Buffalo is a city full of adventure, history, and excitement! Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or are just starting to experience the Buffalove, here’s our list of must-do items around the 716.
1. Eat wings at Duffs and Anchor Bar.
Why both? Why not?! Everyone in Buffalo has their favorite and what better way to decide thean to try both "famous" wings. While Anchor Bar wings are credited with discovering the original chicken wing, Duffs wings are known for their meaty, flavorful punch!
2. Visit Niagara Falls.
We literally have a natural wonder right in our backyard! How cool is that? Trek up to the falls, American or Canadian side, to experience the wonder and beauty. Hike the trails. Stay until night to see the falls illuminated. To get the "full" Niagara Falls experience, don’t forget to...
3. Go on the Maid of the Mist.
Bring your rain jackets, because you’re definitely not staying dry on this one-of-a-kind experience! Your close up view of the falls (from below, of course) will be something you’ll always remember. Visit during hot summer days to take advantage of the cool mist.
4. Tour the Cave of the Winds.
Another Niagara tourist experience! The Cave of the Winds tour starts with an elevator ride down to the Niagara Gorge. From there, visitors suit up with ponchos and special footwear to climb the wooden stairs to the Hurricane Deck. While walking up, visitors get up close and personal to Bridal Veil Falls and her drenching mist.
5. Appreciate Frank Lloyd Wright's creations
During the early 20th century, Buffalo was experiencing great growth and a rise in popularity. To emphasize on that renaissance, many architects were called in to leave their mark on the city. Frank Lloyd Wright created not one, not two, but FIVE still-standing designs in our city.
6. Snap a selfie with Shark Girl.
If you’ve been to Buffalo recently, but didn’t get your picture taken with Shark Girl, were you really ever in Buffalo? Head down to Canalside to see one of the strangest selfie sensations making its rounds on Instagram!
7. Hike the Eternal Flame trail.
This walk is fun for nature lovers and science gurus alike. The fissures in the creek bed release methane that ignites the Eternal Flame. Wear sturdy shoes and be sure to bring your camera!
8. Climb to the City Observation Deck.
Reason number one to take on this adventure? You get a bird's eye view of the city from a beautiful, historic building. Reason number two? It’s free!
9. Experience a winter tailgate
Sure it sounds crazy, but no team in America has the spirit and loyalty that Bills fans do. I mean, what other team is willing to tailgate in arctic temperatures AND dig an entire stadium out after a snowstorm?
10. Leaf peep in the countryside.
Western New York is beautiful in autumn (and year round!). The rolling hills around Buffalo are draped with picturesque fall colors - no filter necessary.
11. Get hopped up.
Craft breweries are popping up all over Western New York, and for good reason – our local brewers know how to make 'em! Enjoy a night out with a flight and fun atmospheres. For a unique take, check out Hatchets & Hops.
12. Watch the sunset on Lake Erie.
For great views of a summer sunset, head down the Skyway to the Outer Harbor or catch a ride on the MoondanceCat.
13. Visit Canalside.
With activities for all ages, Canalside is a great family-friendly spot in Buffalo. Enjoy free concerts and festivals in the summer and ice skating (or ice biking!) on the rink during winter.
14. Go on a wine tour.
There is definitely no shortage of wine in our area. Between the Lake Erie Wine Country and Niagara Wine Trail, there are over 60 places to find your new favorite wine! Grab a group of friends, rent a limo (sorry, still no Uber here), and enjoy a day of wine tastings!
15. Hunt down the food trucks.
"Where’s Lloyd?" is a common question on the streets of Buffalo. What’s better than your favorite restaurant on wheels? Buffalo food trucks will immediately take your lunch break from drab to fab, and we have plenty to choose from.
16. Tour a local farm.
Pack the kids into the car and head out to one of our local farms. Western New York’s economy thrives on many family-owned farms that have everything from cattle and pigs to pumpkin patches. In the fall, many farms even offer hayrides and corn mazes for authentic family fun.
17. Pick your own flowers at Henry's Gardens.
If you really want to wow your significant other, customize a bouquet - by hand! At Henry’s Gardens in Eden, NY, you can wander the U-pick garden and hand-select flowers for a beautiful wildflower bouquet. The best part about supporting a small, family-owned business? If you can’t make it during business hours, bring your own clippers and place your money in the Honesty Box outside.
18. Visit an apple orchard in the fall.
As soon as the leaves start changing colors, circle your little red wagons to the local apple orchard to pick your own apples. Once you're satisfied with your bushel, don't forget to grab a cider and donut for the ride home!
19. Pick berries in the summer.
Berry pie, berry cobbler... it all tastes better with berries you worked hard to pick yourself. Many farms around the area offer U-pick options for a fun afternoon activity!
20. Visit one of our wonderful ski towns.
With the amount of snow we get each year, it would be a sin not to take advantage of it. Several locations just outside of the city offer skiing, snowboarding, and snowtubing. Whatever skill level you’re at, from bunny hill to expert, hit up one of our local slopes.
21. Learn the history of the land.
Buffalo may be around 327 years old, but that has nothing on the 1,000+ years of history that the Seneca Nation of Indians hold in our community. As one of the five original nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, the Seneca Nation holds a lot of history important to our area. Great places to learn more include the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum in Salamanca, the Buffalo History Museum’s John R. Oishei Native American Gallery, and Forest Lawn Cemetery where Chief Red Jacket, a prominent figure in Native American and American history, is laid to rest.
22. Catch a show at one of our many theaters.
The Queen City is full of talent. Hit up the latest Broadway performance at Shea’s, listen to your favorite local band at Town Ballroom, or catch a laugh at the Helium Comedy Club. Love the orchestra? Head over to Kleinhans Music Hall to listen to the Buffalo Philharmonic.
23. Experience Underground Railroad history
Buffalo played a huge role in the history of the Underground Railroad. Our very own Michigan Street Baptist Church, erected in 1845, was a stop on the road to freedom. The church is an important part of African American history in Buffalo and the tour of the building is an experience you will never forget!
24. View the windmills
Head to nearby Lackawanna where the steel giants turn on the shores of Lake Erie, or for a scenic view, head south of the city to Wyoming County to see the windmills against rolling green hills.
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