Location: Buffalo
Top Things to do in Buffalo
The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Buffalo, New York (NY)
Buffalo is being reborn as a mecca for art, architecture, history, culture, dining and entertainment. Experience Frank Lloyd Wright’s stunning Darwin Martin House Complex and world-class modern art at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. Relive part of the city’s incredible history at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site. Explore the emerging Canalside waterfront district, hip Elmwood Village, more than 400 independently owned restaurants (serving our famous chicken wings and more) and nearby Niagara Falls.
Restaurants in Buffalo
1. Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,524 reviews
The Martin House (Buffalo, NY, 1903-05) exemplifies Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie House ideal and ranks as one of his finest residential works. Designed for Larkin Soap Company executive, Darwin D. Martin, the multi-residential estate is a one-of-a-kind composition consisting of the main Martin House, the smaller Barton House, a carriage house with chauffeur’s quarters and stables, a glass-roofed conservatory linked to the main house by a 100-foot pergola, and a gardener’s cottage. Tours explore the restored and reconstructed buildings, surrounding landscape, and an extensive collection of art glass and furnishings, all designed by Wright, which together form a totally integrated architectural masterwork. We welcome you to this National Historic Landmark.
Reviewed By bonnieh111 - Palmyra, United States
Went to the Darwin D Marting House and the summer home and I really enjoyed the tour. The guide was very good and didn't mind all of my questions, If you like architecture or how the wealthy lived, this is a must see.
2. Elevator Alley Kayak
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 50 reviews
Rent a Kayak or take a guided History Tour. We launch out of the beautiful Mutual Riverfront Park at South and Hamburg St.
3. Buffalo Double Decker Bus Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 532 reviews
We blend humor and history to tell the amazing story of Buffalo while viewing the city from the upper level of an imported British double decker bus. Tours are entertaining and engaging and include all the major points of interest in Buffalo.
4. Forest Lawn
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 494 reviews
As one of the first rural cemeteries in the United States, Forest Lawn – located in Buffalo, NY – is at the heart of Western New York’s cultural tourism renaissance. Its first interment took place in 1849; today there are more than 161,000 permanent residents in this 269-acre, non-denominational, non-sectarian, not-for-profit cemetery. Forest Lawn offers year-round guided tours on various themes and subjects, educational programming,special veteran programming and so much more. Forest Lawn is the only local full-service cemetery for traditional and cremation arrangements listed on the State and National Registries of Historic Places.
Reviewed By chriscP4256WU - Buffalo, United States
Forest Lawn Cemetery is a beautifully landscaped burial ground to some of Buffalo's most famous residents, including President Millard Fillmore and his wife Abigail, Red Jacket, a Seneca Indian Chief, Sara Hinson a school teacher who began Flag Day, and Rick James a rock star, to name just a few. You can take a self-guided walking tour or one offered by the staff. There are beautiful monuments, family mausoleums, tress and ponds throughout the 269 acres. It is a great place for a walk, run or a picnic.
5. Buffalo River History Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,776 reviews
Take a cruise through history and join us for a 90-minute narrated Buffalo River History Tour! Hear the story of the Erie Canal, Buffalo’s history as the largest grain port in the world and experience the nation’s largest collection of standing grain elevators from just a few feet away. Come travel along the waterway that made Buffalo one of the biggest and richest cities in the world.
6. Explore Buffalo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 538 reviews
Explore Buffalo offers a wide variety of tours of Buffalo and Western New York history, architecture, and neighborhoods. Tours are led by trained volunteer docents who are passionate about telling the stories of our city to visitors. In 2019, more than 25,000 people took a tour with Explore Buffalo. Summer 2020 Update: Explore Buffalo has resumed outdoor walking and bike tours. Please note that all tours are outdoor-only, masks or other face coverings are required, and reservations are required as all tours are currently limited to 10 people per group. For more information about our COVID-19 safety measures, please see: explorebuffalo.org/covid-policies/
7. Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 492 reviews
Theodore Roosevelt was inaugurated as President of the United States in 1901 in Buffalo, NY, after the assassination of President William McKinley. Exhibits focus on the assassination and inauguration, details of Roosevelt's life and consequential issues of the day no less important to citizens more than a century later. Visitors can also tour nearby historic neighborhoods.
Reviewed By hduck50 - Hancock, United States
This was a great place to learn more about Theodore Roosevelt. Learn how he became the president and what challenges did he have. See where he was sworn in as president. Right now you can take a tour with your family up to 6 people. Make sure call and make a reservation ad you need to at this time.
8. Pierce-Arrow Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 278 reviews
The museum is temporarily closed due to coronavirus as of March 16, 2020. Please check our web site, pierce-arrow.com for updates. This unique museum focuses on Buffalo's transportation history featuring Pierce Arrow, Thomas Flyer, electric vehicles, vintage bicycles, motorcycles, muscle cars and trucks, many made in Western New York. A special feature is the full scale Buffalo Filling Station by Frank Lloyd Wright, designed for Buffalo in 1927 but never built. Rights to build it were secured and the impressive structure with expansive copper roof and detailing is housed in the atrium of the museum. Guided tours can be arranged by appointment @ $25 per person with a minimum of 30 people required.
Reviewed By K5885UCdouglasm
We've lived in Western New York for many years but it wasn't until recently that we became aware of the Pierce Arrow Museum in downtown Buffalo. Our son is an avid fan of classic cars and I enjoy transportation artifacts (motorcycles, bicycles, antique gas pumps) that are commonly seen on the American Pickers television show. We were looking for something to do on a Sunday afternoon and decided to check out the museum. The museum is conveniently located off of the I-190 expressway in downtown Buffalo, and offers free parking on site. Admission was reasonable for a family of 3. We spent about 2 1/2 hours touring the entire museum. While admiring a 1960's Mercury Cougar, a museum docent by the name of Debra approached us and began telling us the history of that particular vehicle. She then proceeded to guide us from car to car, giving us detailed information about the history of each. She also explained the origin of the Frank Lloyd Wright gas station that was built inside the giant atrium from the original blueprints. For the next hour she walked us around the museum, giving us a personal tour of many of the major exhibits. We left having learned so much about the history of automobile manufacturing that once took place in Buffalo, as well as many of the unique automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles and transportation artifacts on display. The museum was the perfect size for what we wanted to see on a Sunday afternoon.
9. Tifft Nature Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
Only three miles outside downtown Buffalo, this environmental education and conservation site bordering Lake Erie offers hiking trails, boardwalks and a cattail marsh that is great for bird-watching. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular in winter.
Reviewed By rodney01
It is so nice to read the history of how this area was reclaimed from industry. Being Birders my wife and I quite enjoyed our hike and early glimpses of this springs migratory visitors. Many return trips are in the future.
10. Silo City
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