Things To Do
Buffalo AKG Art Museum
Buffalo's Art Museum, with a focus on modern and contemporary art. The "AKG" recently re-opened following a major renovation to add more than 50,000 SF of exhibition space. The original, neo-classical marble building (planned for the 1901 Pan-American Exposition, but construction didn't quite make that timeline) was designed by E.B. Green, the same architect who designed our home! The AKG is located on the north edge of the Elmwood Village, a great place to walk around and enjoy local shops and restaurants.
Niagara Falls State Park
See the natural wonder in our backyard: Niagara Falls! Niagara Falls State Park is about about 30-minutes north of Buffalo. On the American Side, you can take a ride on the Maid of the Mist, walk through The Cave of The Winds, or learn a little about the history of the Falls at the State Park Visitor Center. Niagara Falls, Canada is a quick trip across the Rainbow Bridge (bring your passport). Our Ringbearer, Henry, recommends the Rainforest Cafe on the American Side for a snack, but there's no shortage of places to eat on both sides of the Falls.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
For history buffs! Tour the home where President Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as President -- coincidentally on September 14th -- following the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901. Located in Allentown, about a block away from our home, and a great area to walk around and grab a drink or something to eat.
Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House
Buffalo is home to several Frank Lloyd Wright homes, with two open for tours. The Darwin D. Martin House is located in North Buffalo. Built as an urban estate, the property has several buildings linked by landscaped gardens. The Darwin D. Martin House is located near Hertel Avenue, another great street to walk down for local shops, restaurants and bars. For guests looking to get out of the city, Frank Lloyd Wright's Graycliff is located about 30-minutes south of the city on the Lake Erie shore in Derby, NY. More information on touring Graycliff is available here: https://experiencegraycliff.org/
Canalside
The heart of downtown Buffalo's waterfront and the historic end-point of the Erie Canal. Rent kayaks, paddle boats, sunset cruise, a harbor history cruise, visit our WWII Battleships. There are a lot of boats. Grab a picture with Shark Girl. Liberty Hound is a good place to grab a bite.
Wings!
It's not a visit to Buffalo without some wings! The link highlights some of the places that claim to have the best wings in town. Some notables are: The Anchor Bar is the classic and considers itself the birthplace of the Buffalo-style Wing. Pro Tip: order them extra crispy. Located at 1047 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14209 Gabriel's Gate is our neighborhood go-to. Located in an old brick row house with some quirky decor, Gabe's is an Allentown staple. We like the hot wings, but the BBQ is also delicious! Located at 145 Allen St, Buffalo, NY 14201. Duff's is Mike's family favorite and his favorite way to order is with a side of fries. It's such a staple that even President Obama stopped in when he made a visit to Buffalo (no word if he also added fries). Duff's main location is a few minutes outside the city at 3651 Sheridan Dr, Amherst, NY 14226.