Mother/Daughter Adventure: Shopping and Eating our Way through the Village
AAA Member Connection
Autumn 2011
Recently, my daughter, Jennifer, and I spent an afternoon in one of our favorite places, Lewiston, NY, a quaint historic village located seven miles north of Niagara Falls. Lewiston features numerous boutiques and restaurants in a walkable downtown area; a perfect place for a mother daughter adventure.
Established in 1798, Lewiston was named after New York’s third governor, Morgan Lewis. Many of the buildings date back to 1813, when the village was rebuilt after being burned during the War of 1812.
We parked by Academy Park and began our stroll down Center Street. My daughter urged me to hurry up as I paused to read one of the village’s historic markers. This marker, located at Center and North 8th Streets, explained that the cocktail was invented in Hustler’s Tavern, which once stood on that spot, by Catherine Hustler, who stirred a gin mixture with the tail feather from a cockerel.
There are over a dozen restaurants in the village, and since it was lunchtime, we headed to our favorite, The Brickyard, for ribs.
After lunch, a boutique right next to the Brickyard, called Luxuries for Less, beckoned us. Since the sign out front advertised that all items, including handbags, scarves, and jewelry, were $20 or less, we just had to go in. Jennifer chose a pair of purple sunglasses while I decided a sewing kit for my purse.
A few doors down, Linda Hankin’s Fourth Street Café features healthy fare, including homemade gazpacho. Located within the café is an art gallery that features works by local artists, sculptors, and photographers.
When we reached the waterfront, we rested on one of the swings that overlook the Niagara River. New to the waterfront is the Freedom Crossing monument, which depicts Lewiston’s role in the Underground Railroad.
On our way back up Center Street, we browsed in several shops, including the Lewiston Hollow Mercantile, housed in a 1910 building that has the original pressed tin ceiling and walls.
The Village Bake Shop tempted us with all sorts of yummy baked goods, like pies, cookies and cheesecake. However, we were still full from lunch, so we just ordered iced coffee.
Other shops include the Merry Josephine Shop and Canterbury Place both with home décor items and a variety of gifts, and Artzees which carries education toys.
We also took a quick detour to the Lewiston Museum on Plain Street, which is located in an 1835 church. The museum has exhibits focusing on the history of the village.
Our last stop was at Hibbard’s Custard, a village fixture since 1939. As I sipped my chocolate shake and Jennifer her root beer float, we reflected on a great day spent in the Village of Lewiston.
If you go
Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, 100 North Third Street, Lewiston, 716-754-9500, www.niagarariverregion.com
Lewiston Museum, 469 Plain Street, Lewiston 716-754-4214 www.historiclewiston.org
