It was gorgeous — full of charm and character, the kind of place that reminds you why you travel in the first place.
The building’s story starts in 1867, when brothers Robert and John Cameron decided Owego needed a hotel, investing in what became known as the Exchange Hotel and hiring Irish immigrant Hugh Dugan to manage it. Dugan eventually purchased the property and renamed it the Dugan House — a name that lives on in the restaurant today. The inn was restored to its former glory as a hotel in 2019, and now features nine rooms decorated with a historic theme. It’s also earned a spot on New York State’s Haunted History Trail, which is either a reason to visit or a reason to sleep with the lights on — your call.
When I went downstairs for dinner, and the room became just the opening act.
The restaurant inside the Parkview Inn is doing serious work. I started with the French onion soup — deep, savory, the kind of soup that takes time to make right and clearly did. Then the rattlesnake shrimp hit the table. I wasn’t fully prepared for how much heat it carried. That’s a compliment.
The closer was the house-made chicken pot pie. When a restaurant makes something from scratch, you can usually tell — and this one wore it plainly. It was comforting without being boring, the kind of dish that works on every level.
A huge thank you to Experience Tioga for bringing me down to explore everything this region has to offer, and to The Summit Federal Credit Union for sponsoring Eat Local New York Restaurant Week (April 13–26, 2026). If you haven’t checked out the participating restaurants yet, head to our Restaurant Week page to find a spot near you.
