A few weekends ago, DG and I flew up to his hometown of Buffalo for two of our friend’s wedding. Here’s what to do in Buffalo in 48 hours.
When you arrive, head to Tim Horton’s for coffee and a donut. I love Tim Horton’s coffee so much, I get it shipped to us.
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Go down to the harbor and take a walk around the canalside. The City of Buffalo has really done a lot of work to revitalize the area and it is absolutely stunning. There are some awesome views and depending on the time of year you go, there are some even cooler activities. A few summers ago, DG and I went to a free concert on the lawn. There are festivals, fitness classes, and water activities, like paddle boarding and kayaking, and ice skating in the winter. And be sure to start at the end with the lighthouse and work your way down!
Be sure to stop by the HarborCenter and check out the shops there. I fell in love with Modern Nostalgia (that’s where I got this necklace) and Red Siren. And of course, DG and I stopped at Fowler’s Chocolates for sponge candy.
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Head over to River Works and have lunch at The Ward. It’s another area undergoing some revitalization and it a neat set-up. I ordered the white pizza from The Ward and it was delicious. Also, check out the LaBatt Blue silos. Cute, huh? And I loved this view from the deck at the restauarant.
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Head back over to canalside and have a beer at 716. It’s a huge sports bar and restaurant in the Harborcenter.
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Next, head over to Delaware Park. My inner history nerd jumps for joy any time we head to Delaware Park because Fredrick Law Olmstead designed it after designing Central Park. There are two other parks that are connected in his masterpiece as well. The conservancy and the City of Buffalo are working together to preserve, and they have self-guided mobile tours using your phone. Seriously awesome.
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After exploring Delaware Park, take a look at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin Martin House. If you’re there for more than 48 hours, check out some of the classes they teach!
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For dinner, go to Duff’s and get buffalo wings. You won’t regret it. I’ve only ever been to Duff’s because my Buffalo born and bred husband swears their wings are the best wings. I haven’t been disappointed yet. Oh, and get your wings with bleu cheese. Not ranch. Just trust me.
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When you’re done, you’ll probably feel like you need to be rolled out of the restaurant. Or maybe that was just me. If you’re in Buffalo during hockey season, head back down to the canal for a Sabres game. I’ve only been to a Sabres game when they came to Raleigh, but I swear there were more Buffalo fans than Hurricanes fans in the stands that game!
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After the game, head down to the Liberty Hound, which is right on the water and beside Naval Park.
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Finish your night at our favorite watering hole, Cole’s. It’s an interesting dynamic because it’s fun but laid-back. And it’s on Elmwood, which is one of my favorite spots in Buffalo.
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For breakfast, head to Bagel Jay’s for a breakfast sandwich.
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Take a stroll through Forest Lawn Cemetery. The architecture inside the cemetery is gorgeous and Millard Fillmore, 13th President, is buried there. Also, J.F. Hoover is buried there, who helped apprehend John Wilkes Booth after Lincoln’s assassination. Told you I nerd out. They do offer a variety of tours, including a trolley tour and a haunted tour.
Head over to Albright Knox Art Gallery. It houses both modern and contemporary art and the building is just as impressive as the art work inside.
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My favorite piece of architecture is the Richardson Olmstead Complex. DG went to college right behind this building and when he showed it to me, I was in awe of the architecture of this building. This building was built by H.H. Richardson and Fredrick Law Olmstead worked on the landscaping. The magnitude of this building is seriously mindblowing. It once housed the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane. Currently, it is undergoing renovations. I took a picture of the back of the building to try to capture just how impressive its presence is in Buffalo and I did catch some of the construction. My hope is the next time we are there, we can go on one of the tours of the building.
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Seriously… this isn’t even the whole building. Look at how much land that takes up.
Head down on Elmwood and check out the adorable shops and restaurants. A few of my favorites shops are Blush, which has selection of clothes, and Spoiled Rotten, which is where I get Buffalo themed gifts for friends. DG and I also like to stroll on the side streets and check out the houses. And if you go on a Saturday, they may just have a flea market set up in a parking lot. Oh! And be sure to pop into Elmwood Market.
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Have lunch at Pano’s. It’s some of the best Greek food I’ve ever eaten.
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Before heading downtown, stop at Spot Coffee and pick yourself up a cup of coffee.
