Letchworth State Park was recently named the #1 State Park in the United States by USA Today, an honor bestowed upon the 14,000+ acre park for its magnificent waterfalls, scenic gorge, and abundance of trails and activities for nature enthusiasts. Nearly 1 million tourists will visit the “Grand Canyon of the East” each year, but only a few have the privilege of spending a night in the home of William Pryor Letchworth, the park’s namesake. Book an unforgettable stay at Glen Iris Inn, the refuge where Letchworth escaped the city to live and entertain guests from 1859 to 1906 before he gave the estate to the State to preserve and protect it for future generations.
“The fact that guests can visit the #1 State Park in the nation and stay at the home of the man who made it all possible is a rare gift,” said Denise Coffey, General Manager, Glen Iris Inn. “The story of how Letchworth came to acquire and eventually donate the estate is really quite incredible. He was a businessman from Buffalo who, while traveling through the area by train, saw the logging that was destroying the area and decided to buy it and save it.”
Today, the meticulously preserved Inn has a total of 15 guestrooms, each decorated with charming furnishings reminiscent of Letchworth’s period as the estate owner. The four luxury suites are on the second and third floors, two feature views of Middle Waterfalls and Cherry Suite has a private balcony with breathtaking views of the gorge. In addition, there are lodges, lofts and spacious rental houses throughout the estate which are also available as guest accommodations.
Stay & Savor Events
With more than 66 miles of hiking trails through the scenic woods, glen and gorge, and three majestic waterfalls to explore, a trip to Letchworth State Park is a feast for the eyes. But all that activity is bound to leave visitors hungry. Glen Iris Inn has full-service dining room and new outdoor patio open to the public daily.
Get ready for an exciting season filled with a diverse array of culinary events, making it the perfect time to plan a Park visit around a lively calendar of tastings, festivals, and food celebrations that promise unforgettable experiences for all food enthusiasts.
Bright Whites Wine Pairing: Donna Schlosser-Long from Jackson Family Wines leads this exploration into bright white wines on July 14, 2025. The event will feature six fabulous small plates, each paired with an exquisite wine. Reservations are required.
Brews & BBQ: On July 20, 2025, guests will enjoy an upscale BBQ menu paired with hard ciders from Three Falls Cider in Castile, NY, and beers from Silver Lake Brewing Project in Perry, NY. The event will take place in the South Lawn cathedral tent and features live music. Reservations are required.
Sparkling Wines Pairing Event: Jackson Family Wines’ Donna Schlosser-Long returns on August 18, 2025, to lead a pairing event highlighting six sparkling wines and six marvelous small plates. Reservations are required.
Brunch & Buy Local: On August 24, 2025, the South Lawn transforms into a pop-up market featuring local artisans, boutiques, bakeries, farm markets, photographers and more. A special brunch will be served in the Inn’s dining room by reservation.
The Grape Debate: The final Jackson Family Wine event will take place on September 22, 2025. Donna Schlosser-Long tackles the great grape debate between Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir. Six spectacular reds will be paired with six extraordinary, chef-prepared small plates. Reservations are required.
Inspire Moore Winemaker’s Fall Dinner: Glen Iris Inn welcomes guests on November 1, 2025, for a fabulous fall menu paired with wines from Inspire Moore winery in Naples, NY. The winemaker will offer insight into each wine, and how each pairing was selected. Reservations are required.
Call 585-493-2622 today to learn more about these upcoming events and make reservations.
An Award-Winning State Park in the Making
In 1859, Buffalo-based businessman William Pryor Letchworth began looking for a place to escape from the city. While on a train ride through the Genesee Valley, he and other tourists stopped to admire the rushing falls and natural wonder of the glen. Letchworth spotted a two-storey farmhouse on the left bank of the Genesee river, and he knew he had found his retreat. He purchased the home and land in the spring of 1859 and immediately began renovations.
In addition to careful restoration and expansion projects on the home itself, Letchworth enlisted an esteemed landscape artist to design the surrounding grounds. Throughout his nearly four decades in residence at Glen Iris, the humanitarian and historian of Quaker roots also endeavored to preserve the native history of the valley.
Prior to his passing in 1910, Letchworth knew that development along the Genesee, which included plans for a dam, would threaten the protection of his property and his dream of turning the Inn into an orphanage. In 1906, to save the Inn and his thousand acres of land, Letchworth bequeathed it to the State of New York to be used as a public park. This land now makes up the heart of Letchworth State Park.
The Glen Iris Inn is part of the Rich Entertainment Group portfolio. To learn more about this fascinating story and Letchworth’s legacy, visit the William Pryor Letchworth Museum.