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.