Midway State Park - Maple Springs, New York - traditional amusement park in western New York

Midway State Park was originally created to be a tourist attraction, encouraging people to ride the rails. The Jamestown & Lake Erie Railway built the picnic grove in 1898, and also offered a baseball diamond, dance hall, dining area, and beach. They also built a concessions stand over the next few decades and began to add more attractions to bring visitors to this area. Today, the park is recognized as one of the oldest amusement parks in the United Stats, and it is also the fifth-oldest trolley park in the country.

New York State owns Midway State Park. It was transferred to the New York State Parks system in 2006 after being operated by the Walsh family for many decades. The park has over 20 rides, as well as a number of other attractions, and has drawn a number of celebrities over the past 100+ years, including Lucille Ball, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr.

Most of the rides at Midway State Park are made especially for children. The Dragon, a roller coaster, is especially popular for all ages. Other rides found at this amusement park include bumper boats, a fun slide, a carousel, helicopters, a whip, a tilt-a-whirl, a train, tugboats with paddles, and a miniature roller coaster. The park also has a climbing wall, miniature golf, go-karts, and a water attraction called Water Wars, where guests try to get each other wet.

Many of the original structures of the park as still found there today. The original kitchen and dining hall now houses a museum for the area and a gift shop. They have a number of foods that were traditionally offered to guests, including candy apples, as well as classic midway games that have been part of this park for decades.

Along with amusement park attractions, Midway State Park offers guests the chance to enjoy time on the water. The park borders Chautauqua Lake and has free docks for guests, as well as areas for fishing. Unlike many amusement parks, this park also allows pets, as long as they are kept on a leach and the owner has proof of rabies inoculation. There are picnic shelters along the banks of Chautauqua Lake, which are available for rental.

Midway State Park is open daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. During June, the park's rides and games are open only Wednesday through Sunday, with limited hours. Operating times vary depending on the day, month, and weather. To learn more about the park's hours of operation and costs, guests can call 716-386-3165.