Overview
Batavia is a city and town in Genesee County, New York.
5 sights · 4 things to do · 4 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Batavia
Holland Land Office Museum
Museum housed in the former office building of the Holland Land Company, detailing the settlement history of Western New York.
Centennial Park
A park with 14 acres. 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.
Batavia Peace Garden
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 bet…
Farrell Park
Lions Park
Park.
Batavia Muckdogs
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 looki…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Rochester)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ROC Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport, Rochester — 27 mi away (major hub). Directions
- BUF Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Buffalo — 28 mi away (major hub). Directions
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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Holland Land Office Museum, Palm Island Waterpark, Batavia Peace Garden
- Lunch Alex's Place
- Afternoon Lions Park, DeWitt Recreation Area
- Dinner Center Street Smokehouse
- Evening Eli Fish Brewing Company
Day 2
- Morning Centennial Park, Farrell Park
- Lunch Willow Bend Inn
- Afternoon Batavia Muckdogs, Mancuso Bowling Center
- Dinner Los Compadres Mexican Taqueria
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
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).
By bus
Batavia is served by Greyhound, Flixbus, and Trailways buses.
By plane
If you'd prefer to fly, Genesee County Airport (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
See Centennial Park
A park with 14 acres. 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.
See Batavia Peace Garden
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.
See Farrell Park
Do
Do Batavia Muckdogs
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.
Do Mancuso Bowling Center
A family-friendly bowling alley. The bowling alley features 24 lanes, electronic scoring, and a weekly "Rock & Bowl.".
Do DeWitt Recreation Area
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.
Buy
Shop Oliver's Candies
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.
Eat
Eat Alex's Place
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.
Eat Center Street Smokehouse
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.
Eat Willow Bend Inn
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.
Eat Los Compadres Mexican Taqueria
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.
Drink
Drink Eli Fish Brewing Company
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.
Sleep
Stay Quality Inn
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