15 Things To Actually Do In Fredonia, New York

As told by a native Fredonian of 20 years.

Nicholas Miller

Welcome to the beautiful village of Fredonia (pronounced Fred-oh-nya), New York. While some may think that this town is boring and the only things to do require leaving it, I disagree. Many native-Fredonians find entertainment in this town quite easily, without having to make the drive. Here is a list of things you can actually do in Fredonia, without the need to leave the community.

1. Visit the Barker Commons during any season

Nicholas Miller

These historic twin-parks are the focal point of the village. They are right downtown and provide an open area of recreation for locals, students and anyone passing by. The two matching antique fountains, cherubs and all, have been in the park for decades. Fun-fact: the coldest drinking water in the village is at the golden water-fountain on the Main Street and Park Place corner. It was donated by the WCTU after their influential nonviolent protests in bars and saloons in Fredonia during the age of prohibition.

2. Attend a Fredonia-Dunkirk Football Game at the Orange Bowl

WIVB / Via youtube.com

Fredonia and Dunkirk have one of the longest lasting football rivalries in the United States, dating back from the turn of the 20th century. Every year the Fredonia Hillbillies and Dunkirk Marauders play gridiron, alternating between Dunkirk's new turf field and the beloved Orange Bowl, where Fredonians have played football since the beginning of the rivalry. This competition brings out people who would otherwise not attend football games, just for rivalry sake.

3. Stop by the Fredonia Farmer's Market

Fredonia Farmers Market / Via americantowns.com

Fredonia has one of the area's best farmer's markets. Pretty much any local vegetable you could want is offered by farmers here. All grown locally, the farmer's market is on Church Street on Saturday mornings during the warm seasons.

4. Check out the local architecture while getting in shape.

Fredonia Preservation Society / Via app.chautauquacounty.com

Fredonia is a very historic and beautiful village. Simply taking a walk through the various neighborhoods of Fredonia, each with their own unique charm and character will allow you to further appreciate this community for what it is. Visit 'Little Italy' in the Orchard/Cushing area, or the stately homes of Central Avenue. Since Fredonia is a very active town, you can expect to see a few people along the way. Pictured is the President's Mansion - 194 Central Ave, home to the president of Fredonia State University, which was built in 1855.

5. Ring up some information at the Fredonia Telecommunications Society Museum

Fredonia Telecommunications Society / Via Facebook: 749037971872045

What's that sound? Oh, that's just Dorothy and the rest of the exhibits at the Fredonia Telecommunications Museum on Temple Street. Explore the history of telecommunications through interactive exhibits, and learn about local telephone company DFT (Dunkirk Fredonia Telephone) that is right next-door. With over 100 different types of phones, phone booths, and other telecommunications antiques, you're sure to find out something new about the telephone. Best of all, it is free!

6. Stroll through Pioneer and Forest Hill Cemeteries

Nicholas Miller

Pioneer Cemetery (Main St) is where the village's founders and first residents were buried, with markers dating back from the 1800s. Forest Hill is located right next-door, though the historic gatehouse, chapel and entrance gate are off of Lambert Ave. Forest Hill is much bigger, with some extremely beautiful headstones and mausoleums. While beautiful in any season, fall is the prettiest to visit. Find out who Fredonia's streets are named after here!

7. Haunted Fredonia Horse Tours in October

The Dunkirk Observer / Via observertoday.com

Did you know that Fredonia is actually a very haunted village? Many of the village's residents can tell stories of the spooky and downright paranormal spirits of the Victorian town. Notable places are The White Inn, the Fredonia Normal School (now- One Temple Square), and some of the oldest mansions and stately homes in the area. Every October, Festivals Fredonia offers horse-drawn tours of the village, where you can hear the tales of the things that go bump in the night. You never really know what you'll hear or see in Fredonia.

