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Regions are often defined by the food and drink made famous there. Western New York is no exception. From Buffalo wings to the wine trail, it’s impossible to separate food from place in this corner of the world. Here’s a look at three counties and the fresh, flavorful bounty you’ll find there — as well as advice on how to work up an appetite.

Erie County

Ask anyone in the country what they think of when they hear Buffalo, and you’ll likely hear “wings!” While there are several stories of where the Buffalo wing originated, the most well-known legend involves then-Anchor Bar owner Teressa Bellissimo making the first batch in 1964 as a quick way to appease the appetites of her son and his college friends when they showed up unexpectedly at the bar late one night.

While it’s almost a requirement to try the wings at the Anchor Bar — which still exists at its original location in downtown Buffalo (716-886-8920, anchorbar.com) — many locals think the best place in town to get wings is Duff’s Famous Wings, which has several locations (duffswings.com), or The Big Tree Inn, a sports bar near the Buffalo Bills stadium (716-649-9892).

Three ways to work up your appetite:

1. Explore Buffalo by foot, bus, kayak or bike. Explore Buffalo’s team of expert volunteers will take you on fascinating tours all over the city. You can learn about its mob connections, poke around Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fontana Boathouse, or watch fireworks from kayaks. Whatever your historic or architectural interests, Explore Buffalo likely has a tour that can tell you more. explorebuffalo.org.

2. Spend a day at Elmwood Village, which features more than 300 shops and restaurants and is home to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the Burchfield Penny Art Center, the H.H. Richardson Complex and the historic Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church. “Elmwood Village is the leading walkable community in the city of Buffalo,” says Tony Maggiotto Jr., executive director of the Elmwood Village Association. “The combination of unique boutiques, restaurants and even bed-and-breakfasts make it the perfect weekend destination.” elmwoodvillage.org.

3. Fall for the Falls. Niagara Falls is just a stone’s throw from Buffalo. You can get up close and personal with this world wonder aboard the Maid of the Mist, which takes you right up to the base of the falls. Or get a bird’s eye view by stepping out onto the Prospect Point Observation Tower, which extends out dramatically over Niagara Gorge. Remember: You’ll need a passport to explore the Canadian side. niagarafallsstatepark.com

Chautauqua County

Celebrate New York’s rich agricultural history with a visit to Bird, a three-season patio restaurant in Westfield with views overlooking Lake Erie. Chef Dan Kern celebrates the bounty of local farmers by featuring farm-to-table dishes at the restaurant. As a bonus, Bird is part of Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing, which is New York’s first combination winery, brewery and distillery, and is committed to “grape-to-glass” and “grain-to-glass” by using locally grown ingredients in its products. fiveand20.com

But Bird is certainly not the only great destination on Chautauqua Lake. Debi Clementi, owner of the Chautauqua Marina, journeyed around the 17-mile long Chautauqua Lake with girlfriends for a road trip one recent summer. “It took us four days because there’s so much to do,” she says. “There’s the restaurants, wineries, antique stores, the Chautauqua Institution, tennis, golf. There’s truly something for everyone here.

Three ways to work up an appetite

1. Be inspired at the Chautauqua Institution (ciweb.org). Lectures, music and dance performances dot the daily schedule at the storied center. Some of this year’s speakers and performers include author Ann Patchett; singer and songwriter Aretha Franklin; and political commentator Bill Moyers. The institution’s new amphitheater will be completed by the start of the season in June. Take time to explore the nearby village of Mayville as well. Its proximity to Chautauqua Institution means the small village has more than its fair share of great shops and restaurants.

2. Explore the Lake Erie Wine Trail. There are 23 wineries along a 50-mile stretch, giving you plenty of chances to swirl, sip and savor the true taste of the region. lakeeriewinecountry.org

3. Get moving at Peek’n Peak Resort. What opened as a ski resort in 1964 has turned into a true four-season destination with the addition over time of the aerial adventure course, giant dual ziplines, Segway tours, a championship golf course, a miniature golf course, indoor and outdoor pools, mountain biking trails and a luxury day spa. The Peak’s condos and 108-room inn make it an easy place for family vacations. pknpk.com

Cattaraugus County

It’s easy to have a beery good time in Western New York. It’s home to some great breweries, has a national reputation. But there are plenty of smaller breweries as well. Cattaraugus County is lucky to be home to some of the best. In Ellicottville, try the Ellicottville Brewing Co., or John Harvard’s Brew House. Still thirsty? Take a short jaunt to nearby Olean’s Four Mile Brewing Co., which opened in 2015. If you still want more, plan to come back Nov. 10 and 11 for the Holiday Valley Beer and Wine Festival, which features 30 crafters with over 100 beers and wines from New York state and the region.

Three ways to work up a thirst

Hang out at Holiday Valley. Exchange ski boots for sneakers at Holiday Valley (holidayvalley.com) in the summer. The green months feature adventures on the Sky High Aerial Park, the Climbing Forest, the Mountain Coaster, and the 18-hole golf course. Not enough? There’s mountain biking and a pool complex, as well as a full slate of summer races, paddles, music and arts festivals, and even the Holiday Valley mudslide — which is as fun as it sounds. Looking for something tamer? The charming village of Ellicottville (ellicottvilleny.com), where Holiday Valley is located, is a can’t-miss destination on its own with its eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. “Our tag line is, if you like Holiday Valley in white you’ll love it in green,” says Holiday Valley director of marketing Jane Eshbaugh. Eshbaugh’s home is near the Sky High Aerial Park. “It’s great,” she said. “I hear people cheering going down the ziplines all summer long. Everyone has so much fun there.”

1. Sculpture hunt. The largest sculpture park in the country is just 8 miles from Ellicottville. The 450-acre Griffis Park is home to more than 250 large-scale sculptures dispersed through miles of hiking trails. griffispark.org
2. Step back to a simpler time. Be inspired by the beauty of the pastoral Amish Trail. Follow hand-lettered signs and horse and buggies down side roads to the Amish businesses, where you will find a wide variety of hand-crafted goods, including quilts, rugs, baked goods, candy, furniture, toys, baskets, eggs, homegrown fruits and vegetables, jams, woodworking, leather, lumber, iron works and more. Be respectful: Most of the shops are located right inside Amish homes, do not take credit cards and are not open on Sundays. Also please do not take pictures of the Amish.
3. Step back to a simpler time. Be inspired by the beauty of the pastoral Amish Trail. Follow hand-lettered signs and horse and buggies down side roads to the Amish businesses, where you will find a wide variety of hand-crafted goods, including quilts, rugs, baked goods, candy, furniture, toys, baskets, eggs, homegrown fruits and vegetables, jams, woodworking, leather, lumber, iron works and more. Be respectful: Most of the shops are located right inside Amish homes, do not take credit cards and are not open on Sundays. Also please do not take pictures of the Amish.