Things To Do In Metro Buffalo NY
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| Akron Falls Park | There is a pleasant trail in Akron Park that is parallel to the creek that traverses the park. Very nice in spring and fall. The foliage is gorgeous in the fall, with lots of leaves to romp in later in the year. Visit the town for some treats afterwards. |
| Alabama Swamps (Iroquois National Wildlife Sanctuary) | Looking for a beautiful place to hike less than an hour from Buffalo? Check out the swamps! There are dozens of trails located within the preserve boundaries. Check out the Swan Trail, which has elevated boardwalks, a path through a forest, and some beautiful views of the ponds. During the spring and fall migrations, thousands of geese can be seen within the many pools throughout the preserve. You can canoe down Oak Orchard Creek. It is a breathtaking trip, opening up into wide pond areas with plenty of wildlife (turtles, muskrat, birds) and jumping fish. You may spot a Bald Eagle if you are fortunate. The headquarters are located on Route 63 near the Route 77 junction. |
| Albright Knox Art Gallery | Among the oldest public arts organizations in the United States. |
| Amherst Museum | In addition to the museum, restored 19th century buildings and many seasonal events. There is a nice bike trail just down the street (across from the golf course). |
| Anderson's Ice Cream | Great folks, ice cream, and roast beef. Try a Carl's Sandwich. |
| Antique World | New York's largest indoor/outdoor antique market, and they are still building! |
| Apple Picking | A great way to spend a crisp fall day. Murphy's Orchards is the place to go. |
| Artpark | 200 acres of visual and performing arts. |
| Aquarium of Niagara Falls | A great place for a Sunday drive, and who cares about the weather! |
| Arcade and Attica Railroad | For those looking for a bit of nostalgia, take a train excursion with a working steam locomotive. Originating in Arcade, the round trip will take you through some beautiful countryside to the town of Couriers. An open car allows you to experience the great outdoors while cinders blow past your hair. |
| Attend Church | Their are many ways to worship, give thanks, and serve the Lord in and around Buffalo. Learn more. |
| Beach Time | There are many beaches in and around the Buffalo area. Don't forget the suntan lotion and beach toys! |
| Beaver Island State Park | On Grand Island. A beach on the Niagara River. |
| Beaver Meadow Nature Center | Nice hiking trails, self-guided tours, ponds, and of course, beaver dens! |
| Branches of Niagara Campground | Camping in Niagara Falls has never been this much fun. Bring your RV. Bring your tent. Bring your children! Take a hike through a lovely mix of forest and meadows and spend the night in one of our beautiful log cabins. This is camping at its finest! |
| Breakfast | Plenty of great places around town for breakfast (like Denny's). |
| Broadway Market | This has become a family custom, spending a day here just before Easter. Lots of delicious foods. |
| Buffalo Itself | Travel resource for Buffalo and the Niagara Frontier. |
| Buffalo Museum of Science | Looking for something to do on a rainy day? Kids never tire of seeing some dinosaur bones. |
| Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens | Even when the weather is not so pleasant, you can enjoy nature indoors! |
| Buffalo and Erie County Public Library | The downtown library has five floors and covers more than two blocks. A great rainy day trip! If you are looking for books to buy, click here. |
| Buffalo Christian Center | A roller rink, swimming pool, gym, putt-putt golf, and cafeteria for year round fun. Sign up for your next birthday party. |
| Buffalo Waterfront | Still in the development stages, but lots to do. Check out the Marine Park for a tour of two World War II ships and a submarine. |
| Buffalo Wingfest | Annual Chicken Wing Festival celebrating Buffalo Wings. |
| Buffalo Zoo | Who could pass up a day at the zoo with the fam? Savor the fragrances in the Reptile Room, feed the elephants a few peanuts, pet some goats, and have a ball! |
| Buffalo-Niagara Airport | Here's a fun way to spend a Saturday on a cold winter day: head on over to the Buffalo Airport and watch the planes. Click here for travel plans. |
| Burgwardt Bicycle Museum | One of the largest collections of antique and classic bicycles in the entire world! Located in Orchard Park. |
| Butterfly Conservatory | Over 2000 butterflies in a tropical rain forest setting. |
| Camping in the Back Yard | Don't overlook the simple pleasures. Bring a good book to read aloud and plenty of imagination and snacks. You can pick up a pretty good 4 to 6 man tent for under $100. See Walmart. See more camping gear here. |
| Canada's Wonderland | Canada's premier theme park located in Toronto. A bit of a drive, but a nice, clean park. |
| Canadice Lake | Similar to Hemlock Lake, but smaller. You'll need a permit (see Hemlock Lake). Boat launch summary and DEC description. |
| Canandaigua Lady | Canandaigua Lake is one of the most beautiful Finger Lakes. The Canandaigua Lady takes you on a pleasant tour of the lake. The lunch cruise is memorable. |
