Buffalo NY is a livable city at it has manageable traffic vs. other cities with constant traffic jams, low cost of living, lots to do – music, theater, sports, art – and a proximity to Toronto and Canada. This is BoredomMD.com’s list of the ten best things to do in Buffalo.
1. Niagara Falls
a. American Side – Cave of the Winds, Maid of the Mist, Terrapin Point,Lewiston Jetboat
b. Canadian Side – Views- Can also visit Niagara on the Lake- Wineries
c. Fireworks and Illumination – Firework are cancelled for 2022 so far. The Illumination Schedule for 2022 is around 5-6pm to 1am.
2. Basilica – Our Lady of Victory in Lackawana (suburb of Buffalo) – 767 Ridge Road. This church rivals those of Europe and it is architecturally amazing. There are guided tours every Sunday at 1 and 2pm and the tours begin at a sign in the main foyer. FREE. You do not have to be religious to enjoy the tour.
3. Letchworth State Park – Castile, NY – Known as the Grand Canyon of the East, it is beautiful with three major waterfalls, 600 foot cliffs and terrific views. You can view the canyon by car or there are numerous hiking trails plus snow tubing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, camping and seasonally you can enjoy The Glen Iris Inn for meals or overnight stays- closed for the winter.
4. Canalside – No longer offers live music concerts in the summer but has craft fairs, kid events, kayaking, water bicycles, sailing and tours of the river and silos. There are views of the Buffalo River and Lake Erie and you can walk along paved trails at the waterfront with views of the lighthouse (which you can also visit on the other side). There is also Explore and More Children’s Museum, a Carrousel and events.
You can also visit the Naval Park (open except from December-March) and see the USS Little Rock, USS Croaker submarine and the USS Sullivan. Adults are $18, Kids 5 to 17 at $12,seniors are $15, veterans are 13 and 4 and under are free.. the Naval Park is America’s largest inland naval park. Open in May 2022 to end of September. There is also a new Maritime Longshed Museum.
5. Museums – Three we would recommend are:
a. Albright Knox Art Museum – New addition will be open in late summer, 2023 and the rest of the museum is open including the new atrium. 1285 Elmwood Avenue.
b. Pierce Arrow Museum- Antique Autos. 263 Michigan Avenue, Buffalo. Open on Wednesday to Sunday
c. Frank Lloyd Wright – Martin House at 125 Jewett Parkway and Graycliff – 6472 Old Lake Shore Road, Derby NY. Tours, etc.
6. Food-Restaurants
a. Wings and Beef on a Weck (a bun with salt on top) – Bar Bills at 185 Main Street East Aurora, Duffs – three locations – 3651 Sheridan Road, Amherst, 550 Dick Road, Depew and Eastern Hills Mall – 4545 Transit Road, Nine-Eleven Tavern – 911 Bloomfield, and Anchor Bar – 104 Main (invented here)
b. More casual but awesome authentic Chinese food- inexpensive – Home Taste on Delaware Ave.
c. Hutchs – 1375 Elmwood – $$$ but very good
d. Suburbs – Ricks on Main and Roycroft Inn in East Aurora; Mangia and Davids in Orchard Park
e. Fish Fries – Buffalo has a huge Catholic population, therefore, Fish Fries are very popular on Fridays. Everywhere has them.
7. Silo City Grain Elevators – 100 Childs Street. Take a tour and learning their history is very, very interesting and fascinating and not something you will not see in many cities in the US. Explorebuffalo.org has tours of the silos and many other areas. Live music at Duende at Silo City.
8. Niagara Wine Trail.org – Throughout the year they have events that are fun and affordable.
9. Shopping – For malls – Galleria Mall, Vidlers 5&10 in East Aurora, Hertel Avenue, Elmwood Avenue near Lancaster St.
10. Events (most are affected by covid restrictions except Becker Farms)
a. Food – Buffalo has a Taste of Buffalo (July 2023) and the suburbs also have food festivals. Buffalo Wing Festival- September 2022, Italian Festival.
b. Music – Outer Harbor and Artpark have major music concerts outdoors. The Lewiston Jazz Festival, Buffalo Irish Festival at the Outer Harbor and Italian Festival on Hertel, Blues Festival at Artpark.
c. Walks – Canalside and the Outer Harbor offer walking and bicycling trails. Hiking at Reinstein, Chestnut Ridge or Delaware Park. And, Letchworth.
d. Sports – The Buffalo Bills and then for hockey there is the Sabres, and baseball, Bisons
e. In the fall Pumpkinville and Becker Farms are fun. Plus, in late summer blueberry picking.
f. Art Festivals -There are two major art festivals- Allentown and Elmwood. Suburbs also have art festivals.
g. Erie County Fair – always fun. August, 2023
h. BoredomMD.com – offers key events updated daily
