From snowshoes to sugar maples, cabbages to queens, the winter season at Genesee Country Village & Museum is packed with activities to keep cabin fever at bay. GCV&M gets the new year started with Nature Sundays, featuring hiking on the Nature Center trails, stories, and crafts. A special feature of Nature Sundays is the opportunity to snowshoe and cross-country ski on not only the trails but through the Historic Village as well. Guests can bring their own equipment, or borrow snowshoes from the Nature Center (as available). Nature Sundays run every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
February and March bring a variety of events to the museum, from the hilarity of a cabbage and beer tasting walk to a full-on celebration of maple sugaring season. First up, GCV&M answers the question “What is Kohlfahrt?” On February 2 and 9, grab your most adventurous friends and hike on trails through the wintry landscapes of the Nature Center and Historic Village, stopping for fun and games as well as beer and wine samples, followed by a hearty German-style meal of sausages, brats, potatoes, strudel, and more beer. That’s what you call a Kohlfahrt adventure. Reservations are required for this 21 and over event.
Then on February 16, the majestic owl takes center stage for the nighttime adventure Owl Moon. Under an almost-full moon, take a guided walk through frosty, wooded trails, then enjoy getting up close with some owls during a live presentation. This family-fun night out also includes owl stories being read and toasting marshmallows by the campfire. Reservations are required for this event.
Everything turns to the sweet amber reward for a long winter – maple sugar – during March’s Maple Sugar Festival and Maple Sugar Soiree. For two weekends, March 23 and 24 and 30 and 31, guests can get out into the woods to discover all things maple by heading out on the Maple History Trail to learn how various tapping methods evolved, and get hands-on with the tools of the trade. Along the way, see how sap is made into thick, amber maple syrup, and try a sample of the finished product. On March 29, GCV&M hosts the Maple Sugar Soiree, a grand party celebrating the maple sugar harvest featuring music, food and drinks, games and more. Reservations are encouraged for this 21 and over event. Support provided by Market NY through I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism as a part of the Regional Economic Development Council awards.
As the winter winds down, the museum will host its annual Antique Show and Sale on April 13, with a Preview Party April 12 that offers an exclusive sneak peek at the show during an evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and includes an all-day pass for Saturday. Collectibles of all types will be under one roof for this perennial favorite. Fans of the PBS series Victoria will not want to miss the opening of the newest gallery exhibit, Victoria’s Closet – Fashions of the 1850s, highlighting the styles of a decade heavily influenced by England’s popular queen.
Snow and cold temps may slow down some parts of the country, but in Western New York it just means there’s a whole new category of fun to be had, indoors and out. For information see the museum’s website at gcv.org or call 538-6822.
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