1. Soldiers and Sailors Monument
2. Orleans County Courthouse
3. Watt Fruit Company
4. Ridge Road Station
5. Veronica's Tea Room
6. Brown's Berry Patch
7. Orleans County Marine Park
8. Point Breeze

LAKE COUNTRY TOUR

From Thruway Exit 48 take Route 98 about 18 miles to downtown Albion, turning east on Route 31 to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on the grounds of the Mount Albion Cemetery. This is a beautifully landscaped and terraced National Register Historic Site with over 30,000 grave sites dating back to the Civil War. Venture up the spiral staircase to the top of the Monument for a panoramic view of the Ontario lake plain. Tours of the cemetery are available in the summer and fall.

As you leave Mount Albion, turn left onto Route 31 and return to the village of Albion. Turn right on Route 98 north. View the silver-domed, 1858 Orleans County Courthouse and note your crossing over the Erie Canal. Just north of Albion, near the "five corners" intersection, Watt Fruit Company offers fresh fruit, a train ride in the orchard, a country gift shop, a playground, ice cream shop, and 25 flavors of fudge. Continue north to the intersection with Route 104, where you will turn right and travel about six miles to the Ridge Road Station and Christmas Store, a toy train store and more. The Station has one of the largest inventories of LGB locomotives and rolling stock in the country, with a 3,000-foot G gauge track layout. The 7,000 square foot Christmas shop is open year round, and offers limited edition collectibles and ornaments. Sip a free cup of coffee as you wander the store.

Retrace your steps on Route 104 to Route 98 and turn right to "The Bridges" a New England style fishing hamlet. Cross the small bridge to Veronica's Tea Room for Victorian high tea. Continue west to Route 18 to Brown's Berry Patch. This working fruit farm is a great place to enjoy lunch, pick your own berries, or visit the farm animals. Brown's also offers a farm market, bakery, ice cream shop, country gift shop, and children's play area.

When you leave, turn right on Route 18, take a quick left back to The Bridges, and head north on Point Breeze Road for a stop at Orleans County Marine Park at the Parkway overpass. Stretch your legs and enjoy a view of the Oak Orchard River Gorge from the paved walkways along the rim, or watch the sailboats from the floating walkway on the river. If you have time, continue north to the coastal hamlet of Point Breeze and take in a romantic Lake Ontario sunset while walking along the jetties. End your day at a quaint bed and breakfast inn or a comfortable lakeside cottage.