Olean, NY Road Trips

Olean is the largest city in Cattaraugus County and serves as its financial, business, transportation and entertainment center. It is one of the principal cities of the Southern Tier region of New York. The city is surrounded by the town of Olean and is in the southeastern part of the county. The population was 14,000 in 2020.

For a city of its size, Olean has a number of historic properties and districts. 1 Beardsley-Oliver House, 312 Laurel Ave. Beardsley-Oliver House is a 2½-story, wood-frame dwelling built in about 1890. It exhibits a late Victorian blending of Shingle Style and Queen Anne styles. (updated Apr 2016) 2 Conklin Mountain House, 304 E. State St.. Conklin Mountain House is a Second Empire style wood frame dwelling built in 1886. The front facade features a three story tower with mansard roof and a wraparound porch. The interior features elaborate and extensive woodwork. It was constructed by the owners of Conklin Wagon Works, one of Olean's most important industries in the late 19th century. It was subsequently owned by the Mountain family, who operated the Mountain Clinic Infirmary. (updated Apr 2016) 3 Oak Hill Park Historic District, Roughly along Laurens, N. Second, Third, Fourth, and W. Sullivan Sts. The 32.5-acre (132,000-m²) district encompasses 89 properties including 82 residences, two churches, one school (the Olean High School), and a landscape design. There are 76 contributing buildings. The structures reflect a variety of mid-late 19th-century and early 20th-century architectural styles including Queen Anne, Italianate, and Gothic Revival styles. The structures were constructed between about 1849 and 1937. (updated Apr 2016) 4 Olean Armory, 119 Times Sq.. Olean Armory is a historic armory building. It was designed by State architects Isaac G. Perry (1890 structure) and Lewis Pilcher (1919 structure).

1 Tri County Arts Council, 100 West Main Street Allegany, ☏ +1 716-372-7455, [email protected]. The Tri County Arts Council (TCAC) promotes the creation, presentation and appreciation of arts and culture in the region, while nurturing education and commerce in the arts. TCAC serves as a leader and driver of diverse activities and programs that promote the arts and expand their accessibility to all in the region. (updated Apr 2016) Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, 3261 West State Street, Cornelius Welch Dr, St Bonaventure, ☏ +1 716-375-2494, [email protected]. Performing arts. Olean Community Theatre, ☏ +1 716-375-1628. Olean Community Theatre, Inc. has been providing quality, live entertainment for New York's Southern Tier since 1979. 2 Olean Theatre Workshop, 702 Washington St, ☏ +1 716-373-7469. Celebrating 25 years at the Washington Street Theatre. The Olean Theatre Workshop, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation that performs and presents a variety of theatrical productions. (updated Apr 2016) Southern Tier Symphony, ☏ +1 716-378-0560, [email protected]. The Southern Tier Symphony, based in Olean, is a regional orchestra, with paid musicians. 3 Rock City Park, 505 Route 16, toll-free: +1-866-404-7625. May-Oct: daily 9AM-6PM. Join thousands of visitors each year who enjoy a 45-minute hiking trail, museum, fluorescent rock room and also souvenir and gift shop! (updated Apr 2016) 4 Riverhurst Park, 1269 Olean Portville Road, ☏ +1 716-479-4677.

1 Sprague's Maple Farms, 1048 Portville-Obi Rd., Portville (6.5 miles from downtown Olean via Routes 417 and 305), ☏ +1 716-933-6637. Su-Th 8AM-8PM, F Sa 8AM-9PM. Modern facilities open year round to enjoy maple syrup in the restaurant, shop in the gift shop or hike to the old fashioned maple sugar shanty along the trails out back of the facility. Best visited in late winter or early spring when snow is melting and syrup is being boiled. Reservations not accepted. (updated Jan 2024) 2 Old Library Restaurant, 116 S. Union St. The Old Library is Olean's former library built from a donation by Andrew Carnegie. It is a historic beaux arts library. It is located in the Union and State Streets Historic District. Not to be confused with the current library, which is housed in a former grocery store. (updated Jan 2024) Beef 'n' Barrel, 146 N Union St, ☏ +1 585-372-2985, fax: +1 585 372-3910. M-Sa 11AM-10PM. With wood paneling and flickering candles, the expansive Beef 'n' Barrel still manages to feel warm and inviting. It's like a modern version of a classic 1970s steak house, minus the smoky atmosphere. The pristine furnishings and classic décor lend sophistication and elegance, but the friendly staff and enticing menu avoid any hint of pretentiousness. The lunch menu is focused on sliced roast beef, including Buffalo favorite beef on weck sandwiches. The dinner menu moves the focus to steaks. You'll find a few other entrees on the menu, but beef is definitely the main attraction, as evidenced by the carving stations located in each of the dining rooms.

