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city in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States
North America > United States of America > Mid-Atlantic > New York (state) > Southern Tier > Cattaraugus County > Olean

Olean is a city in the Southern Tier of New York and largest city in Cattaraugus County.

Understand

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St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Complex

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

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By car

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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

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The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Bradford Regional Airport (BFD IATA) 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  IATA), 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

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  • 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.
Service from DuBois via St. Marys and Bradford.
Service from Buffalo via Springville, Ellicottville, Salamanca, and various points in between.

Get around

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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

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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

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Old Olean Public Library

Historic buildings

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For a city of its size, Olean has a number of historic properties and districts.

  • 1 Beardsley-Oliver House, 312 Laurel Ave. 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. (updated Apr 2016)
  • 2 Conklin Mountain House, 304 E. State St.. 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. (updated Apr 2016)
Oak Hill Park Historic District
  • 3 Oak Hill Park Historic District, Roughly along Laurens, N. Second, Third, Fourth, and W. Sullivan Sts. 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. (updated Apr 2016)
  • 4 Olean Armory, 119 Times Sq.. 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. (updated Apr 2016)
  • 5 Olean School No. 10, 411 W. Henley St.. 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. (updated Apr 2016)
  • 6 St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 109 S. Barry St.. 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. (updated Apr 2016)
  • 7 Temple B'Nai Israel, 127 S. Barry St.. 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. (updated Apr 2016)
  • 8 Union and State Streets Historic District, Roughly 101-133 N. Union, 110-114, 116 W. State & 102, 116, 120 S. Union Sts.. 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). (updated Apr 2016)
  • 9 United States Post Office, 102 S. Union St.. 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. (updated Apr 2016)

Other attractions

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  • 10 Cutco/Ka-Bar Visitors Center, 1040 E. State St., ☏ +1 716-790 7000. M-F 9AM-5PM; also Sa 10AM-4PM from Memorial Day through Christmas. 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. 

Arts

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Outdoors

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  • 3 Rock City Park, 505 Route 16, toll-free: +1-866-404-7625. May-Oct: daily 9AM-6PM. Join thousands of visitors each year who enjoy a 45-minute hiking trail, museum, fluorescent rock room and also souvenir and gift shop! (updated Apr 2016)
  • 4 Riverhurst Park, 1269 Olean Portville Road, ☏ +1 716-479-4677. 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. 
  • 5 Pfeiffer Nature Center, 1974 Lillibridge Road, Portville; 1420 Yuba Dam Road, Portville, ☏ +1 716-933-0187. 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. (updated Apr 2016)
  • 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. (updated Jan 2024)

Sports

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  • 6 St. Bonaventure University Bonnies Athletics, 3261 W State Rd, St Bonaventure, ☏ +1 716-375-2000, toll-free: +1-800-462-5050. 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. (updated Apr 2016)
  • 7 Olean Oilers Baseball, Bradner Stadium, East State St, ☏ +1 716-376-5665. The Olean Oilers Baseball Team is a summer, wood bat development team playing in the New York Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL). 

Other

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  • 8 Good Times of Olean, 800R East State St, ☏ +1 716-379-8210. M-Tu 11AM-10PM, W Th 11AM-midnight, F Sa 11AM-12:30AM, Su 11AM-8PM. 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. (updated Apr 2016)

The majority of Olean's retail businesses are located on North Union Street.