| Canoeing | Nothing like gliding through still waters. One of the nicest spots is Oak Orchard Creek. Another is Hemlock Lake, south of Rochester. |
| Carrousel Museum | The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is a working carousal in North Tonawanda that is great for those cloudy days. |
| Charcoal Corral | Located in Perry, near Letchworth Park. There is Putt-Putt, a drive-in, pizza, ice cream, and of course, charcoal grilled goodies. |
| Chautauqua Belle | Prepare to embark on a Steamship Adventure, taking you back more then a 100 years ago. |
| Cherry Picking | A fun activity with tasty rewards. A favorite place is Murphy's Orchards. Mrs. Murphy has lots of jams and jellies for sale as well. |
| Children's Museum | Located in East Aurora, this unique museum encourages children to touch as they experiment, discover, play, and learn. |
| Christmas in Clarence | Featuring a one-mile drive through collection of giant twinkling sculptures, cascading arches, and brilliant animated characters. |
| Christmas in Ellicottville | A nine day Christmas wonderland. |
| Clarence Bicentennial | Come celebrate the Town of Clarence 2008 Bicentennial. |
| Clarence Coffee Shop | Every kind of coffee you could imagine, and some great deserts! One day we stopped there after a day of biking and had some chocolate cake made by an exchange student from France; unbelievable! On the corner of Goodrich and Clarence Center Road. |
| Clarence Day in the Park | Complete with Fourth of July fireworks and a chicken dinner, this is a fun day for the entire family held at the Main Street Clarence Town Park. Held on the Saturday nearest the Fourth. |
| Clarence Escarpment Sanctuary | Located on Greiner Road just east of Goodrich Road, this preserve provides a beautiful trail along the Onondaga Escarpment. There is a viewing platform that affords a very picturesque view of the escarpment cliffs and swamp. |
| Clarence Historical Museum | Right next to Main Street Park. See where the pacemaker was born. |
| Clarence Memorial Day Parade | Remember our veterans and have a great time with the kids as well. The parade starts at Clarence High School and travels east down Main Street, culminating with ceremonies in the Town Park. It's held on, you guessed it, Memorial Day! Usually starts at 11:00 AM, so arrive about 10:30 AM. |
| Clarence Trail System | Multiple paved trails, formerly railroad runs, exist throughout Clarence. These are great for walking, roller blading, and biking. Trail start points exist on Goodrich road across from the Clarence Highway Engineering and Building Department Complex and on Salt Road near Main Street. Dick's Sporting Goods often has some nice sales on blades and bikes. |
| Colden Tubing Company | Hop on a tube and slide down a mountain. For those cold winter days. www.kissing-bridge.com/ctc.asp |
| Color | Pull out the scrap paper and a few bunches of crayons and have at it. Many craft ideas at Joann's. |
| Corn Maze and Pumpkin Farm | About 7 miles past the Peace Bridge in Canada on Highway 3 just before Sherkston Shores. An Agritourism farm offering a six acre corn maze with over 4 km of trail with day and night tours. Pumpkin farm open daily with exotic and ornamental novelty pumpkins. Open Sept. - Oct. |
| Corning | The Glass Works tour is awesome, with real glass craftsman creating works of art before your very eyes. An impressive array of all types of glass art from the earliest of times to the present. Market Place has many shops to visit as well. A beautiful drive along Route 86 (was 17). Looking for a place to stay? |
| Cumming Nature Center | Located south of Rochester on Gulick Road in Naples, New York. This has one of the coolest nature trails around; it has so much bedding it's like walking on a cushion. The trees that line the trails are set in neat rows and are very pretty. There is a beaver pond, visitor center, and six miles of "thematic" trails. |
| Darien Lake Amusement Park | Looking for thrills and chills? This is the place with many roller coasters and a great water park to boot! |
| Darien Lakes State Park | Located in the Town of Darien near the amusement park that bears it's name, this State Park provides a small lifeguard protected beach along with playgrounds, camping, fishing, hiking, and large open fields for the Frisbee lover. Camping reservations are offered through the State system. http://nysparks.state.ny.us/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/nysparks/parks.cgi?p+135 |
| Delaware Park | Buffalo's finest. There are buggy rides and a lake. |
| Denny's Restaurant | A favorite place for kids to eat. |
| Dinner | A nice fancy restaurant with cloth tablecloths. Or, stay home and cook something together. |
| Dr. Victor Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve | A 90 minute guided nature walk describes the history and general ecology of this 289 acre preserve. Located in Depew. |
| Eastern Hills Mall | Special events are often held here. A nice mall walking site. Located on Transit Road (Route 78) just south of Sheridan (Route 324). |
