Buffalo’s reputation has caught up with its calendar. There is a lot to do here in every season, from waterfront festivals and architecture tours to ski days and game-day tailgates. This hub gives you the lay of the land and points to our detailed guides as they publish.
Waterfront and downtown
Canalside is the center of the revived waterfront, with historic canal-era sites, summer concerts, kayaking and, when the weather turns, ice skating. Nearby are the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park and the Explore & More Children’s Museum. Downtown also holds the Shea’s Performing Arts Center, a lavishly restored theater that hosts touring Broadway shows.
Architecture and history
Buffalo has an outsized architectural heritage. The Darwin D. Martin House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is a major draw for design fans. The Buffalo City Hall observation deck gives sweeping views of the city, and the Richardson Olmsted Campus offers a striking historic setting. Guided and self-guided tours are a great way to see a lot in an afternoon. Check each site’s own schedule before you go.
Parks, trails and the outdoors
Frederick Law Olmsted designed Buffalo’s park and parkway system, and Delaware Park, with its meadows and Hoyt Lake, is the best-known piece. The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens in South Park is a good rainy-day option, with large glasshouses. Along the Niagara River and Lake Erie, you will find waterfront trails, public beaches and boat launches. In the Southtowns, state and county parks, including Chestnut Ridge and Zoar Valley, are popular for hiking.
Museums and culture
The Buffalo AKG Art Museum (formerly the Albright-Knox) anchors the city’s art scene. The Buffalo Museum of Science, the Burchfield Penney Art Center and a long list of independent galleries and theaters round out the picture. Allentown hosts a well-known summer art festival, and the Theatre District runs year-round.
Sports and game days
The Buffalo Bills (NFL) play in Orchard Park, and a home game is as much about the tailgate as the football. The Buffalo Sabres (NHL) play downtown, and the minor-league Buffalo Bisons (baseball) play in the heart of the city in the summer. Go once to see why locals call it Bills Mafia.
Day trips from Buffalo
- Niagara Falls: About a half hour away, with the American and Canadian viewpoints. Bring a passport if you plan to cross.
- Letchworth State Park: Often called the Grand Canyon of the East, a scenic drive southeast of the city.
- Ellicottville and Holiday Valley: A ski and mountain-town escape in winter and a hiking and brewery getaway in summer.
- Lake Erie wine trail and Chautauqua County: Vineyards and lake views along the shoreline.
- Toronto and Niagara-on-the-Lake: A manageable international trip when borders and documents allow.
Season by season
Winter
Winter in Buffalo is not a reason to stay inside. Ski hills in the Southtowns, outdoor rinks, snowshoeing, and indoor museums and theaters keep the calendar full.
Spring
Dyngus Day, the Polish-American Easter Monday celebration, is a beloved local tradition, and gardens begin to open.
Summer
Outdoor concerts, farmers’ markets, festivals, patios and boat days on the lake. The waterfront is at its best.
Fall
Football season, apple orchards, cider mills and the foliage in the surrounding hills make fall a favorite for many residents.
Our things-to-do guides
Browse every guide in the Things to Do archive and see what is on in the Events & Seasons section. This hub’s list of featured guides grows as articles publish.
Related
Hours, ticket prices and seasonal schedules change. Always confirm details with the venue before you head out.