FAQs on Visiting Westfield, NY

Read some of the most frequently asked questions about visiting Westfield, New York below.

  • What are the top things to do in Westfield, NY?

    Westfield, NY offers opportunities for family fun, romantic retreats, nature lovers and history buffs. Westfield features a vibrant downtown as well as nearby waterfront fun in Barcelona, and the renowned Lake Erie Wine Country.

    Waterfront fun in Barcelona Harbor:

    • Enjoy Lake Erie fishing, boating, sightseeing and more at Dan Reed Pier Park in Barcelona Harbor, just a short drive from downtown Westfield. Launch your boat or kayak, have a picnic, or just admire the stunning Lake Erie views.
    • Relax on Barcelona Harbor Beach. Hunt for beach glass, spot a beautiful sunset, stretch out and sunbathe, or have a picnic. Note that Barcelona Harbor Beach is not lifeguarded, and swimming is not permitted here.
    • Just next door to Dan Reed Pier Park and Barcelona Harbor Beach is the Barcelona Lighthouse, the world's first natural gas lighthouse. Admire the lighthouse from the ground, or ascend to the top to take in Lake Erie.

    Tour Lake Erie Wine Country:

    • Visitors will find several wineries in Westfield, NY and the surrounding area. Lake Erie Wine Country stretches across more than 30,000 vineyard acres along a 50-mile wine trail featuring nearly two dozen wineries. Wineries in Westfield include Johnson Estate Winery, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Spirits & Brewery, and Noble Winery, with 21 Brix Winery just up the road. 
    • While you are touring the Lake Erie wine trail, stop at the Grape Discovery Center, which contains visitor information on local attractions, a gift shop, tasting room, and exhibit area. Learn about more than 150 years of local grape growing, including the origins of Welch's, which still operates a juice storage and processing facility in Westfield today. 

    Explore Downtown Westfield:

    • During the summer, Main Street in Westfield turns into a street fair the first Friday of the month. Enjoy open shops, street vendors, live music and delicious food during the aptly named First Friday events. 
    • Westfield's award-winning Farmers and Artisans Market comes to Moore Park on Saturdays beginning in May until September. 
    • Learn about life in Chautauqua County at the McClurg Museum, also located in Moore Park. Home of the Chautauqua County Historical Society, this 14-room Federal-style mansion features period displays on three floors, including some of the earliest artifacts and archival materials relating to the settlement and subsequent development of the county. 
    • Lovers of history will also want to visit Lincoln-Bedell Statue Park in Westfield. The park contains bronze statues of Abraham Lincoln and Grace Bedell, the girl who suggested that he grow a beard for his presidential campaign. At the McClurg Museum, visitors can learn about the letters the pair exchanged and their meeting in Westfield.

     

     

     

  • Can you visit wineries in Westfield, NY?

    Wineries in Westfield, NY welcome visitors. Try a wine tasting, and purchase a bottle of your favorite. Wineries also regularly schedule events including live music, vineyard walks, and more.

    Wineries in Westfield include Johnson Estate Winery, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Spirits & Brewery, and Noble Winery, with 21 Brix Winery just up the road. At Five & 20, you can also taste local beers and spirits in the first combined winery/brewery/distillery in New York state.

    While you are touring the Lake Erie wine trail, stop at the Grape Discovery Center, which contains visitor information on local attractions, a gift shop, tasting room, and exhibit area. Learn about more than 150 years of local grape growing, including the origins of Welch's, which still operates a juice storage and processing facility in Westfield today. 

  • Is there a beach near Westfield, NY?

    Relax on Barcelona Harbor Beach just outside of downtown Westfield. Hunt for beach glass, spot a beautiful sunset, stretch out and sunbathe, or have a picnic. Note that Barcelona Harbor Beach is not lifeguarded, and swimming is not permitted here. Enjoy more waterfront fun at the adjacent Dan Reed Pier Park, where you can launch your boat or kayak, or fish from the shore, and check out the world's first natural gas lighthouse at Barcelona Lighthouse State Park.