| Eastern Hills Roller Rink | Now here is a way to have fun and get plenty of exercise. Roller blades and skates available for rental. |
| Erie Canal | A short drive to Lockport and you can tour the Erie Canal via a fairly large tourist boat. You can also go underground and see some tunnels that were cut for a power source in the early 19th century. Other canal attractions exist in Rochester. www.canals.state.ny.us |
| Erie County Fair | The oldest fair in the country; lots of animals, rides, and attractions. Starts in mid-August. Plan on a full day. |
| Evangola State Park | In Evans, NY. Take the NYS Thruway to Exit 57A, Eden and Angola. There is picnicking, camping, and a lifeguard protected beach. |
| Fantasy Island | This amusement park, located on Grand Island, has a lot of fun rides and a water park. There are several areas for picnicking as well. A great place for the younger crowd, with lots of shows that appeal to all. |
| Festival of Lights | Held every year starting near Thanksgiving in Niagara Falls. Plenty of colors and winter festivities. |
| Fishing | Darien Lakes State Park has some nice stocked ponds; bring the worms! See Sports and Hobbies for your supplies. |
| Forest Lawn Cemetery | Just a reminder that life is a vapor. A walk through a cemetery gives a bit of perspective. |
| Galleria Mall | A large mall with plenty of shops, restaurants, and theaters. Another rainy day place to go. www.waldengalleria.com |
| Glen Falls | Located in the heart of Williamsville, this small park has a nice view of the waterfalls and some benches to take a break from your Williamsville shopping excursion. The Williamsville Waterworks is located next door, with a small store and craft shop (fresh squeezed cider in the fall). |
| Grandparents House | If your parents or in-laws are still alive, makes sure the kids spend time with them. If they are deceased, adopt a grandparent. |
| Heart of the Hollow | A quaint little ice cream and gift shop located in the heart of Clarence. |
| Hemlock Lake | One of the main water reservoirs for Rochester. The coastline is undeveloped and the lake is very tranquil. A park is at the northern end (great place for a picnic). A great place for canoeing. Boats under 10 HP are allowed. You need a permit, available at the northern entrance near the Water Authority. |
| Hiking in Western New York | Ahhh! Nothing better than stretching your legs on a brisk walk through the country. |
| Horseback Riding | Try R & R Dude Ranch for a "horseback riding adventure." Other horseback riding sites are linked here. |
| Kelkenberg Farms | A great place to see farm animals and get a hay ride. Birthday parties can be hosted there. www.kelkenbergfarm.com |
| Kleinhans Music Hall | For a cultured day. |
| Lake Erie Beach | In Evans, NY. Take the NYS Thruway to Exit 57A, Eden and Angola. |
| Lancaster Motorsports Park | Come watch car racing at it's finest! Fun for the whole family. |
| Lancaster Opera House | Restored and offering a variety of events. |
| Letchworth State Park | Often called the "Grand Canyon of the East." Lots of trails, two pools, cabins, campsites, three waterfalls, and the exquisite Glen Iris Inn. |
| Lockport Cave Tours | A walk underneath the city; includes an underground boat ride. Look for the fossils! |
| Lunch | Maybe you could meet for lunch near your place of employment once school is out. Or, pick your child up from school and do lunch. Watch the time. |
| Make Cookies | Nothing like the fragrance of fresh baked cookies permeating the home. |
| Maid of the Mist Boat Tour | Now this is the way to see Niagara Falls! Awesome! |
| Marine Land | Has one of the nicest roller coasters. Incredibly large viewing tanks for whales and dolphins. Excellent performances. |
| Miss Buffalo Boat Tour | Various tours around the city waterfront. www.missbuffalo.com |
| Movie Theater | Weather independent. |
| Mumford Village | A cool restored village awaits you. About an hour east of Clarence. |
| Nails | Spend a few bucks and have your wife's or daughter's nails done. She'll love it! |
| New York and Lake Erie Railroad | Home of the "Blue Diamond" dinner train, a four hour 30 mile trip from Gowanda to Cherry Creek. |
| Niagara Falls | One of the wonders of the world located in our back yard. Try the Maid of the Mist for an experience you will never forget. The Gorge Trail is also spectacular (only for the hardy). |
| Niagara Falls Canada | Quite the tourist spot. Buses will take you from site to site for a single daily fee. Make sure you catch Seagram Tower. Park in the New York State Park and walk over the Rainbow Bridge. Fireworks every Friday in summer. Walk up Clifton Hill for never ending excitement. |
| Niagara Jet Boat | For the thrill seeker; you need to like water since you WILL get wet (more like soaked). Pick a warm day. There is a nice place for dinner near the launch called The Riverside Inn, which overlooks the Niagara River. |
| Niagara-on-the-Lake | A romantic setting just over the border, with plenty of attractions, bed and breakfasts, ice cream shops, shopping and restaurants. |
