Buffalo has good food, memorable architecture, fun activities, and friendly people. These are my favorite things to do in Buffalo.

When people ask me about some of my favorite destinations, it often surprises me when I include Buffalo, New York. But it’s a great city with good food, memorable architecture, fun things to do, and friendly people. Most people who visit Niagara Falls fly into Buffalo—but they drive on through town without stopping to explore the city. When planning my trip, many people asked, “But what’s there to do in Buffalo?” I discovered great things to see and do while visiting Buffalo. Here are a few of my favorites.

Aerial view of Buffalo, New York. Photo courtesy Visit Buffalo Niagara

Explore the Architecture of Buffalo

Buffalo’s architecture is epic. In the late 1800s, Buffalo boomed, becoming the country’s eighth-largest city. It was home to dozens of prominent millionaires. This makes for some amazing architecture in the downtown area. I suggest you start your visit with an official guided tour, such as the “Masters of American Architecture” tour. Explore Buffalo provides guides for the tours, and I learned so much.

I enjoyed my Masters of American Architecture tour in Buffalo. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

Check out the website for tour days and times. Meet in the lobby of the Hotel at the Lafayette. It’s at 391 Washington Street, at the corner of Washington and Clinton Streets. If you can, stop at the Visit Buffalo Niagara Visitor Center in the Brisbane Building just across the street. It has excellent books, souvenirs, and keepsakes about Buffalo.

Historic Hotel Lafayette is on Washington and Clinton streets. Photo courtesy Visit Buffalo Niagara Visitor Center

The tour is a combination of a history lesson and fun local lore. It gave me a real feel for this eclectic city. Here are some of my highlights from the tour.

St. Joseph Cathedral

St. Joseph Cathedral, or the Old Cathedral, is on Franklin Street. The city’s first bishop, John Timon, established the cathedral in 1847. Pope Pius IX’s original $2,000 donation kicked off the construction of the cathedral.

St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

St. Joseph Cathedral, dedicated in 1855, is open to the public. While I’m not Catholic, I always feel calm when I enter a cathedral. The stained glass is beautiful, and there is a magnificent organ. It’s a great stop on the tour.

The Old Post Office

Buffalo’s Old Post Office is now Erie Community College. The massive building opened in 1901 and was constructed from Maine granite. The outside is one of the most impressive buildings I’ve seen in the US. I was mesmerized by the crocketed spire with a finial at the top.

The Old Post Office, now Erie Community College, in Buffalo. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

The outside of the building is covered with gargoyles. Unlike typical European gargoyles, which often depict mythical creatures, these gargoyles feature various animals, including the American Bison.

Buffalo gargoyle is outside of the Old Post Office in Buffalo. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

The outside is magnificent, but take time to walk inside as well. The skylight is the centerpiece. Since this is a college, I didn’t explore the higher floors, but just walking through the downstairs was a real treat.

The ceiling of the Old Post Office in Buffalo is a memorable feature you can see from the lobby. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

Guaranty Trust Building

The Guaranty Trust Building, also known as the Prudential Building, was my favorite on the architectural tour. The building, built in 1894 by renowned architect Louis Sullivan, has a metal skeleton covered in terra cotta design.

Guaranty Building is covered in terra cotta. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

You won’t be able to wander through the building, but you can go inside the lobby and take a look. One of the city’s original skyscrapers is a National Historic Landmark. It now houses the law firm of Hodgson Russ, LLP.

The architectural tour gives you a great preview of the city and gives you an idea of other places to visit during your stay.

Discovering Frank Lloyd Wright in Buffalo

Acclaimed architect Frank Lloyd Wright did considerable work in Buffalo. You’ll find two great opportunities in Buffalo to explore the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright—The Martin House Complex and Graycliff.

Martin House Complex

The Martin House Complex is one of Wright’s most beautiful creations, now open to the public.

Martin House exterior. Photo by Martin House Complex courtesy Brand USA

I am a big fan of Wright’s architectural work, and although I’ve visited several other Wright sites, I found the story of the Martin House fascinating. Wright built the residence for businessman Darwin Martin and his family between 1903 through 1905. Eventually, there were six buildings, including the main house, a carriage house, the Barton House built for Martin’s sister, and a gardener’s cottage.

Frank Lloyd Wright created the Martin House in Buffalo. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

The Demise of The Martin House Complex

Over the years, all but the main house was demolished. Even the main house fell into disrepair after Mr. Martin’s death when his destitute widow simply walked away from it. In desperation, she placed advertisements in the local papers asking folks to come to get the Frank Lloyd Wright windows. And people showed up in hordes, gutting the beautiful residence.

Block apartment buildings replaced some of the outer Wright structures during the 1950s. By the 1990s, the people of Buffalo realized they were losing a treasure. The restoration began in 1997 and continues today.

Inside the Martin House Main Residence. Photo by Rhea Anna for Visit Buffalo Niagara

There is a gorgeous welcome center and an interpretive center on the grounds. The main floor of the residence is now complete, and you can book a tour of the house and grounds. The only way to see inside the house is to book a guided tour. The 75-minute tour is ideal for only $22. It is offered daily. If you are interested in a tour of the house and the gardens, this tour is only available on Saturdays, and prices start at $30 for adults.

