Page 29 - 2026 Orleans County Travel Guide

MUST SEE & DO ALONG ERIE
THE
CANAL ORLEANS COUNTY
IN

YEAR ROUND ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
• Hike or cycle the 25 mile stone dust towpath in Orleans
County
• Visit Holley Falls, Medina Falls & Aqueduct
Courtesy of Doug Levere, Medina Triennial • Drive under the Erie Canal at the Culvert
• Explore the historic canaltown villages of Medina, Albion &
mEDiNA TriENNiAL • View the bluebirds at 180 nesting boxes in and around
Holley
Albion and 44 in Medina
From Floating Gardens to Historic Spaces,
Discover Art Around Every Corner WHEN THE WATER FLOWS FROM MID-APRIL TO
MID-OCTOBER, ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
he Medina Triennial is a new contemporary art triennial
Tthat will debut from June 6 through September 7, 2026, • Boating, canoeing, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding
bringing fresh energy and creativity to the historic Erie Canal • Concerts at the ports of:
village. Every three years, more than 50 works by local, national • Albion on Wednesday Evenings at Bullard Park
and international artists will be displayed across about a dozen • Medina for “Blue Thursdays” at State Street Park
indoor and outdoor sites in Medina. With its focus on community • Holley on Friday Evenings at the Gazebo on the Canal
and site-specific works, the Triennial is expected to welcome • Fish for bass, catfish, carp, yellow perch, sunfish and more.
50,000 visitors in its first season and put Medina on the map as
a cultural destination.
At the center of it all is the Medina Triennial Hub, located in MAYFAIR MARINE located along the canal
the restored former NAPA building at 345 North Main Street, at 255 East Bank St., Albion where you can purchase
Medina, NY. The Hub will serve as a welcome center, gathering ethanol-free gasoline and off-road diesel fuel.
place, and programming space where visitors can learn more Accessible by water or land. Open year round, daily
8 AM - 6 PM .............................................585-748-4228
about the exhibitions, attend talks and workshops, and meet
artists in residence.
One of the most exciting projects comes from New York City
artist Mary Mattingly, who is turning a canal barge in Medina’s rleans County has partnered
basin into a floating garden (pictured below). Working closely Owith our neighbors to
with local residents, she is designing a living artwork filled with the east and west to feature
plants, pollinator habitats, and personal stories. Alongside her highlights along the Erie Canal.
project, the Triennial will feature installations, performances, To the east, we teamed up with
and community programs that connect Medina’s history and Visit Rochester and Wayne
landscape with ideas from around the world. Free to attend ◊ EVENTS & FES TIV ALS ◊
County Tourism to develop
and open to everyone, the Medina Triennial promises to be a MAY Day Out with Thomas TM / Medina the 100 Must See Miles on
ALL Canal Village Farmers Market / Medina
YEAR Lockport Community Farmers Market / Lockport
Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises
North Tonawanda City Market / North Tonawanda
◊ RECREA TION ◊
landmark event for Western New York. JUN Holley June Fest / Holley the Erie Canal brochure Stretching from the Hudson River in Albany to Lake Erie in
Murder Mystery & Dapper Day / Medina
“BlueThursdays” / Medina (June-August)
Enchanted Faery Festival / Medina
For more information and updates, visit medinatriennial.org. Strawberry Festival / Albion and historic canal towns and villages. Visitors and locals alike ERIE CANAL
Community Garage Sales / Medina
Rock the Locks / Lockport
Buffalo, the 363-mile long Erie Canal is dotted with vibrant
(top). It features the Top 50
can experience a variety of recreational and cultural activities
Lockport Outdoor Arts and Crafts Festival / Lockport Year-round activities and attractions include:
on and along its route in all four seasons.
Albion’s Canal Concert Series / Albion (June-August)
(June-August)
Wednesday Night Canal Concert Series / North Tonawanda
Points of Interest including historical sites,

JUL PTNY Cycle the Canal / Erie Canal from Buffalo to Albany } Biking, hiking, roller-blading, jogging, cross-country skiing, EXPEDITIONS

and geocaching along the original Erie Canal towpath.
Holley’s Canal Concert Series / Holley (July-August) } Birders can watch for eagles, blue herons, osprey, and bluebirds kNIAGARA a ORLEANS COUNTIES
Thursdays on the Water / North Tonawanda (July-August)
recreational activities and nature sites
that settle into trees and canalside birdhouses.
Canal Fest of the Tonawandas / North Tonawanda
Lockport Chalk Walk / Lockport
} Shop charming, one-of-a-kind boutique and antique shops.
Locks District Tours / Lockport (July-September)
ice cream shops.
Sidewalk Sales / Medina
AUG Albion’s Summer Fest & Rock the Park / Albion
along the 100 miles from the canal ports of
} Dine at locally owned restaurants, bakeries, pubs, coffee and
Lockport Food Fest / Lockport
by car or guided tour.
SEP Orleans County Heritage Festival / Orleans County
Locktoberfest / Lockport } Tour the many wineries, breweries, distilleries, and a meadery,
Medina (Orleans County) to Clyde (Wayne
Cobblestone Fall Open House / Albion
St. Rocco’s Italian Festival / Hulberton } Visit historic sites, museums, galleries, theaters, or participate in
a creative workshop.
OCT Fall Foliage Train Ride / Medina
Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games / Lockport
The Day of the Dead / Medina include:
From mid-April to mid-October, activities and attractions
Scarecrow Festival / Medina County). Visit 100mustseemiles.com
Albion’s Fall Festival / Albion
} Boating, canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding;
rentals available from local outfitters.
NOV Olde Tyme Christmas Fest & Parade of Lights / Medina
Light Up Lockport / Lockport Palmyra, NY } Fish for a variety of different species including bass, pickerel,
The Polar Express TM / Medina (November-December)
Moonlight Madness / Medina walleye, pike, catfish, carp, yellow perch, and sunfish.
Cobblestone Holiday Shop / Albion
DEC Hometown Holiday / Albion } Canalside festivals, outdoor concerts, and farmers markets.
Holiday Open Houses/ Medina To the west, we collaborated with Niagara
} Daily excursions and narrated sightseeing cruises.
Lighted Tractor Parade / Barre
County to highlight points of interest in
For more information about Erie Canal Expeditions visit:
the Erie Canal Expeditions in Niagara
orleanscountytourism.com
585-589-3100
niagarafallsusa.com
877-FALLS-US Albion
and Orleans Counties brochure
® I LOVE NEW YORK is a registered trademark and service mark of the
New York State Department of Economic Development; used with permission.
(bottom).
Order your copies by scanning
the QR code or visit
OrleansCountyTourism.com
Rendering courtesy of Mary Mattingly and Aubrey Prestwich or pick up at our local libraries.
ORLEANSCOUNTYTOURISM.COM • 585-589-3100 PAGE 29