Overview
Olean is a city in the Southern Tier of New York and largest city in Cattaraugus County.
10 sights · 12 things to do · 9 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Olean
Beardsley-Oliver House
Beardsley-Oliver House is a 2½-story, wood-frame dwelling built in about 1890. It exhibits a late Victorian blending of Shingle Style and Queen Anne styles.
Conklin Mountain House
Conklin Mountain House is a Second Empire style wood frame dwelling built in 1886. The front facade features a three story tower with mansard roof and a wraparound porch. The interior features elaborate and extensive woo…
Oak Hill Park Historic District
The 32.5-acre (132,000-m²) district encompasses 89 properties including 82 residences, two churches, one school (the Olean High School), and a landscape design. There are 76 contributing buildings. The structures reflect…
Olean Armory
Olean Armory is a historic armory building. It was designed by State architects Isaac G. Perry (1890 structure) and Lewis Pilcher (1919 structure). It consists of a two-story, Tudor inspired administration building const…
Olean School No. 10
Olean School No. 10, now known as Ivers J. Norton School, is a historic school building. It was designed and built in 1908-1909, in the Prairie School style.
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is a Gothic Revival style church building designed by upstate New York architect Robert W. Gibson (1854–1927) and constructed 1889-1890. The complex also includes the Ashton Parish House, c…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Sep and Oct. (climate data from nearby Buffalo)
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.
- BFD Bradford Regional Airport, Bradford — 22 mi away. Directions
- BUF Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Buffalo — 61 mi away (major hub). Directions
Olean is located along Interstate 86 at exits 25 and 26. Known as the Southern Tier Expressway west of I-81 in Binghamton, Interstate 86 connects to Interstate 90 in the west near Erie and Interstate 81 in Binghamton to the east.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Beardsley-Oliver House, Conklin Mountain House, Temple B'Nai Israel
- Lunch Old Library Restaurant
- Afternoon St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Olean Armory
- Dinner Sprague's Maple Farms
- Evening Four Mile Brewing
Day 2
- Morning Riverhurst Park, Pfeiffer Nature Center
- Lunch Beef 'n' Barrel
- Afternoon Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, Allegheny River Valley Trail
- Dinner Broken Wing Pizzeria & Grille
- Evening Eddie's State King
Day 3
- Morning Rock City Park
- Lunch Century Manor
- Afternoon Southern Tier Symphony
- Dinner Oishi Sushi & Hibachi
- Evening 3rd Base Bar & Grill
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.
Understand
Olean is the largest city in Cattaraugus County and serves as its financial, business, transportation and entertainment center. It is one of the principal cities of the Southern Tier region of New York.
The city is surrounded by the town of Olean and is in the southeastern part of the county. The population was 14,000 in 2020.
Get in
By car
Olean is located along Interstate 86 at exits 25 and 26. Known as the Southern Tier Expressway west of I-81 in Binghamton, Interstate 86 connects to Interstate 90 in the west near Erie and Interstate 81 in Binghamton to the east.
New York State Route 16 runs through Olean as Union Street, the main north / south thoroughfare. New York 16 connects to Pennsylvania Route 646 to the south and to New York State Route 5 in Buffalo to the north.
By plane
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Bradford Regional Airport (BFD) in Bradford, Pennsylvania, which is served with daily commuter flights from Pittsburgh via Southern Airways Express: four on weekdays, two on Saturdays, and three on Sundays.
Cattaraugus County-Olean Airport (OLE), at 5420 Hatch Hill Rd. in the nearby town of Ischua, is open for private planes.
Buffalo Niagara International Airport is the nearest major airport.
By bus
- Coach USA buses arrive and depart from the parking lot of the Olean Center Mall at 400 North Union Street.
Service from Buffalo via Buffalo Niagara International Airport, East Aurora, Franklinville, and various points in between. Service from Jamestown via Randolph, Little Valley, and Salamanca.
- Fullington Trailways buses arrive and depart from the Sunoco gas station at 301 South Union Street.
Service from DuBois via St. Marys and Bradford. Service from Buffalo via Springville, Ellicottville, Salamanca, and various points in between.
Get around
As a smaller city a car is a benefit for travelling. However, there are options available for those who are unable to drive.
The city's core between War Veterans Memorial Park and Oak Hill Park, including the Union-State St downtown area, is walkable enough to get around.
By public transportation
The Olean Area Transit System (OATS) provides public transit in Cattaraugus County. The system provides 6 routes serving Olean and the surrounding area.
By taxi
Place Southern Tier Transportation
See
Historic buildings
For a city of its size, Olean has a number of historic properties and districts.
See Beardsley-Oliver House
Beardsley-Oliver House is a 2½-story, wood-frame dwelling built in about 1890. It exhibits a late Victorian blending of Shingle Style and Queen Anne styles.
