Things To Do
Niagara Falls State Park
Niagara Falls is 25-minutes from downtown buffalo. The U.S. side consists of a state park with paths along the river and falls and observation decks. Bring your passport - the view is better from the Canadian side. And if you don't mind the lines or getting wet, the Maid of the Mist is worth it, too. If you make the trip to the falls, it may also be worth to visit Old Fort Niagara (where the river meets Lake Ontario) and/or hike to the Whirlpool (see the entry below for more on that).
Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House
A 1905 house designed by Frank LLoyd Wright back when Buffalo had the most millionaires per capita of any American city. These particular millionaires later lost everything in the crash of 1929 and abandoned the house, but it's been restored and you can tour it. Make reservations in advance. Fans of Frank LLoyd Wright should also consider visiting Graycliff, another house he designed 25 minutes west of Buffalo on a cliff overlooking Lake Erie. You'll likely need a reservation here, too. Visitors to Graycliff might consider going to nearby Bennett beach, too (see below for more on that).
Elmwood Village
This is a walkable part of the city with restaurants and shops. Check out Talking Leaves Bookstore, Revolver Records, Lexington Co-op (for groceries), Overwinter Coffee, and more. Lots of pretty houses around here, too, or walk over to Delaware for the robber baron mansions.
Allen Street
Find Gabriel's Gate here. Allen Burger Venture for decent burgers (and outdoor seating). Billy Club for cocktails. Lots of other options for eating and drinking, too. "Full of Victorian houses, Allentown centers on mural-splashed Allen Street, with its hip eateries, quirky bars, and galleries. Tours of Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site, an 1800s mansion, include history exhibits and the library where the 26th president took the oath of office. The Gothic Revival St. Louis Church is known for its ornate spire, and Trinity Episcopal Church has stained glass by Tiffany and La Farge."
Delaware Park
From the website: In the late 1800s, visionary citizens brought Olmsted to Buffalo. It was here that Olmsted, inspired by Joseph Ellicott’s radial street layout, designed his first system of parks and parkways, and proclaimed Buffalo to be “the best designed city in the country, if not the world.” During the 1901 Pan American Exposition, Buffalo was celebrated not only as the City of Light, but the City of Trees. The largest of the Olmsted parks in Buffalo, Olmsted predicted that Delaware Park was destined to take a “distinguished position among the parks of the world.” Known as many Buffalonians’ favorite Olmsted park, it is also nationally recognized; it was named one of the Great Places in America by the American Planning Association in 2014 and one of the top 10 parks in the world by The Guardian in 2015.
Albright-Knox Northland
Buffalo's famed art museum is closed for renovations. We're hopeful that it may be open again by June, but in the meantime they are putting on shows at a second location on the East Side.
Whirlpool State Park
Our favorite hike in the area. Take the Devil's Hole stairs down to the Niagara River and follow it to the Niagara Whirlpool (http://www.infoniagara.com/attractions/Attractions-Niagara-USA/Niagara-Whirlpool.aspx). Follow it just past the bend overlooking the whirlpool and you'll find rocky flats where you can hang out by the rapids. The whole hike is five miles long. The stairs to-and-from the river are steep, and there are a lot of them. The hike by the river itself is (fairly) flat. Wear good shoes, bring water, and consider bringing a picnic to enjoy by the river.
Tifft Nature Preserve
Excellent place for a nature walk - you'll see birds and deer and silos off in the distance. Views of the lake from the park's manmade hills.
Buffalo River History Tours
The Silo City Tour is worth it! We haven't been on the other ones, but we do recommend getting out on the lake if you can.
Buffalo Central Terminal / Broadway Market
Buffalo Central Terminal - large Art Deco former railroad station that is now abandoned. Worth driving past on your way to or from Broadway Market (999 Broadway), where you'll find "forty vendors available year round offering a wide range of food, goods, and services." Both are located in the Broadway-Filmore district, historically the Polish center of Buffalo, now home to new generations of immigrants.
Woodlawn Beach State Park / Bennett Beach
Woodlawn is the closest beach to Buffalo for checking out the lake. There may be an odd local party vibe here. Locals swim in Lake Erie as long as there are no water advisories. Neil has his doubts. But it's worth it for the view. There's another beach called Bennett Beach half an hour away. This beach is more of a "nature beach," as Katie calls it. It may make sense to combine a visit to Bennett with a visit to Frank LLoyd Wright's Graycliff conservancy - see the entry on the Martin House above for more on that.
Eternal Flame Falls
Nice one-hour hike (roundtrip) along a creek to a waterfall with an 'eternal flame' behind it. Drive is 30 mins south of Buffalo. The hike is steep in places as you go down to the creek, but not overly strenuous.
Burchfield Penney Art Center
"The Burchfield Penney Art Center's collection spans from the early 19th century through today and includes the world's largest collection of work by American master Charles E. Burchfield (1893–1967), as well as an extensive archive that contains the artist's journals, which provide unique insight into his style and process. The collection also includes work from more than 800 other artists who, like Burchfield, are indelibly connected to Buffalo and the Western New York region."