    For lifeguarded beaches on Lake Erie, visit Sunset Bay Beach Club, Wright Park or Point Gratiot in Dunkirk, and Hanover Town Beach.

  • What outdoor activities are available in Westfield?

    Outdoor activities in Westfield, NY are headlined by fun on the Lake Erie waterfront. 

    • Enjoy Lake Erie fishing, boating, sightseeing and more at Dan Reed Pier Park in Barcelona Harbor, just a short drive from downtown Westfield. Launch your boat or kayak, have a picnic, or just admire the stunning Lake Erie views.
    • Relax on Barcelona Harbor Beach. Hunt for beach glass, spot a beautiful sunset, stretch out and sunbathe, or have a picnic. Note that Barcelona Harbor Beach is not lifeguarded, and swimming is not permitted here.
    • Just next door to Dan Reed Pier Park and Barcelona Harbor Beach is the Barcelona Lighthouse, the world's first natural gas lighthouse. Admire the lighthouse from the ground, or ascend to the top to take in Lake Erie.
    • Fish Chautauqua Creek, a Lake Erie tributary, where you will find migratory rainbow trout called "steelhead" in great numbers from October through April.

    Bring your bike and tour Chautauqua & Lake Erie NY on two wheels. Some of Western New York's best road cycling routes are located in the Westfield area. Try the Tour Chautauqua Ride for an almost complete tour of Chautauqua County. The Westfield Century Ride journeys along the shores of Lake Erie through the grape belt and several villages.

     

  • When is the best time of year to visit Westfield, NY?

    The best time of year to visit Westfield, NY depends on your specific interests.

    Westfield enjoys the most visitors during the summer season, when activity on Lake Erie and the waterfront reaches its peak.

    Summer fun in Westfield includes:

    • Tasting your way through Lake Erie Wine Country. Visitors will find several wineries in Westfield, NY and the surrounding area. Lake Erie Wine Country stretches across more than 30,000 vineyard acres along a 50-mile wine trail featuring nearly two dozen wineries. Wineries in Westfield include Johnson Estate Winery, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Spirits & Brewery, and Noble Winery, with 21 Brix Winery just up the road. While you are touring the Lake Erie wine trail, stop at the Grape Discovery Center, which contains visitor information on local attractions, a gift shop, tasting room, and exhibit area.
    • Lake Erie fishing, boating, sightseeing and more at Dan Reed Pier Park in Barcelona Harbor, just a short drive from downtown Westfield. Launch your boat or kayak, have a picnic, or just admire the stunning Lake Erie views.
    • Relaxation on Barcelona Harbor Beach. Hunt for beach glass, spot a beautiful sunset, stretch out and sunbathe, or have a picnic.
    • Exploring Barcelona Lighthouse State Park. Admire and ascend the world's first natural gas lighthouse and learn about Barcelona Harbor history.
    • Attending a First Friday street fair. On the first Friday of the month during the summer, Main Street in Westfield features open shops, vendors, live music and delicious food during the aptly named First Friday events.
    • Shopping Westfield's award-winning Farmers and Artisans Market in Moore Park on Saturdays in May through September. Also in Moore Park, the YWCA's annual Arts & Crafts Festival takes place in July with handcrafted creations, home decor, gourmet foods, jewelry, toys, clothing, art and more.
    • Touring Chautauqua & Lake Erie NY on bike. Some of Western New York's best road cycling routes are located in the Westfield area. Try the Tour Chautauqua Ride for an almost complete tour of Chautauqua County. The Westfield Century Ride journeys along the shores of Lake Erie through the grape belt and several villages.

    Year-round recreation, shopping and dining opportunities await for those who wish to avoid the busier summer season and take advantage of potentially discounted lodging.

