Buffalo: Recreation

Buffalo: Recreation

Sightseeing

Buffalo is a city noted for its architecture, and the works of such notable figures as Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan are well represented. A great place to get the overview of Buffalo is from the Buffalo City Hall's Observation Tower, which affords an aerial view of the city and surrounding waterways. Popular sights in the downtown area include Sullivan's Guaranty Building, a 13-story skyscraper opened in 1896, and Darwin Martin House, a fine example of Wright's philosophy of "organic architecture" done in the Prairie style.

Architectural walking tours are offered by the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historical Site from April to October by reservation. The site, a Greek Revival structure that originally served as an Army officers' headquarters, contains late Victorian furniture and artifacts; in its library Roosevelt took the oath of office after the assassination of President William McKinley. The building is located on Delaware Street, Buffalo's famous promenade of mansions, most of which now house religious and charitable institutions.

The Buffalo Main Lighthouse, located on Black Rock Canal at the mouth of the Buffalo River, was built in 1818 and deactivated in 1914. The structure is open to the public and is located near Veterans Park Museum. The Peace Bridge to Fort Erie, Ontario, offers visitors a chance to celebrate this nation's unity with Canada.

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, open year-round, display a large collection of exotic plants in 12 greenhouses. Displays include a shrub garden, Gardens Under Glass, and the Arboretum. The Buffalo Zoo is the third oldest in the nation, and it started humbly as a deer park. The facility is committed to educational and conservation efforts; emphasis is placed on natural habitats for the animals housed at the zoo. The zoo is a participant in captive breeding programs with certain endangered species, such as clouded leopards and Puerto Rican crested toads. Special programming is coordinated throughout the year, and the zoo houses a dining experience called "The Beastro."

Visitors to Buffalo might consider the half-hour scenic car trip north to Niagara Falls, about which missionary Father Louis Hennepin wrote in 1678: "The Universe does not afford its Parallel." The falls are commonly thought to be one waterfall, but there are three distinct sections: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Canadian or Horseshoe Falls. Water plummets at the rate of 150,000 gallons per second off the 176-foot drop. Just 20 minutes east of Niagara Falls is the Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride, which operates a 70-minute guided tour of the hidden history of the Erie Canal. A return side trip might also include a visit to Fantasy Island, located between Buffalo and Niagara Falls and featuring rides, shows, and a water park.

Arts and Culture

Buffalo's rejuvenated Theatre District houses some of the finest facilities in the country, offering performances to suit a wide variety of tastes. The ornate Shea's Performing Arts Center, home of the Greater Buffalo Opera Company, presents Broadway shows, concerts, ballet, and opera from October to May. The renowned Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra performs at the acoustically acclaimed Kleinhans Music Hall, designed by Eliel Saarinen, and at various other sites throughout the year. Studio Arena Theatre presents seven plays during its September to May season. Pfeifer Theatre, home of the University at Buffalo theater and dance department, stages classical, modern, and experimental plays. Buffalo State College houses the Promise Theatre Company, where the cast performs in musicals that have a Christian underpinning. The nonprofit Shakespeare in Delaware Park program stages free productions of the bard's works in Delaware Park from June to mid-August. Theatre of Youth (TOY) presents a full season of child-oriented performances at the Pfeifer and other area theaters.

The Theatre District is also home to the Alleyway Theatre, an intimate facility that focuses on new and original plays and is located in the rear of a police precinct station. Other theaters in the city include Upstage New York, the Buffalo Ensemble Theatre, the Irish Classical Theatre Company, the Jewish Repertory Theatre of Western New York, the Kavinoky Theatre at D'Youville College, Pandora's Box Theatre (primarily female cast), Kaleidoscope Theatre Productions, and the Ujima Theatre Company which focuses on works by African American and Third World playwrights. The Paul Robeson Theatre company performs at the African American Cultural Center on Masten Avenue. Buffalo's only professional musical theatre troupe, the MusicalFare Theatre Company, stages its performances on the Daemon College Campus in nearby Amherst.

