Why You Should Visit Buffalo, New York

Buffalo, New York is often closely associated with Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls is indeed a neighbor to the north of Buffalo (about 20 miles); however, Buffalo is a unique city that warrants a trip of its own, and there are plenty of reasons why you should visit the Queen City.

Buffalo is beautiful year-round and offers unique activities and sightseeing that can be completed during any or all seasons. Of course the city is well known for its sports teams. From September until January, the NFL Buffalo Bills push for the Super Bowl at Ralph Wilson Stadium. You can catch an NHL game featuring the Buffalo Sabres from October through May at HSBC Arena, or a lacrosse match with the Buffalo Bandits on Saturdays during the winter and spring. Buffalo is also home to the Buffalo Bisons, a Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. Buffalo definitely has a great deal to offer to the sports fan.

For travelers whose tastes run more towards galleries and museums, Buffalo has plenty to offer. The Albright-Knox Art Gallery has featured exhibits from Karin Davie and Robert Therrien, and currently on display are works from Frida Kahlo, Arturo Herrera, and many more.

The Buffalo Museum of Science has exhibits and activities that will engage your sense and your mind. Also be sure to stop by the Wilcox Mansion, where the inauguration of Theodore Roosevelt was held in 1901. Civil War buffs can visit the Michigan Street Baptist Church, a former stop on the Underground Railroad. These are just a sampling of the many historical sites, galleries, and museums Buffalo has to offer.

A thriving theater scene makes Buffalo a hot spot for popular touring productions as well as first run productions from popular playwrights. Shea's Performing Arts Center is an historic building in downtown Buffalo that welcomes the best of Broadway each year. Studio Arena Theatre, one of the oldest resident theatres in the nation, is in its fourth decade of staging popular productions and Broadway-bound hits. In addition to the larger theaters, there are dozens of theaters staging productions. The local theater season kicks off each year with Curtain Up!, a lavish fete celebrating the season's kickoff Downtown.

Business travelers or travelers visiting family are often pleasantly surprised to discover architecture from none other than Frank Lloyd Wright. The Darwin Martin House, George Barton House, and the Heath and Davidson houses are just a few of Wright's treasures in Buffalo. The addresses are easily gathered from the Internet, and tourists can spend an afternoon taking in these magnificent buildings while enjoying the scenery in the Queen City.

Of course, many people associate Buffalo with a popular menu item, chicken wings. Across the country they're called "Buffalo Wings," but here, they're just "Chicken Wings." The home of the chicken wing, Anchor Bar, is on Main Street in Downtown Buffalo, and is a must-see for any tourist. Take home a bottle of Anchor Bar's original sauce, and when you are craving the original chicken wing at home, go online and have some delivered right to your door.

Coffee connoisseurs must stop by SPoT Coffee, Buffalo's answer to popular Seattle coffeehouses. The fresh roasted coffee is the best cup in town, and the funky, arty atmosphere is welcoming and hip. Grandmothers and college students sit side-by-side enjoying SPoT's satisfying coffee and appetizing desserts. It is the perfect café experience right in Downtown Buffalo.

Buffalo's beautiful summers bring tourists from across the globe. The city offers a wide variety of summer activities including fishing, boating, and water sports; as well as great trails for biking and running. Art festivals, an outdoor concert series, and the world's largest county fair, the Erie County Fair, keep locals and tourists busy during the season.

The city's notorious winters bring ski bunnies and families who want to hop on a sled, activities found within the city and an hour's drive. Fall offers crisp evenings and beautiful foliage, plus, travelers do not want to miss the opportunity to go picking for famous New York apples or visit a pumpkin farm. When the city thaws out each spring, Buffalo seems to come alive with excitement in preparation for what lies ahead.

Buffalo is a budget-friendly visit for travelers on a strict budget. All major airlines and many discount airlines, such as Southwest and JetBlue, have regular flights to Buffalo-Niagara International Airport. Hotels for every budget are available within close proximity to all local attractions.

The Queen City has a great deal to offer a curious tourist. A visit during any of the four seasons will provide a unique, exciting, and affordable getaway.