Things to do in Buffalo
Late June through September brings warm days, lush Olmsted parks, lively waterfront events at Canalside, and easy day trips to Niagara Falls. Winters are long and famously snowy, though the holiday markets and indoor museums stay rewarding.
Best months: June, July, August, September
What is worth your time in Buffalo
Martin HouseDo not miss
Frank Lloyd Wright's masterful Prairie School complex for businessman Darwin Martin showcases art-glass windows, low horizontal lines, and a meticulously restored pergola and conservatory.
Architecture · 2 hr4.8
Niagara Falls State ParkDo not miss
America's oldest state park frames the thundering Horseshoe and American falls, with the Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds putting you right in the spray.
Day Trip · 7.5 hr4.8
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic SiteDo not miss
The Wilcox Mansion where Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office in 1901 after President McKinley's assassination, now an engaging interactive museum.
Historic Site · 1.5 hr4.7
Buffalo AKG Art MuseumDo not miss
Formerly the Albright-Knox, this world-class modern and contemporary collection reopened with a stunning glass Gundlach Building and works by Picasso, Warhol, and Frida Kahlo.
Museum · 2.8 hr4.6
CanalsideDo not miss
Buffalo's reborn waterfront at the terminus of the Erie Canal hosts free concerts, paddleboats, historic canal boats, and a lively summer crowd.
Neighborhood · 2.3 hr4.6
Forest Lawn CemeteryDo not miss
A 269 acre garden cemetery and arboretum where President Millard Fillmore and singer Rick James rest among Tiffany glass, sculptures, and roaming wildlife.
Historic Site · 1.8 hr4.6
Buffalo City HallDo not miss
One of the largest Art Deco municipal buildings in the country offers a free 28th floor observation deck with sweeping views of the city, Lake Erie, and Canada.
Architecture · 1.1 hr4.4
Anchor BarDo not miss
The birthplace of the Buffalo wing in 1964, this beloved bar still serves the original recipe in a memorabilia-packed dining room.
Food District · 1.5 hr4.3
AllentownDo not miss
Buffalo's bohemian historic district mixes 19th century architecture with antique shops, dive bars, tattoo parlors, and a famous summer arts festival.
Neighborhood · 1.5 hr
Elmwood VillageDo not miss
A leafy, walkable strip of independent boutiques, cafes, galleries, and Victorian homes that ranks among the country's great neighborhoods.
Neighborhood · 1.8 hr
Letchworth State Park
The Grand Canyon of the East drops three major waterfalls through a 600 foot gorge, with overlooks, hikes, and a historic railroad arch bridge.
Day Trip · 7.5 hr4.9
Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica
An astonishing marble-and-gold basilica in Lackawanna whose twin towers and soaring dome rival the great churches of Europe.
Architecture · 1.1 hr4.9
Nash House Museum
The preserved home of civil rights leader Reverend J. Edward Nash offers an intimate look at Buffalo's African American community history.
Historic Site · 53 min4.8
Shea's Buffalo Theatre
A lavishly restored 1926 movie palace designed in the Tiffany tradition, now Buffalo's grand stage for Broadway tours and concerts.
Cultural Experience · 2.5 hr4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Niagara Falls State Park is a 30 minute drive north, so set aside a full day and bring a poncho for the Maid of the Mist or Cave of the Winds.
- Buffalo is a wing pilgrimage: the original Anchor Bar and rival Duff's both claim the crown, so try both and decide for yourself.
- The city is spread out and transit is limited, so renting a car makes the museums, parks, and Frank Lloyd Wright sites far easier to reach.
- Summer weekends pack Canalside and Larkin Square with free concerts and food trucks, so check event calendars before you plan an evening.
- Dress in layers and pack rain gear; lake-effect weather off Lake Erie shifts quickly even in summer.