Things to Do

Arbor Hill

In 1987 Arbor Hill opened in just one building. Now it sits in a complex of antique buildings (including the original), in a wonderful warm New England country setting. The Brahm family takes great pride in the fact that they produce their products on the premises. In their country complex they have several buildings; one is the retail shop, and two barns serve as the wine cellar and the food production area.

Arbor Hill

Bristol Mountain

Bristol Mountain is the premier ski resort in the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York that offers 1200’ of vertical, 2 high speed quads, and state-of-the-art snowmaking. There are 138 acres of total skiable terrain, including 3 km of Nordic trails. Views from the summit and the 35 slopes and trails are breathtaking and provide a variety of inclines for every skier and snowboarder from beginner to expert.

Bristol Mountain

Bristol Library

Established in 1900 by local women, Bristol Library has served the Town of Bristol and all surrounding communities ever since. The building was formerly the local blacksmith shop before becoming the town’s library and post office. Now, Bristol Library maintains a collection of 6,487 books, 2,599 audiobooks, CDs, and movies, and free access to more than 45,000 electronic materials, while also providing weekly, monthly, and special programming in addition to services such as free wi-fi and public computers, printing and scanning, drop-in tech help, and more. Bristol Library strives daily to live up to our motto, “the heart of the community”!

Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventures

One location with 3 separate adventures. Their new Zipline Canopy Tour features 7 zip lines measuring over 5,000 feet, 4 bridges with spectacular views of the Bristol Valley, 2 off road rides, and 1 final leap of faith. The Aerial Park at Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventures consists of more than 7 courses with varying levels of difficulty. Each course is made up of 12-15 elements with each element being suspended between platforms that are secured to trees. Watch your kid gain confidence as they navigate, balance, and zip their way through the trees at the Kids Adventure Park.

Camp Warren Cutler

The J. Warren Cutler Scout Reservation, commonly known as Camp Cutler, is a 1200 plus acre camp located in the very heart of the Finger Lakes Region of western New York State. Camp Cutler is a year-round facility that provides many unique Scouting programs in a woodland setting of rolling hills, lush meadows, and sparkling streams.

Camp Warren Cutler

Cumming Nature Center

Cumming Nature Center (CNC) is a dynamic environmental education facility that celebrates the unique landscape and culture of the Finger Lakes region through hands-on learning opportunities and thoughtful exhibits. Their 900-acre preserve is as beautiful as it is vast. You can meander through more than 6 miles of trails complete with wetlands, climbing forest roads and hiking through the past. And you can investigate the curious intricacies of nature with our educational programs.

Cumming Nature Center

Finger Lakes Trail

The Finger Lakes Trail system, over 950 miles in length, runs from the Pennsylvania-New York border in Allegany State Park to the Long Path in the Catskill Forest Preserve, with branch trails to Niagara Falls, the Genesee River valley, the Great Eastern Trail south of Corning, the central Finger Lakes, and the Syracuse region. From the PA border to the northeast end of the Onondaga Branch, the Finger Lakes Trail is also the North Country National Scenic Trail.

Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill

Ten thousand to twenty thousand years ago, during the Glacial Age, ice carved and sculptured the Finger Lakes Region.  There’s no better place to slip away to than the highest point in Ontario County, Gannett Hill Park, in the scenic Bristol Hills. At an elevation of 2,256 feet above sea level, you’ll have expansive views to the East; view portions of Ontario County and the hills behind Seneca and Cayuga Lakes.

Ontario County Park

Rush-Mees Observatory

C.E.K. Mees Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by The University of Rochester. The observatory is named after C. E. Kenneth Mees, “in honor of his pioneering work in the development of sensitive photographic emulsions for use in astronomy.” The observatory is notable as a premier location for astronomical observation in Ontario county due to the low levels of light pollution and relative elevation, given that it is situated on the highest point in Ontario county. The observatory also boasts a vacation home run by the University of Rochester which is used for public outreach, University faculty retreats, and astronomers who stay the night. The public is welcome to come on free public tours of the observatory during the summer.

Stid Hill Wildlife Management Area

The primary purposes of the Stid Hill WMA is for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA is a 847 acre tract of land situated in the townships of Bristol and South Bristol in Ontario County. It is bounded by Route 64 on the west and Dugway Road on the north. Ganargua Creek, better known as Mud Creek, flows along Route 64. At one time, Stid Hill was productive sheep and cattle grazing land. Today the grazing has been eliminated.