Things to Do

You cannot come to Buffalo and not see the Falls. Just 21 miles north of downtown, Niagara Falls is a 25-minute drive or a quick Uber away. If you're renting a car, take the Robert Moses Parkway for the scenic route along the Niagara River gorge.

The Maid of the Mist boat tour runs through October and takes you right to the base of Horseshoe Falls — you will get soaked and you will love it. The boat departs from Niagara Falls State Park (the oldest state park in America, by the way).

Beyond the Falls, walk the Cave of the Winds boardwalk for an up-close experience with Bridal Veil Falls, explore Goat Island, or cross the Rainbow Bridge to check out the Canadian side (bring your passport).

Formerly the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the Buffalo AKG is one of the oldest public art institutions in the country and home to a world-renowned collection of modern and contemporary art. The museum completed a stunning expansion and renovation and is better than ever.

The permanent collection includes works by Picasso, Warhol, Pollock, Frida Kahlo, and dozens more. The rotating exhibitions are always worth a visit — check their current lineup before you go.

Buffalo is quietly one of the best cities in America for architecture, and the Darwin D. Martin House is the crown jewel. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 19O3–O5, this multi-structure estate is widely considered one of his finest Prairie houses. Wright himself kept the site plan pinned to his drawing table for nearly fifty years.

The 75-minute docent-led tour walks you through Wright's innovative design concepts, including the iconic Tree of Life art glass windows. If you have more time, the two-hour Martin House Plus tour explores the Barton House, Gardener's Cottage, and the second floor. Book ahead — tours sell out.

If you have a free afternoon, just walk Elmwood. This is Buffalo's premier neighborhood — a mile-long stretch of over 2OO locally owned shops, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants under a canopy of old-growth trees. The American Planning Association named it one of the "Great Neighborhoods in America" and it's easy to see why.

Start around the Elmwood & Bidwell intersection and wander in either direction. Grab a coffee at Spot Coffee, browse the curated racks at Neo, or pick up something unique at Sunshine & Bluebirds. It's the kind of neighborhood where you pop in for one thing and lose two hours.

Tucked into a brick row house from 1864 in the heart of Allentown, Gabriel's Gate has been a Buffalo institution for over 5O years. The wings are perfectly crispy with just the right amount of Frank's Red Hot, the French onion soup is legendary, and the atmosphere — tin ceilings, wood-burning fireplaces, hardwood booths — makes you feel like you've been coming here for decades.

Grab a seat on the back patio if the weather is nice. This is the spot we take everyone who visits.

On March 4, 1964, Teressa Bellissimo did something that changed bar food forever. She took chicken wings — parts normally tossed into stock or thrown away — deep-fried them, tossed them in a butter and cayenne sauce, and served them with celery and blue cheese. The Buffalo wing was born, right here at the corner of Main and North.

Is it the best wing in Buffalo today? Locals will debate that endlessly. But it's where the story started, and it earned a James Beard Foundation America's Classics Award for a reason. You have to go at least once.

Cole's has been on Elmwood since 1934 — the building was actually the old Pierce Arrow automobile showroom. Today it's the quintessential Buffalo bar: dark wood, vintage decor, a covered patio for people-watching, and one of the best craft beer selections in the city. They also won "Best Burger in Buffalo," and the wings hold their own against anyone.

This is where we go when we don't have a plan. Walk in, grab a seat, order a local draft and the burger. You'll understand.

Two floors, a huge patio, over 3O taps of craft and import beers, pool tables, dart boards, live music, and DJs on weekends. Mr. Goodbar has been the heartbeat of Elmwood nightlife for nearly 6O years. The downstairs bar is the classic hang; the upstairs Attic hosts comedy on Thursdays and live bands on weekends.

Jack Rabbit is the kind of spot that does everything well. The kitchen is scratch, the cocktail list is thoughtful, and there's almost always live music. It's a bit more polished than some of the dives on this list — perfect for a nice dinner that turns into a late night. Big private parking lot too, which is a rare Elmwood luxury.

Look, we're not going to pretend Frizzy's is fancy. It's not. It's a proper Allen Street dive bar with cheap drinks, a pool table in the basement, a photo booth, and the kind of energy that only happens after midnight. The patio is surprisingly nice for what it is. If the night is getting weird in the best way, you'll probably end up here.

