Buffalo’s Best Attractions: What to See and Do

“You’ll always know your neighbor, you’ll always know your pal if you’ve ever navigated on the Erie Canal.” I learned the Erie Canal song early on. When you travel to Buffalo often you know that there is much more to the city than Niagara Falls. One of these is the terminus for the Erie Canal. Buffalo is seeing a resurgence and people are coming to see what she has to offer.

Canalside

The revitalized Canalside holds something for everyone. This area is where the Erie Canal terminated into the river. The city has created a beautiful space to enjoy the water and other attractions. Besides green space, you can see a historic carousel and even take a spine, a newly reopened children’s Museum - Explore & More, and the Longshed, where a replica of the Erie Canal boat Seneca Chief was built. One of my favorite places to visit at Canalside is the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park. Comprised of 3 decommissioned naval vessels, this naval park gives visitors a chance to see where some of our veterans lived and worked and learn about who some of these vessels are named for. The park is seasonal and the ships close during the cold months, which is longer in Buffalo than other places. If you are able to experience this naval park, just remember to watch your head.

Also located in Canalside are the Buffalo Boat Tours. Buffalo was once the largest grain port in the world. This tour takes you past the vast silos that still line the river, sharing the history of how these structures and the people who worked there, shaped the city. After the tour view the terminus of the Erie Canal and what archeology has uncovered about this project, that helped connect people and goods to the rest of the country.

Presidential History

The youngest person to ever serve as president was unexpectedly inaugurated at the Ansley Wilcox House at 641 Delaware Ave in Buffalo. This historic site is now preserved as the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site. The museum has an exhibit on the Pan-American Exposition where President William McKinley was shot. After the President died, Teddy Roosevelt, as the Vice-President, took the oath of office to become the President of the United States. An interactive reproduction of Roosevelt’s Presidential office show different parts of his presidency that started at 641 Delaware Ave.

Not Just Natural Wonders

The majesty of Niagara Falls can overwhelm you when thinking about going to Buffalo. But it might surprise you to find out that 2 examples from a famous architect are located here. The Martin House and Graycliff, both owned and built for Darwin D. Martin, where designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

The Martin House in North Buffalo completed renovations & reconstruction of the property a few years ago. The complex is an example of Wright’s Prairie School era. He referred to the Wright House as “the opus”, keeping the site plan for nearly 50 years on his drawing table. The Martins and Frank Lloyd Wright became friends. Twenty years after building the house in Buffalo, Wright designed Graycliff, a summer estate for Darwin and Isabella Martin on Lake Erie about 17 miles from Buffalo.

Travel Tip - Book in advance

These two properties are run by separate non-profits. They have come together to create a tour that combines both estates, but these are limited. For whatever reason, if that tour does not fit your plans, you can view them separately. Both places require you to take a guided tour to view inside the buildings and strongly recommend booking in advance, especially Graycliff. If architecture, the history of Buffalo, or Frank Lloyd Wright interest you, these estates are worth visiting. With the Martin House in Buffalo it is easy to get to if you don’t have time to drive 25 minutes out of the city to Graycliff.

Back to Nature

One thing I love about botanical gardens is the ability to see local plants and flowers alongside specimens from places you’ve never been. The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens got its start back in 1869, when the city wanted to create a parks system and commissioned Fredrick Law Olmstead to design the system. Olmstead had previously designed Central Park in NYC. The botanical gardens structure is based off glasshouses that were popular in London, England. Renovated in the 2010’s, the gardens various exhibits take you on a journey from a rainforest to a desert just by walking into a different room. It’s a great place to visit no matter the weather. Either with sun shining through the glass or viewing the vibrant colors as rain creates a melody above. Make sure to check their calendar for the day of your visit, they often have events, classes or specific activities for kids that you might want to plan on.