Rural living and beachfront fun in Newfane
Forty miles northeast of Buffalo, Newfane is a quiet rural town where rolling green hills meet winding country roads. “We’re a farming community, but we have a lot to offer," says Kristina Gifford, the deputy town clerk. The community is centered around the hamlets of Newfane and Olcott — the latter set on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, where boardwalk businesses, marinas and beachfront parks draw summer tourists. The town’s single-family homes are often priced below the national median, and hometown traditions, such as the Apple Harvest Festival, keep residents busy. “It’s a terrific community,” Gifford says.
Farmhouses and ranch-style home prices below the national median
Newfane offers homebuyers rustic seclusion, cozy hamlet life and waterfront living. Housing styles vary, but farmhouses, ranch-style homes and Colonial Revivals are typical. Most houses for sale are from the mid-to-late 20th century, with construction spanning from the mid-19th century through the early 2000s.
Along the town’s country roads, single-family homes are secluded on multi-acre lots, with space for outbuildings, like stables and barns. Historic farmhouses typically feature wood siding and detached garages, whereas newer ranch-style homes often include attached garages and red-brick exteriors. In the hamlets, Colonial- and farmhouse-inspired homes are set closer together along sidewalk-lined streets with manicured lawns and covered porches, creating a more suburban feel. Along Lake Ontario, waterfront homes offer picturesque views and additions like decks and docks. Late 20th-century manufactured homes are also available, set in neighborhoods like Ridgeview Manufactured Home Community, with simple vinyl siding and attached carports.
Most single-family homes range from $100,000 to $350,000. However, manufactured homes are priced between $30,000 and $130,000, and larger properties cost between $350,000 and $740,000. The median sale price is $220,000, lower than the national median.
Boat, beach and play in Olcott
Newfane is lush throughout, but Olcott features many of the community’s most popular attractions, like Krull Park. “It’s a beautiful place to picnic,” Gifford says. The waterfront park is set along the soft-sand Olcott Beach, and features playgrounds, a splash park and lots of sports, including softball, basketball and tennis. Lifeguards are posted at the beach for summer swimming, and in the winter, there are ice skating rinks. Eighteen Mile Creek flows through Olcott into Lake Ontario, which Gifford says is known for its salmon fishing. Newfane Marina provides a boat launch. Nearby, the Olcott Beach Carousel Park features an early 20th-century carousel and other historic kids’ rides — all of which cost a quarter to ride.
Fresh produce, quick bites and the Lakeview Village Shoppes
Most of Newfane’s shopping and dining are centered in its hamlets. In Newfane, Bill’s Diner serves classic American comfort food, including hot coffee and strawberry pancakes, while family-owned Wilson’s Pizza Shop offers quick slices, subs and specialties such as pizza bagels. The Brookside provides a relaxed atmosphere for regional favorites, like beef on weck — thinly sliced roast beef with horseradish on a kummelweck roll. Nearby, the Open Air Bar is a popular evening hangout for cold beer and live music. The area also has several small businesses, including a barbershop, a bait and tackle shop and a Tops grocery store.
Over in Olcott, the Lakeview Village Shoppes are open each summer, offering a mix of boutique shopping and beachside treats. Gift Box at the Beach sells souvenirs, while Walden Willow’s Boutique features women’s clothing. Brownie’s Custard Stand is a sweet spot for ice cream, serving inventive flavors like peanut butter s’mores and cinnamon bun. For a caffeine fix, Dragonfly Express-O brews gourmet coffee from Hawaiian beans. “People like to walk in there and grab a coffee or espresso as they’re shopping,” Gifford says.
Outside the hamlets, the countryside is dotted with farms and wineries, including Chateau Niagara Winery, known for its estate-grown red wines, and Hiller’s Sweet Corn Farm Market, which sells fresh produce and artisan-made goods.
Dual-enrollment opportunities at Newfane High
Newfane is part of the Newfane Central School District, rated B by Niche. Kids may start at the B-rated Newfane Elementary before moving to Newfane Middle and Newfane High — both are rated B-minus. At the latter, teens may take dual-enrollment courses for credit at SUNY Niagara.
Celebrating pirates and apples
Newfane has a busy community calendar. In July, the Pirates Festival, hosted by the Olcott Fire Company, brings swashbuckling fun to Krull Park, like treasure hunts and the pirate costume contest. The Apple Harvest Festival in September is another highlight, celebrating the fall season with pies, popcorn and plenty more. “There are lots of demonstrations going on about blacksmithing … there’s farm equipment and there’s usually live music … and a flea market,” Gifford says. There are also holiday celebrations throughout the year, such as December's Newfane Light Up Parade on Main Street.
State Route 78 and the nearest hospital and airport
While the hamlets are lined with sidewalks, residents generally drive to get around. State Route 78 passes through town, providing connecting access to Buffalo. Lockport Memorial Hospital is 11 miles away, and Buffalo Niagara International Airport is a 28-mile drive.