    • Fish Chautauqua Creek, a Lake Erie tributary, where you will find migratory rainbow trout called "steelhead" in great numbers from October through April.
    • Lake Erie Wine Country's wineries offer tastings year-round with special events taking place during all seasons.
    • Barcelona Lighthouse State Park remains open through Columbus Day with weekend hours extending into December. Take in brilliant fall foliage and amazing views of Lake Erie.
    • Learn about life in Chautauqua County at the McClurg Museum, open year-round. Home of the Chautauqua County Historical Society, this 14-room Federal-style mansion features period displays on three floors, including some of the earliest artifacts and archival materials relating to the settlement and subsequent development of the county. Lovers of history will also want to visit Lincoln-Bedell Statue Park in Westfield. The park contains bronze statues of Abraham Lincoln and Grace Bedell, the girl who suggested that he grow a beard for his presidential campaign.
    • Galleries, shops and restaurants remain open year-round. 
  • What are some good day trip options for visitors staying in Westfield, NY?

    If you are on vacation in Westfield, New York and want to venture out to the surrounding areas for a few hours or a day, you will find numerous unique options to fit your interests.

    Explore all of Lake Erie Wine Country:

    Fish Steelhead Alley and four more lakes:

    • Once you've caught your fill of fish from Lake Erie, check out its tributaries, known as Steelhead Alley. From October to April, thousands of rainbow trout called steelhead ascend Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Canadaway, and 18-Mile Creeks on their mission to spawn. For the sportsman, excellent fly-fishing opportunities await.
    • Go fishing on inland lakes including Chautauqua, Findley, Cassadaga and Bear Lakes. Chautauqua Lake, ranked #21 Best Bass Lake in the Northeast by Bassmaster (June 2023), offers exceptional fishing for walleye, bass, muskellunge and several species of panfish. Findley Lake’s abundant beds of aquatic vegetation provide angling for a variety of sportfish and panfish, while the three interconnected lakes of Cassadaga provide angling for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge and panfish. The smallest of the County’s inland lakes, known as a kettle lake, Bear Lake's shoreline is predominantly wetland, providing excellent habitat for bass and other predator and prey fish.

    Visit Chautauqua Institution:

    • The pre-eminent expression of lifelong learning in the United States, Chautauqua Institution comes alive each summer with a unique mix of fine and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship and programs, and recreational activities. Over the course of nine weeks, more than 100,000 people visit Chautauqua and participate in programs, classes and community events for all ages — all within the beautiful setting of a historic lakeside village.
    • You can visit Chautauqua Institution year-round. A gate pass is only required during the nine-week summer season. The gates are open the rest of the year, and admission is free. Locations such as the Book Store, Library, and Post Office are open year-round. Some hotels and vacation rentals are open year-round, and some restaurants and shops at Chautauqua Institution are open outside of the summer season.

    Bring your kids to Midway State Park:

    • Located on the shores of beautiful Chautauqua Lake, Midway State Park is a summertime family treasure. Originally established in 1898 as a trolley park, Midway is one of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the nation. Patrons can take a nostalgic ride on the vintage carousel, play a game of mini golf, take a spin on the tilt-a-whirl and ride the go-karts or watch their children enjoy themselves on the many kiddie rides. And, while some may prefer to relax while enjoying an old fashioned candy apple or cotton candy, others can test their skills at classic midway games, or stretch their legs on the playground.

    Enjoy a round of golf:

    • Some of the best public golf courses in western New York are located in Chautauqua County, including more than a dozen options for visitors to enjoy. Located just across the street from Chautauqua Institution, the Chautauqua Golf Club is one of only two 36-hole courses between Cleveland and Rochester. Additionally, the Golf Learning Center at Chautauqua Golf Club provides instruction and practice holes. The Upper Golf Course at Peek’n Peak Resort near Findley Lake has superior ratings from Golf Digest - 4 1/2 stars. Peek'n Peak has hosted several PGA Tour events.

