Areas/towns to stay for us out of state fans traveling in Oct?

[corta765]

33 minutes ago, SoMAn said:

Note to some members: 

not everyone is that into beer drinking and breweries. Yeah, I know it’s a rust belt tradition and considered completely normal to down a 6-pack every evening for many of you, but believe it or not, alcoholic beverages aren’t often a high priority for family vacations. 
When I relocated to the Atlanta burbs 37 years ago, I was surprised what a different culture it was where people drinking beer and smoking a pack of Marlboros every day wasn’t nearly as common as what I’d experienced growing up in Buffalo. 
So, when a group of college roommates or hockey teammates are looking for leisure activity, the Elmwood strip or the Canadian ballet may be good recommendations.  But for most families with kids and in-laws, those aren’t usually go-to spots to enjoy a wholesome taste of what the city had to offer. 
Hanging out at any Buffalo bar with a gang of 30 something’s is the last place my wife would care to spend more than 15 minutes at. Just sayin’ 😉

 

I am happy you brought this up as the city of Buffalo itself finally has a good diversity of options that are not beer wings and pizza. Here is a good breakdown of the top family friendly stuff which is in different areas of the city:

 

Canalside/Downtown: Children's museum, carousel, canalside itself and it has boat rides, Sabre store typically is open, naval park, and Pierce Arrow Museum are all in an easy vicinity where you can walk or easy cab ride. There are plenty of eating options from Pearl St, Draft Room, or Southern Tier for starters

 

Outer Harbor: Riverworks is a chaotic mix of everything and has a lot to do and eat, the outer harbor park has really turned into a nice area for those more outdoorsy, and Tiff Farm is right down the street too. Food wise it is more Riverworks, but the South Park area is a drive down the street with some food and the botanical gardes.

 

These two are both by the Albright Knox Art Gallery, Delaware Park & the Zoo which all three are great places themselves to go to with kids and after stop by one of these areas for food or coffee or shopping.

Elmwood (south of that area): Still a good spot with a mix of shops, coffee places, and food/drink (maybe not as great as a decade ago but still good)

 

Hertel (north of that area between Delaware Ave to Parkside Ave): Hertel to me is the most up and coming spot at this time. They have a great mix of food and drink options but some really cool stores including a few with Bills apparel that is way cheaper then the major stores.

Edited August 14, 2023 by corta765

[Draconator]

3 hours ago, SoMAn said:

We see these inquiries often and always wish the people asking would state what interests them. Dining? recreation? art? Museums? local people and pubs? shopping? etc. ??

 

TSW responders frequently respond with the best wing joints or other bar food destinations. That's fine, but stuffing their face with local fare may not be high on the list for some out-of-town visitors. That said, if visitors want to get the true WNY/Buffalo experience as part of their Buffalo Bills trip, the local specialties are wings (of course) and a local sandwich call beef on weck (don't spare the horse radish).  Pizza is also highly regarded in the area. 

 

No matter who you are, if you have access to transportation, by all means get to Niagara Falls. The Canadian side has better views and more tourist stuff, so bring a passport. It would be a shame to travel many miles and get so close but never experience the falls. If you can't get to Canada, the American side is still impressive. There are attractions in NFalls like The Maid of the Mist, the boats that take tourists to the foot of the falls. Amazingly, I’ve never done it myself! One day.  

 

If you want a more cosmopolitan experience, there's a world class art museum (Albright Knox) and beautiful parks and great restaurants in the city. There's also a few nice museums (historical and science)and impressive architecture.  I don't know that there's any hot shopping spot anywhere downtown as I'm not really a shopper. 

 

For a more festival atmosphere with plenty of activity, music, people watching, etc, there's canal side in Buffalo. Don't know too much about it, but it's a 'go to' destination for a lot of visitors.

 

I don't know too much about East Aurora, mentioned previously. It seems like a lovely little town with easy access to the stadium. From what I can tell, it would be a similar experience as staying in Williamsville.  Maybe the Roycroft Inn would be a great home base for the visit, and if you have a car and time permits, make your way to the falls and the city.

 

Lastly, be sure to check out the Buffalo Bills store at the stadium for souvenirs and official NFL apparel. 

 

One thing I'll guarantee is that your family will be amazed at how friendly the locals are (other than the random drunk jerk in the stands at the game).

Buffalonians bend over backwards to treat guests with hospitality. Also, unless you hit a rainy weekend, the weather should be ideal fall sweatshirt weather.

 

Enjoy the experience. Don't surprised if after the visit, one of the family members half-jokingly suggest looking for a home in Buffalo.

