Buffalo is a great city, but even the biggest city lovers need to escape the hustle and bustle every so often. Whether it's the nearby cider mills or just a good hike, exploring western New York is something everyone can do with a little time and a sense of adventure. Have you ever searched for "waterfalls near me in Buffalo" for an adventure like no other? How about places for a lovely glass of wine? In order to really make the most of a day trip, we suggest combing a love of two things: wine and waterfalls in Buffalo! This day trip will take you from gorgeous waterfalls to beautiful wineries. You may never return to the city again!
The full driving directions for this road trip can be found in our interactive Google maps link. Simply add in your own starting point and you're on your way!
You'll kick things off at beautiful Letchworth State Park.
Folks love to visit Letchworth State Park, as they're some of the most impressive after Niagara Falls. The drop here is about 600 feet making for a truly impressive cascade! It's fairly easy to access the falls, with plenty of parking and accessibility all year long. At this park, you can find some of the best waterfall hikes near Buffalo.
Next, it's on to the lovely Emery Park in South Wales.
Located just outside of East Aurora, you'll find two waterfalls in Emery Park. You've got a full day ahead of you, so if you're feeling antsy, you can see both of the 25-foot falls from your car window. Once you've soaked up the beauty, keep going to your next destination! Visit the New York Falls website to learn more about the waterfalls at Emery Park.
Getting hungry? Right after you see the falls at Emery Park, make a stop at Elm Street Bakery for freshly made pizza!
Once you've indulged in a pie, grab some cookies and muffins to take on the road with you. Elm Street is a serve-yourself spot for both breakfast and lunch, but after 5 p.m. they turn into a full-service restaurant. The bakery is located at 72 Elm St. in East Aurora.
From here it's north to beautiful Glen Falls Park.
Here you'll be able to see the 27-foot-tall waterfall that flows out of Ellicott Creek. You can see the falls from the road if you're feeling short on time but the best way to see it is via a short walk through the park.
Next, it's on to Akron Falls Park.
Akron Park spreads across 284 acres in Erie County. It also offers one of the best waterfall hikes near Buffalo. The waterfall here is an impressive 40 feet right on Murder Creek (yikes!) and it's tucked away within some of the more gorgeous scenery in the region.
Now that you've soaked up some western New York beauty, time to soak up some western New York wine! Your first stop is Spring Lake Winery in Lockport.
If you're here on a weekend, you're likely to see a wedding taking place here. That should tell you something about the beautiful surroundings at this winery. Spring Lake has a vineyard as well as fun nature trails, a beautiful park, and an eight-acre lake. The fact that you can also take home bottles of wine is an added bonus!
Next up is Eveningside Vineyards in Lockport, just a few minutes away.
Editor's Note: Eveningside Vineyards is permanently closed.
One of the most notable things about Eveningside is that they press their own grapes, which makes for an exceptionally high-quality product. Their attention to detail can be seen in both their wines and the tasting room. Plus, the location along the Niagara Escarpment makes the whole experience even more special.
Just a few minutes away is Freedom Run Winery, also in Lockport.
It shouldn't be a surprise to see Freedom Run included here, given that it's on the Niagara Wine Trail. If you're into the technical side of wine, you'll love being able to watch the winemaking process here. And the tasting room is cozy but modern.
Now we're on to the fabulously named Gust of Sun Winery in Ransomville.
While one of the newer wineries in the area, Gust of Sun offers plenty in the way of scenery and snacks. There are non-alcoholic drinks for your designated driver as well, so everyone's happy! It's one of the best wineries near Buffalo.
Lastly, the stop you've been waiting for... the three falls at Niagara Falls!
American Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls are all located in the same area making this trifecta a great place to end your trip. These are the largest and most impressive in the area, if not the entire world. If you're traveling with folks visiting the area, this will surely convince them that they've just had the best day of their lives! Niagara Falls near Buffalo is one of the most extraordinary places to visit in the state.
So, if you're looking for "wine and waterfalls near me in Buffalo," consider taking this exciting road trip. For more exploration outside of Buffalo, check out these 10 easy road trips that you can plan and quickly take any weekend you want!
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