DDD Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 It's been 25 years since I've lived in Buffalo, and I'm going to visit with my wife and 6 year old who have never been. What are the must sees for 1st time visitors? Here's what I've come up with: Niagara Falls Delaware Park Albright Knox Art Gallery Elmwood Strip Erie Basin Marina Art Park Buffalo Zoo Frank Lloyd Wright home near Buffalo Zoo Chocalate and vanilla twist from Andersons, and a pizza from Bocci Club. Is Parkside Candies still around? Botanical gardens- ? Don't remember if this is worthwhile. Old Navy Ship Museum- ? called U.S. Sullivan. Never have seen. Niagara on the Lake- ?. Never have been to but heard it's nice Erie Canal restoration site- ?. Heard this was restored recently but have never been Other comments or recommendations from TBD? Thanks everyone.
Corp000085 Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 Since you bring it up, take them to the ralph and hsbc. Since its the middle of the offseason, i'm sure you could call ahead or even ask on site for a tour.
Major Mud Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 Mighty Taco!! Teds, John and Marys, Old Man River,LaNova swing by Tzetzo Bros if its still open and find candy you thought they stopped making 20 years ago. Dont forget to grab: Webers mustard, Bison chip dip, a pack of Sahlens, some sponge candy, a bottle of loganberry juice and of course a 6 pack each of Genny Cream Ale, and Molson XXX. You cant take Buffalo with you when you leave But you sure can take home some of the food that makes her great!
Big Turk Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 when are you coming up? Depending on when it is you might want to go to one of the big festivals like Taste of Buffalo, the Italian Heritage Festival or theCanalfest... Botanical Gardens are really cool as well...definitely worth it... Naval Shipyard is really cool and its also purported to be haunted as well... Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown is really cool as well...another purportedly haunted place also... Niagara on the Lake is beautiful. However, you would need a passport or an enhanced drivers license to go over the border since June 1st of this year... Canadian side of Niagara Falls is off the chain...thousands and thousands of people up on Clifton Hill after 6 or 7 pm on weekends... I can't believe you left out hotdogs from Teds, the Anchor Bar, Beef on Weck and loganberry... personally I think Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island is far superior to Delaware Park, but obviously Delaware Park is closer... If she likes architecture, you could take her to see the old Central Station---great example of Art Deco
quikchomp Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 Not to make this into a food war, but is anyone else with me in not liking Bocci pizza? I think it's the only pizza in Buffalo that I don't like. Of course everyone can recommend the "best" pizza, wings, etc...but I really think Buffalo has so much more to offer pizza-wise than Bocci's. And speaking of wings, I'll throw my personal favorite out there: Gabriel's Gate down on Allen St. I'm not sure what else there is to recommend that is kid-friendly. Maybe Darien Lake if your daughter gets bored with the art, architecture, etc. Unfortunately the area down by the marina looks like a hell-hole right now due to the destruction of The Aud, hopefully that image won't be your wife and daughter's lasting impression. While you're up at the Falls, maybe you could visit the wax museums. I haven't done that in forever, so I don't remember if it's kid-friendly or not. Have a great trip!
Big Turk Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 Not to make this into a food war, but is anyone else with me in not liking Bocci pizza? I think it's the only pizza in Buffalo that I don't like. Of course everyone can recommend the "best" pizza, wings, etc...but I really think Buffalo has so much more to offer pizza-wise than Bocci's. And speaking of wings, I'll throw my personal favorite out there: Gabriel's Gate down on Allen St. I'm not sure what else there is to recommend that is kid-friendly. Maybe Darien Lake if your daughter gets bored with the art, architecture, etc. Unfortunately the area down by the marina looks like a hell-hole right now due to the destruction of The Aud, hopefully that image won't be your wife and daughter's lasting impression. While you're up at the Falls, maybe you could visit the wax museums. I haven't done that in forever, so I don't remember if it's kid-friendly or not. Have a great trip! I think La Nova's is really good...I am really not a big fan of Bocci's either---to me it's just OK wax museums are mostly on the Canadian side, which would mean they need either passports or enhanced driver licenses...however I believe there are a few on the American side... also if you are in Niagara Falls and get hungry, I would recommend the buffet at the Seneca Niagara Casino---an unbelievable amount of food...
jax bill backer Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 first of all dont go to John and mary's. take him to charlie butcher for a beef on weck and you have to take him to Ted's hot dogs. Then take him to darien lake... and to finish the night off sit out side and drink either labatt's or Molson Export.. go to sleep and take him to laux in the Bolevard mall to get a BILLS jersey
quikchomp Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 Agreed on La Nova...sure it's the trendy pick, but it's trendy for a reason...it's really good.