 

Go Bills!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I see your points. More of those regarding East Aurora. It's a very quaint town. Lots of great architecture. If you're in to way back American history, the birthplace of President Millard Filmore is in the village. The Roycroft is also a museum (with a swanky hotel on the grounds). Lots of turn of the century homes you can walk, drive past. 

[Mr Info]

This all depends on who your visitors are: age range, likes/dislikes, etc. East Aurora is nice to visit but probably not an exciting place to stay (except for Borderland Fest in Sept).
When we are entertaining visitors from out of the area (btw, we live in VA but are STH) we get a bnb or hotel in Allentown or Elmwood Village area. Others have mentioned both these places. Lots of convenient architecture, good food, shopping for those that enjoy that and generally an active night life. Usually take those that have never been to Buffalo for a beer or two at Nietzsche’s before the bands start. It takes a couple of beers just to look around that iconic place. Other interesting places like that around those locales. 

My wife and I are OGs but have not retired or mellowed out yet.

[HOUSE]

Don't blame me for what you see on Chippewa,  I warn people every year

[WotAGuy]

If you stay in East Aurora, stop at Vidler’s.  It’s like stepping back in time!

[HOUSE]

1 minute ago, WotAGuy said:

If you stay in East Aurora, stop at Vidler’s.  It’s like stepping back in time!

I would suggest East Aurora,  just stay off the people's lawns, they are rich and cranky 

[Jauronimo]

10 minutes ago, HOUSE said:

Don't blame me for what you see on Chippewa,  I warn people every year

Warning people does not excuse you from wearing your pants on your head every weekend.

[HOUSE]

Just now, Jauronimo said:

Warning people does not excuse you from wearing your pants on your head every weekend.

It's a family tradition 

[mrags]

I think the East Aurora idea is absolutely great. A few nice restaurants/bars around the area. Bar Bill is a must. 189 Burger is really good as well. Wide variety of drink options and if I remember they have a great selection of Bourbon. The Polked Yolk isn’t the best breakfast I’ve ever had but it’s defiantly a solid option. As others mentioned, there’s plenty of other spots as well. Good amount of shopping along the strip as well. 
 

my one question was where in Williamsville did you stay? If it was the Marriot on Millersport highway or one of the other hotels here there. It’s a nice spot but not anything in walking distance really. It’s a few minute drive to the Niagara Falls Blvd and Maple area where there is a bunch of options. But nothing amazing really. Mostly chain restaurants. 
 

however if you stayed at Russels or near there on Transit Rd there really is a bunch along that way that would work. There’s chain restaurants, some local places. Shopping nearby. Between just north of Main St and Transit and the 90 is almost anything you would want. Could eat at Russels for one of the better steaks you’ll find in the city, one of the Anchor Bars is just in the other side of the 90. Lots of chain options in the area. The Buffalo Store is in walking distance. It’s nothing special of an area, just around to cover you for food with everything from Burger King to one of the best steaks in the city. Everything in between with some shopping within walking distance. 

[HIT BY SPIKES]

1 hour ago, SoMAn said:

Note to some members: 

not everyone is that into beer drinking and breweries. Yeah, I know it’s a rust belt tradition and considered completely normal to down a 6-pack every evening for many of you, but believe it or not, alcoholic beverages aren’t often a high priority for family vacations. 
When I relocated to the Atlanta burbs 37 years ago, I was surprised what a different culture it was where people drinking beer and smoking a pack of Marlboros every day wasn’t nearly as common as what I’d experienced growing up in Buffalo. 
So, when a group of college roommates or hockey teammates are looking for leisure activity, the Elmwood strip or the Canadian ballet may be good recommendations.  But for most families with kids and in-laws, those aren’t usually go-to spots to enjoy a wholesome taste of what the city had to offer. 
Hanging out at any Buffalo bar with a gang of 30 something’s is the last place my wife would care to spend more than 15 minutes at. Just sayin’ 😉

 

Well cross Atlanta off my list of cities to ever visit.

