A Taste of Buffalo

Full of plenty of charm and character, Buffalo, NY can be a great travel destination. The city has a rich history all its own with lots of sights and experiences to make a great vacation. Add that to a bevy of great restaurants and this Western New York destination is one the whole family will enjoy.

Sights

No Western New York vacation would be complete without a trip to Niagara Falls. While technically not part of Buffalo, it is a natural wonder that is sure to delight travelers of any age. The Falls have two sides, and admittedly the Canadian waterfall is a more spectacular view. A short walk or drive across the bridge can take you to Niagara Falls, Ontario. If you didn't bring your passport, however, there is plenty to be seen on the American side. You can take a ride on the Maid of the Mist, visit the observation deck, or simply enjoy the view from dry land. Don't be surprised if you see weddings, prom dates, couples strolling, or even a marriage proposal, as Niagara Falls is one of the most romantic destinations in America.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin Martin House is another must-see of Buffalo. Tours range from $15-$40 for an adult based on the tour package, and are all docent-led. With nearly 400 art-glass windows and built in Frank Lloyd Wright's signature style, this house is a very interesting stop on a tour of Buffalo.

A simple stroll through Downtown Buffalo can be an interesting experience in and of itself. Buffalo is home to many architecturally interesting buildings, such as City Hall and Fountain Plaza are beautiful sights to behold. Other buildings of note include Kleinhan's Music Hall, St Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, and the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library. All are beautiful buildings with unique architecture.

Culture

If there's one thing Buffalo has in abundance, it's culture. If you are traveling in the summer don't miss a production of Shakespeare in Delaware Park, which is a free theater experience that is always a hit. Not far away is the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, which is home to many fascinating works of art, including a room made entirely of mirrors (Lucas Samaras, 1966). You can also see works by Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollack.

Buffalo is also home to the Buffalo Zoo and the Buffalo Museum of Science. Both are experiences that children and adults alike will enjoy. The museum houses many fascinating exhibitions, some permanent and some temporary.

Buffalo is home to many different festivals every year. Certainly the most popular is the Allentown Art Festival, held annually in June. It is an exhibition and sale of local and regional arts and crafts that is popular with visitors and Buffalonians alike. In July, the Taste of Buffalo offers samples of local restaurants as well as musical entertainment and local culture. It is a great way to get a sampling of local food if you aren't sure which wonderful eateries are right for you.

Sports

While no professional local team has ever won a national championship, Buffalo's athletic pride is still something to behold. A trip to any sports game will show passion and heart in Buffalo's sports fans. Depending on when you travel, a Buffalo Sabres hockey game or a Buffalo Bills football game is a definite do for the sports fan. It doesn't matter if the team is having a good season, Buffalo's die-hard fans will attend in full force. If baseball is more your speed, the Buffalo Bisons Minor League team plays during regular baseball season as well.

Food

The most obvious food to sample in Buffalo is the chicken wing. Most tourists and Buffalonians will tell you to go to the Anchor Bar for a truly authentic wing. While it is true that the Anchor Bar is the home of the original Buffalo wing, there are other places to get and excellent taste that will make no wing outside of Western New York good enough. Duff's is a favorite of Buffalo's suburbanites. Located outside of the downtown area, the wings are unlike anything else. They come dripping in sauce, and are hot hot hot. As it says on the Duff's t-shirts: Medium is Hot, Hot is Very Hot, and Very Hot is Very, Very Hot. Be sure to order some fries with them to soak up all of the extra sauce, because it would be tragic to waste anything that delicious. LaNova is another source of excellent wings. It was rumored that when former President Bill Clinton visited Buffalo, he ordered pound and pounds of LaNova's pizza and wings to go home with him.

Buffalo also has a large Greek population, and thus many excellent Greek restaurants. A popular destination is Pano's, which is known for breakfast and makes spanikopita that is to die for. A Greek restaurant can be found on nearly every corner, and almost all of them offer excellent food at low prices.

It may seem odd that a travel article would send you to a grocery store, but a trip to any Wegman's will show you why. Even if you don't need any groceries, stop by the sub sandwich counter for a bite to eat. A Wegman's sub is a favorite of the Buffalonian in a hurry, and it is easy to see why.

While Buffalo, NY is not seen as a popular tourist destination, it certainly offers plenty for the traveler to experience. With beautiful sights like Niagara Falls, cultural events like the Allentown Art Festival, die-hard sports fans, and excellent food, it's a wonder this great city hasn't caught on as a tourist hot spot. It is full of character and charm, and is a great destination for people of all ages and walks of life.