Graycliff in Nearby Derby

Frank Lloyd Wright didn’t build just one magnificent home for the Martins in the area. He built two. Between 1926 and 1931, he built Graycliff as a summer home for the family. It sits on the bluffs overlooking Lake Erie in Derby, about 20 miles south of the city.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Graycliff is located about 20 miles south of Buffalo. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

After the Martin family passed away, the house was sold to a group of Roman Catholic priests. When the priests wanted to sell the home and grounds in 1997, a developer planned to tear it down and build condominiums. Area residents formed the Graycliff Conservancy to acquire, preserve, and restore the beautiful residence.

Graycliff sits on the bluffs overlooking Lake Erie. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

The home is restored, and the Conservancy is working on the grounds. Various tours give you a chance to explore the home and learn more about Frank Lloyd Wright and the Martins. You can do a standard one-hour tour, an extended two-hour tour, the Wright Rocks geology tour, a 90-minute landscape tour, or a private tour. Several special events take place throughout the summer and fall as well. Be sure to check the website for current events.

Wander Beautiful Buffalo Gardens

Back in the 1800s, when Buffalo was a booming new town, famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted helped plan the city. As a result of Olmsted’s influence, Buffalo is a city filled with public parks and gardens. Along with all the public parks, you’ll also discover that many private homes around the city welcome visitors.

The Garden of  Jim Charlier is part of Buffalo’s Garden Walk. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

One of the best ways to see the gorgeous private gardens is during the annual summer Garden Walk. During one weekend in July, Buffalo hosts the largest private garden walk in the U.S. During the month, more than 400 homeowners open their garden gates and invite the public to smell the flowers. I visited during June, so I wasn’t there for the Garden Walk but took part in the Tours of Open Gardens. That is a four-week event in July. Nearly 100 outstanding gardens are open four times during the month.

Tours of Open Gardens

I discovered so many fantastic gardens. One of my favorite spots was the little garden shed in Jim Charlier’s backyard. Jim is the Vice President of Gardens Buffalo, New York, and keeps his yard open for the Tour of Open Gardens each July.

My favorite spot on the tour was the garden shed in Jim Charlier’s garden. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

You can wander gardens throughout the neighborhoods free of charge. Purchase the guide before you go, and then feel free to enter the gardens, chat with the owners, snap photos, and smell the roses—literally. If you are particularly interested in certain plants, ask about them. The owners love to talk about their labors of love.

Gardens of Gordon Ballard on 604 Bird Avenue. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

The guide lists the open gardens and their hours. Remember to respect the hours—these are private homes, so only go during posted open hours, and even then, make sure the sign is out front. The PDF groups the gardens by area so you can check out a different location each evening.

Local Flavors of Buffalo

Food and beer have been a part of Buffalo’s history since the beginning. Before Prohibition, Buffalo claimed more than two dozen breweries and 8,000 bars. While that might not have been the case in the years after the end of Prohibition, the food and drink scene is once again hot in Buffalo.

Buffalo is known for its breweries, but I don’t drink beer. I’ve tried it, and I don’t like it. However, I enjoyed the atmosphere at several local eateries and recommend them even if you aren’t a beer fan.

Thin Man Brewery

My favorite was Thin Man Brewery on Elmwood Avenue. They have a small front patio on the sidewalk, a comfortable indoor area, and a fabulous rooftop patio that is the place to hang out in the good weather months. My dinner companion, a regular at the brewery, told me that the beer there is excellent. Their offerings change seasonally, and they have some fun names.  I stuck with a glass of wine, but the food was what would have me coming back here time and again.

The menu changes regularly, and there are specials each night. Because I was there on a very hot July day, the restaurant served a slightly spicy watermelon-cucumber gazpacho. It was a simple but tasty dish, one of the best I’ve had anywhere.

Watermelon Gazpacho at Thin Man Brewery in Buffalo. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

Resurgence Brewing

There are a few other breweries that I would suggest trying during your visit to Buffalo. One of those is Resurgence Brewing, one of the most popular breweries in the city. The outdoor beer garden on the city’s West Side is popular with locals—which is always a good measure of how to judge the food. Resurgence at 55 Chicago Street opens at noon Tuesday through Friday and at 11:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday.

Resurgence Brewing. Photo by Rhea Anna for Visit Buffalo Niagara.

Hamburg Brewing Company

Another popular brewery is Hamburg Brewing Company, located at 6553 Boston State Road in nearby Hamburg, New York. This little brewery offers several beers on tap and a great selection of snacks, including baked pretzel sticks and delicious sandwiches.

Hamburg Brewing Company. Photo by Jim Bush for Visit Buffalo Niagara

Buffalo is also known for its food trucks, but I didn’t have a chance to sample a single one. I did check out the food at the brick-and-mortar location of Lloyd Taco, which was the city’s first food truck in 2010. That is worth a lunch, but the tacos are huge!