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Head downtown and stop by the Wilcox Mansion, which is also Theodore Roosevelt’s inaugural site. The house is beautiful and the tour is informative, but light and fun.
The Guaranty Building (presently the Prudential Building) is an early skyscraper built in 1896. One of the things I love most about Buffalo is the influence it had in US History and how the City and its citizens are currently revitalizing its area to preserve the history.
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Buffalo City Hall is a commanding building in downtown and one of my favorites. There is a building tour and observation deck where you can check out the city from a different view.
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Make sure to visit Buffalo Botanical Gardens. This is another of Olmstead’s designs, and just amazing.
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Go grab a pizza at Casa-di-Pizza. The pizza in Buffalo is different than NYC style pizza (in my opinion). They use these small pepperonis and they get a little crispy on the ends, and seriously, it’s the best.
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Head back down to Pearl Street Grill and have one of their beers.
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Take one more quick brewery stop at the Pan-American Grill, which is in the beautiful Hotel Lafayette.
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And before you head out the next morning, you’ll probably want to stop at Tim Horton’s for one last cup of coffee and donut, like we did.
So there you have it. My recommendations for what to do in 48 hours in Buffalo. In case you missed it, I did a 36 Hours in Raleigh post in the spring.
Special thanks to my sister-in-law and my sweet friend, Mare, for suggestions. Also, shout out to my husband because this is the first time he has been semi-helpful in a blog post by proofing to make sure I got this right.
All images are my own unless otherwise noted with (via) and linked back to the original source from where I found it.
P.S. Don’t forget to enter my giveaway with KushyFoot!
Linking up with Joey and Kristin
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Who knew there was so much stuff to do in Buffalo?? Thanks for sharing all of these tips!
All that pizza…. yummmmm! Never been to Buffalo but it looks like such a great city!
Dang girl! You got a lot done in a short amount of time! And can we talk about how much I want those wings for breakfast?? <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
You guys packed in so much – I didn't realize there was that much to do but everything looks awesome! All your food looks beyond delicious – I used to love Tim Horton's in college – so delicious, I haven't had it in years now!
Visiting from Stuff & Things 🙂 That pizza looks delicious. I love Tim Horton's Dark Roast and sprinkle donuts are the best treat! I'm also a firm believer that a box of Timbits makes the best road trip snack!
Oh my goodness, I need to go to Buffalo for the architecture alone! My inner nerd would also be so thrilled to see Delaware Park or any Frank Lloyd Wright homes, plus that Olmstead Complex? Gorgeous! Throw in good beer and food and I'm sold. You really had so many great things in this packed weekened!
I've heard so much about tim hortons! I thought it was just in Canada but looks like it's up North too!
xoxo
Rebecca
rkush.blogspot.com
Such a fun trip! I can't believe how much you were able to see and do in just 2 days! And Tim Hortons! It's been way too long <3
Green Fashionista
I've never been to Buffalo, but now I want to go. Looks like a fun place!
Wow, so cool!! I love exploring new places. I've never been there but I know so many people from Buffalo. I'll need to visit soon!
xo,
Sara Kate Styling
I never would have thought of Buffalo as a tourist destination but you make me want to visit! You are a great photographer! Now I want coffee and to study Frank Lloyd Wright! We were at the Biltmore Estate in August and Olmstead designed the grounds there as well.
I didn't know they had Tim Hortons in Buffalo! All of the architecture looks stunning!
HashtagFabLife
You fit a lot in for just 2 days. The 716 sports bar looks amazing. All the food looks delicious.
I had no idea that there were so many things to do in Buffalo! I heard that Buffalo wings were invented in Buffalo (I guess, hence the name), so I know that whenever I go I will be trying wings while I'm there. And apparently Duff's is the place that I need to check them out!
Thank you for highlighting all of the wonderful things Buffalo offers. It’s been so much fun to see the city come back to life and watch people outside the region realize what a gem of a city we have.
My only suggestion is to try other coffee shops next time you’re in town! Tim Horton’s is loved by a lot of people here, but Buffalo has a rising non-chain, specialty coffee shop community. Public Espresso + Coffee is downtown in the stunning Hotel Lafayette, and offers the best pour-overs in the city. About ten minutes away on the west side, Tipico Coffee excels at espresso-based beverages and has a minimalist, beautiful aesthetic (perfect for bloggers 😉 ). There are other great local coffee shops, but those two are the best.