Top Ten Places to Visit in Medina, NY
Whether you’re coming for a day or a weekend to pick up your Goldendoodle puppy, these are the spots in Medina, NY to add to your itinerary. Medina village is a hidden gem, located on the Erie Canal in Western NY. Once a bustling area due to commerce from the canal and local sandstone quarries, the area is replete with history and charm. Medina retains an active downtown full of charming shops, diverse restaurants, beautiful buildings, all set against the scenic backdrop of the Erie Canal basin where boats dock while visiting the area. We have lived in the Medina area since 2008, and have enjoyed discovering the unique aspects of our small part of the world here in Orleans County. Downtown Medina is only 10 minutes from our home.
1. Bent's Opera House and Harvest Restaurant
Bent’s Opera House: Recently and gorgeously restored, the Opera House is one of the oldest existing theaters in the entire nation. It now lives on as a fine boutique hotel and restaurant, and hosts special events such as the Medina Lindy Hop, which draws swing dancers to the third floor ball room from the Rochester and Buffalo areas, and beyond.
Harvest Restaurant: Come for an elevated farm to table experience. The restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients from our local farmers to create world class dishes in a fine dining atmosphere. Dining here will be a memorable experience.
2. Hart House Hotel and Shirt Factory Cafe: Coffee to Cocktails
Hart House Hotel has a trendy and welcoming feel, with many of the original brick walls accenting the spaces. It is also housed in the Robert Newell & Co. building. The Italianate structure was first a hotel opened in 1876. Later, it was used for many years as a high-end shirt business making custom fitted shirts and pajamas for celebrities.
In addition to the hotel, this converted building now houses the Shirt Factory Cafe on the first floor. The cafe offers delectable meals and drinks in a fun industrial toned atmosphere with local artwork on display. There are dining tables outside, as well.
We can thank Mr. Hart, a successful banker, congressman, and founder of the Rochester Post Express, for this fine 3 story structure. Around the time this building was constructed, he also bought a secluded 80 acre island in the Thousand Islands which he named Hart Island.(It has since been renamed Heart Island.) After his death, George C. Boldt acquired the island and began work on Boldt Castle for his wife, which is visited by thousands each year.
3. Zambistro Restaurant
Zambistro boasts the use of seasonal flavors and bold ingredients. Chef Zambito creates his own seasonal menu and has delectable choices for all palates, including vegeterian dishes, gluten free options, and a delicious and friendly children’s menu.
In summer, enjoy a rooftop dining experience, and in winter, try a meal in the outdoors on the patio or rooftop!
4. Mariachi de Oro
Our favorite authentic Mexican restaurant, Mariachi de Oro Mexican Grill is not one to miss. (Fun fact: Our kids’ nickname for this restuarant is the “Marching Oreo”. : )) Family owned and operated, the Rosarios provide traditional food prepared the traditional way, in a traditional atmosphere. They have indoor dining as well as a large, beautiful and recently renovated covered outdoor patio. This is a busy place, so we do recommend making reservations. Please note: If you are sensitive to loud noise, you might prefer eating out on the patio. Indoors is a boisterous blend of Mariachi music, talking, and laughter. It’s a fun environment, but can be a little difficult for conversing.
Prefer street tacos? Visit El Gran Burrito at 127 West Center St (across from the post office) or Monte Alban Taco Truck outside the Mexican grocery store at 507 East Center St. Both provide picnic tables and operate seasonally.
5. Shops in Downtown Medina
Medina is only an hour from both Rochester and Buffalo. The busy and unique stores downtown make for a delightful day trip. My personal favorite is ellen j. goods, which creates and sells handpainted furniture, vintage goods, and so much more. I still remember the first time I visited this shop: I couldn’t sleep that night, I was so inspired by all of the creativity, and my mind was fired up with new ideas!
Another favorite shop of ours is The English Rose Tea Shop. The shelves are lined with beautiful glass canisters of loose tea in every flavor imaginable. Sniffing each one in turn is a sensory delight. There are also many lovely gifts and treasures to be found here, as well.
Be sure to visit Author’s Note, the downtown bookstore, and Della’s Chocolates for a treat. Don’t miss Rosenkranz Pharmacy, as it has a wonderful assortment of gifts and local souvenirs. Round out your trip by visiting the antique stores.
6. Sandstone Architecture
Did you know that Buckingham Palace, official London home of the king and a working royal palace, is made of Medina Sandstone?! The steps of the NY State Capitol Building and the Brooklyn bridge also contain sandstone from Medina.
As an art student in college, one of the classes I was surprised to love so much was Art History. While not quite comparable to the grandeur of European cathedrals we studied, I still can’t help but be impressed by the gorgeous sandstone architecture that abounds here in Medina.
Many churches, store fronts, and homes in Medina are constructed of Sandstone, as there were quite a few quarries in the area during the zenith of the Canal days. Take a drive through town and see how many sandstone structures you can count.
Pictured is Holy Trinity Parish. (No, we’re not Catholic, but the beauty of this building with its soaring steeple is still a special sight.)