See Conklin Mountain House
Conklin Mountain House is a Second Empire style wood frame dwelling built in 1886. The front facade features a three story tower with mansard roof and a wraparound porch. The interior features elaborate and extensive woodwork. It was constructed by the owners of Conklin Wagon Works, one of Olean's most important industries in the late 19th century. It was subsequently owned by the Mountain family, who operated the Mountain Clinic Infirmary.
See Oak Hill Park Historic District
The 32.5-acre (132,000-m²) district encompasses 89 properties including 82 residences, two churches, one school (the Olean High School), and a landscape design. There are 76 contributing buildings. The structures reflect a variety of mid-late 19th-century and early 20th-century architectural styles including Queen Anne, Italianate, and Gothic Revival styles. The structures were constructed between about 1849 and 1937.
See Olean Armory
Olean Armory is a historic armory building. It was designed by State architects Isaac G. Perry (1890 structure) and Lewis Pilcher (1919 structure). It consists of a two-story, Tudor inspired administration building constructed in 1919, with an attached Romanesque drill shed constructed in 1890. The building features a number of castellated style features such as turrets and buttresses.
See Olean School No. 10
Olean School No. 10, now known as Ivers J. Norton School, is a historic school building. It was designed and built in 1908-1909, in the Prairie School style.
See St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is a Gothic Revival style church building designed by upstate New York architect Robert W. Gibson (1854–1927) and constructed 1889-1890. The complex also includes the Ashton Parish House, constructed 1922-1923, and the rectory, known as the Watson Wing, built about 1885. It is home to Olean's oldest continuously operating congregation, established in 1830.
See Temple B'Nai Israel
Temple B'Nai Israel is a historic synagogue. It was built in 1929, and is a three- to four-story-tall, light brown brick structure with terra cotta decorative details. It measures 85 feet long, 42 feet wide, and 50 feet tall. The front facade features a massive arched terra cotta portal encircling a large, round stained glass window. The congregation was established in the 1880s.
See Union and State Streets Historic District
The district encompasses 17 contributing buildings in the central business district of Olean. The district developed between about 1866 and 1939, and includes buildings in a variety of architectural styles including Beaux-Arts, Queen Anne, and Art Deco. Located in the district are the separately listed Olean Post Office and Olean Public Library. Other notable buildings include the Former First National Bank, current Manufacturers Hanover Building by Mowbray and Uffinger (c. 1915, 1938, 1950), Original First National Bank of Olean (c. 1866-1869), Masonic Temple by Warner and Brocket (1893), Olean House (c. 1889, 1893), and W.T. Grant Building (c. 1873-1878, Façade Update c. 1935-1940).
See United States Post Office
US Post Office—Olean is a historic post office building. It was designed and built in 1910-12 and is one of a number of post offices in New York State designed by the Office of the Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department, James Knox Taylor. It is a two story masonry and steel frame building. Its Renaissance Revival design compliments the adjacent Olean Public Library. It is located in the Union and State Streets Historic District.
Other attractions
See Cutco/Ka-Bar Visitors Center
Cutco, one of the world's largest manufacturers of direct-marketed knives, cutlery, and kitchenware, was founded in Olean in 1949, and this small museum tells the company's story. Interpretive exhibits cover company history and the manufacturing and marketing process, and antique kitchen, military, and pocket knives are displayed. This is also one of the only retail outlets for Cutco and Ka-Bar brand products. For knife enthusiasts, the Center pairs nicely with the Zippo/Case Museum in Bradford, PA, and the American Museum of Cutlery in Cattaraugus.
Do
Arts
Do Tri County Arts Council
The Tri County Arts Council (TCAC) promotes the creation, presentation and appreciation of arts and culture in the region, while nurturing education and commerce in the arts. TCAC serves as a leader and driver of diverse activities and programs that promote the arts and expand their accessibility to all in the region.
Outdoors
Do Riverhurst Park
Riverhurst Park is a small, family-owned park on the banks of the Allegany River. This private family owned campground is the perfect place to enjoy a family camping vacation. RV, pop-up, or tent. Chalet available with full bathroom and kitchen. Riverhurst Park is home to the historical 100-foot-tall white pine trees. Kayak and canoe rentals for registered campers.
Do Pfeiffer Nature Center
Pfeiffer Nature Center is home to more than 648 acres of nature’s bounty in rural, southwestern New York State. You’ll find miles of open-access hiking trails, a historic American Chestnut log cabin, great birding areas and a picturesque pavilion available for rent. The Nature Center has two beautiful properties to explore. The Lillibridge Property consists of 188 acres of forest and has a rustic American Chestnut log cabin listed in the National & State Registers of Historic Places. The front of the cabin offers a spectacular panoramic view of both nearby farms and distant mountaintops. A timber frame pavilion offers a covered shelter for picnics and other events in the meadow. The Nature Center also owns 460 acres on Yubadam Road, the Eshelman Property, which has an active sugar bush, on-going scientific research projects, and a small farm. There are three miles of trails through forests, meadows, transitional zones, near ponds and wetlands. More trails are being developed to support snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
Do Allegheny River Valley Trail
A 6.2-mile-paved loop trail between Olean and St. Bonaventure University. The trail can be best accessed at St. Bonaventure's Campus near the Tennis Courts, at a public parking lot near the Sewer Plant, or from Gargoyle Park. Bikes can be rented from Twist-N-Shake in the summer. The trail should take under an hour to cycle.