    Stretch your legs at some of the best hiking trails in western New York:

    Embark on summer or winter adventures at Peek'n Peak Resort:

    • Summer: In addition to Peek'n Peak's Upper Golf Course, try the exciting Peak Mountain Adventures activities, including the Aerial Adventure Ropes Course, Giant Zipline, and more. Peek’n Putt mini golf is also open in the summer, and guests can admire the ski slopes and surrounding countryside with a scenic chairlift ride. Try out two brand-new professional Sand Volleyball courts, a Paintball Arena, and Cornhole Courts.
    • Winter: The Peak is the best place to learn to ski or snowboard or simply improve on your existing skills, whether you are a first-timer or seasoned on the slopes. The resort is home to 26 slopes serviced by 8 chairlifts, as well as Terrain Parks, Snow Tubing, Lunar Lights Nighttime Tubing, and a renowned Snowsports School and Peek’n Kids lesson programs.

    Visit the city of Jamestown:

    Explore some of the best cultural attractions and museums in western New York in Jamestown. From comedy to history, nature and entertainment, you will find a combination of learning and fun that makes for a perfect overnight trip or weekend getaway.

    • Visit the National Comedy Center and Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz Museum for a day of laughter.
    • Discover the life and legacy of Robert H. Jackson – Supreme Court Justice, Chief U.S. Prosecutor at Nuremberg, and Chautauqua County native – at the Robert H. Jackson Center.
    • Learn about what makes Jamestown great at the Fenton History Center. Housed in the 1863 mansion of New York State's 22nd Governor, Reuben E. Fenton, the museum features numerous exhibitions including Made in Jamestown: How Furniture Built a City, Lucille Ball: Not the Girl Next Door, the Military Room, the Lookout Tower, and many others.
    • Visit the Roger Tory Peterson Institute to explore a beautiful museum with nature art exhibitions, walk 2.5 miles of trails on a 27-acre preserve, and discover the largest collection of Roger Tory Peterson’s original artwork, films, slides and papers. Peterson, the premier artist-naturalist of his time, connected people with nature as never before. The father of the modern field guide, Peterson’s artwork offered a way for readers to discover the beauty and wonder of nature.

    Visit the city of Dunkirk:

    Located on Lake Erie, Dunkirk delivers small city charm, endless outdoor recreation opportunities, unique shops, tasty bites, and family-friendly events. 

    • Get to the waterfront for some summer fun. Take a dip in Lake Erie at lifeguarded beaches in Point Gratiot and Wright Park. Hike or bike Point Gratiot's trails and observe dozens of bird species. Admire and explore the Dunkirk Lighthouse, Park and Veterans Museum, and climb to the observation level for a stunning Lake Erie view. 
    • Visit City Pier Park in Dunkirk Harbor to fish from the shore, launch your boat or kayak, shop, dine or enjoy live entertainment during the summer, headlined by the Thursday night Music on the Pier series. The Dunkirk Boardwalk Marketplace has seven shops and restaurants along a 160-foot-long covered boardwalk with indoor and outdoor seating.
  • Where are the best places to shop and dine in Westfield, NY?

    Westfield, NY offers unique shops, galleries, markets, wineries and restaurants for you to explore locally made crafts and cuisine.

    Taste wines, beers and spirits:

    • Wineries in Westfield include Johnson Estate Winery, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Spirits & Brewery, and Noble Winery, with 21 Brix Winery just up the road. Enjoy a wine tasting and purchase a bottle of your favorite. At Five & 20, you can also taste local beers and spirits in the first combined winery/brewery/distillery in New York state.
    • Visit the Grape Discovery Center to try local artisanal cheeses, cured meats, snacks, grape juice, and a weekly selection of wines from Lake Erie Wine Country. Plus you can browse the gift shop for arts and crafts, apparel, Concord grape vinaigrette and sauces, wine glasses, mugs, grapeseed lip balm, lotion and oil.

    Shop during special events:

    • During the summer, Main Street in Westfield turns into a street fair the first Friday of the month. Enjoy open shops, street vendors, live music and delicious food during the aptly named First Friday events. 
    • Westfield's award-winning Farmers and Artisans Market comes to Moore Park on Saturdays beginning in May until September. 
    • Also in Moore Park, the YWCA's annual Arts & Crafts Festival takes place in July with handcrafted creations, home decor, gourmet foods, jewelry, toys, clothing, art and more.

    Explore the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Art Trail:

    Browse unique shops and restaurants:

     

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