Today, Buffalo has dozens of food trucks. I can’t wait to hear about your favorites—and I’ll have to check them out on my next visit.

Best Places to Play in Buffalo

There was no way for me to do everything I wanted in the few days I was in Buffalo. I will return to do all those things I couldn’t experience. The locals said I must go shopping in Elmwood Village. I need to explore trendy Larkin Square. I want to rent a bike and check out the neighborhoods. One of the newest areas of Buffalo that I discovered only briefly and want to explore more is Canalside.

Relax at Canalside. Photo by Joe Cascio for Visit Buffalo Niagara

Canalside

Canalside hosts more than a thousand events all year long. During the summer, you can rent boats and paddleboards, take harbor cruises, play in the park, eat ice cream, ride bikes, and people-watch to your heart’s content. Winter months are cold in Buffalo, but the fun at Canalside doesn’t stop. You will find many ice activities—skating, curling, hockey, and ice bikes. Canalside includes restaurants, bars, and even new hotels, making this a great city activity hub.

RiverWorks

Another great new feature in Buffalo is RiverWorks. This is one of those simply crazy stories highlighting the integrity, determination, and desire to create something new that I discovered throughout Buffalo. The developers found ways to reinvent abandoned grain silos.

Grain elevators dot the banks of the Niagara River in Buffalo. Photo courtesy Joe Cascio for Visit Buffalo Niagara

RiverWorks complex includes the RiverWorks brewery, with a beer garden in the hulking remains of a grain silo. It also has massive event space, including two ice rinks, entertainment and concert venues, a roller derby track, bars, restaurants, and more. You can hop on one of the history boat cruises to hear about the changes to the area and see it from the waterside.

Day Trip to Niagara Falls

While there is so much to explore in Buffalo, you will want to make time to go to nearby Niagara Falls during your visit. It’s one of those iconic treasures you must see at least once in your lifetime.

Niagara Falls State Park

The Today show named Niagara Falls State Park one of America’s Top 10 Most Beautiful Spots. And I agree. I was blown away by the power of the water at the falls. Millions of gallons of water rush over the cliffs every few seconds. You feel that power when you stand at Terrapin Point and gaze down at the famous Horseshoe Falls. We usually lump three falls together as “Niagara Falls,” but you should check out each one: Horseshoe Falls (mostly on the Canadian side), American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls.

Niagara Falls. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

I suggest taking the time to hike around the falls. The entire area is known for its beautiful autumn colors. I’ve been told that the Niagara Gorge is breathtaking each September with its array of brilliant yellows, oranges, and reds. You will also want to be sure you purchase tickets to both the Cave of the Winds and the Maid of the Mist tours.

The Cave of the Winds at Niagara Falls. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

The Cave of the Winds

The Cave of the Winds takes you out on wooden walkways to get you up close and personal with American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Once you’ve gone down 175 feet in the elevator, you don a yellow rain poncho and head out to experience the power of the water. I was so intrigued—and more than a little impressed—that the workers take down that walkway every fall and build it again each spring. The main season extends through mid-October each year.

Bridal Veil Falls at Niagara Falls. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

The Maid of the Mist Tour

The Maid of the Mist tour has been an attraction at Niagara Falls for 150 years. Once you put on your iconic blue poncho and get onboard the boat at the base of the Observation Tower, you can see why this is such a favorite attraction.

Onboard the Maid of the Mist. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

My heart pounded as we moved past the American Falls, but it was doing double time when we got to the base of Horseshoe Falls. The whitewater created by the falls renews your appreciation for the water’s strength. As the boat inches its way through the mist, you feel small against the force of nature.

If you want to get wet, stand on the side of the boat closest to the falls. You can stay drier if you stand toward the back of the boat. No matter where you stand, you feel the intensity of the water as if it is something living and breathing. Maid of the Mist operates daily from early April through early November.

When You Visit Buffalo

I stayed at The Mansion on Delaware Avenue during my stay in Buffalo. This historic boutique hotel has all the associated AAA Four Diamond offerings. They offer 24-hour butler service that will take you downtown and pick you up after dinner or a show. This makes it ideal if you fly into Buffalo and choose not to rent a car.

My room was large and roomy, with the feel of yesteryear but the amenities of today.

My room at Mansion on Delaware Avenue. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

I enjoyed the complimentary drink served in the drawing room each evening. One of my favorite meals of the day is breakfast, and the chef at The Mansion on Delaware Avenue provides a selection of made-to-order breakfast items each morning. You won’t find friendlier hotel staff anywhere. There are a variety of other new and modern hotels, charming small inns, and historic old residences. Most of all, talk to the good folks you pass on the streets.

Explore the Buffalo Neighborhoods. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

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You will wonder why it took you so long to visit Buffalo. This all-American city seems to embody the survival spirit defining great destinations worldwide. Visit the gardens, check out the breweries, and peruse some of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work. Be sure to read Wander for more options of things to do when you visit New York.