8. Attend the annual Fredonia High School Musical - Spring

Susan Cobb / Via Facebook: susan.cobb49

Fredonia HS takes after Fredonia State University in its long tradition of dedication to the arts. Fredonia's musicals are of the best in the area, with cast members, stage crew, lights, set and costume design winning awards or nominations at the Western New York Kenney's Awards. Fredonia's musicals are great to see and the community recognizes the excellence of their performances every year. Tickets are sold online, or at other local businesses. Call Fredonia Central School for more info.

9. Eat at some local restaurants

The Liberty Foods and Spirits / Via google.com!4m6!1m5!8m4!1e2!2s112956183840519723205!3m1!1e1

Skip the chains, because you will not need them in Fredonia. There are a myriad of great local restaurants to choose from. Some of them are in places completely unexpected, like The Liberty on Prospect Street, which looks like an ordinary house. From dives to fancy dining, Italian to Polish and bars to microbreweries, Fredonia has it all and it is all amazing.

10. Nightlife

Coughlan's Pub / Via Facebook: CoughlansPub

This alone could be an article, but simply put, Fredonia has the best nightlife in Chautauqua County, and perhaps second only to Buffalo in the region. With the college right down the street, downtown Fredonia offers many options for the alcohol consumers. For a while Fredonia had a world record for the most bars/pubs in a square mile, which is impressive for a village of only 5 square miles and 11,000 people.

11. Local Festivals and Parades

Fredonia Farm Festival / Via fredoniafarmfestival.org

Fredonia has a very active community and thus, many festivals and parades are held here. The Farm Festival is the most well known, loved and attended of them all and it occurs every August just before the college is back in session. It features vendors from the community, as well as live musical performances, a car show and tasty fair-type food. Other popular festivals include the Red, White and Blues festival, and the Fredonia History Days (previously known as Victorian Dazzle) just to name a few. Parades move down Temple Street to Barker Commons for the Farm Festival and Halloween.

12. Attend Fredonia State Athletic and Sport Events

Fredonia Blue Devils Hockey / Via bluedevilhockey.com

Having a four-year Division III university is not without its perks. There are plenty of sports to go see at the Fredonia State campus. Hockey and basketball are among the most popular, but soccer and track/field are also well attended. These are free for Fredonia State students, and open to the public.

13. Ice Skate at Fredonia State

Nicholas Miller

Fredonia State offers open skate on Friday through Monday evenings at Steele Hall. This is free to Fredonia State students with a FRED card, however it is open to the public for a small fee. Rental is separate.

14. Laugh/Cry/Be amazed at SUNY Fredonia Theatre Performances

SUNY Fredonia / Via home.fredonia.edu

SUNY Fredonia is a university known for it's dramatic arts, and they do not disappoint. There are shows throughout the school year that allow you to take a trip to a new world from a cushioned seat at Rockefeller Arts Center.

15. Listen to local bands, or to SUNY Fredonia's award winning music department

Exit 59 / Via Facebook: exit59band

Music fills the air in Fredonia. Local bands perform in bars and other venues in town, like on Wednesdays in Barker Commons in the summer. During the school year, there are numerous recitals, concerts and impromptu conga-drum circles at the college. The talented local musicians and students can feed your ears some sweet melodies and excite you with their riffs, solos and singing.

BONUS - Fredonia's 1891 Opera House and Village Hall

Amanda Marie Rogers / Via newyorkstatesofmind.com

Take a step back in history to the 1800s, where Fredonia residents built this opera house to show their class and affluence. What proper town is without an opera house? Check out this 'gem' in the crown that is the Barker Commons Historical District. Over the years it has been a movie theater and after many years in disrepair, it was reconstructed back to its former glory. Numerous events and local theater productions take place here!

And much more

This is merely a scratch on the surface of what there is to do in the village of Fredonia. There are so many places to go see, so many things to do and experiences to be had. To narrow this down to only a small list of things is impossible. There are many more things to do here, if you think of any good ones, leave a comment below. Cool, now go and explore everything the Village of Fredonia has to offer.