Elbert Hubbard Roycroft Museum
"In the first decade of the 20th Century, Elbert Hubbard launched a career as a writer, philosopher, orator, publisher, and founder of the Roycroft--one of America's, most successful Arts and Crafts communities...On the docent-led tour of the Elbert Hubbard Roycroft Museum, you’ll learn more about the eccentric and accomplished life of Elbert Hubbard, as well as the Roycroft Arts & Crafts Movement. The tour lasts about one hour.
Canalside
"Canalside is at the heart of downtown Buffalo's waterfront revitalization. Located at the 1825 terminus of the Erie Canal, the site's storied history is just as exciting as its future! Canalside hosts hundreds of events throughout the year, many of which are free or low cost to the public."
LaSalle Park
Buffalo's largest waterfront park. They're currently renovating the park, but it's still a nice place for a walk or run.
The Dapper Goose
Great option for those looking for something a little nicer than wings or burgers. It's a small space (with a patio), so you may want to make a reservation a week or two in advance.
Waxlight Bar a Vin
Go for the wine, stay for the food.
Wings at Gabriel's Gate
Best Wings in Buffalo. The beef on weck is pretty good, too. Can get busy Friday nights, so make a reservation or go for lunch. Duffs and Anchor Bar ("The Original") are good, too.
BreadHive Bakery & Cafe
Worker Co-Op with excellent bread, sandwiches, pretzels, cookies, etc. The bagels are fine. No promises, Jersey.
Butter Block / Remedy House
Butter Block for the best breakfast pastries in Western New York. Remedy House, across the street, has a longer menu. Paradise Wine is an excellent wine shop that's right next door to Remedy House.
West Side Bazaar
" The Bazaar has food kiosks featuring Burmese, Chinese, Ethiopian, Japanese, Malaysian, South Sudanese, and Thai cuisines, and sweet baked goods; and five retail kiosks selling items from Africa, Burma, India, Iraq, Korea, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand."
Rust Belt Books
Excellent used bookstore. Say hi to Kristi. We hear she's selling the shop, but it's still there for now.
Fitz Books and Waffles
No relation, but this is a great small bookstore where you can also get waffles. Say hi to Aaron.
Fry Baby Donut Co.
Get your vegan donuts here.
Phở Dollar
Solid pho
La Nova
Good Buffalo-style pizza (think halfway between NY and Chicago). Locals order it well done with ("cup and char-style") pepperoni. You can just say pepperoni. Get the bbq pit wings, too.
Community Beer Works
Probably the best brewery in Buffalo. A nice space to hang out just a few blocks from our house.
Electric Avenue
Solid dive bar downtown. Other dive bars (not downtown) worth considering - Essex St. Pub, Rohall's.
Resurgence Brewing Company
Big new facility with indoor/outdoor seating. Central Rock Gym is next door, if that's yr thing.
Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve
"Penn Dixie — a global geological treasure — is ranked as the #1 fossil park in the U.S. in a 2011 scientific study. At the site of a former cement quarry in Hamburg, NY, our visitors can collect and keep Devonian Period fossils including trilobites." Another geologic oddity in the area is Rock City in Olean, with a number of unusual boulder formations as a result of the region not having been razed by glaciers in the last ice age. Other state parks nearby (like Allegany and Rock City State Park) have similar formations: http://www.rockcitypark.com/
Kazoo Boutique Gift Shop, Museum & Factory
"The Original American Kazoo Company was established in 1916 as the first metal kazoo factory and is the only metal kazoo factory in North America. The museum highlights history, amusing trivia, and shows step by step the way kazoos are made. Kazoos of all shapes and sizes are permanently displayed in the museum. Our collection chronicles the history of kazoos as well as the factory. Display cases contain several types of wooden kazoos, liquor bottle shaped kazoos that celebrated the end of prohibition, antique kazoo instruments, silver and gold kazoos, and many more." Kazoo Gift Shop
Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
Historic carousel factory from 1910 where you can ride historic carousels and learn about the making of carousels and music rolls.
Buffalo Transportation Pearce Arrow Museum
"Antique autos, bikes & motorcycles highlight the history of transportation in western New York."
Buffalo City Hall
Remarkable 32-story Art Deco building was completed in 1931 by Dietel, Wade & Jones. Sometimes (M-F, 830-4) possible to take the elevator to the top for views of the city and the lake.
Erie Basin Marina
Another Place for a view of the lake.
Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes region is located two hours from Buffalo, roughly on the route to the NYC area, and is an excellent option for anyone looking to extend their trip. We have a lot of recommendations for wineries, towns, hikes, places to stay, etc. Please reach out.
Niagara-on-the-Lake / Niagara Wine Country (Canada)
Another good option for those looking to stay longer, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario is 45 minutes from Buffalo. It's a cute town in the middle of the Niagara Peninsula wine country. It also has a summer theater festival.