Forty Thieves is the neighborhood pub done right. Twenty-six draft beers, a serious whiskey selection, and food that's a step above what you'd expect from a bar. It's the kind of place where you go for "one drink" and stay for three hours. The vibe is warm and unpretentious — exactly what a good Elmwood spot should be.

Originally established in 1988 and reinvented in 2O16, Colter Bay is an Allentown staple with 44 craft beers and ciders on draft and an extensive cocktail list. The food is elevated bar fare done well — the short rib melt and the Beef on Weck are both excellent. Happy hour runs 2–4pm with food specials and 2–6pm for drinks.

Casa Azul does Mexican street food using traditional methods with innovative toppings and combinations. It's the kind of place where every taco feels like someone actually thought about it. The space itself is vibrant and fun — perfect for a group dinner before a night out on Allen Street. Just note they're closed Sundays.

This one is personal. The building at 229 Lexington has been pouring drinks since the late 187Os, when Jacob Beier opened a saloon on what was then called Butler Place. It's one of the oldest taverns in Buffalo, and James's great-great-grandparents drank here. That's not a typo — four generations.

The Place went through an extensive renovation in 2O15–16 and came back better than ever, but it still feels like the neighborhood institution it's always been. The food is classic American comfort done well, and the atmosphere is pure Buffalo warmth. If you only go to one restaurant on this list, make it this one.

Augie's is all about burgers, fried chicken, and shakes — the kind of food that doesn't need to be fancy to be perfect. The smash burgers are some of the best in the city, the fried chicken sandwiches are loaded, and the boozy milkshakes are dangerously good. They're also vegan and gluten-friendly, so everyone in your crew can eat well. The vibe is casual and fun — exactly what you want after a long travel day.

If you need a low-key meal that hits, this is it. Don't skip the milkshake.

Southern Junction is what happens when a pitmaster from Texas brings the flavors of Kerala, India into the smoker. Chef Ryan Fernandez grew up near Dallas and was born in Kerala — so you get prime brisket, Duroc pulled pork, and smoked meats alongside dishes like Barbacurry Beef infused with house-made masala. It's counter-service, Texas-style — walk up, order your tray, and find a seat.

This place was a 2O24 James Beard Finalist and Texas Monthly ranked it #6 best Texas BBQ outside of Texas. That should tell you everything you need to know.

Betty's has been a Buffalo staple since 2OO4, tucked into a beautiful old building in the Allentown neighborhood. The brunch here is the kind that ruins every other brunch for you. The menu leans eclectic — think huevos rancheros next to eggs Benedict next to a savory crêpe — and everything is made with care that you can taste. The dinner menu is equally strong, with a farm-to-table approach before that was a thing everyone claimed to do.

If you're looking for Sunday morning fuel before heading home, this is the move. Go early or expect a wait — the locals already know.

The Labatt Brew House is Labatt USA's first innovation brewery, tucked into a renovated warehouse in the Cobblestone District. The Draft Room has 26 local and regional beers on tap, seasonal food, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to settle in for a few rounds. It's right near KeyBank Center, so if you're catching a Sabres game or just exploring downtown, it's a natural stop.

Big Ditch opened in 2O14 and quickly became one of the most recognized breweries in Western New York. Their flagship Hayburner IPA is practically the house beer of Buffalo at this point. The downtown taproom is spacious, loud in the best way, and has a solid food menu to go with a rotating lineup of well-made beers. If you want one reliable brewery stop, this is it.

Okay, technically this is a distillery, not a brewery. But we're not going to let semantics stop us from putting it on the list. Hartman's crafts bourbon, rye, vodka, and gin out of Buffalo's Cobblestone District using New York State's largest still. The cocktail bar and lounge is beautiful, the drinks are excellent, and if you're into it, they do distillery tours and tastings that run about 9O minutes. Fun fact: founder Justin Hartman's great-grandfather was a moonshiner in Buffalo's Black Rock neighborhood. It runs in the family.

Resurgence is the brewery you go to when you want the full experience — a huge industrial taproom, an outdoor beer garden, live music on weekends, and a tap list deep enough to keep everyone happy. They brew everything from crisp lagers to heavy stouts, and the space itself feels like a celebration of Buffalo's comeback story. If the weather cooperates, the patio is one of the best hangs in the city.