5 Easy Day Trips You Can Take From Buffalo, New York, My Favorite Included

I'm just beginning to explore Upstate New York, having first visited Syracuse in 2024 for the solar eclipse. But that short visit just made me want to return all the more, and next time I intend to do a much more extensive tour. I'm planning to make Buffalo my home base next time, as one of my best friends lives there, and something I love about the best day trips near Buffalo is that while all of them are easily drivable, they can all also be reached via convenient Amtrak stations. These trips include stops in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, as well as a trip to a neighboring state, a stop at one of the region's most famous landmarks, and a possible visit to another country!

1. Niagara Falls

Only 25 minutes from Buffalo, Niagara Falls is probably the most famous landmark in New York outside of the city. This stunning three-part waterfall divides the United States and Canada. On the New York side, you can visit one of the most beautiful parks in the state, Niagara Falls State Park. And if you're lucky enough to have your passport on hand, step across the border to the Canadian area, featuring one of the wackiest tourist towns you've ever seen, complete with a roller coaster atop a Burger King.

2. Garbage Plate Tour in Rochester

If Upstate New York has a signature food item besides the Buffalo Wing, it has to be the Garbage Plate. A gut-busting plate of food you customize yourself, it starts with your choice of two starchy sides like home fries or baked beans. They're then topped with two meats like ham, burgers, or the signature red hot sausages. It's all topped with a generous portion of spicy meat sauce. The original location, Nick Tahou Hots, is still going strong in Rochester, about an hour and ten minutes from Buffalo.

3. Waldameer Park and Water World

This Erie, Pennsylvania amusement park is about an hour and forty-five minutes from Buffalo, but it's well worth the drive. I'm a big fan of vintage amusement parks, and this historical small-town getaway is home to both the iconic wooden roller coaster Ravine Flyer II and the Whacky Shack, a one-of-a-kind retro dark ride with twists and turns around every corner.

4. Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House

You don't need to leave Buffalo to explore this incredible historic house designed by the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Designed so that all the rooms flow together, it creates a stunning visual effect as you take one of the tours offered here. Between the multiple buildings and the beautiful gardens surrounding them, you could easily spend a few hours here.

5. Destiny USA

My favorite spot in Upstate New York, I got to explore Destiny USA when I was in Syracuse last year. At a little over two hours from Buffalo, it's a longer drive. Still, it's worth it to explore the largest mall in New York State, a massive entertainment and dining complex featuring a Wonderworks museum, a zoo and animal rescue, a mirror maze, several brewpubs, and most impressively, a sprawling ropes course taking place over the main atrium of the multi-story mall.

Have you taken these exciting day trips near Buffalo, New York? If not, tell your travel partner about this article and see which ones you want to slot into your next travel adventure - or plan your own! If you're looking for a home base hotel in the Buffalo area for a longer trip, we recommend the Curtiss Hotel, located near the city's convention center and home to a perfect blend of modern luxury and old-fashioned charm.