch, (716-353-4465) where hundreds of Buffalo are wandering the valleys. After dinner, enjoy Nightmare Hayrides (716-699-4839; www.ellicottvillerodeo.com) on Sommerville Street, the scariest hayride in Western New York! Brave the tractor-drawn hayride down haunted paths, littered with scary creatures that will leave you shaking in your seat. Then explore the haunted maze that leads to the haunted barn.

Day Two:

Going west to Randolph, the Fish Hatchery (716-354-4755) is where fish are raised for local streams and creeks. Learn about the varieties that are native to the area. At Hot Papa's visit a world of fascinating hot sauces, condiments, barbecues, marinades, jerks, dips and spices. Hot Papa's also has a tasting table and gourmet accessories. After lunch at Oregano's tour Amish Country, just outside Randolph. Listen for the click of steel-shod hooves on pavement as you enter Amish Country. Most Amish are farmers, but there is an increase in specialty skills, shops, quilts and other home crafts. There are also sawmills, harness repairing, shoe repairing, blacksmith shops and carpentering. The Amish community conducts no business on Sundays and cameras are never allowed. Dinner and overnight in Salamanca, about 15 miles east.

Day Three:

At the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum (www.senecamuseum.org; 716/945-1738) it is easy to appreciate the history of the Seneca Nation of Indians as you view the collection of artifacts and reconstructions housed in the Museum. Here you can see a replica of the traditional dwelling, learn about their culture and inspect treaty documents that grant the Senecas the autonomy they enjoy today.

Nearby is the Salamanca Rail Museum (716/945-3133). This beautiful depot was built back in the days when Salamanca was a major crossroads for the Erie, BR&P and Pennsylvania railroads. Beautifully restored, stocked with antique railroad paraphernalia and lined with rare old photos, the museum brings the old railroad days to life. The ticket office, looks just the way it used to with authentic furniture and telegraph keys. Out in the railyard, you'll find a box car, a crew camp car and two cabooses for the kids to explore.

After a picnic lunch in Allegany State Park (www.nysparks.com; 716/354-9111), outside Salamanca, enjoy the afternoon in New York's largest state park. The park has 64,000 acres for camping, swimming, boating, miniature golf, tennis, bicycling, fishing, hiking, hunting, skiing and snowmobiling. This is a very busy park with family oriented activities all summer long and educational programs all year. Stop at the Quaker Museum (716-354-2182; www.asphs.org ) and the Administration Building(716-354-9111; www.asphs.org).