1 Four Mile Brewing, 202 East Green St., ☏ +1 716-373-2337. M closed, Tu–Th 4–10PM, F Sa midnight–10PM, Su 10AM–8PM. Four Mile Brewing is a microbrewery located in a historic pre-prohibition brewing complex close to downtown Olean. Also serves a variety of sandwiches, munchies and a Sunday brunch. (updated Apr 2016) 2 3rd Base Bar & Grill, 1302 West State St, ☏ +1 716-372-8779. Legal beverages, Quick Draw, pool tables. They also serve wings, burgers, philly steak sandwiches & finger food items. (updated Apr 2016) 3 Eddie's State King, 901 E. State St., ☏ +1 716-373-2924. Neighborhood sports bar. Enjoy the cold beer, warm atmosphere & friendly bartenders. (updated Apr 2016)

The Gallets House B&B, 1759 Four Mile Road, Allegany, ☏ +1 716-373-7493, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11:30AM. An 1896 restored historical Victorian home with original family photos and heirlooms displayed throughout the B&B. Located in the picturesque Allegheny foothills in Southwestern NY, 2 miles from exit 24 on I-86 (formerly Rte 17), across the river from Olean but near St. Bonaventure U. (updated Apr 2016) The Old Library Inn, 120 South Union Street, ☏ +1 716-373-9804, toll-free: +1-877-241-4348. Best Western Plus University Inn, 3051 W State Street, ☏ +1 716-372-1300. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Offers an indoor pool. (updated Apr 2016) Fairfield Inn & Suites Olean, 3270 West State St, ☏ +1 716-372-7500. (updated Apr 2016) Holiday Inn Olean, 101 Main Street, ☏ +1 716-375-1000, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Aug 2017) Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Olean/Allegany, 3234 NYS Route 417 (Just off Interstate 86), ☏ +1 716-584-1823. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: midnight.

Olean is located along Interstate 86 at exits 25 and 26. Known as the Southern Tier Expressway west of I-81 in Binghamton, Interstate 86 connects to Interstate 90 in the west near Erie and Interstate 81 in Binghamton to the east. New York State Route 16 runs through Olean as Union Street, the main north / south thoroughfare. New York 16 connects to Pennsylvania Route 646 to the south and to New York State Route 5 in Buffalo to the north. The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Bradford Regional Airport (BFD IATA) in Bradford, Pennsylvania, which is served with daily commuter flights from Pittsburgh via Southern Airways Express: four on weekdays, two on Saturdays, and three on Sundays. Cattaraugus County-Olean Airport (OLE IATA), at 5420 Hatch Hill Rd. in the nearby town of Ischua, is open for private planes. Buffalo Niagara International Airport is the nearest major airport. Coach USA buses arrive and depart from the parking lot of the Olean Center Mall at 400 North Union Street. Service from Buffalo via Buffalo Niagara International Airport, East Aurora, Franklinville, and various points in between. Service from Jamestown via Randolph, Little Valley, and Salamanca. Fullington Trailways buses arrive and depart from the Sunoco gas station at 301 South Union Street. Service from DuBois via St. Marys and Bradford. Service from Buffalo via Springville, Ellicottville, Salamanca, and various points in between.

As a smaller city a car is a benefit for travelling. However, there are options available for those who are unable to drive. The city's core between War Veterans Memorial Park and Oak Hill Park, including the Union-State St downtown area, is walkable enough to get around. The Olean Area Transit System (OATS) provides public transit in Cattaraugus County. The system provides 6 routes serving Olean and the surrounding area. Southern Tier Transportation, 3421 Route 16 N, ☏ +1 716-372-4646.