Buffalo Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Buffalo Travel & Tourism, Free Buffalo Travel Guide Online

Buffalo Travel Guide: Discount & Cheap Buffalo Travel & Tourism, Free Buffalo Travel Guide Online

The world has been beating a path to the Buffalo-Niagara region since shortly after Father Louis Hennepin became the first European to describe the "prodigious cadence of water" that is the mighty Falls in 1678. That early trickle of tourists became a steady stream after the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825, and a torrent when the railroad linked western New York State with points east. Today, millions of tourists from around the world continue to come by plane, train and automobile to experience the majesty of Niagara Falls. Increasing numbers of visitors are making the short 20-minute drive to nearby Buffalo, attracted by its reputation as a home to great art, architecture and cultural attractions.

Buffalo lies at the western edge of upstate New York, on Lake Erie, at the start of the Niagara River. The river, which separates the U.S. from Canada, flows over Niagara Falls before emptying into Lake Ontario.

Buffalo was a terminus of the Underground Railroad, an informal series of safe houses for runaway slaves from the American south. After hiding at the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church, the slaves would take a ferry to Fort Erie, on the Canadian side, and to their freedom. To share in this historic experience, a trip to Motherland Connextions in Niagara Falls should be included in your plans. Understand the Underground Railroad by following the footsteps of those brave and hearty souls who took the secret passageways north to Canada.

Several US presidents are connected to Buffalo history. Millard Fillmore took up permanent residence in Buffalo in 1822 before he became president. Grover Cleveland lived in Buffalo from 1854 until 1882, and became mayor of the city. William McKinley was shot at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo September 6th, 1901, and died in Buffalo on the 14th. Theodore Roosevelt was then sworn in on September 14th, 1901 at the Wilcox Mansion (currently a National Historic Site), becoming one of only a few presidents to be sworn in outside of Washington. You can actually visit the actual site of the Theodore Roosevelt Inauguration. It's located right in town and includes the historic house museum for America's 26^th president.

City officials and residents have worked hard to preserve Buffalo's historic legacy. From Victorian neighborhoods to Delaware Avenue mansions to impressive works by Fran Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan and H.H. Richardson, Buffalo's buildings are among its greatest charms. You'll find structures of architectural interest downtown, in Allentown, along Delaware Avenue, and in the Lincoln Parkway and Chapin Parkway areas.

Main Street runs north and south beginning downtown, where the street is closed to traffic. At the heart of downtown is Niagara Square, dominated by the art-deco City Hall and the McKinley Monument. Delaware and Elmwood avenues are lined with some of the city's best architecture, restaurants and shops, and run parallel to each other, to the west of Main Street. Allentown, north of downtown, is Buffalo's (much smaller) version of New York City's Greenwich Village. It is centered on Allen Street, which runs west from Main Street. North Buffalo, a vibrant neighborhood of homes, shops and restaurants, is anchored by Hertel Avenue, which also runs west from Main Street. Delaware Park, located in this section of the city, is the most popular of several city parks.

Parks are an important part of the city's heritage. In Buffalo, Frederick Law Olmsted designed the first park system in the U.S., including Delaware Park, the centerpiece of the system and home of the city's zoo. Located in another park designed by Olmsted is the impressive Victorian glass conservatory at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.

On winter days that are too cold or blustery for outdoor activities, Buffalo offers plenty of indoor entertainment. The Albright-Knox Art Gallery has a wonderful collection of modern art. The nearby Burchfield-Penney Art Center features watercolors by Charles E. Burchfield, as well as handcrafted objects by artisans at the Roycroft Arts and Crafts community based in nearby East Aurora. In addition, Buffalo has several unusual museums and factories devoted to such items as kazoos, carousels, manuscripts and bicycles.

No visit to the area would be complete without a trip to the Falls. Plan a day trip to nearby Niagara Falls, which offers several attractions and tours, in addition to the sheer natural wonder of the place. It's easy to get a close up view of the falls, either by boat, helicopter, or even a hot air balloon. Whatever the means, it's an unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience.

For a great relaxing view of the city, be sure to include the Buffalo City Hall Observation Tower in your plans. Located in City Hall, it is an Art Deco masterpiece and offers a spectacular view of both Lake Erie and the city.

For a little family fun, take a side trip to Martin's Fantasy Island. Located in Grand Island, it's only about 10 minutes from Buffalo and worth the trip. Guests experience over 100 rides, shows and attractions in a clean, park like setting. Live shows throughout the park include the Wild West Shoot-Out, an old-fashioned Western musical extravaganza, a children's puppet show and a '60s and '70s musical tribute show.

For sports enthusiasts, Buffalo is home to the Buffalo Bills professional football team, the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League, and the Buffalo Bisons of baseball's International League.

Seneca Niagara Casino, 20 miles to the north, is the first New York State casino in the area.

When it comes to eating, Buffalo is known for those world-famous Buffalo Chicken Wings. They were invented in a Buffalo bar (The Anchor Bar) in 1964.

Buffalo's lesser-known, but equally tasty, food specialty is a sandwich called beef on weck. Weck is short for kimmelweck, a hard roll dusted with caraway seeds and coarse salt. Warm roast beef is heaped on the roll, which is often dipped in the juice of the meat and served with horseradish. From casual to fine dining, there is something for any taste in Buffalo.

