7 Winter Attractions For The Family In Buffalo That Don’t Involve Long Lines At The Mall

Just outside of Buffalo in the town of Hamburg, the Fairgrounds turns into a total holiday wonderland each year. While you can experience things like a drive-thru light display and even meet Santa in their little Elf Village, the one thing you won't need to wait in any lines for is to go through a walk through their Christmas Tree Forest. This miniature forest is right on the grounds and you'll find and endless view of illuminated trees to stroll through. It’s a great place to take your annual holiday photos!

As long as you come equipped with your own pair of skates, going ice skating in Fountain Plaza a the Rotary Rink won't cost you a dime! Allowing you to enjoy the beauty of the lights on Main Street and all of Buffalo's wonderful cityscapes, the only thing you'd possibly have to wait in a line for here is skate rentals, which only cost a few bucks.

All throughout the month of December, the Aurora Theatre plays classic holiday films, with this year’s line-up including movies like Elf, The Polar Express, Home Alone, and Miracle On 34th Street. The theater is decked out with fun holiday decorations and it's a fun family-friendly experience that's much grander than simply watching these films at home.

This annual event is one that we look forward to all year long! Come to enjoy the wonder of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Garden's Lumagination display, which turns the botanical gardens into a beautifully illuminated indoor attraction. The fun of this event will begin at the end of January and run through February - you can't miss it!

All throughout Erie County, you can find amazing parks that make for wonderful places to go for a winter stroll or snowshoeing. If you're looking for a park that has trails that are short, sweet, and offer peaceful getaways without any crowds, we highly suggest heading to places like Knox Farm State Park.

On February 17, 2019, the Buffalo Soup-Fest will once again return to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. Filling up the center with all sorts of delicious vendors, Buffalonians can walk around and sample soups from over 30 local restaurants. Talk about tasty!

Heading to Chestnut Ridge Park may be one of our favorite things to do during the winter, and luckily the lines to go tobogganing aren't lengthy or time-consuming! If you don't have your own toboggan, there's always the option to go sledding for free every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.