Rotary Rink - Downtown Buffalo

Rotary Rink in Downtown Buffalo is a wonderful day trip for the kids.

The rink offers skating for free and skate rentals at just $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for children. Skating is causal, but attendants make sure everyone follows the very simple rules - Skate one way, not to fast, don't bump or charge people.

Periodically, the rink closes for the Zamboni. This is a natural break point to go inside and warm up or pop over to Tim Horton's. These pictures were taken in 2013, and we decided on Coffee Culture as a resting spot. Unfortunately, Coffee Culture is no longer located there. It was a beautiful place. 

Brown's Berry Patch

(EDITED May, 2016. I am uncertain as to the status of the Farm, I had heard they closed but they still have an active Facebook Page. It was always a pleasure traveling out the Patch. Perhaps a little investigation is in order.)

It is that time of year again, we are taking our yearly trip to Brown’s Berry Patch. Brown’s is located in Orleans County, just south of Lake Ontario.

Brown’s Berry Patch has seasonal you-Pick fruit, right now, apples are in full swing along with pumpkins. Some softer fruits are available in the shop, but not available as a self picked item. Prices for apples are ridiculously low, be sure to bring a bag to carry your picks home with you. Wagons are available for rental.

Live music and the grill are the center piece of the Patch. The various acts provide family friendly entertainment while you enjoy treats from the snack shop or a meal from the grill. Take some time to take a pictures and shop before venturing out to pick apples.

Kids will enjoy the Barnyard Adventure. Prices are very reasonable, about $5.00 per person. The Barnyard Adventure is subject to weather conditions, so it is best to call ahead or check the local weather for the 14571 zip code.

Address: 14264 Roosevelt Hwy, Waterport, NY 14571
Website: Brown’s Berry Patch

Panama Rocks Gallery

Panama Rocks is a wonderful private park located in Panama NY. My wife and I were driving back from a wedding in Warren, PA with our three children bouncing around the back of the car. We desperately needed someplace to stop. We had no GPS, or maps, were slightly lost, and only intermittent cell phone service. I had been trying to get directions to anywhere on my phone but had little success.

In a frustrated flail, I accidentally logged into Google Plus and before I could close it, I saw a message under “Nearby”. It read – “Panama Rocks! The kids will love it!” Soon, I had directions but no description. We had no idea what to expect.

We pulled in and found a beautiful house and barn, some trails and a small parking lot. The kids (and Jen) were pleading with me “What is this place? Why are we here?” I answered honestly “All I know is ‘the kids will love it’.”

A man took our admission in a small office shed: $7 per adult and $5 per child. Jen wanted to know what we were paying for, and then she wanted to know why they needed to go through her purse. Fact: there are places in this park where no people can get to safely; anything dropped or worse thrown down there is there forever. So, the owner ensures no one is taking anything into the park that qualifies as “disposable”. You need to have a reusable water bottle. Having passed inspection, we were allowed to enter the park.

You know what? The kids loved it.

Next spring, you can grab a brass lantern, a water bottle, and the kids and check out Panama Rocks.

This was written in 2012. Rates have changed a bit, be sure to check out the official website in the first paragraph for updated rates.