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.
Day Trips Near Buffalo, NY: Adventure Awaits Just a Short Drive Away
Buffalo is a great base for day trips in two different countries. Interspersed with your of Buffalo (Click here for ideas) you can add in a day trip or 2 for nearby towns and sights. Here are 2 of my favorites.
Travel Tip - Don’t just stick to Niagara Falls
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Only about 30 miles from Buffalo is the wonder of Niagara Falls. On its own it could be a half of day trip, but why not add a stop and make a day of it. Niagara-on-the-Lake is 50 mins from Buffalo and 30 mins from Niagara Falls. Located on Lake Erie you can see Toronto across its shores. This town is known for its George Bernard Shaw Festival, beautiful flowers, in the streets and its British like appearance. You will need a passport as Niagara-on-the-Lake is in Canada.
If you would like some local baked goods or food gifts, on your way to Niagara-on-the-Lake stop at Walker’s Country Market. I would recommend their date bars and butter tarts. Besides baked goods there are also local jams, honey, syrups and the like. If you buy the fresh produce, you must eat it before crossing back over the border.
Niagara-on-the-Lake has a very British feel. Several shops sell items from the UK and Ireland. The Prince of Wales hotel has a beautiful interior and the on-site restaurant has an afternoon tea. Walk down the streets taking in the beautiful flowers and gardens, stopping in at the stores that catch your eye. If you are feeling hungry, I love Niagara Home Bakery. I also have fond memories from childhood of the hotdog at the Stagecoach restaurant. Its a fun place to visit as a family. Off the main street you can walk by the architecture of the town on your way down to the lake. You cant bring your baked goods and snacks from your walk and have a nice picnic.
Also close by is Fort George, built by the British in the War of 1812. You can see its American counterpart, Fort Niagara across the border. Both provide their respective positions on the history of the region and are fun places for kids and adults to learn.
Geneseo and Letchworth Park
Geneseo is the seat of Livingstone count and a college town. Originally a Normal College (the name for a teacher’s college) the college is now a campus of SUNY (State University of New York). Its a great stop on your way to or back from Letchworth Park. Enjoy a walk down main street past the bear statue in the middle of the street. There are shops to stop in and peruse. The Big Tree Inn is a beloved historic landmark. Built in 1833 as a home and turned into a hotel in 1886, it was recently reopened after being closed for 4 years. There is a restaurant, in addition to the hotel, for some delicious Americana food.
On the other side of Geneseo is another establishment in a historic structure. For a more casual time head to Strange Design Public House. This brewery and restaurant is housed in one of the former buildings that comprised the Geneseo Poor House. Their particular building was built in 1879 and housed male residents. You can fill up before a hike in Letchworth Park or rest and relax after your time in nature.
Letchworth Park
Called the “Grand Canyon of the East” Letchworth Park is formed by the Genesee River running through the gorge resulting in 3 large waterfalls. This natural wonder, surrounded by forest creates majestic scenes of nature. If you are looking for outdoor activity there are 66 miles of hiking trails, as well as horseback riding and guided walks. If just taking in the views is more your speed, there are several overlooks to drive to and take in the beauty of the forest and river. Letchworth also has a mile long Autism Nature trail.
Travel Tip - Start at the top
Letchworth is a very long park, since it follows the river. I would suggest starting at the north entrance (Mt. Morris) and working south. It has great places to picnic or there is a nice restaurant a the Glen Iris Inn near the lower falls.
Buffalo is a fun and vibrant city, but not too far are places of nature and a slower pace that add variety to your visit to Western New York.
The Food of Buffalo! It’s more than just wings
Discover the food of Buffalo beyond the chicken wing.
If you ask someone what Buffalo is known for most likely they will say Buffalo wings, Niagara Falls, or the Bills. As this blog is on the food of Buffalo, we’ll go with the first answer. There is debate over where Buffalo wings originated, Anchor Bar or Duffs. Regardless of which side you’re on, people love them. However delicious they are, there are many more regional Buffalo foods that people should know about. And I’m going to share my favorites with you.
New York City isn’t the only place in the state with good pizza. I love this pizza place so much that I bring a cooler so I can take one home. This, after already eating it while in town. Bocce Club Pizza (go to the one on Hopkins Rd.) has one size. You can get less, but it’s either half the size of the pizza or a quarter. Friends and family also enjoy their wings. As I am in the small group of people who do not like Buffalo wings, you’ll have to take their word for it. My favorite toppings at Bocce Club are artichokes, spinach, and garlic.
Named after a park down the street, this restaurant has another Buffalo specialty - Beef on Weck. This sandwich is thinly sliced, juicy roast beef on a kummelweck roll served with jus. Kummelweck is a hard roll with caraway seeds and coarse salt on top. At Glen Park Tavern you should also order the sweet potato fries. They come with honey butter and are the best sweet potato fries I’ve ever had.
Sweet Jenny’s is my favorite ice cream place, ever. I’ve been getting ice cream there for decades. The shop has moved around Williamsville a few times but is now in the neatest location - the old water mill.
Sweet Jenny’s
Constructed in 1811, this building was converted to house Sweet Jenny’s production, shop, and a comic book store upstairs. Besides delicious ice cream (double dark chocolate is my favorite), Sweet Jenny’s has chocolates and confections including another Buffalo specialty, Sponge Candy. This confection is an airy toffee that looks a bit like a sponge, hence the name, covered in chocolate.
Travel Tip - Buy extra sponge candy
Get some ice cream to eat and while you’re there buy some sponge candy for a snack later or, if there is any left, a gift for someone back home.
Chef’s has been operating in Buffalo for over 100 years. The walls are covered in photos of people, quite a few you might recognize, who have made a stop to sample Chef’s Italian cuisine. They are known for their spaghetti parm. Spaghetti Parm is a plate of spaghetti topped with butter and cheese and broiled. It is then served with a side of their sauce. That is what I get every time because it is that good. You can get a smaller side of spaghetti parm to go with a different entree if you like. Their eggplant parm is also very good. And don’t worry about getting sauce on your clothes, they provide a cloth bib to spare you having to do laundry.
There are new food experiences popping up all the time. And while I have my favorites I like to revisit, I also try to find new ones. This trip I came across Five Points Bakery. When my mom saw the menu she wasn’t so sure, as besides the pastries at the counter, it is mostly different toasts. She soon changed her mind and was convinced that Five Points Bakery knows what they’re doing.
They have unique combinations of different toasts and toppings. I got Chocolate Cherry Toast with mascarpone cheese and cherry jam. The French Toast is different from anything you’ve had before. It has the custard soft inside, but the outside is crisp and you are able to pick it up and eat it like toast. It came with mascarpone and fig maple jam.
A butter block is what is used in patisserie to get flaky layers like in a croissant. It is the perfect name for this bakery and their patisserie. Right down the block from Five Points Bakery, we picked up a selection to have for dessert that night and for breakfast the next day. You will have a hard time deciding what to get, as you will want to try everything. Our box had 2 chocolate hazelnut croissants, an apple white cheddar danish and a chocolate bouchon. I would eat them all again, but the hazelnut croissant just edges the others out.
I hope this has inspired you to seek out the variety of foods that Buffalo has to offer. The wings are delicious, but there is so much more to discover.
