Buffalo/Niagara Region
Buffalo Sightseeing
Buffalo
Buffalo is the 2nd largest city in New York State and has tons of history and things to do. Being right on Lake Erie adds a lot of summertime concerts and activities for the downtown waterfront, but it also facilitates those crazy winter snowstorms that Buffalo is famous for. We could easily make this a 3 Day-cation, but we have picked out the condensed version for your 1 Daycation. And here it is…
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Lodging
Best - $$$$
Great - $$$
Great - $$$
Breakfast - Our first choice for your morning vittles in Buffalo is Mythos on Elmwood. This is a Buffalo standard since 1986 and you get great versions of all of the traditional breakfast standards like “build your own” Omeletes, pancakes, and waffles. On the weekend they have a Brunch option that includes gourmet options like Smoked Salmon Benedict, Breakfast Burritos and Corned Beef Hash and Eggs. Another great option is Betty’s Diner on Virginia Street. Housed in a building that dates back to 1874, the standard breakfast menu has some unique options like Scrambled Mess, The Luv Sandwich, and Scrambled Tofu Hash. A visit to Betty’s is also a 2-for-1 on your Buffalo Museum tour because they have rotating art exhibits in house!
Morning Itinerary
Pierce-Arrow Museum
From 1905 to 1938, the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company made upscale automobiles for U.S. Presidents and wealthy Americans at its Buffalo, NY manufacturing facility. Like many other businesses that sold upscale products during the Great Depression, they went out of business, but the museum showcases their automobiles, motorized bicycles, motorcycles, and even firetrucks! The museum as a great tour for Motorheads, and non-Motorheads alike, showcasing the history of motorized vehicles, and a futuristic looking gas station that Frank Lloyd right designed but never built. This museum is definitely a Buffalo Must-See!
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House
Most Wright followers would say that the Darwin Martin House Complex was one of his best. Darwin Martin was an executive at the Larkin Soap Company which was the Amazon of the 1920’s. He was very wealthy in the day and he commissioned Wright to not only build his 30,000 sq. foot mansion, but also the Larkin Soap corporate headquarters. The home has been immaculately maintained over the last 100+ years and as you walk through the house and grounds you are amazed not only that a house built in 1905 is still standing, but most all of the original structure and furnishings are still intact.
Lunch - If you are spending a day in Buffalo, you have to go to the restaurant where Buffalo Chicken Wings were created, The Anchor Bar! There are now over a dozen Anchor Bar locations, but you have to go to the original one on Main Street in Buffalo. If wings aren’t your thing, try Cafe 59 on Allen Street. They have a wide variety of sandwiches, subs, stir fry, and vegetarian options. It is a great downtown lunch option that is open 7 days a week.
Afternoon Itinerary
Buffalo Botanical Gardens
In both the winter and summer the gardens are a great place to go for some tranquility in the middle of a busy city. The 40,000 square foot indoor gardens and beautiful outdoor gardens are well groomed and showcase plants, flowers, and trees from around the world.
Albright Knox Art Gallery
The Art Gallery has numerous rotating exhibits and weekly events that showcase things from centuries past and present day art. It is never the same place twice, but it is always a great place to spend a couple of hours any time of the year.
Dinner
Hutch’s and Left Bank are two of the 5 Best Fine Dining Restaurants in the Buffalo/Niagara region. And for good reason. The food is creative and tasty at both places. Kuni’s is our third choice for your Buffalo Daycation because if you are having a craving for Sushi, there is no better place to go. And if you want to save a tad on din-din for your other endeavors you can still get a great meal there.
Evening Itinerary
Shea’s Performing Arts Center
This theatre Three-fer gives you not one or two, but three entertainment options that host different types of shows to appeal to various theatrical preferences. At just over 3000 person capacity, the Shea’s Buffalo Theatre has been hosting first run off Broadway productions for almost 100 years. Each season they have about 10 different productions. Next door is the intimate Smith Theatre. Holding an intimate 200 patrons, this theatre is geared to comedy shows and travelling productions. Last but not least is the 625 patron Shea’s 710. It is 3 times bigger than the Smith and hosts other noted plays and speakers.
Helium Comedy Club
Laughter cures whatever ails you. What better thing to do at night in Buffalo than to watch a big name comedian perform as you consume a 2 libation minimum of Liquid Humor Enhancer? Helium normally brings in good comedians Wednesday to Saturday/Sunday, but the schedule on their web-site gives all the details. For locals who would like to try their hand at being a comedian, they also have a Comedian Class on Wednesdays.
Kleinhans Music Hall
Even though Kleinhans is mainly known as the venue to see the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, there are many other types of performances that you can attend there during your Buffalo Daycation. Jazz Bands, comedians, even Pink Floyd cover bands are on the event menu there.