Holland Land Office Museum

Batavia is a city and town in Genesee County, New York.

Get in

Batavia is almost impossible to miss if you're driving anywhere near Genesee County. As the oldest population center in this part of the state, it was only natural for major roadways to be built radiating outward from here. Sure enough, four different state routes all pass through the city, all meeting at the intersection of Main and Oak (and three of them concurrently occupy a small stretch of West Main). New York State Route 5 is a major east-west route through the state, from the Pennsylvania border all the way to Albany. Route 33 runs between Buffalo and Rochester. Route 63 starts up in Lyndonville, and runs southeast through Batavia (skirting Tonawanda Creek) to Geneseo and past Dansville. Finally, Route 98 runs from Lake Ontario's Point Breeze in the north all the way down to the Southern Tier just outside Salamanca.

Oh, and the New York State Thruway (I-90) also passes just north of the city. You know, the major cross-state expressway. It's a toll road, but it's unquestionably the fastest way to get to Batavia; take exit 48 (for Route 98).

If you'd prefer to fly, Genesee County Airport (FAA LID: GVQ) sits just north of the Thruway off of Route 98. There are no scheduled commercial flights, but it's got a mile-long runway and about a hundred private planes come and go each day

The nearest commercial airports are in Buffalo and Rochester, both 27 miles away.

Get around

RTS Genesee (formerly Batavia Bus Service, or the B line) takes people around the region. It goes all over the place, and even takes people to the community college.

See

• 1 Holland Land Office Museum, 131 W Main St, ☏ +1 585 343-4727, hollandlandoffice@gmail.com. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. Museum housed in the former office building of the Holland Land Company, detailing the settlement history of Western New York. Suggested donation $5 families, $2 adults, $1 children and students. (updated May 2020)
• Centennial Park, 151 State Street. A fourteen-acre park located in the north-central part of Batavia. In the summer, one can find weekly summer concerts here and in the winter, locals enjoy sledding. The park is also adjacent to the New York State School for the Blind. (updated Apr 2020)
• Batavia Peace Garden, 131 W Main Street, ☏ +1 585-343-2458. A garden that opened on the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. It commemorates Batavia's role in defending against British troops after the city of Buffalo was burned. It also celebrates the peace that has existed between the US and Canada since that time. Located next to the Holland Land Office Museum. (updated Apr 2020)

Do

• Batavia Muckdogs, Dwyer Stadium, 299 Bank St, ☏ +1 585 343-5454, tsick@muckdogs.com. With the realignment of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Muckdogs are no longer part of professional baseball. For now, they play as part of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, showcasing amateur players looking to catch the eye of big-league scouts. They play from June through early August. 
• 1 Palm Island Waterpark, 8250 Park Rd (At the Clarion Hotel. Next to Target Plaza by the thruway.), ☏ +1 585 344-2100. Great place to go if you have kids. 
• Mancuso Bowling Center, 214 E. Main St, ☏ +1 585-343-1319. A family-friendly bowling alley in Downtown Batavia. The bowling alley features 24 lanes, electronic scoring, and a weekly "Rock & Bowl.". (updated Apr 2020)
• DeWitt Recreation Area, 115 Cedar Street. Park created on an old sand and gravel quarry that contains an access road, parking areas, a picnic shelter with restrooms, playground, quarter mile paved trail loop, accessible fishing dock, canoe launch, and marked trails. (updated Apr 2020)

Buy

• Oliver's Candies, 211 W Main street. Family-owned candy shop filled with all kinds of tasty treats and custom gifts, including chocolate. They also have an ice cream parlor on-site. (updated Apr 2020)

Eat

• 1 Alex's Place, 8322 Park Rd, ☏ +1 585 344-2999. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-9PM. People flock from miles around for Alex's ribs, which are quite frankly among the best you'll taste anywhere. They've got a pretty good menu of other steak, seafood and chicken options, but if you're in the mood for ribs, you can't go wrong. The restaurant is a bit cramped and not well lit—thirty years ago, it would have been smoky, too—but there's always a crowd. 
• Center Street Smokehouse, 20 Center St, ☏ +1 585 343-7470. M-Th 4PM-10PM, F Sa 4PM-11PM, Su 4PM-8PM. A southern-style BBQ joint in an old building dripping with history. The industrial interior is the perfect setting for Center Street's slow-cooked meats. And though the meats—pork, chicken, brisket, and ribs—are the main attraction, they've got a wide-ranging menu, including flatbreads, pasta, seafood, salads, and more. Whichever way you go, the portions are huge; if you're not careful (or if you fill up on their complimentary cheese biscuits) you're going to have a ton of leftovers. (updated Sep 2017)
• Willow Bend Inn, 3489 W Main St Rd, ☏ +1 585 343-9767. Tu W noon-9PM, Th F 2PM-10PM, Sa 2PM-2AM; dinners F Sa 4PM-9PM. Once a stagecoach stop along the road between Rochester and Buffalo, this building has been through a lot of owners in its two centuries of existence, but it's continued to serve travelers and locals alike. Dinners (as opposed to bar fare) are served only on Friday and Saturday nights, with steaks cooked up in the open char pit right in the dining room. (updated Sep 2017)
• Los Compadres Mexican Taqueria, 40 Oak Street. Family-owned Mexican restaurant with over ten authentic taco options to choose from, a DIY toppings station, quesadillas, tortas, carne asada fries, specialty beverages, and desserts. (updated Apr 2020)

Drink

• Eli Fish Brewing Company, 109 Main street. Brew-pub in the heart of downtown Batavia NY. Has a full lunch and dinner menu, as well as two restaurant incubators that allow customers to order off three separate menus. They also have a full bar that is stocked solely with New York State sourced liquor, wine, cider and 20 taps for craft beer. In addition, Eli Fish also has an indoor BOCCE and bean bag court. (updated Apr 2020)

Sleep

• Best Western Crown Inn & Suites, 8210 Park Rd, ☏ +1 585-344-8882, toll-free: +1-888-394-8789, info@bwbatavia.com. 71 smoke-free rooms. Hot breakfast. Heated indoor pool. 

Go next

Routes through Batavia

Buffalo ← Clarence ←	W  E	→ Le Roy → Albany
Buffalo ← Clarence ←	W  E	→ Le Roy → Auburn
Buffalo ← Lancaster ←	W  E	→ Rochester → END
Lyndonville ← Medina ←	N  S	→ Jct W E → Geneseo → Dansville
Point Breeze ← Albion ←	N  S	→ Franklinville → Salamanca via