When most people think about New York as a state, of course, only one city comes to mind – New York. But there is so much more to be seen and experienced besides The Big Apple, and on the top of our list is Buffalo. Do you mean the city where we got Buffalo wings from? Yes, that city. Besides giving us one of our favorite bar snacks, Buffalo has a lot to offer as a tourist hub and vacation spot. Experience beautiful Buffalo with our list of the best things to do in Buffalo, NY.
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10 Best Things to do in Buffalo (NY)
Darwin D. Martin House
You would be hard-pressed to find many lists that don’t include the Darwin D. Martin house. Buffalo is well-known for having some of the finest architecture throughout the entire United States. The Darwin D. Martin house was designed by Franklin Lloyd Wright, probably America’s most famous architect in history. This architectural feat is located at the edge of Delaware Park and is one of Wright’s finest Prairie style works. Prairie buildings celebrate the Midwest’s low, long landscape and capitalize more on the horizontal than the vertical. In line with this style, the Darwin D. Martin house is a complex comprising six interconnected buildings constructed in the first decade of the 1900s. At present, it is a National Historic Landmark that openly welcomes tourists. To visit, you will need to tour the house in a group lead by a knowledgeable guide.
Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park
The Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park is a museum that pays tribute to the American Navy’s history. This site, located along the canal in downtown Buffalo, is home to several decommissioned US Naval vessels. The vessels found here are the destroyer USS The Sullivans, the guided-missile cruiser USS Little Rock, and the submarine USS Croaker. But aside from these large vessels, the museum also features smaller vessels, aircraft, and other vehicles with close ties to the Navy. Here, you can get a firsthand look at how mariners and submariners lived and carried out their operations.
Canalside
What was once the dark side of town, Canalside is at the center of downtown buffalo’s waterside revitalization. People often come here to enjoy the green space, take a walk, and enjoy the occasional entertainment offered here. Located at the 1825 terminus of the Erie Canal, Canalside hosts a whole lot of events throughout the year, some completely free. It features a lovely park with classic Adirondack benches overlooking the canal and a walkway right by the water’s edge. In the winter, you should expect to find the famous skating rink here, if that’s your fancy.
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
For all nature, plant, and flower lovers, Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens are the place to be. This place is the dreamchild of a few extraordinary people, namely David F. Day, Frederick Law Olmsted, John F. Cowell, Frederick A. Lord, and William A. Burnham. It was opened back in 1900, and to this day remains one of the favorite tourist spots to visit. It is yet another national historic site, full of all sorts of plant life, native and non-native to the area. Many people find that coming here gives them some spiritual and emotional healing as well as quality time for reflection.
Buffalo City Hall Tour
Wait, why would anyone want to visit a city hall? Well, Buffalo’s city hall is quite different from regular ones. Even if you don’t have any official business to conduct, Buffalo’s city hall is easily one of the most beautiful places you’ll see in all of New York, located at 65 Niagara Square in Buffalo. Its design is simply breathtaking, which makes it a world-renowned Art Deco building. Many people consider the John Wade-designed building an architectural masterpiece. What makes it better is that free guided tours are offered here so that you can appreciate it even more from the inside.
Elmwood Village
Elwood Village is one of the most outstanding cities you will find in all of New York. Of course, aside from the rest of the sights found all over the city, you get a feel of how strong and connected Buffalo’s community is here. You can expect to find all sorts of businesses here, from food to shopping.
Burchfield Penney Art Center
For art lovers, Burchfield Penney Art Center should definitely be on your list of places to visit. This landmark is one of the top cultural spots in the region and is home to an extensive collection of Charles E. Burchfield’s pieces. Besides the namesake’s artworks, expect to find art from the Buffalo and Niagara region and some of the most extraordinary art in Western New York itself. Admission to the art center is very affordable at $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for students, and free access for children under 10.
The Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum
Motorheads, rejoice; we found the haven for you. The Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum celebrates the rich transportation history of Western New York. Visiting this museum is one of the most eye-opening experiences that really puts into perspective how far we’ve come as a society through transportation. The museum opened back in 2001, and it features numerous automobile memorabilia along with vintage vehicles. One of the most famous pieces found in this museum is the Franklin Lloyd Wright Filling Station. This piece brings to life Wright’s idea and design of a premium filling station where people could stay and relax. He didn’t end up having it constructed, but the piece represents what would have been.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
A living piece of history, the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site is the very place where the late president took the oath of office back on September 14, 1901. This museum features exhibits that were pertinent to this momentous occasion in history. You can view the museum from the outside, but you will need to join a guided tour to get inside. For any history-junkie or anybody else interested in the 26th president, this place will be perfect.
Have some authentic Buffalo wings
Of course, how could you visit Buffalo without chowing down on some Buffalo wings, or just wings, as they are called locally. Some of the tourists’ favorite spots include Duff’s Famous Wings, Bar Bill Tavern, La Nova, and Anchor Bar. Meanwhile, locals enjoy Doc Sullivan’s, Elmo’s, Kelly’s Korner, and Nine Eleven Tavern.
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About The Author
Terrence Tan Ting is an industrial engineer by profession but a full time writer by passion. He loves to write about a wide range of topics from many different industries thanks to his undying curiosity.