Sports, food, gaming, history, family fun, every kind of weather, warm hospitality, and of course, The nearby Falls: Buffalo, the "City of Good Neighbors", has them all, ready and waiting. Bring your camera for creating the memories of a lifetime.

Buffalo Attractions: Buffalo Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Buffalo Travel & Tourism, Free Buffalo Travel Guide Online

Darwin D. Martin House

125 Jewett Parkway

Buffalo, NY

716-856-3858.

Admission charged includes tour of the Martin house and Graycliff, the Martin family's summer home on Lake Erie.
Master designer and architect Frank Lloyd Wright went to Buffalo to design the headquarters of a soap company, and executives were so impressed by his work that several commissioned him to design homes. The 1904 Darwin D. Martin House in North Buffalo is a classic example of Wright's Prairie style. The house is undergoing renovation but is still open for tours Saturday at 10 am and 1 pm and Sunday at 1 pm. Advance reservations are required.

Graycliff is a summer home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for the Darwin D. Martin family. Tours are April-October Tuesday-Thursday at 11 am and 2 pm, Friday at 3 pm, Saturday at 11 am and 3 pm, and Sunday at 1 pm and 4 pm



Albright-Knox Art Gallery

1285 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo. Phone 716-882-8700.
Tuesday-Saturday 11 am-5 pm, Sunday noon-5 pm. Admission charged.

Free admission to the permanent collection Saturday 11 am-1 pm.
Often ranked as one of the country's top museums for modern art, with works by Picasso, Matisse, van Gogh, Monet and other masters

Amherst Museum
Restored historic buildings from the 1800s in a 35-acre/14-hectare park. Living-history demonstrations and tours are offered. The park is open April-October Tuesday-Friday 9:30 am-4:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 12:30-4:30 pm; mid October-March Tuesday-Friday 9:30 am-4:30 pm. The historic buildings are open April-October only. US$5 adults, US$1.50 children. 3755 Tonawanda Creek Road (about 16 mi/26 km northeast of downtown Buffalo), Amherst. Phone 716-689-1440. http://www.amherstmuseum.org.


Burchfield-Penney Arts Center

Buffalo State College, Rockwell Hall

1300 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo.

716-878-6011

Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 1-5 pm. Admission Charged

Displays the world's largest collection of works by renowned American watercolorist Charles E. Burchfield. Handcrafted items from the Roycroft Arts and Crafts community in nearby East Aurora also are showcased.

African American Cultural Center

350 Masten Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14209
716-884-2013

Hours: Box Office: Mon-Thu, 9am-9pm, Fri - Sat, 10am-6pm. Only open on Sun during productions, 3pm.

Admission Charged

The AACC is home to the Paul Robeson Theatre, a showcase for the talents of African American playwrights, directors and actors, as well as home of the Drum Performance Company.

Michigan Avenue Baptist Church

511 Michigan Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14203

716-854-7976

Hours: Call for additional information

Admission Free

Michigan Avenue Baptist Church is Buffalo's best known underground railroad site. It is believed to be the oldest property continuously owned, operated and occupied by African-Americans in Western New York.

Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens

2655 South Park Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14218
716-827-1584

Hours: 10 am-5 pm Tuesday through Sunday, with additional hours (until 7pm) Thursday. Closed on Monday.
Admission Free
Come take a stroll through the most intact Frederick Law Olmsted landscape and arboretum in the country. Exotic horticultural treasures from different climates can be found in the Victorian Tri-dome glass conservatory. Visit the annual flower shows and see perhaps the largest collection of ivy in the world.

Buffalo Zoological Gardens

300 Parkside Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14214
716- 837-3900

Hours: Jun 1 - Sep 6, 10am-5pm; Sep 7 - Dec 31, 10am-4pm. Grounds remain open one hour after gate closes. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Admission Charged
The Zoo is a wonderful place for family fun, all year long! It's the only place in town to observe a wide variety of exotic and domestic animals in a natural setting.

Broadway Market

999 Broadway
Buffalo, NY 14212
716-893-0705

Hours: Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm; Sat, 7am - 5pm. Closed Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Easter Sunday.

Admission Free
Established in 1888, the Broadway Market is one of the oldest indoor markets in the United States. The market features old-world butcher shops and bakeries, candy shops and restaurants with an assortment of ethnic food vendors.

Forest Lawn Cemetery and Garden Mausoleums

1411 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14209
716-885-1600

Hours: Winter 7:30am-6pm; Summer 7:30am-5pm. Open holidays.
Admission Free
A breathtaking 269-acre cemetery designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, founded 1849 with outstanding examples of funerary art. On the State and National registers of historic places.

Q-R-S Music Technologies

1026 Niagara Street
Buffalo, NY 14213
716-885-4600 or 800-247-6557

Hours: Tours Mon - Fri, 10am & 2pm ONLY. Open year-round except holidays. Reservations preferred.
Admission Charged
Established in 1900, Q-R-S is the world's oldest and largest manufacturer of player piano rolls. Tour the factory to see how piano rolls are made. Historic instruments, as well as the latest compact disc player pianos on display. Rolls, CDs and tapes are available for purchase.

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

641 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
716-884-0095

Hours: Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm; Sat & Sun, noon - 5pm. Closed holidays.
Admission Charged
Historic house museum where Theodore Roosevelt was inaugurated as the 26th President in 1901.

Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society

25 Nottingham Court (at Elmwood Avenue)
Buffalo, NY 14216
716-873-9644

Hours: Mon - Sat, 10am - 5pm; Sun, noon - 5pm. Open year round except major holidays.
Admission Charged
History lives here! The Historical Society offers engaging interpretive activities and exhibits for all ages utilizing its vast artifact, photograph and document collections to tell the stories of both ordinary and extraordinary people of Buffalo and WNY.

Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park

One Naval Park Cove
Buffalo, NY 14202
716-847-1773

Hours: Apr - Oct, daily, 10am - 5pm; Nov, Sat - Sun, 10am - 4:30pm. Open holidays.
Admission Charged

This Buffalo waterfront attraction is purported to be the largest inland park of its kind in the nation. All branches of the Armed Forces are represented in the park's exhibits. Tour the decks and hulls of a guided missile cruiser, destroyer and WWII submarine. Inspect uniforms and memorabilia in the museum and exhibits aboard the ships. See planes, a tank and more!

Buffalo Fire Historical Museum

1850 William Street
Buffalo, NY 14206-1449
716-892-8400

Hours: Sat, 10am - 4pm. Closed holidays.

Admission Free

Dating from the 1850s, exhibits include an 1850 hand-pumper, an 1865 soda/acid cart, a 1907 hose wagon and steamer and a 1919 Arhens-Fox pumper.

Buffalo Museum of Science

1020 Humboldt Parkway
Buffalo, NY 14211
716-896-5200

Hours: Tue - Sat, 10am - 5pm; Sun, noon - 5pm. Museum hours subject to change. Closed Holidays.

Admission Charged
An exciting world of hands-on learning in the Greater Niagara Region. From dinosaurs to exotic insects, explore more than a dozen fun filled exhibit halls tracing natural history and the human experience.

Buffalo Transportation/Pierce Arrow Museum

263 Michigan Avenue at 201 Seneca Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
716-853-0084

Hours: Sat 12pm-5pm; tours by appointment.
Admission Charged
Western New York-made automobiles, cycles, and automobilia focuses on local transportation history. Cars from 1901 to the 1960s, muscle cars, Pierce-Arrow, Thomas Flyers and more. Unique "Women and the Automobile" exhibit presents an in-depth look at the role women played in all phases of the automobile industry throughout the 20th Century.

Cofeld Judaic Museum of Temple Beth Zion

805 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14209
716-836-6565

Hours: Call for additional information

Admission Charged
Collection of more than a thousand Judaic artifacts dating from 10th Century to the present.

Iron Island Museum

998 Lovejoy Street
Buffalo, NY 14206-1123
716-892-3084

Hours: Mon, 2pm - 6pm; Thu, 5pm - 9pm; Fri & Sat, 10am - 1pm, or by appointment. Closed Labor Day, Christmas & New Year's Day.
Admission Charged
Historic 1895 building with three rooms of artifacts including railroad history, military items, Hennepin Park memories, New York Central Terminal gallery and model.

The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum

453 Porter Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14201
716-885-4139

Hours: Mon - Sat, 10am - 5pm; Sun, 1pm - 5pm. Call for holiday hours.
Admission Free
Buffalo is one of seven U.S. cities to house a Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum. Exhibit highlights include the Wright Brothers, the Louisiana Purchase, the early history of the Bible, and great classical music composers.

Lower Lakes Marine Historical Society Museum

66 Erie Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
716-849-0914

Hours: Tue, Thu & Sat, 10am - 3pm.
Admission Charged
The museum - the former Howard H. Baker Company's ship chandlery built in 1830 - houses an extensive collection of maritime history relating to the creation of the Erie Canal. Photos, newspaper articles, model ships and wartime vessels are included in the displays of the 130-year history of boat building in Buffalo.

Mark Twain Museum of Buffalo

249 North Street
Buffalo, NY 14201
716-881-1454

Hours: Tours by advance reservation only. Sat. 10am, Sun. 1pm, Wed. 1pm.
Admission Charged
Learn about Mark Twain's time in Buffalo and the colorful history of the museum's 1877 mansion home, designed by noted architect Richard Waite.


Mark Twain Room

1 Lafayette Square
Buffalo, NY 14203-1887
716-858-8900

Hours: Sep - May, Mon - Wed, Fri & Sat, 8:30am - 6pm; Thu, 8:30am - 8pm; Sun, 1pm - 5pm. Closed holidays.
Admission Free
The Mark Twain Room features the original handwritten manuscript of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," as well as an extensive collection of unique editions and Twain memorabilia covering 2 city blocks. The Central Library offers a host of resources for researchers, students and visitors, and the general public.


Buffalo City Hall Observation Tower

65 Niagara Square
Buffalo, NY 14202
716-851-5891

Hours: Mon. to Fri. 9am-4pm. Closed holidays and weekends.
Admission Charged

This commanding art-deco building dominates Niagara Square. The 21 exterior friezes represent the city's cultural and economic life. In the lobby, a colorful mosaic ceiling and murals depict Buffalo's history. Take the elevator to the 28th-floor observation deck for spectacular views of Lake Erie and the city.