The Albright-Knox Art Gallery, housed in a 1905 Greek Revival building separated from a modern addition by a sculpture garden, maintains a notable collection of nineteenth and twentieth century American paintings. The works of watercolorist Charles E. Burchfield and other western New York State artists are displayed at the BurchfieldPenney Art Center at Buffalo State College; the gallery presents an annual juried display of crafts by artists from across the country. The Anderson Gallery at the University at Buffalo features a large collection of contemporary paintings, sculpture, and graphics. The Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, located in the only building remaining from the Pan-American Exposition of 1901, contains an extensive display of western New York artifacts. The Buffalo Museum of Science features a children's discovery room and the Tifft Nature Preserve environmental education center. Other museums of note include the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Servicemen's Park museum, the Cofeld Judaic Museum of Temple Beth Zion, the Mark Twain Musuem, and the Buffalo Fire Historical Museum. The Buffalo region is also home to unique institutions such as the Original American Kazoo Museum (in Eden, New York), the Daredevil Museum (in Niagara Falls), the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum (in Tonawanda, New York), and Q-R-S Music Rolls, Inc., said to be the world's largest and oldest manufacturer of paper rolls for player pianos.

Festivals and Holidays

A variety of festivals and special events are celebrated throughout the year in the Buffalo area. St. Patrick's day in March is celebrated by a parade said to be the largest of its kind west of New York City. May is time for the Annual Buffalo Hellenic Festival, honoring the traditions, music, and cuisine of the Greeks. In June the Allentown Village is the scene of an outdoor art show displaying works by artists and craftspeople from across the country; and Martin Luther King, Jr., Park celebrates the freeing of the slaves in 1865 at its Juneteenth Festival, which features a basketball shoot-out, a parade, storytelling, and an Underground Railroad tour. Also in June, the city of Buffalo rocks with the annual Guitar Festival, with local, regional, and national musicians on display at different stages in the festival area.

In Buffalo, the July 4th holiday is observed with the Friendship Festival, planned with Fort Erie, Ontario. The date is significant for both Canada and the U.S.—Canada was formed on July 1st, and the U.S. achieved its independence on July 4th, and together the two North American countries have enjoyed 200 years of peaceful relations. The Taste of Buffalo in mid-July is a celebration of local eateries and food specialties that lasts two days and regularly sees 400,000 people savoring the eats, entertainment, and music. The Italian Heritage and Food Festival follows in mid-July; the four-day event is one of the largest Italian street fairs in the nation and spotlights the arts, crafts, music, and culinary delights of the area's Italian community. Various other ethnic festivals are scheduled throughout the year in the Buffalo area, including Dingus Day (Polish) and the Buffalo Karibana International Parade and Festival (Caribbean). August brings the Erie County Fair and Exposition, one of the oldest and largest county fairs in the country. Each August, a Teddy Bear Picnic is held at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site. Opening night for the Theatre District is marked by Curtain Up!, a black-tie event encompassing outdoor theater performances, dining, and dancing.

Fall in Buffalo signifies the National Buffalo Wing Festival in early September. The home of the buffalo wing celebrates with recipe contests, a 5K "Running of the Chickens" race, cooking demonstrations, and a "Bobbing for Wings" contest. The festival also sponsors the U.S. Chicken Wing Eating Championship semifinals. From late November to early January, Niagara Falls is the scene of the Festival of Lights, showcasing holiday decorations, animated displays, and other entertainment. First Night Buffalo, a family-friendly celebration of the arts, rings in the new year.

Sports for the Spectator

Buffalonians are sports enthusiasts, with six professional teams and one on the way. The Buffalo Bisons play in the Triple-A International League and are an affiliate of the Major League Cleveland Indians. Minor league ball is a great place to preview the major league's future stars, as well as a chance to see some of the majors taking a break. The Bisons play baseball from April to October at Dunn Tire Park. Since 1969, the Buffalo Sabres have been scoring goals and fighting opponents in National Hockey League action. The team has employed such hockey greats as Gil-bert Perreault, Dave Andreychuk, and goalie Dominik Hasek. The Sabres play their home games at the HSBC Arena during an October to April season. The 73,967-seat Ralph Wilson Stadium is home to the National Football League's Buffalo Bills, whose season extends from August to December. The Buffalo Bandits Lacrosse team plays in the National Lacrosse League from January through April, with home games at the HSBC Arena. The arena is also the home field for the Buffalo Destroyers arena football team, playing in the Arena Football League. In 2005, Buffalo started recruiting for its American Basketball Association expansion team, the Buffalo Rapids, with play expected to start in the 2005-2006 season.

