Greater Niagara region full of scenery, history

Treat your taste buds to some quality wines, take in a jazz concert or museum exhibit, then take a hike or just explore some quality scenery. It's all in western New York state, and there are plenty of Web guides to help you find your way.

Between lakes Erie and Ontario, the Buffalo area -- www.buffalocvb.org/home.html -- has things to entertain you and places to stay -- and an airport if you're not driving into the region. Look under "Sports and Recreation" for information on the Bills and Sabres, plus horse racing and drag strips. Save some time to explore the city itself; click on "Architecture" to learn about stately homes and the city's parks.

Other places to see

For places to see outside the city, click on "Attractions" to reach "Driving Tours." They'll guide you all over the place: along the Erie Canal, southwestward along the Erie shore, to gardens and museums, and to historical sites.

Take a quick look at the scenery by visiting Buffalo.com -- www.buffalo.com/ -- and looking for the Web Cams of Buffalo and the nearby Niagara Falls area.

The falls complex is Niagara Falls State Park -- www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/ -- the nation's oldest state park. Click on "Gallery of the Falls" for pictures. And be sure to hit "Related Links" to find your way to the local Convention & Visitors Bureau, with its information for visitors, and the Maid of the Mist boat ride.

Then head out into the countryside of the Greater Niagara Region -- www.greaterniagara.com/ -- a five-county area full of scenery, history, and places to relax.

Southwest of Buffalo, relax and exercise your mind at the Chautauqua Institution -- www.chautauqua-inst.org/ -- the famous not-for-profit educational center established in 1874

The center is located in Chautauqua County -- www.tourchautauqua.com/ -- home of parks, beaches, camping, hiking and fishing, plus art galleries and places to dine and spend the night.

Chautauqua County is part of the Chautauqua-Allegheny tourism region -- www.chautauqua-allegheny.org/ -- which also includes Cattaraugus and Allegany counties, which have more places to explore.

One of the gems of western New York is the Finger Lakes region, holding 11 long, glacier-carved lakes. Finger Lakes Tourism -- www.fingerlakes.org/ -- is chock full of information on the lakes, seasonal activities, historic sites, recreation and the more than 70 wineries in the area. There's even a list of boat launch sites on the lakes.

Click on Destinations for an interactive map that will take you to counties and cities in the region, with links to Web sites. Wineries, you asked? Uncork New York -- www.nywine.com/ -- is a guide to vineyards all over the state.

Swing up to Rochester -- www.visitrochester.com/ -- where the "Things to Do" include a visit to the George Eastman House, home of the founder of Kodak and a photographic museum. And if your schedule allows it, take in the Rocherster Jazz Festival -- www.rochesterjazz.com/ -- June 5-14.