7. Medina Falls
Known more for being a marvel in engineering than a pretty waterfall, Medina Falls is still a fascinating spot to visit. Oak Orchard creek, which flows south to north, runs completely under the canal, which passes East to west. Be sure to read the signs nearby the falls, as they do a great job of explaining the challenges and triumphs of building an artificial canal over a natural moving river. My husband and I discovered this by accident while in downtown Medina one day. We ate lunch near the canal basin, and recognized the sound of running water. Living near the canal, we knew that was not the water we were hearing. We saw people walking on the far side of the canal and went to investigate. That’s when we discovered the falls and were fascinated by their history. (Photo credit: John Kucko Digital)
8. Culvert Rd. Tunnel
Listed in Ripley’s Believe it or Not, the Culvert Rd Tunnel was once marked as the 8th wonder of the world. Built in 1823 by a local farmer in order to move his cows to pastures on either side of the Erie Canal, this one lane tunnel is still fully functional. Yes, it does leak a little bit of canal water from above, note the icicles in the photo of the tunnel, but it’s holding solid and steady after all of these years. (The tunnel is on a seasonal use road, so make sure to see this during the snow-free months.)
Photo credit goes to John Kucko Digital, a WNY photographer who catches many scenic spots around the state in pictures.
9. Amish Shops
Whether you are looking for fresh donuts, a delicious sandwich on soft baked Amish bread, fresh meat, bulk food, seasonal goodies and more, all can be found at Miller’s Bulk Food and Bakery at 10858 Ridge Rd. (104). People come from miles around to visit this store, and the spacious parking lot can be filled to overflowing on the weekends.
Ohiocraft Furniture has beautiful, hard-wearing solid wood pieces of furniture that would be a good lifetime investment.
Quilters and cooks alike love to visit J.C. Miller Co. at 10707 Millers Rd, Lyndonville, NY 14098. A true variety shop, there is something here to interest everyone.
While at J.C. Miller’s, be sure to visit Lake Breeze Bicycle Shop downstairs. Many Amish around here use bicycles as their main transportation. Therefore they know bikes, and often invest in them as we would our cars.
There are other Amish businesses sprinkled throughout the area. Be sure to pick up a brochure at any of their shops to learn more about these great businesses.
10. Medina Railroad Museum
In addition to an impressive model train inside the museum, the Medina Railroad Museum hosts several memorable events throughout the year. Pictured is “Thomas the Train” from a A Day Out with Thomas event. This special occasion draws crowds of about 3000 people each of the two weekends it occurs in the spring. In the fall, train rides can be taken to enjoy the colorful fall foliage. Come Christmas time, be sure to board the Polar Express. Don your favorite jammies, and ride the train to see Santa, while being served hot chocolate and cookies along the way. Receive a bell from Santa as the first gift of Christmas. Lastly, ride all the way to the North Pole on a one hour trip during Santa’s Toyland Express. If ever a trip provided photo opportunities, these would be it. Food trucks are often a part of these events, as well.
Bonus Stops
Alternate Lodging Options
Beautiful home, hospitality, and continental breakfast on lovely, peaceful grounds. Only minutes from our home.
Opened in 2022, this is Medina’s largest hotel. It’s about 15 minutes from our house.
Other Restaurants Nearby
Rudy’s Diner– A down-home 50’s diner where everybody knows everyone.
Country Club Family Restaurant 535 Main St. A spacious, casual dining experience. Good food, reasonably priced. Aren’t most Greek restaurants a lot like this one?
Coffee Pot Cafe Delicious drinks, cozy atmosphere, and excellent croissant sandwiches for lunch.
Sourced Market and Eatery Family owned, with a Chip and Joanna feel inside. Excellent locally sourced foods, quiet dining. Ice cream in season.
Fitzgibbons Pub Step off of Main St. and into Ireland. Pub fare and drinks.
Fast Food is located on Maple Ridge Rd.
Burgers:
McDonald’s
Burger King
Donuts and Coffee:
Tops Market. Sincerely the BEST donuts in Medina. Get them early, before they sell out. Bakery is in the back right corner of the grocery store, behind produce.
Tim Horton’s Almost always a line at the drive-through.
Dunkin Donuts On the corner of Maple Ridge and 63.
Pizza Places
Avanti Pizza Wood Fired Kitchen This was one of the contenders for my top 10 list. Our favorite pizza, hands down. They have other Italian dishes that are delicious, too. Dine in or take out.
Cusimano’s Pizza One of Medina’s favorites, they now have 3 locations in WNY.
Mark’s Pizzeria Located on Main St, carry out only. Always a coupon!
Doug’s Pizza & Subs Their reviews are good, we just haven’t tried their pizza ourselves yet. Let us know what you think.
Ice Cream
Both are opened seasonally. Be sure to click the link to see their latest updated schedule.
Silsby’s Double Dips A little Ice Cream shop with great big flavors. Can get busy at times. Worth the wait, though.
Hojacks While not in Medina, Hojacks in Lyndonville is a destination all its own. With lively 50’s music playing, covered outdoor dining, and a fun playground for the kids, it’s a great place to visit. Be prepared to wait in line.
Final thoughts
We have loved living in Medina and hope you’ll enjoy your visit! What do you think, is there anything else we should have included?