Canisius College competes in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, with varsity teams in men's and women's basketball, cross-country, track, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, and diving; many other colleges and universities in the area support athletes in a variety of intercollegiate sports. The University at Buffalo boasts top-rated new athletic facilities for amateur competitions including track and field venues, and a natatorium. Buffalo State University competes in NCAA Division III play in 8 men's and 11 women's sports; Medaille College and D'Youville College also play in Division III of the NCAA.

Racing of various types is popular in the Buffalo area. Harness racing fans are entertained at Fairgrounds Gaming and Raceway in Hamburg, while auto racing is presented at Lancaster Motorsports Park (drag racing) and Holland Speedway (NASCAR).

Sports for the Participant

The New York State Canalway Trail System extends for 240 miles of multi-use recreation access, with the primary sections following the path of historic and present-day canals. The 100-mile Erie Canal Heritage Trail runs from Tonawanda to Newark in western New York, and is excellent for biking or hiking in warmer weather. All sections of the trail are open for cross-country skiing in the winter, while snowmobiling and horseback riding are allowed on some designated sections of the trail. A longer bike trip along the entire trail system is possible thanks to campsites along the route.

Held annually in late May, Buffalo Marathon participants can choose from a full marathon, half-marathon, marathon relay, or the children's mini-marathon. The course is advertised as flat, fast, and scenic. The Corporate Challenge road race draws thousands of corporate teams and individuals to run the 5K event and then party with their corporate colleagues.

Buffalo's park system, covering about 1,500 acres, affords ample space for sporting enthusiasts, offering opportunities to engage in tennis, horseback riding, camping, and sledding. Delaware Park is the largest and is home to the Buffalo Zoo; overall the city park system operates 3 ice rinks, 10 outdoor pools, 2 indoor pools, 10 recreation centers, and numerous ball fields of all varieties. Three city golf courses are available for play: Delaware Park, a par 65 course with 18 holes; Cazenovia Park, a par 35 course with 9 holes; and South Park, another par 35, 9-hole course. Other notable golf courses in the region include Glen Oak in East Amherst and the Legends of the Niagara course in Chippawa, Ontario.

A number of ski areas are located within a 90-mile radius of the city. Groomed trails are available at most resorts, and several offer cross-country and snowshoeing trails. Tubing and sledding are also great fun in the winter, and all that's needed is a simple sled and a slope. In warmer weather conditions, boaters, swimmers, and fishing fans enjoy the many lakes and rivers in the area. Lake cruises are available aboard the Miss Buffalo and Niagara Clipper Cruise ships.

Shopping and Dining

Buffalo provides a wide variety of downtown, neighborhood, and suburban factory outlet shopping experiences. In downtown Buffalo, the Main Place Mall boasts a pedestrian mall lined with department stores, specialty, and clothing shops, while Elmwood Avenue in the university district features funky small shops, bookstores, and cafes. Broadway Market is a traditional European-style market that has served the Buffalo community for more than 111 years; it offers ethnic delicacies such as kielbasa, fresh ground horse-radish, bratwurst, and pierogi. The Walden Galleria in Cheektowaga contains more than 200 stores, including national chains and regional favorites, and deep discount shopping can be experienced at the 150 name-brand stores of the Prime Outlet center in Niagara Falls. East Aurora has preserved its historical flavor even when it comes to shopping on its Main Street, with art galleries, antique dealers, an ice cream shop, and an old-fashioned five-and-dime store. Buffalo's Allentown neighborhood is also good hunting ground for the antique seeker.

Buffalo boasts hundreds of restaurants with cuisines ranging from continental to ethnic, served in casual or high style according to the eater's preference. Chinese food eateries lead the way, with more than 20 restaurants listed for the area. Establishments featuring Italian, Mexican, and steaks and chops are also popular and remind the diner of the eclectic groups that together built Buffalo. Local specialties include Buffalo chicken wings served with celery sticks and blue-cheese dip, and "beef on weck," a roast beef sandwich served on a Kummelweck roll with horseradish. Pizza in Buffalo is described as a cross between the thin, foldable New York-style pizza and the deep-dish variety favored in Chicago. Buffalo's proximity to lakes and rivers makes seafood a popular item on restaurant menus; Friday fish fries are enjoyed at locales ranging from restaurants to neighborhood pubs. About 14 coffeehouses are located in Buffalo, serving up sophisticated European brews and plain old java.

Visitor Information: Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau, 617 Main Street, Suite 200, Buffalo, NY 14203-1496; toll-free (888)228-3369