Jamestown, NY Outdoor Activities

Nestled against the glistening shores of Chautauqua Lake, Chautauqua Point’s nine-hole course stretches across 2,600 yards of century-old fairways. Club-wielding compatriots can loop the picturesque par 35 astride a nimble golf cart, which helps to track down golf balls and flashes its headlights angrily upon any mention of caddies looking for work. For an 18-hole round, golfers traverse the emerald links twice over, allowing them to atone for any misreads or errant approaches made during the first 9. Clients can divide each 18-hole round into two 9-hole outings played on separate occasions, and they may choose to complete their allotted rounds by themselves, with friends, or alongside their evil, argyle-clad alter ego.

Nestled on 101 acres of Little Valley, Dunham Sport Horses’ indoor- and outdoor-riding facilities host riders of all experience levels and mold them into safe, well-rounded saddle sitters. During lessons, visitors hop atop one of the friendly school horses to get instruction on basic equitation, jumping, or dressage. Alternatively, riders aged 5 and older can participate in the stable's camp, which aims to instill proper equitation techniques and improve riding skills through concentrated practice. When they’re not doling out instruction, the equine experts on staff lead visitors on picturesque trail rides through the mountains of Cattaraugus County, which begin with a brief lesson and the opportunity to mentally prepare oneself for views that will physically remove the breath from one's mouth.

The story of Rose Brook Golf Course dates back to the late 1960s, when—according to course lore—a retired iron worker who had found success by inventing the popcorn machine set out to turn his lifelong dream of owning a golf course into a reality. In the process of achieving his goal, a course maintenance mishap culminated with the man driving a bulldozer over a 100-foot gorge. The man survived the plunge, the story goes, and drove the heavy machine 2 miles out of the creek before returning to sculpt the rugged earth and relentlessly remind the dozer that it owes him its life. Styling itself as “the working man’s country club” ever since, the course has retained the vision of its founder, as friendly, laid-back vibes resonate across 18 holes of rolling terrain in a diverse, 5,806-yard layout, providing guests a pressure-free respite from their vocations. During each round, players contend with 12 ponds as well as frequent encounters with the aforementioned gorge, which runs across multiple holes and sends shudders down the cybernetic spines of passing golf carts. After their birdie-hunting expedition, clubbers can enjoy succulent meats right off the grill or sudsy beverages to wash down inadvertently swallowed divot tools.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Length of 5,806 yards from the farthest tees
• Three tee options
• Link to scorecard

Between rugged cliffs stretching hundreds of feet toward the sky, a foaming river surges toward waterfalls and gentle tributaries. Upon its arching rapids tumble buoyant rafts, ferrying animated passengers who scream with delight at each bump along the way or sudden bald eagle sighting. For the experienced guides at Zoar Valley Canoe and Rafting Company, this is an everyday experience.

Surrounded by roaring crowds of hoops fanatics, the Erie BayHawks shoot for glory during thrilling basketball matches as the official minor-league team of the New York Knicks in the NBA Development League. Head coach Gene Cross manages a roster of young and veteran talent that recently included overnight sensation Jeremy Lin. Buzzers announce the beginning of four quarters' worth of dazzling slam dunks, three-point shots, and Final Jeopardy lightning rounds as players hone their talents in preparation for upcoming games and potential rise to the NBA ranks.

Spruce Ridge’s nine-hole course craftily incorporates 200 acres of Wyoming County countryside into a scenic, 3,131-yard tapestry of fairways and greens. Throughout the round, golfers aim drives down gently rolling fairways, on the edges of which loom undesirable destinations including knee-high fescue grass, ponds, and headquarters for earthworm Mafiosi. Water hazards complicate passage on four holes, including the par 4 seventh, where two ponds hug the left side and contribute to its reputation as the course’s most difficult hole. After rounds, golfers can snag a hot dog at the concession stand to ward off hunger or use as an unconventional putter.