Lewiston: A quaint historic village that is the perfect daytrip destination
The Buffalo News
12/7/2014
The quaint historic village of Lewiston, located 7 miles north of Niagara Falls, is one of my favorite day trip destinations. It’s close enough that you don’t have to drive far to get there, yet once you’re there, you feel like you’re at a faraway vacation destination. This walkable village features dozens of restaurants and boutique shops, as well as several attractions that the whole family can enjoy.
The village, which was established in 1798, was named after Morgan Lewis, the third governor of New York State. Many of the buildings in the village date back to 1813, when the village was rebuilt after being burnt down during the War of 1812. According to one of the historic signs located along Center Street, the cocktail was invented in Lewiston by Catherine Hustler, when she stirred a gin mixture with a tail feather from a cockerel.
December is the perfect time to visit Lewiston, as there are several annual events that will get you in the mood for the upcoming holiday season.
Tour of Homes
The 10th annual Lewiston Tour of Homes, a fundraiser for the Historical Association of Lewiston, will take place next weekend December 6th & 7th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm each day. I have attended this several times over the past few years and it is a fun event, especially if you are looking for holiday decorating ideas or you just like to see how other people decorate their homes. This year, four homes, plus the historical museum (www.historiclewiston.org), will be open for tours, which are self-guided. You can drive yourself to the homes or hop aboard the complimentary trolley provided by the Tour of Homes. Be sure to bring along slippers or wear heavy socks, as you will be required to remove and carry your shoes or boots as you tour the homes.
As a bonus, tour goers can stop by the elegant Barton Hill Hotel (www.bartonhillhotel.com) to enjoy holiday pastries provided by the Village Bake Shop and DiCamillo Bakery, as well as a signature poinsettia cocktail. Tickets, which must be ordered in advance, are $20; visit www.lewistonhometour.com or call 716-754-4214 for more details. Tickets can be purchased through the website, at any Wegmans location, or in Lewiston at Orange Cat Coffee, the Village Bake Shop or DiCamillo Bakery.
Christmas Walk
The annual Lewiston Christmas Walk also takes place the weekend of December 6th & 7th. Enjoy shopping in the many locally owned shops along Center Street. There will be complimentary carriage rides, outdoor entertainment, carolers, and even a visit from Santa on Saturday at 11:30 am. You can dine in one of Lewiston’s many restaurants, including the Brickyard, one of my personal favorites, which has the best BBQ ribs around. Other popular places to eat include Apple Granny, Carmelo’s and Casa Antica. There will even be a Holiday Gift Market at the Lewiston #1 Fire Hall (145 North Street) from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm featuring 20 vendors.
Festival of Lights
At the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima in Lewiston you won’t find the usual smiling snowmen, jolly Santas and frolicking elves, that you find at most holiday exhibits. This showcase of holiday lights has the courage to boldly depict the true meaning of the season–the birth of Jesus Christ– by featuring the Holy Family, St. Nicholas, angels, and other religious-themed displays.
The shrine, which was modeled by the Fatima Shrine in Lisbon, Portugal, was built by the Barnabite Fathers, an Italian order, in 1954. The focal point of the 20-acre shrine is the basilica, a dome shaped church 100 feet in diameter and 55 feet high that depicts the northern hemisphere. A 13 feet statue of Our Lady of Fatima rests atop the dome.
Since 1991 the shrine has been transformed into a wonderland of lighted displays from the Saturday before Thanksgiving to the Sunday after Epiphany. What makes the displays at the Fatima Shrine unique is that almost all the items on display have been designed by Father Julio, the shrine’s rector, and built by the shrine’s maintenance staff.
National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima, 1023 Swann Road, Lewiston 716-754-7489, www.fatimashrine.com The Festival of Lights takes place each night from 5:00-9:00 pm until January 6, 2015. Admission is free.
Festival of Trees
The New York State Power Authority Niagara Power Vista is a great place to visit year-round. Located right on the rim of the Niagara Gorge, adjacent to the campus of Niagara University, the Power Vista has all sorts of interactive exhibits that demonstrate how electricity works. From December 1st to January 2nd they will have their annual display of trees which are decorated by local not-for-profit organizations. The lighted trees are displayed inside along the enclosed pedestrian walkway that allows visitors to cross Route 104. Their annual kid-friendly event, Deck the Halls, will take place Saturday December 6th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. It includes musical entertainment, crafts, and photos with Santa.
New York State Power Authority Niagara Power Vista, 5777 Lewiston Road (Route 104), Lewiston, 716-286-6661, www.nypa.gov . Open Daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, (Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day). Admission is free.
Enjoy some art
While in Lewiston be sure to stop at the Castellani Art Museum, located on the campus of Niagara University. The museum, which opened in 1990, has permanent and special exhibits on display, including many by local artists, as well as national and international artists. They also have a display on the Underground Railroad in the Greater Niagara region. The museum’s gift shop, which has been undergoing renovations, will have its grand re-opening on December 5th.
Castellani Art Museum, Route 104 on the campus of Niagara University, Lewiston, 716-286-8200, www.niagara.edu/cam Open Tuesday-Saturday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday 1:00-5:00 pm. Admission is free.
Outdoor Winter Fun
Also located in the town of Lewiston are a couple of parks that offer fun winter activities. Bond Lake County Park (2571 Lower Mountain Road, 716-731-3256) has 13 miles of cross country ski trails as well as a tubing hill that is open weekends and holidays. There is also an outdoor ice skating rink. Please bring your own inflatable tubes and ice skates, as they don’t have any equipment for rental. The park also has a nature center, located in the warming house by the tubing hill. The nature center is open Sundays 12:00-4:00 pm.
Reservoir State Park, located on Route 31 near Route 265, overlooks the power plant reservoir. The park has a sledding hill as well as cross-country ski trails.
For more information about Lewiston visit www.niagarariverregion.com
