julie & chris
Things To Do
Curtiss Hotel
The Vue Rooftop lounge is a great spot for good drinks & nice views. You can also check out the revolving bar inside, which rotates 360 degrees as you sit at the bar!
Canalside
Canalside is located at the Buffalo waterfront & is a new area that has been revitalized and built in recent years. The area has a great boardwalk with lots of restaurants and activities. Visitors can rent kayaks, take a water taxi ride, and enjoy live music by the water. Check out the website for event calendars during your stay!
Anchor Bar
Stop and get some authentic chicken wings (don't call them Buffalo Wings here!) at the restaurant where they were invented!
Big Ditch Brewing Company
A great spot for a local beer and bite to eat. Chris recommends the Hayburner IPA!
Jim's Steakout
Jim's is a Buffalo staple with multiple locations open until 5am. We recommend the Stinger or a Chicken Finger sub (with blue cheese is a must-do while you're in Buffalo!)
Deep South Taco
Nachos, margaritas, & a rooftop patio!
Maid of the Mist Boat Tour
One of Niagara Falls' most famous attractions, the Maid of the Mist is a calm boat ride that brings you up close and personal under Niagara Falls. The queues can get long during the summer months, so try to arrive early or plan on waiting a bit!
Discover Niagara Shuttle
The Discover Niagara Shuttle is a hop-on/hop-off shuttle that connects riders to 15 destinations between Niagara Falls and Old Fort Niagara. This is a great option to check out a lot of local sites without worrying about driving and parking!
Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls
A great shopping spot to take advantage of some deals when you're in town!
Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours
A much more adventurous ride than the Maid of the Mist, the Whirpool Jetboats are an exciting and beautiful ride! These are the only boats that can travel safely into the whirlpool rapids below Niagara Falls. You may want to buy your ticket in advance. Prepare to get soaked & definitely bring a change of clothes! Check out The Silo nearby for a casual and scenic bite to eat or ice cream cone after your ride.
Orange Cat Coffee Co
Our favorite coffee shop-- we always try the specialty flavors and get grounds to bring back to Chicago and brew at home!
Old Fort Niagara
Old Fort Niagara is a great spot to visit for history buffs. Inside the Fort, you'll tour original buildings where Native American, French, British and American soldiers lived and worked from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Fort Niagara sits right on Lake Ontario and offers great views of the Lake and Canada.
Thin Man Brewery
Thin Man has a lot of great beers and delicious food. It is right in the middle of the Elmwood Village, a great area for shopping!