Sports
Do St. Bonaventure University Bonnies Athletics
The St. Bonaventure Bonnies are the varsity intercollegiate athletic programs of St. Bonaventure University, based in nearby Allegany, New York. The Bonnies compete in the National Collegiate Athletics Association's Division I Atlantic 10 Conference.
Other
Do Good Times of Olean
Located down the street from Bradner Stadium, Good Times is a 42,000-square-foot entertainment facility in the heart of Olean. The facility includes a 16-lane bowling alley, large performance stage with premium audio, arcade & games areas. Outside you can find white sand Volleyball courts, Batting Cages, an 18-hole mini-golf, and a large open space for outdoor activities. The Hammer Back Bar & Grill is the featured restaurant and bar, open year round, with an upper mezzanine that looks down into the Event Centre. GTO boasts fine cuisine at The Point or the Snak Shak offers a fast stop. GTO offers a variety of hosting options for your important events. GTO also provides league play for bowling, volleyball, cornhole, and darts, along with shuffleboard, and ping pong.
Buy
The majority of Olean's retail businesses are located on North Union Street.
Eat
Eat Sprague's Maple Farms
Modern facilities open year round to enjoy maple syrup in the restaurant, shop in the gift shop or hike to the old fashioned maple sugar shanty along the trails out back of the facility. Best visited in late winter or early spring when snow is melting and syrup is being boiled. Reservations not accepted.
Eat Old Library Restaurant
The Old Library is Olean's former library built from a donation by Andrew Carnegie. It is a historic beaux arts library. It is located in the Union and State Streets Historic District. Not to be confused with the current library, which is housed in a former grocery store.
Eat Beef 'n' Barrel
With wood paneling and flickering candles, the expansive Beef 'n' Barrel still manages to feel warm and inviting. It's like a modern version of a classic 1970s steak house, minus the smoky atmosphere. The pristine furnishings and classic décor lend sophistication and elegance, but the friendly staff and enticing menu avoid any hint of pretentiousness. The lunch menu is focused on sliced roast beef, including Buffalo favorite beef on weck sandwiches. The dinner menu moves the focus to steaks. You'll find a few other entrees on the menu, but beef is definitely the main attraction, as evidenced by the carving stations located in each of the dining rooms. House-made breads and desserts provide excellent complements to the main courses.
Eat Broken Wing Pizzeria & Grille
A sit-down restaurant serving a wide variety of foods including hand tossed pizza.
Eat Century Manor
Local steakhouse serving Olean for over 50 years.
Eat Oishi Sushi & Hibachi
Authentic Japanese sushi and hibachi. You can watch as the chefs cook steak, chicken, fish, vegetables, fried rice, etc. in their inviting, wooden ornate dining room.
Eat Randy's Fireside
Local eatery serving hand-cut steaks, fresh, never frozen burgers, local brews and salads.
Eat Randy's "Up the River"
Built in 1860 as a stage coach stop/hotel turned speakeasy, bar and restaurant. Popular with the St. Bonaventure crowd.
Eat La Dolce Vita
Cafe and bakery with morning hours and afternoon hours and the best espresso drinks in town.
Drink
Drink Four Mile Brewing
Four Mile Brewing is a microbrewery located in a historic pre-prohibition brewing complex close to downtown Olean. Also serves a variety of sandwiches, munchies and a Sunday brunch.
Drink 3rd Base Bar & Grill
Legal beverages, Quick Draw, pool tables. They also serve wings, burgers, philly steak sandwiches & finger food items.
Drink Eddie's State King
Neighborhood sports bar. Enjoy the cold beer, warm atmosphere & friendly bartenders.
Sleep
Bed & Breakfast
Stay The Gallets House B&B
An 1896 restored historical Victorian home with original family photos and heirlooms displayed throughout the B&B. Located in the picturesque Allegheny foothills in Southwestern NY, 2 miles from exit 24 on I-86 (formerly Rte 17), across the river from Olean but near St. Bonaventure U.
Hotels and motels
Nearby
Cuba
City / town · 7 listings · 12 mi away
Bradford
City / town · 3 listings · 14 mi away
Salamanca
City / town · 6 listings · 16 mi away
Allegany State Park
Park · 29 listings · 17 mi away
Franklinville
City / town · 20 listings · 18 mi away
Ellicottville
City / town · 28 listings · 18 mi away
Port Allegany
City / town · 20 mi away
Little Valley
City / town · 13 listings · 22 mi away
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