Beauty of Barcelona

Located in the heart of Lake Erie Wine Country, this quaint-but-laid-back New York town has activities everyone can appreciate. Farmers markets offer fresh produce, treasures abound at local antiques shops, wineries host frequent tastings — and, of course Lake Erie beckons, inviting visitors to embrace the nature around them.

“If you like wine and spending time outdoors camping, fishing or hiking, this area of western New York is the best of both worlds,” says Victoria Pane, marketing coordinator for the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau.

Dine and Drink: Pair an afternoon of lakefront dining with some West Texas-style barbecue at When Pigs Fly BBQ (whenpigsflybbqpit.com), where the menu features dry-rubbed meats smoked with hickory, cherry and applewood, as well as pizzas topped with a delicious combination of ingredients. Also enjoy beach access, volleyball courts and a tiki bar in the backyard. Enjoy breakfast or lunch at this casual dining spot with a summer cottage atmosphere. Take a quick, 3-mile trip off of the coast to Mazza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing (enjoymazza.com), an 80-acre farm and New York’s first combination winery, brewery and distillery, or Johnson Estate Winery (johnsonwinery.com), New York’s oldest continuously operating estate winery.

Picturesque views: Built in 1829, the Barcelona Lighthouse (parks.ny.gov) stands at 40 feet tall and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Stop by to snap a few picturesque shots before heading to Barcelona Harbor Pier (westfieldny.com/town-westfield/barcelona-harbor), where sandy beaches and waterfront benches offer the perfect spots to relax and watch the boats sail by. Next, venture to Barcelona Harbor Beach, another waterfront favorite beloved for its coastline views, tranquil waterfall, beach glass collecting and magnificent sunsets. On summer Saturdays, visit Moore Park to enjoy the Westfield Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market (westfieldny.com/farmers-artisans-market/westfield-farmers-artisans-market), where a cornucopia of goodies awaits.

wake up at the lake: Barcelona Lakeside Bed and Breakfast (barcelonalakeside.com) in Westfield provides the backdrop for an ideal year-round getaway. Rooms feature views of Lake Erie and Barcelona’s lighthouse and harbor. After a restful night’s sleep, start your day with a farm-to-table breakfast. Gold Brook Farm (goldbrookfarm.com), also in Westfield, offers cozy B&B accommodations with amenities that include modern showers with antique bathtubs, spacious porches and made-to-order breakfasts.