Miss Buffalo/Niagara Clipper Cruise Boats

79 Marine Drive (business office)
Buffalo, NY 14202
Erie Basin Marina (dock location)
Downtown Buffalo
716-856-6696 or 800-244-8684

Hours: May to October. Public cruises available Tue.-Sun
Admission Charged
Providing narrated tours and dining cruises from the picturesque Erie Basin Marina in downtown Buffalo. Cruise the scenic waters of the Buffalo waterfront while viewing the city's magnificent skyline.

Other Nearby Attractions

Niagara Falls (20 miles NW of Buffalo)

Aquarium of Niagara

701 Whirlpool Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14301

716-285-3575 or 800-500-4609

Hours: Call for days and hours of operation, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas

Admission Charged

Dive into an ocean of discovery at Niagara's other water wonder! There are over 40 aquatic exhibits, including California sea lion demonstrations, harbor seals, and a colony of endangered Peruvian penguins.

Motherland Connextions

471 Hyde Park Boulevard
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
716-282-1028

Hours: Mon - Fri, 9am–5pm; Sat., 9am-2pm year round except Sundays and holidays.
Offering Underground Railroad tours, slideshows and mobile classrooms that make heritage tourism exciting. Understand the Underground Railroad by following the footsteps of those brave and hearty souls who took the secret passageways north to Canada.

Seneca Niagara Casino

310 Fourth Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
716-299-1100

Hours: Open 7 days a week, call for additional information

Admission Free
Located in New York, just a few blocks from the majestic falls, the new Seneca Niagara Casino offers favorite table games and the latest coin-operated slots, plus a fabulous buffet restaurant, a pub, and a spectacular raised lounge in the center of the gaming floor.

Niagara Aerospace Museum

345 Third Street
Niagara Office Building
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
716-278-0060

Hours: Call for additional information

Admission Charged
Experience flight in a 140 seat surround sound theater.
The Niagara Aerospace Museum's dazzling collection of aircraft, artifacts and space exhibits bring to life the dreams, determination
and courage that characterize the pioneers of aviation history and space exploration. See the restoration of a rare World War I trainer airplane, the Curtiss J-N4D Jenny. Sit under a World War II parachute designed and made in Buffalo NY in 1942.

East Aurora (20 miles SE of Buffalo)

Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum

April-June Wednesday-Sunday 1-5 pm; July and August daily 11 am-5 pm; September-December Wednesday-Sunday 1-5 pm.

180 Thompson St.

Tonawanda.

716-693-1885.

Admission includes a ride on a restored 1916 carousel or a 1940s-era children's carousel. Group tours scheduled year-round.

Housed in the original Allan Herschell Co. factory complex, this museum explores the history of hand-carved wooden carousels, as well as the company's role in the development of the U.S. amusement-ride industry

Six Flags Darien Lake

9993 Allegheny Road (about 38 mi/61 km southeast of downtown Buffalo), Darien Center. Phone 585-599-4641

Open May-October; hours vary. Admission charged.

New York State's largest theme park and resort boasts multiple roller coasters (including a suspended looping coaster and a wooden coaster), a water park and a section especially for younger children. Concerts and weekend festivals add to the fun.

Elbert Hubbard – Roycroft Museum

363 Oakwood Avenue
East Aurora, NY 14052
716-652-4735

Hours: Seasonal Jun 1 - Oct 15 Wed., Sat. & Sun. 2pm-4pm or by appointment. Closed holidays.
Admission Charged

A 1910 craftsmen bungalow containing a collection of books, letters, furniture, metal ware, leather crafts and art glass pertaining to Elbert Hubbard and the Roycroft Arts and Crafts Movement.

Explore & More…A Children's Museum

300 Gleed Avenue
East Aurora, NY 14052
716-655-5131

Hours: Wed - Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, noon-5pm. Mon - Tue by reservation for large groups. Open year-round. Closed holidays except for Martin Luther King Day, President's Day and Columbus Day.

Admission Charged
A fun museum designed for the many ways kids learn, featuring hands-on exhibits for ages 1-10. The museum encourages children to learn more about the world around them as they experiment, discover, play and learn.

Toy Town Museum

636 Girard Avenue
East Aurora, NY 14052
716-687-5151

Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10am-4pm
Admission Charged
Younger visitors will delight in ToyWorks, a hands-on area where kids can try a number of different learning activities. Adults will enjoy an extensive collection of "Toys Through the 20th Century," "Toys from Around the World", and a host of regularly changing exhibits.

Millard Fillmore House

24 Shearer Avenue
East Aurora, NY 14052
716-652-8875
Hours: Jun - Oct, Wed, Sat, Sun, 2pm - 4pm. Special tours call 655-3567. Closed holidays.
Admission Charged

The Millard Fillmore House is a National Historic Landmark which President Millard Fillmore helped build and lived in from 1826-1830. It contains furnishings and artifacts connected with Millard Fillmore's life. There is a beautiful rose and herb garden.

Vidler's Five and Dime Store

676-694 Main Street
East Aurora, NY 14052
716-652-0481 or 877-VIDLERS
Hours: Mon - Thu & Sat, 9am - 5:30pm; Fri, 9am - 9pm; Sun, noon - 4pm. Closed holidays.
Admission Free

Take a step back in time as you visit this old five and dime! Four connected vintage Main Street buildings offer shopping fun for the whole family.