[HOUSE]

2 minutes ago, mrags said:

I think the East Aurora idea is absolutely great. A few nice restaurants/bars around the area. Bar Bill is a must. 189 Burger is really good as well. Wide variety of drink options and if I remember they have a great selection of Bourbon. The Polked Yolk isn’t the best breakfast I’ve ever had but it’s defiantly a solid option. As others mentioned, there’s plenty of other spots as well. Good amount of shopping along the strip as well. 
 

my one question was where in Williamsville did you stay? If it was the Marriot on Millersport highway or one of the other hotels here there. It’s a nice spot but not anything in walking distance really. It’s a few minute drive to the Niagara Falls Blvd and Maple area where there is a bunch of options. But nothing amazing really. Mostly chain restaurants. 
 

however if you stayed at Russels or near there on Transit Rd there really is a bunch along that way that would work. There’s chain restaurants, some local places. Shopping nearby. Between just north of Main St and Transit and the 90 is almost anything you would want. Could eat at Russels for one of the better steaks you’ll find in the city, one of the Anchor Bars is just in the other side of the 90. Lots of chain options in the area. The Buffalo Store is in walking distance. It’s nothing special of an area, just around to cover you for food with everything from Burger King to one of the best steaks in the city. Everything in between with some shopping within walking distance. 

I like the old train station bar, if it still there

[HIT BY SPIKES]

22 minutes ago, Mr Info said:

This all depends on who your visitors are: age range, likes/dislikes, etc. East Aurora is nice to visit but probably not an exciting place to stay (except for Borderland Fest in Sept).
When we are entertaining visitors from out of the area (btw, we live in VA but are STH) we get a bnb or hotel in Allentown or Elmwood Village area. Others have mentioned both these places. Lots of convenient architecture, good food, shopping for those that enjoy that and generally an active night life. Usually take those that have never been to Buffalo for a beer or two at Nietzsche’s before the bands start. It takes a couple of beers just to look around that iconic place. Other interesting places like that around those locales. 

My wife and I are OGs but have not retired or mellowed out yet.

 

AND whether you have a valid passport.

[HOUSE]

1 minute ago, HOUSE said:

I like the old train station bar, if it still there

Edit,  permanently closed

[Draconator]

1 minute ago, HOUSE said:

I like the old train station bar, if it still there

Just reopened. The owner who sold it a couple of years back bought it again and re-opened it.

[HOUSE]

1 minute ago, Draconator said:

Just reopened. The owner who sold it a couple of years back bought it again and re-opened it.

Website says permanently closed. It might help to fix that. 

[Draconator]

Just now, HOUSE said:

Website says permanently closed. It might help to fix that. 

Well, the sale went down last week. So give them time. 

[SoMAn]

4 minutes ago, HIT BY SPIKES said:

 

Well cross Atlanta off my list of cities to ever visit.

I’ve known a few locals who drink a lot of brew on a daily basis, so please come visit. It’s still a free country. The point I was attempting was how normal the whole blue collar mentality of sitting in a gin mill every evening (except for bowling night) is perfectly normal for a bigger percentage of Buffalonians. The people are generally very social and love to sit around, buying shots, and giving opinions on the Sabres and Bills. I’m not passing judging-just an observation. It goes on here, just not on every neighborhood corner. 

[BCAS Baritone]

Salvatore's on Transit is worth a stop just for the amazingly over-the-top decorations.  Food is decent but definitely pricey.

[Augie]

17 minutes ago, HIT BY SPIKES said:

 

Well cross Atlanta off my list of cities to ever visit.

 

I said that too…..about a year before I moved to Atlanta. Sometimes life throws you curves.  🤷‍♂️

[Augie]

21 minutes ago, mrags said:

I think the East Aurora idea is absolutely great. A few nice restaurants/bars around the area. Bar Bill is a must. 189 Burger is really good as well. Wide variety of drink options and if I remember they have a great selection of Bourbon. The Polked Yolk isn’t the best breakfast I’ve ever had but it’s defiantly a solid option. As others mentioned, there’s plenty of other spots as well. Good amount of shopping along the strip as well. 
 

my one question was where in Williamsville did you stay? If it was the Marriot on Millersport highway or one of the other hotels here there. It’s a nice spot but not anything in walking distance really. It’s a few minute drive to the Niagara Falls Blvd and Maple area where there is a bunch of options. But nothing amazing really. Mostly chain restaurants. 
 

however if you stayed at Russels or near there on Transit Rd there really is a bunch along that way that would work. There’s chain restaurants, some local places. Shopping nearby. Between just north of Main St and Transit and the 90 is almost anything you would want. Could eat at Russels for one of the better steaks you’ll find in the city, one of the Anchor Bars is just in the other side of the 90. Lots of chain options in the area. The Buffalo Store is in walking distance. It’s nothing special of an area, just around to cover you for food with everything from Burger King to one of the best steaks in the city. Everything in between with some shopping within walking distance. 

 

I usually stay at the Hampton Inn on Main St in Williamsville. You can easily walk to multiple restaurants and bars like the Creekview, Glen Park Tavern, The Irishman Pub, etc.  That was “home” to me, so I’m biased, but I think it’s a great area.