Adventures in Afton

What might initially seem like a sleepy little town, is alive with talent and opportunities!

Attractions & Events

From artisans (jewelers, painters, sculptures, wood workers) to musicians (folk, acoustic, country, fusion, jazz and rock) to world-class culinary chefs, all in Afton!  Events the entire family will enjoy include: the 4-day Afton Fair; 2-day Afton Arts & Crafts Festival showcasing all hand-made items, bands and Classic cars; stock car racing; parades; horse shows; community-wide yard sale days; movie nights; the Afton Free Library and Historical Museum; plays; Easter egg hunts; and indoor miniature golf. Dine at the Main Street Grill and Bakery, Henry’s Drive-In Diner, Gavin’s Pizzeria; The River Club Restaurant; and the monthly VFW Post’s All You Can Eat Breakfasts!

Outdoors for Every Season!

If you love the outdoors – you will love Afton!   Afton Golf Course is considered world-class, drawing players from all over to its fairways. The Dawson brothers, David and Guy, are Class A PGA Professionals. Beautifully surrounded by over 12,000 combined acres for sporting recreation, State Forests (Arctic-china State Land, Melondy Hill State Forest, Oak Ridge State Forest and Bumps Creek State Forest), the Susquehanna River (with boat launch next to the bridge), streams, creeks and ponds, Afton is a remarkable haven!  Pick your adventure: archaeology; bicycling; birding; camping; canoeing; cross-country skiing; fishing; horseback lessons; hunting; ice fishing; kayaking; photography; snowmobiling; swimming; tubing … Enjoy: Davies Field, the Little League Park in the Village; Liggett Park, a preschool playground for young children; Eastside Park; and Foster Park with the original gazebo. 

Shopping for Treasures?

Whatever you’re looking for… you will find it here… Antiques, art, books by local authors, candles, eggs, greeting cards and gifts, hardware, home-canned goods, honey, incense, maple products, gourmet mushrooms, soaps, spices, and more!

Interesting Facts…

The Susquehanna River is geologically considered to be the oldest major river system in the world. It is older than the Nile (30 million years old). This entire region has been inhabited for about 14,000 years, so there are Native American artifacts in abundance, for amateur archaeologists to uncover. What is now the Town of Afton was purchased from the Oneida Indian Tribe in 1787, renamed Jericho in 1791, then changed to Bainbridge in 1814. In 1857 South Bainbridge became a separate town and was renamed to Afton.  Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon religion, was married on what is now the Afton Fairgrounds. In the 2020 census, Afton village recorded 796 residents and the Town approx. 2,800. Education is the largest employer, with pride in Afton Central School for both athletics and scholastics.

Welcome to Afton…. exit 7 off I-88, State Route 41.

by Sheryl Roush, April 2022