A Summer Visit to Granville, New York
Written by Granville Community Member, Gael Motz
First, check-in to one of the cutest accommodations in the area, The Station House B&B, a classic railroad building styled in Victorian decor. Check out our full list of Granville, New York accommodations here.
Then, get ready to explore the town with a classic cafe breakfast at the Pine Grove Diner. Their menu includes classic homestyle breakfast & lunch fare, and is a favorite among locals.
Whether you have a bike or walk, a good starting point is the parking area at the Slate Valley Museum. Alongside the Mettowee River, this is Granville's cultural campus, with 2 adjacent museums - the Slate Valley Museum and The Pember Museum of Natural History.
At the Slate Valley Museum, you can learn about the geology and quarrying industry, plus the history of the many immigrant groups that contributed to the Slate Industry. Granville has earned the title “Colored Slate Capital of the World” for its distinctive red slate prized worldwide for its brilliant color.
Then walk across the pedestrian-only covered bridge to The Pember Library and Museum of Natural History. The Pember Library and Museum were established in Granville, New York, in 1909 by Franklin Tanner Pember and his wife Ellen Wood Pember. The Pember Library is housed on the first floor of the marble structure and the Pember Museum of Natural History is located on the second floor. An elevator is available to access the library and museum, which houses thousands of specimen - including animals, insects, an impressive collection of eggs, and other historical and natural history objects.
Take a left from the Pember Library and walk around the historic district to the Veteran’s Memorial Park to see fine examples of Victorian Regency architecture. Highlights are the E.R. Norton House, aka The Granville Manor, an event venue, and the Pember Home, a beautiful second-empire home next to the park that has recently been restored.
Bring your bicycle or walking shoes for an easy tour along the Granville section of the Delaware and Hudson Rail trail, with scenic overlooks along the Mettowee River.
On a sunny day, head across the Rail Trail bridge to enjoy a picnic in the Mettowee Park, where you will find pickleball courts, picnic areas, and walking trails. You can wade in the river that gives the park its name or collect pebbles on the small beach. The slate colors shine in the clear cool water of the Mettowee River.
Evenings will offer several great dining choices along Main Street. Slate Town Brewing and On the Rocks offer fresh pub fare downtown. Bernardo’s 5 offers classic Italian and American dishes just around the corner on Church Street. Indulge Pizza and Miley E’s Pizza offer pizzas and apps for more casual dining.
