Getting there
The nearest airport to Lily Dale is Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Flight time is nine hours from the UK direct, a return ticket costs from £600. You can hire a car at the airport or take the Line 204 bus directly from Buffalo airport to Lily Dale, which takes three and a half hours and will cost you somewhere between £10 and £22.
To enter Lily Dale, you’ll need a gate pass, available at the gates, which costs from $15 (£12) for 24 hours or $9 (£7) or an evening.
Where to stay
Lily Dale has numerous guest houses and hotels. The two main hotels are The Maplewood Hotel and The Leolyn Hotel. Prices start at a reasonable $50 (£38.30) per person, per night and you can book online. There is also a campsite if you’re on a budget.
Where to eat
Monika’s Delites, by Melrose Park, serves fabulous homemade fritters, sandwiches, salads and cakes all day. Or after a morning’s exploring, head to Lucy’s Coffee Shop, on Cleveland Avenue for a hot chocolate and homemade pastry. The Sunflower Café, on Melrose Park, is the place to go for a full American breakfast or brunch.
What to do
Take a trip to the Forest Temple where messages are delivered daily by the town’s resident and visiting mediums, or follow the Fairy Trail through the woods and keep your eyes open for fairy houses and gnome statues that have been dotted along the route. Stop off at the Healing Temple, home to Lily Dale Spiritualist Church, for some quiet meditation. Tie a ribbon to the Prayer Tree for your loved ones in spirit - both people and animals. Walk The Pilgrim’s Path, a specially constructed maze for contemplation.