Letchworth State Park, known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” draws visitors from across the country to its sweeping gorge, roaring waterfalls and miles of hiking trails. Glen Iris Inn sits right in the heart of it all, making it the ideal home base for your stay in the park.
When the rain rolls in, visitors can certainly trek the trails. However, Wyoming and Livingston counties have plenty to keep you busy and dry. The surrounding region is dotted with small towns that have their own charm; Perry, Silver Lake, Geneseo and Mount Morris are each worth an afternoon of exploring. Best of all, each of these towns is just a short drive from the park.
Staying at the Glen Iris Inn at Letchworth State Park
The historic Glen Iris Inn was built as the country retreat of William Pryor Letchworth, whose estate eventually became the park that bears his name. The building was named the Glen Iris after the rainbows created by the mist of Middle Falls.
The Inn, along with Caroline’s Dining Room, is currently open for the 2026 season. There are 15 rooms in the Inn: 11 standard and four luxury suites. Each standard room is decorated to match the Inn’s 19th-century character and has either one double or two twin beds, a full private bath, a dresser and wi-fi. The four luxury suites feature a bedroom with a queen bed and dresser, a spacious living area with period sofa and chairs, a full bath, wi-fi and a smart TV. The Cherry Suite stands out, with patterned hardwood floors, a modern bath with a whirlpool tub and French doors opening onto a private second-floor porch with views of Middle Falls and the gorge.
On-site dining is available at Caroline’s Dining Room, which serves breakfast from 8 to 10 am, lunch from 11:30 am to 3 pm and dinner from 5 to 8 pm daily through Sunday, November 1.
See available dates and book your stay!
Attractions Near Letchworth State Park
The towns surrounding Letchworth are small, unhurried and easy to explore at your own pace. Whether you are looking to browse, eat, drink or just wander, Wyoming and Livingston counties have more going on than you might expect.
Mount Morris
Mount Morris sits at the northern entrance to Letchworth State Park, making it one of the first towns many visitors pass through on their way in or out of the park. Main Street in Mount Morris is lined with antique shops, thrift stores and small businesses that can easily fill a rainy afternoon.
Country Gentleman Antiques, Liberty Hollow South Antique and Gift Shop, Carvings and More, Finders Keepers, Allegiance Antiques and T. Maimone Antiques are all within steps of each other right on Main Street. For refreshments after a day of antiquing, stop by Wendy’s Pantry & Country Mouse Tea House right on the main strip for a quick bite to eat or a cup of tea between shops.
Perry
Downtown Perry is just a couple of miles from the park’s Perry entrance. Though small, Perry has plenty of things to do near Letchworth State Park when the weather looks glum.
Perry Bowling Center is a fun, laid-back option with eight lanes of open and blacklight bowling, a full bar, arcade games, pool table and pizza. It is the kind of place that is easy to walk into and easy to stay in for a while. To keep the good times rolling, walk down to Silver Lake Brewing Project for some local brews. The brewery occasionally hosts events, so it is worth checking their calendar before your visit.
Books & Fields is worth a visit for anyone who appreciates a good used bookshop. The collection runs to around 14,000 used and rare books spanning all subjects and genres, with a color-coded bookmark pricing system that makes browsing straightforward. The staff can also help locate rare titles and will personally deliver them, depending on where you live.
Country Belle Farm Market is a cafe and a market stocked with locally sourced goods. The cafe serves coffee, lattes, breakfast and lunch alongside soft serve ice cream and milkshakes. The market carries farm-raised beef, pork and chicken, dairy from Upstate Farms, fresh local produce and pantry staples like honey, granola, bread and maple syrup, all sourced from makers they know and trust.
Silver Lake
Just outside the village of Perry, Silver Lake is a quiet spot worth a short detour. The Coca-Cola Barn Museum is a one-of-a-kind find, assembled by a couple who began thrifting antique Coca-Cola memorabilia and ended up with a collection substantial enough to share. The museum is open for viewing in the Silver Lake area and has a small snack bar on site.
Geneseo
Geneseo is a college town with a well-preserved main street and a couple of attractions that stand out from the typical rainy day diversion.
Wadsworth Homestead is the oldest continually owned National Historic Landmark in western New York and the only country manor estate in New York State that has remained in the hands of its original family since 1804. Historic tours escort visitors through all the formal rooms of the first and second floors, where seven generations’ worth of history and personal treasures are on display.
The National Warplane Museum, located on the grounds of Geneseo Airport, is a serious draw for anyone with an interest in military history. The museum houses historic military aircraft, World War II vehicles, personal artifacts and restoration projects that tell the stories of the people behind the machines. What makes it especially unique is the opportunity to book a flight in one of the vintage aircraft on display. The museum posts a schedule of available flight times. While flights are subject to weather, light rain does not necessarily ground them, and if conditions are poor in the morning and clear in the afternoon, booking a flight for later in the day is a worthwhile option to consider.