Olean: Art, Culture and Experiences by the River

Olean, New York, offers a surprisingly diverse range of discoveries: a public art project currently features 29 colorful fiberglass squirrels, a museum explores local history, and the Allegheny River Valley Trail offers a paved loop. There is also a farmers’ market, a disc golf course, and a boat launch on the Allegheny River. This gives you a choice of culture, local produce, and outdoor activities during your stay.

Culture and Public Art

The Bartlett House / Olean Point Museum is located at 302 Laurens Street. It is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 12 to 4 p.m.; visits are also available by appointment. These hours give you a specific point of reference when planning a visit to the museum. The name connects the house with the Olean Point Museum, making it a place to get a cultural introduction to Olean.

The Saint Mary of the Angels Complex offers a different historical perspective. The complex is locally significant under Criterion C in the area of architecture. It is a representative and intact collection of religious buildings. Together, the buildings document more than sixty years of parish development and architectural change during a period of rapid growth in Olean. This draws attention not only to individual structures, but also to the development of a community and its architecture.

With Woodland in the City, you’ll encounter art in a very different form. The public project currently includes 29 colorful fiberglass figures shaped like squirrels. Rather than a collection of religious buildings, a playful animal form takes center stage here. The number and striking material make the project a distinctive feature to look out for in Olean; however, you should not assume there is a set route or a specific location for each individual figure.

Market and Local Character

The Olean Area Farmer’s Market offers fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade items from local farmers and vendors every week. The selection ranges from food to handcrafted products. If you enjoy discovering regional vendors while traveling, the market complements the cultural attractions with a glimpse of what’s available locally.

Exploring the Allegheny River

The Allegheny River Valley Trail is a 6.2-mile loop between the Town of Allegany and the City of Olean. It runs along the Allegheny River and through other areas. The trail is 10 feet wide, paved, and accessible to people with disabilities thanks to its level surface. It can be used for walking, jogging, and cycling.

If you’d like to experience the river from the water, Olean’s South Union Street Launch is a paved ramp on the Allegheny River for launching kayaks, canoes, or boats. It is located off West Riverside Drive, near the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge. This outing is quite different from traveling along the trail: here, you’re setting out on the water, while the trail can be used for walking, jogging, and cycling.

Franchot Park offers another way to enjoy active time outdoors: it has a 9-hole disc golf course. Along with the trail and river launch, it showcases different ways to explore the area. When planning your trip, you can decide whether you’d rather focus on culture and architecture, market visits, a round on the paved trail, or activities on the river. Olean brings these different experiences together at specific places and through activities you can include in your days here according to your interests.

For the broader travel overview: New York.