| Niagara Power Project Visitors Center | Overlooks one of the largest hydro-electric power projects in the world. A nice Sunday drive. |
| Old Fort Niagara | Check the schedule for re-enactments. Tours are available. A state park next door has a pool and camping. |
| Parks | Nothing like a relaxing day in the park. Complete list of Erie County Parks provided. |
| Pea Picking | This takes a bit of travel, but there is nothing like the taste of fresh picked peas. Coulter’s Farm on Route 93 in the town of Cambria. |
| Peach Picking | Coulter’s Farm is the place to go for great peaches. Pick plenty and can for the winter. |
| Penn Dixie Quarry | Dig for fossils at the Penn Dixie Site in Hamburg, NY. Open every Saturday 9 AM to 12 PM May through October for fossil collecting. |
| Playing Cards | A nice rainy day activity. |
| Port Dalhousie | This is up near St. Catherine's, Ontario. Ride the carousal for five cents. A beach is there as well. |
| Pregnant with Cancer Walk/Run | 3-mile walk begins and ends at the Clarence Town Park on Main Street in Clarence. |
| Reinstein Woods | Nature preserve home to flying squirrels, red fox, coyotes, white-tailed deer and more. |
| Riverwalk | A trail which traverses the Niagara River. Nice for biking. Great views of the Buffalo skyline. |
| Road to Bethlehem | Dec 11-14, 2007, 7-9 pm (nightly), at EHWC Main Campus (8445 Greiner Rd, Williamsville). Note: Dec 11 is designated for the Eastern Hills congregation. Free admission. A drive-through Living Nativity that retells the original story of the birth of Jesus Christ as a living, breathing Christmas card. |
| Rochester | Our nearest large city to the east, Rochester has many attractions. There are some nice beaches as well. |
| Rock the Barn | Concert in Clarence NY to benefit Meals on Wheels of WNY. |
| Sandlot Academy | Premier provider of baseball and softball instruction with indoor facilities. Train year round! |
| Sherkston Beach | About 7 miles past the Peace Bridge in Canada. A great beach where you can park your car right next to the water. There is a quarry there as well. Camping facilities and vacation rentals are available. Last time they charged about $20 per carload. You can try the beach next door, Pleasant Beach, which is free, but you cannot drive along the water. |
| Sledding | If you are willing to travel a piece, try Chestnut Ridge Park. Toboggan rentals are available. If you wish to stay close to home, there is a nice little hill right in the Main Street Park. Other sledding sites are in this guide. |
| Sprague Brook Park | The brook has deep pools you can swim in. Lifeguards are present. Camping available. |
| Starry Nights | Take a nighttime drive towards the south east away from the lights and park the car. Amazing! |
| Stiglmeier Park | On Losson Road in Cheektowaga; worth the trek. The animals are very tame; you will see deer and squirrels up close and personal. One day a bird landed on my daughter's finger. Lots of trails and elevated boardwalks. |
| Stony Brook State Park | A unique park where you can swim in pools fed by the creek. Lifeguard monitored. A beautiful trail follows the creek; quite a hike with lots of stairs. |
| Strawberry Picking | A nice way to welcome in summer. I like Greg's Farm right up on Lapp Road in Clarence (741-4239). If you are adventurous, try canning or making freezer jam. |
| Strong Museum | Located in Rochester; lots of hands on interactive things to do. The kids love it! |
| Swimming | The YMCA and Town recreation Department offer some nice programs at the local pools including the High School, Middle School, and Main Street Park. Or, just head out to the beach! |
| Tillman Swamps | A preserve located in Clarence on Tillman Road. Not too big, but pretty. A great place to walk the dog. |
| Trail System | Clarence has some beautiful trails. See Clarence Trails. |
| Tonawanda Creek | A nice creek for canoeing; rentals are available. |
| Toronto | Too much to see and do. I have heard good things about the Toronto Islands (you take a ferry to get there) and plan on trying them out this year. The Canadian National Exhibition is amazing. Ontario Place and the Ontario Science Center are impressive as well. |
| Transit Drive In | A blast from the past. |
| Trolley Tours | Trolley tours of Buffalo. I have never tried this but it sounds like fun! Roam Buffalo, 716 829-3543 |
| Walk the Villages | Explore the sights, gain better health, and win prizes! Make sure you download the brochure and walking log. |
| Watkins Glen State Park | A spectacular park with a trail that wraps it's way up through a gorgeous gorge. Walk under a waterfall, swim in a pool, and watch a laser show projected on the rocks. Seneca Lake is located nearby, where you can take a boat ride, play putt-putt, and walk along the pier. Camping available. |
| Wilcox Mansion | The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site. Children's programs, walking tours, and special events. |
| Willow Pond Aqua Farms | A fun place to visit in Canandaigua, NY. They raise Koi fish that you can feed for free. Tour, Map. |
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