Aurora Historical Museum

5 South Grove Street
East Aurora, NY 14052
716-652-3280

Hours: Mon - Fri, 9am - 4pm. Closed holidays.
Admission Charged

Museum contains the complete history of the town. Presented in sequence through Rex Jennings' murals and Aurora Historical Society collections.

Grand Island (13 miles N of Buffalo)

Grand Island Sportsman's Niagara River Tour

3407 Wallace Drive
Grand Island, NY 14072
716-773-9067

Hours: Seasonal May through October, call for reservations
Admission Charged

Select from a variety of charters aboard "Puppy Love," a 24' Bayliner Cruiser on the Upper Niagara River, Lake Erie or the Historic Erie Canal. Take a sightseeing cruise around Grand Island and see Niagara Falls from a unique vantage point. Visit the terminus of the Erie Canal where Governor DeWitt Clinton dedicated the opening of the canal in 1823. See the WWII warships and the Buffalo waterfront including its grain mills. Fish for walleye, bass or muskys, all tackle and bait are supplied. Scuba dive the crystal clear waters or visit one of the area's beautiful beaches. Try your hand at water skiing or tubing. Stop at a riverside cafe for a famous Buffalo roast beef on weck sandwich, in which slices of juicy, rare roast beef and freshly grated horseradish are piled high on "kummelweck," an unusual hard roll crusted with pretzel salt and caraway.

Martin's Fantasy Island

2400 Grand Island Boulevard
Grand Island, NY 14072
716-773-7591

Hours: Seasonal, mid-May - mid-Sep, Sun - Fri, 11:30am - 8:30pm.
July & Aug, Sun-Fri, 11:30am-8:30pm; Sat, 11:30am-9pm.

Admission Charged

Martin's Fantasy Island offers quality, safe and fun entertainment in a wholesome family environment. Experience over 100 rides, shows and attractions in a clean, park-like setting. Live shows throughout the park include the Wild West Shoot-Out, an old-fashioned Western musical extravaganza, a children's puppet show and a '60s and '70s musical tribute show.

Skiing

Holiday Valley

Holiday Valley Road (50 mi/80 km south of downtown Buffalo), Ellicottville. Phone 716-699-2345. Toll-free 800-323-0020.

Charge for adults for an 8 hour ski pass. Passes available for cross-country skiing and tubing.
Downhill skiing on 52 slopes, with 12 lifts. Cross-country skiing and tubing, too. Thirty-six trails are open for night skiing. For recreation in warmer months, the resort includes an 18-hole golf course. Depending on snow, slopes are open Monday-Friday 9 am-10 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8:30 am-10:30 pm

HoliMont

6921 Highway 242 (50 mi/80 km south of downtown Buffalo), Ellicottville.

716-699-2320.
Downhill skiing on 50 slopes and trails, with eight lifts. Depending on snow, open Monday-Friday 9:30 am-4:20 pm, Saturday and Sunday 9 am-4:20 pm. (Weekend skiing available only to members and guests.) US$30 adults weekdays. Rates also available for half-days.


Kissing Bridge

Route 240 (about a 30-minute drive south of Buffalo), Glenwood.

716-592-4963.
Downhill skiing on 36 slopes, with nine lifts. Tubing is offered through the Colden Tubing Co. Depending on snow, slopes are open Monday-Saturday 9 am-10:30 pm, Sunday 9 am-8 pm. Charge for adults for an eight-hour pass. Other passes available.

Buffalo Events: Buffalo Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Buffalo Travel & Tourism, Free Buffalo Travel Guide Online

Events

January

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Shea's Buffalo Performing Arts Center

646 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14203

716-884-4333

Hours: 6pm

Admission Free

Call for additional information

This is an annual event involving community participation in a performing arts setting. This program is designed to perpetuate the memory and outstanding works of the great Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King.

February

Buffalo Quickies

Alleyway Theatre
One Curtain Up Alley
Buffalo, NY 14202

716-852-2600

Hours: Thurs at 7:30, Fri and Sat at 8pm, Sun at 2pm

Admission Charged

Call for additional information, usually held Thurs – Sun for three consecutive weeks in March

Since 1991 this smorgasbord of tasty theatrical tidbits has featured world premieres of recent finalists and winners of the Maxim Mazumdar New Play Competition.

Annual Winter Carnival

Holiday Valley Resort
Rt. 219 Holiday Valley Road
Ellicottville, NY 14731 (50 miles south of Buffalo)

716-699-2345

Admission Free

Call for additional information

A Mardi Gras extravaganza with fun events for family and kids, costume parade, mogul and rail competitions, and much, much more!

March

Lipizzaner Stallions Anniversary Tour

HSBC Arena

One Seymour H. Knox III Plaza
BuffaloNY 14203-3096

888-223-6000

Call for additional information
Annual event held at HSBC Arena Buffalo, NY featuring the world-famous Lipizzaner Stallions.

May

The Nissan Buffalo Marathon/ Half-Marathon & Marathon Relay

Hyatt Hotel

2 Fountain Plaza

Buffalo, NY 14202

716-694-5154

Entry Fee Charged

Call for additional information

Run along a newly designed scenic course showcasing the beauty of Western New York. It is a flat, fast course and is an excellent marathon to attempt a personal best or qualify for the Boston Marathon. Buffalo's weather is very moderate at this time of year, making for ideal marathon running conditions. The average temperature for May 30 is 62F/17C. The average high is 71F/22C. The average low is 52F/11C.

