How to Visit Buffalo, New York
With its sparkling waterfront, magnificent mansions, architectural gems and long list of fun attractions, this historic city in the western edge of upstate New York on Lake Erie at the start of the Niagara River is filled with ways to have a good time in the summertime.
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Things You'll Need
- Comfy shoes
- Casual clothing
- Bathing suit
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Light jacket for cool evenings
Instructions
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Get a great overview of the city from the Buffalo City Hall Observation Tower, an art deco building located downtown at Niagara Square. When you ascend above the 25-th floor, you’ll get a spectacular aerial view of the city and surrounding waterways. Visit some other popular sights while in the downtown area where much of Buffalo’s architectural legacy is showcased. Sullivan's Guaranty Building opened in 1896 and is one of the country’s first skyscrapers; St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral is made of sandstone in the Gothic Revival style, the Liberty Building has a twin replica of the Statute of Liberty on top and the Darwin Martin House is a fine example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy of "organic architecture" done in the Prairie style.
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Take an architectural walking tour of the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site housed in the Wilcox Mansion located on Delaware Street, Buffalo's famous promenade of mansions that runs north from Niagara Square to Gates circle. This is one of only five inaugural sites located outside of Washington D.C. Roosevelt was inaugurated here as the 26th United States president after the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901. From there, stop at the widely-popular Delaware Park where you’ll find a beautiful lake, a large meadow a track for jogging and bicycling, tennis and basketball courts and some gorgeous wooded areas.
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Learn all about exotic plants when you visit greenhouses at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens located at 2655 S. Park Avenue. You can stroll amid gorgeous seasonal flower displays under a rare Victorian glass conservatory dome in a park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Other options: Buffalo Zoo is the third oldest in the nation and it started humbly as a deer park. The facility is committed to educational and conservation efforts; emphasis is placed on natural habitats for the animals housed at the zoo.
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Check out Buffalo's rejuvenated Theatre District, which houses some of the finest facilities in the country, offering performances to suit a wide variety of tastes. Come nightfall, Buffalo hosts a world-class symphony orchestra, non-stop entertainment along Chippewa Street, and a first-rate theater scene. The elaborate Shea's Performing Arts Center at 646 Main Street has been restored to its former grandeur. Built in 1926, it boasts an incredible interior designed by Tiffany Studios, and is one of only four Tiffany-designed theaters still in existence. Home to the Greater Buffalo Opera Company, Shea’s hosts concerts, and regularly features touring productions of Broadway shows. Shea’s is also home to the original Mighty Wurlitzer organ.
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Take a Miss Buffalo Cruise from downtown along the city’s scenic waterfront. The city is home to several beaches where you can bask on the sand, or indulge in water sports along the Outer Harbor, now the focal point for social and recreational activity. If you prefer a relaxed atmosphere, and an intriguing change of scenery, explore picturesque Grand Island, called the “Jewel of the Lakes.” A short drive from Buffalo on the Niagara River, the island is rich with beauty and shares the natural brilliance of neighboring Niagara Falls. Stop at Beaver Island State Park to bask on a beautiful beach or if you prefer, take in a round of golf on a gorgeous, scenic golf course.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't miss a chance to stop at the Anchor Bar at 1047 Main Street, the birthplace of the famous Buffalo chicken wings, in all their spicy blue-cheesy glory.
For more information on the Buffalo area, including self-guided walking tours offered by the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau, call 800-283-3256 or see the link in Resources.
