Located on the shores of beautiful Chautauqua Lake, Midway State Park is a family treasure. Originally established in 1898 as a trolley park, Midway State Park is one of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the nation. The first owners of the park constructed playing fields, tennis courts, bath houses and a dance hall to entice customers to ride the trolley on weekends. In 1915, a new building was constructed with a kitchen, a large dining room and space for dancing and roller skating. Today, this building is home to a museum, gift shop, concession stands and other facilities.
Midway State Park continues to offer the same family-friendly atmosphere that visitors have come to love. Patrons can take a nostalgic ride on the vintage carousel, play a game of mini golf, take a spin on the tilt-a-whirl and ride the go-karts or watch their children enjoy themselves on the many kiddie rides. And, while some may prefer to relax while enjoying an old fashioned candy apple or cotton candy, others can test their skills at classic midway games, or stretch their legs on the playground.
Several picnic shelters are available for family reunions and company picnics. Accessible by the waters of Chautauqua Lake, Midway also is a great place for fishing and free docking is offered for day visitors.
Look and listen for these birds at Midway State Park: Black Tern, Bonaparte's Gull, Canvasback, Common Loon, Hooded Merganser, Lesser Yellowlegs, Pied-billed Grebe, Tundra Swan
