Location: Buffalo
Top Things to do in Buffalo
What to do and see in Buffalo, New York (NY): The Best History Museums
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. 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.
2. Buffalo Fire Historical Society
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
3. Cofeld Judaic Museum of Temple Beth Zion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
4. The Buffalo History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By 99claudiap - Buffalo, United States
This is a true gem of a venue. The building dates to the Pan American Exhibition of 1901 hosted by the City of Buffalo. It was created for the New York State exhibit in the exhibition, and was the exhibition's only building designed as a permanent structure. After the expo it became the home of the Buffalo Historical Society, now the Buffalo History Museum. Take a tour of the building if you can and learn about its many symbolic and historic features, both indoors and out. The museum is located at the edge of Delaware Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, in a lovely lakeside setting. There is a large terrace in the rear of the building that is used for concerts and other gatherings. Not to be missed if you want to get to know Buffalo!
5. Iron Island Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By deborajbe
Several years back a group of us from Wyoming county decided to take the Ghost Tour. Primarily because the show Ghost Hunters featured it on an episode. At the start, not much, but as we got into the later hours people were experiencing some paranormal activities. Speaking for myself I and three others went up into the Attic. Armed with recorders, we asked questions, to try and capture EVPs. After approximately 30 minutes we went back down to the first floor to review the recorders, on one you can clearly hear a man's voice saying "...They're running fast." Nothing else just that, Residual?. Near the end of our tour we were all sitting in the main sitting room. Though I can't remember the name of equipment used, it wasn't a recorder, but would throw out words occasionally after questions were presented to it, sometimes during the question, :), anyways the Guide in a clear voice said "say someone's name who's in the group, a live person" we all laughed at that remark. To my surprise it said MY NAME. not just once, but THREE times. Needless to say, I was spooked. But fast forward 3 months, I found out My Grandparents were married in that building! I was the only one that had any connection to the Building. And I didn't know it at the time. Nor anyone else in the group. Sorry for such a long explanation, but for whoever to say that "it's a joke" or alot if "hooey" are skeptics at the least and do not give a few naysayers a reason for you not to visit.
6. Nash House Museum
The former residence of Rev. J. Edward Nash, the pastor of the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church. Many of Rev. Nash’s sermons and letters that are a crucial part of Buffalo’s African American community history were written here and are on display for viewing.