  • Ask Design Jewelers, 175 N. Union St, ☏ +1 716-791-9363. The largest selection of certified diamonds and bridal jewelry in the Southern Tier. Custom designs, engraving & jewelry repairs. 
  • Handmade-by Shelby, 317 West State Street, ☏ +1 716-307-7517, . Tu 10AM-6PM, W 4AM-9PM, Th F 10AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-2PM. Unique painted or etched glasses and many other unique custom or personalized gifts for sale. Weekly painting classes are also offered. (updated Apr 2016)
  • Sports Locker, 711 W. State St., ☏ +1 716-373-1411, . The Southern Tier’s largest selection of sports equipment, apparel and jerseys. (updated Apr 2016)
  • Paper Factory, 176 N Union St, ☏ +1 716-372-9500. 9AM-6PM. The Paper Factory is a multi-story gift store in downtown Olean with a Christmas, Halloween, Craft, and General section all of which are kept year round. From their website, "you really have to see it to believe it.". (updated Jan 2024)
  • 1 Sprague's Maple Farms, 1048 Portville-Obi Rd., Portville (6.5 miles from downtown Olean via Routes 417 and 305), ☏ +1 716-933-6637. Su-Th 8AM-8PM, F Sa 8AM-9PM. 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. (updated Jan 2024)
  • 2 Old Library Restaurant, 116 S. Union St. 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. (updated Jan 2024)
  • Beef 'n' Barrel, 146 N Union St, ☏ +1 585-372-2985, fax: +1 585 372-3910. M-Sa 11AM-10PM. 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. $10-25. (updated Nov 2017)
  • Broken Wing Pizzeria & Grille, 313 Main St., ☏ +1 716-373-5600, . A sit-down restaurant serving a wide variety of foods including hand tossed pizza. (updated Apr 2016)
  • Century Manor, 401 East State Street, ☏ +1 716-372-1864. Local steakhouse serving Olean for over 50 years. 
  • Oishi Sushi & Hibachi, 2234 W State St, ☏ +1 716-373-8889. 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. 
  • Randy's Fireside, 1644 Haskell Rd., ☏ +1 716-373-3473. Local eatery serving hand-cut steaks, fresh, never frozen burgers, local brews and salads. (updated Apr 2016)
  • Randy's "Up the River", 3767 South 9 Mile Road Allegany, ☏ +1 716-372-9606. Built in 1860 as a stage coach stop/hotel turned speakeasy, bar and restaurant. Popular with the St. Bonaventure crowd. (updated Apr 2016)
  • La Dolce Vita, 113 N. Union St, ☏ +1 716-379-8438. Cafe and bakery with morning hours and afternoon hours and the best espresso drinks in town. (updated Jan 2024)

Drink

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  • 1 Four Mile Brewing, 202 East Green St., ☏ +1 716-373-2337. M closed, Tu–Th 4–10PM, F Sa midnight–10PM, Su 10AM–8PM. 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. (updated Apr 2016)
  • 2 3rd Base Bar & Grill, 1302 West State St, ☏ +1 716-372-8779. Legal beverages, Quick Draw, pool tables. They also serve wings, burgers, philly steak sandwiches & finger food items. (updated Apr 2016)
  • 3 Eddie's State King, 901 E. State St., ☏ +1 716-373-2924. Neighborhood sports bar. Enjoy the cold beer, warm atmosphere & friendly bartenders. (updated Apr 2016)

Sleep

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Bed & Breakfast

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  • The Gallets House B&B, 1759 Four Mile Road, Allegany, ☏ +1 716-373-7493, . Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11:30AM. 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. (updated Apr 2016)
  • The Old Library Inn, 120 South Union Street, ☏ +1 716-373-9804, toll-free: +1-877-241-4348. 

Hotels and motels

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Connect

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Olean is primarily served by area code 716. However due to Olean's proximity to the 716/585 line, some Olean exchanges use the 585 area code.The area code must be dialed for every number.

  • Olean Life. Olean Life operates a website promoting nightlife and entertainment in the Olean area. Their focus is restaurants, nightclubs and live entertainment venues and events such as concerts and festivals appealing to a wide demographic. (updated Apr 2016)
  • Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, 301 North Union Street, ☏ +1 716-372-4433, . The leading business organization in the greater Olean area since 1906. Your Chamber Connection to the Olean area visitor information, resident information, business services and membership directory. 

Cope

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Hospitals

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Olean General Hospital, is a member of the Upper Allegheny Health System. The campus includes 186 patient rooms, together with comprehensive patient, administrative and physician services and accommodations to meet the diagnostic, treatment, administrative and educational needs of its patients and medical staff.

Newspapers and print media

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The Olean Times Herald is a daily newspaper serving the western Twin Tiers region, based in Olean. The afternoon newspaper, one of the few remaining afternoon papers in the nation, is published by Bradford Publishing seven days each week.

Go next

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Routes through Olean
Jamestown ← Salamanca ←  W  E  → Cuba → Elmira
Buffalo ← Franklinville ←  N  S  → Becomes → Keating → END


This city travel guide to Olean is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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