June

Buffalo Niagara Guitar Festival

Various sites, downtown Buffalo

Buffalo, NY

716-845-7156

Admission Charged at some locations, Admission Free at other locations

Call for additional information, usually held in mid-June for one week

America's first and largest all guitar music festival featuring legendary blues, rock, classical, country and jazz guitarists from around the globe. North American Rock Guitar competition and clinics highlight future stars.

Allentown Art Festival

The Allentown National Historic Preservation District

Buffalo, NY

716-881-4269

Admission Free

Call for additional information

The Allentown Art Festival takes place in the Allentown Historic Preservation District of Buffalo, New York. Over 300,000 visitors visit the Festival to enjoy the beauty of Buffalo's weather in June, the charm and uniqueness of the Allentown area and the quality of the art and crafts presented by the over 400 juried exhibitors.

July

Sorrento Cheese Italian Heritage Festival

Buffalo, NY

716-815-4144

Call for additional information
Italian taste delights, entertainment stages, games and rides are featured. Frank Sinatra, Jr has performed at the festival in the past.

August

National Buffalo Wing Festival

Dunn Tire Park

275 Washington Street

Buffalo, NY 14203.

716-834-4900, ext. 11

Admission Charged

Call for additional information

The Buffalo Wing Festival features hundreds of restaurants and sauces from Buffalo and around the country. There are best wing and sauce competitions, wing eating contests, Buffalo food, entertainment and more.

December

Downtown Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration
Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza

Buffalo, NY
716-856-3150

Admission Free

Call for additional information

The evening kicks off with free ice-skating followed by the official lighting of the tree 6:00 p.m. The festivities include fireworks display over Fountain Plaza, visits with Santa and The Dickens Carolers. Don't miss out on the free amusement rides for children, clowns, face-painters and horse and buggy rides through downtown Buffalo.

Arts and Entertainment

Buffalo City Ballet Company, Inc.

2495 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-833-1243
Hours: Box Office: Mon - Thu, 9am-9pm; Fri - Sat, 10am-6pm. Only open on Sun during productions, 3pm.

Admission Charged

Call for additional information
The Buffalo City Ballet is committed to showcasing the talents of local performers, particularly highlighting the talents of minority artists.

Ujima Company, Inc.

Theater Loft
545 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14222
716-883-0380

Hours: Wed – Sat, 8pm; Sun 6pm

Admission Charged

Call for additional information
Ujima Company is the only professional theatre company in all of Western New York dedicated to the development and presentation of work by African-American and other Third World artists.

Sports

Buffalo Bills NFL

Ralph Wilson Stadium

1 Bills Dr
Orchard Park, NY 14127-2237

716-649-0015 or 877-BB-TICKS

Buffalo Sabres NHL

HSBC Arena

One Seymour H. Knox III Plaza
Buffalo, New York 14203-3096

716-855-4100

Buffalo Facts: Buffalo Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Buffalo Travel & Tourism, Free Buffalo Travel Guide Online

Buffalo City Facts

Population: 292,648

Elevation: 583 feet above sea level

Land Area: 40.6 miles

Location: Located at the northwestern corner of New York on the border between the United States and Canada.

Time Zone: Eastern Time Zone (when it's noon in Buffalo, it's 11:00am in Chicago and 9:00am in Los Angeles)

Weather:

Climate:

Local Seasons:

The busiest time of year is the summer when visitors come from around the world to see Niagara Falls, only a short drive from Buffalo. The city is also a hub of business activity throughout the year. With temperatures averaging near 70 F and highs near 80 F, the summer is the perfect time to experience all of the many outdoor activities available in and around the city. Spring and fall bring an abundance of colors to the area. With blossoms appearing in the spring and the tranquil changing of the colors in the fall, each day brings a new opportunity to see Nature at it's finest. Winters are cold and there is plenty of snow. You can expect snow to be falling or be on the ground anytime from early November until April. Temperatures drop significantly during this time and with wind speeds averaging in the teens, it's a great time to enjoy some of the many fine indoor activities, museums, shopping, or just read a good book beside a roaring fire.

How to Get There:

By Air:

Buffalo Niagara International Airport

4200 Genesee Street
Buffalo, NY 14225
716-630-6000 or 800-FLY-BNIA
The Buffalo Niagara International Airport is located just ten minutes east of downtown Buffalo.

Most major airlines and certain regional carriers serve the airport.

Car Rental:

Virtually all of the major car rental companies operate at or near the airport as well as throughout the city itself

By Car:

Buffalo is reachable from throughout the United States via the New York State Thruway (I-90) and from Canada via the Queen Elizabeth Highway (QEW).

By Train:

Amtrak

D

owntown Buffalo Amtrak
75 Exchange Street at Washington Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
716-856-2075

Depew Amtrak Station

55 Dick Road
Depew, NY 14043
716-683-8440

By Bus:

Greyhound
181 Ellicott Street at N. Division
Buffalo, NY 14203
716- 855-7531 or 800-231-2222

New York Trailways, Inc.
181 Ellicott Street at N. Division
Buffalo, NY 14203
716-852-1750 or 800-295-5555

Taxis and Shuttles

Numerous taxis and shuttles are available at both the airport and throughout the city.

Crossing the Border

One of Buffalo's greatest assets is its proximity to Canada. Travel between the U.S. and Canada is quick and convenient via the Peace Bridge, the Rainbow Bridge, Queenston-Lewiston Bridge or Whirlpool Bridge. (Whirlpool Bridge into Canada is restricted to CanPass holders only.) A nominal fee is charged per automobile while individuals can choose to walk or ride a bicycle for a lesser charge. Before traveling, check with your auto insurance carrier to be certain you are properly covered for travel within a foreign country.

Before crossing any of the four international bridges, a few procedures must be followed by each individual. Upon crossing, you may be asked to show proof of citizenship. A birth certificate or passport are the only forms of identification accepted (a driver's license is not acceptable). The agent will then ask what your destination is and expected length of stay. Upon returning, you will be asked to describe any goods purchased during your visit. Both the U.S. and Canada have specific guidelines on the type and amount of goods that can be back into the country of origin.

Peace Bridge Authority

716- 884-6744

Niagara Falls Bridge Commission
Rainbow/Queenston-Lewiston/Whirlpool Bridges
716- 285-6322 or 800-715-6722

U.S. Customs at Peach Bridge

716- 881-5225

Canadian Customs at Peach Bridge
905-994-6330

Canadian Consulate General
716-858-9500

How to Get Around:

Getting around the city and suburbs is easy, using the Metro Bus and Rail system. The Metro Rail runs along Main Street from HSBC Arena to the South Campus of the University of Buffalo, with several stops in between. The train is free while traveling above ground. However, if your ride takes you past the Theater District down into the subway, there is a charge.

Bus stops are found on almost every street corner in the city of Buffalo. Bus schedules are available at all transportation centers, the Buffalo Convention Center, Buffalo Niagara Visitor Centers, and many local banks.

Metro Bus and Rail

181 Ellicott Street at N. Division
Buffalo, NY 14203
Public transportation for Buffalo Niagara including buses, trains, trolleys and vans.
716-855-7211

National Holidays

New Year's Day, January 1

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the third Monday in January

President' Day, the third Monday in February

Memorial Day, the last Monday in May

Independence Day, July 4

Labor Day, the first Monday in September

Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24 and 25

New Year's Eve, December 31

Buffalo Kids Activities: Buffalo Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Buffalo Travel & Tourism, Free Buffalo Travel Guide Online

Buffalo Zoological Gardens

300 Parkside Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14214
716- 837-3900

Hours: Jun 1 - Sep 6, 10am-5pm; Sep 7 - Dec 31, 10am-4pm. Grounds remain open one hour after gate closes. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Admission Charged
The Zoo is the perfect place for family fun, all year long! It's the only place in town to observe a wide variety of exotic and domestic animals in a natural setting.

Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park

One Naval Park Cove
Buffalo, NY 14202
716-847-1773

Hours: Apr - Oct, daily, 10am - 5pm; Nov, Sat - Sun, 10am - 4:30pm. Open holidays.
Admission Charged

This Buffalo waterfront attraction is the largest inland park of its kind in the nation. All branches of the Armed Forces are represented in the park's exhibits. Tour the decks and hulls of a guided missile cruiser, destroyer and WWII submarine. Inspect uniforms and memorabilia in the museum and exhibits aboard the ships. See planes, a tank and more!

Buffalo City Hall Observation Tower

65 Niagara Square
Buffalo, NY 14202
716-851-5891

Hours: Mon to Fri 9am-4pm. Closed holidays and weekends.
Admission Charged
Buffalo City Hall is an Art Deco masterpiece with spectacular views of Lake Erie and the city.

Nearby Attractions

Aquarium of Niagara

701 Whirlpool Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14301 (20 miles NW of Buffalo)

716-285-3575 or 800-500-4609

Hours: Call for days and hours of operation, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas

Admission Charged

Dive into an ocean of discovery at Niagara's other water wonder! Highlights include California sea lion demonstrations, harbor seals, and a colony of endangered Peruvian penguins. There are over 40 aquatic exhibits.

The Great American Balloon Co.

310 Rainbow Blvd South
Niagara Falls, NY 14303 (20 miles NW of Buffalo)
716-278-0824

Hours: Open May – October, call for additional information
Take a 15 minute ride over Niagara Falls in the "Flight of Angels," a helium filled balloon.

Journey Behind the Falls

6650 Niagara Parkway
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6T2 (22 miles NW of Buffalo)
877-642-7275

Hours: Daily 9am-5pm. Extended hours in summer months. Closed Christmas.
Admission Charged

Elevators transport you to viewing stations below and behind the Horseshoe Falls. Feel the thunder as the mist from water falling 13 stories sprays your face.

Toy Town Museum

636 Girard Avenue
East Aurora, NY 14052 (20 miles SE of Buffalo)
716-687-5151

Hours: Mon - Sat 10am-4pm
Admission Charged
Younger visitors will delight in ToyWorks, a hands-on area where kids can try a number of different learning activities. Adults will enjoy the extensive collection of "Toys Through the 20th Century," "Toys from Around the World", and a host of regularly changing exhibits.

Vidler's Five and Dime Store

676-694 Main Street
East Aurora, NY 14052 (20 miles SE of Buffalo)
716-652-0481 or 877-VIDLERS
Hours: Mon - Thu & Sat, 9am - 5:30pm; Fri, 9am - 9pm; Sun, noon - 4pm. Closed holidays.
Admission Free

Take a step back in time as you visit this old five and dime! Four connected vintage Main Street buildings offer shopping fun for the whole family.

Grand Island Sportsman's Niagara River Tour

3407 Wallace Drive
Grand Island, NY 14072 (13 miles NW of Buffalo)
716-773-9067

Hours: Seasonal, May through October, call for reservations
Admission Charged

Select from a variety of charters aboard "Puppy Love," a 24' Bayliner Cruiser on the Upper Niagara River, Lake Erie or the Historic Erie Canal. Take a sightseeing cruise around Grand Island and see Niagara Falls from a unique vantage point. Visit the terminus of the Erie Canal where Governor DeWitt Clinton dedicated the opening of the canal in 1823. See the WWII warships and the Buffalo waterfront including its grain mills. Fish for walleye, bass or muskys. All tackle and bait are supplied. Scuba dive the crystal clear waters or visit one of the area's beautiful beaches. Try your hand at water skiing or tubing. Stop at a riverside cafe for a famous Buffalo roast beef on weck sandwich, in which slices of juicy, rare roast beef and freshly grated horseradish are piled high on "kummelweck," an unusual hard roll crusted with pretzel salt and caraway.

Martin's Fantasy Island

2400 Grand Island Boulevard
Grand Island, NY 14072 (13 miles NW of Buffalo)
716-773-7591

Hours: Seasonal, mid-May - mid-Sep, Sun - Fri, 11:30am - 8:30pm.
July & Aug, Sun - Fri, 11:30am - 8:30pm; Sat, 11:30am - 9pm.

Admission Charged

Martin's Fantasy Island offers quality, safe and fun entertainment in a wholesome family environment. Experience over 100 rides, shows and attractions in a clean, park-like setting. Live shows throughout the park include the Wild West Shoot-Out, an old-fashioned Western musical extravaganza, a children's puppet show and a '60s and '70s musical tribute show.

Arcade and Attica Railroad

278 Main Street
Arcade, NY 14009 (46 miles SE of Buffalo)
585-496-9877

Hours: May - October, Sat. & Sun. 12:30pm and 3pm, July & August, Wed. Sat. and Sun., 12:30 pm and 3pm, Fri. 1pm. Call for December hours.
Admission Charged
Journey back in time on an early 1900s train pulled by one of the last original operating steam locomotives in New York State. Experience a living part of America's history.

Six Flags Darien Lake

9993 Allegheny Road
Darien Center, NY 14040 (37 miles E of Buffalo)
585-599-4641

Hours: Seasonal, call for additional information

Admission Charged
Theme park with over 100 rides, shows and attractions, including world class roller coasters, kiddie park, water park, and a concert venue.

Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours

The Riverside Inn
115 South Water Street
Lewiston, NY 14092 (25 miles N of Buffalo)
905-468-4800 or 888-438-4444

Hours: Apr. - Oct. - departure times 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5:30pm, 7pm (subject to change.) Open holidays. Reservations required.

Admission Charged
Passengers ages six and up will experience history, scenery and excitement on an hour-long whitewater adventure through the Niagara Gorge.

Genesee Country Village and Museum

1410 Flint Hill Road
Mumford, NY 14511 (62 miles E of Buffalo)
585-538-6822

Hours: May - Oct, 10am-4pm, until 5pm on weekends, holidays. Tue - Sun, 10am-5pm from Jul - Labor Day. Nov - Apr, Nature Center is open Thu - Sun, 10am-4pm.
Admission Charged

Spend a day in a 19th-century country village. Stroll among the 68 restored and fully furnished buildings and see how a log cabin settlement grew into a bustling community of stores, shops, schools, churches and fine houses. "Villagers" in period dress tell you about 1800s Genesee Country and American life. Live demonstrations of crafts and tasks of the 19th-century take place every day, including blacksmithing, cooking, spinning and tending the gardens.

Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum

180 Thompson Street
North Tonawanda, NY 14120-0672 (14 miles N of Buffalo)
716-693-1885

Hours: Apr - Jun 15 & Sep - Dec 30, Wed - Sun, 1- 5pm; Jun 16 - Labor Day, Sun - Sat, 11am - 5pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Easter.
Admission Charged

The building and 1916 carousel are listed on both the New York State and National Register of Historic Sites. Exhibits include an operating 1916 carousel, a 1948 kiddie carrousel, and 20 hand-carved carousel characters.

Williams Travel Guide |Omaha Travel Guide |Alexandria Travel Guide |Tucson Travel Guide |Nassau Travel Guide |Tokyo Travel Guide |Anaheim Travel Guide |Dallas Travel Guide |Key West Travel Guide |Las Vegas Travel Guide |Kissimmee Travel Guide |Sandusky Travel Guide |Bar Harbor Travel Guide |Lima Travel Guide |Birmingham Travel Guide |Clearwater Travel Guide |El Paso Travel Guide |Punta Cana Travel Guide |Corpus Christi Travel Guide |Niagara Falls Travel Guide |Minneapolis Travel Guide |Hilton Head Island Travel Guide |Auckland Travel Guide |Gulfport Travel Guide |Berlin Travel Guide |Houston Travel Guide |Helsinki Travel Guide |San Diego Travel Guide |Hershey Travel Guide |Taipei Travel Guide |