evilbuffalobob Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 Antoinettes for the chocolate La Nova for the pizza Teds for the dogs Anchor Bar for the wings (no longer the best, but classic) China One Super Buffet @ Southgate Plaza on Union in West Seneca (the best) Love Canal Fantasy Island (on Grand Island) for the kid Old War Memorial Stadium (ruins) Catch a lawn Fete Don't forget Chefs for a great dinner
JoeFerguson Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 It's been 25 years since I've lived in Buffalo, and I'm going to visit with my wife and 6 year old who have never been. What are the must sees for 1st time visitors? Here's what I've come up with: Niagara Falls Delaware Park Albright Knox Art Gallery Elmwood Strip Erie Basin Marina Art Park Buffalo Zoo Frank Lloyd Wright home near Buffalo Zoo Chocalate and vanilla twist from Andersons, and a pizza from Bocci Club. Is Parkside Candies still around? Botanical gardens- ? Don't remember if this is worthwhile. Old Navy Ship Museum- ? called U.S. Sullivan. Never have seen. Niagara on the Lake- ?. Never have been to but heard it's nice Erie Canal restoration site- ?. Heard this was restored recently but have never been Other comments or recommendations from TBD? Thanks everyone. I think your list is pretty solid. How much time are you going to have? Check out the Central Terminal. I didn't see it until I was 26, and I lived in Buffalo most of my life. I couldn't believe something so cool could hide from me for such a long time.
Charles Romes Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 I think you need to take the kid to the ralph, and while gesturing to the giant leaping buffalo, say THIS is what your purpose in life is.
PromoTheRobot Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 Check out the The Colored Musicians Club if you like jazz. The place has quite a hstory. Big Orbit Gallery and Soundlab if you enjoy art and performance that is somewhat avant garde. "Babeville" is an old church and performance hall that was rescued by Ani DiFranco and is now the home office for her record company. Buffalo Indie Market...Buffalo artists selling their stuff. Check out Rhode Island Ave just off Richmond. It's an up-and-coming area with two very good restaurants, The Left Bank and Prime 490 BFLO Harbor Kayak is next to the Naval Park. You can rent a kayak or canoe and paddle around the harbor, or paddle up the Buffalo River into "Elevator Alley." It's a pretty unbelievable site from the water. Take a historic tour...mostly of old taverns...with Forgotten Buffalo. Well worth it. Try to time your visit to take a tour. Catch Lance Diamond at the Elmwood Lounge every Saturday night at 11:30pm. Did I forget anything? PTR
CarolinaBillsFan Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 PIZZA JUNCTION ANYONE The best anywhere! I have had it delivered here in SC twice already!
BuffaloBill Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 It's been 25 years since I've lived in Buffalo, and I'm going to visit with my wife and 6 year old who have never been. What are the must sees for 1st time visitors? Here's what I've come up with: Niagara Falls Delaware Park Albright Knox Art Gallery Elmwood Strip Erie Basin Marina Art Park Buffalo Zoo Frank Lloyd Wright home near Buffalo Zoo Chocalate and vanilla twist from Andersons, and a pizza from Bocci Club. Is Parkside Candies still around? Botanical gardens- ? Don't remember if this is worthwhile. Old Navy Ship Museum- ? called U.S. Sullivan. Never have seen. Niagara on the Lake- ?. Never have been to but heard it's nice Erie Canal restoration site- ?. Heard this was restored recently but have never been Other comments or recommendations from TBD? Thanks everyone. Your six year old will be bored with Niagara on the Lake (don't get me wrong it is great - especiall lunch / brunch at the Prince of Whales). Got to the butterfly exhibit at the botanical gardens in the Falls (Canuck side) instead.
Bishop Hedd Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 It's been 25 years since I've lived in Buffalo, and I'm going to visit with my wife and 6 year old who have never been. What are the must sees for 1st time visitors? Here's what I've come up with: Niagara Falls Delaware Park Albright Knox Art Gallery Elmwood Strip Erie Basin Marina Art Park Buffalo Zoo Frank Lloyd Wright home near Buffalo Zoo Chocalate and vanilla twist from Andersons, and a pizza from Bocci Club. Is Parkside Candies still around? Botanical gardens- ? Don't remember if this is worthwhile. Old Navy Ship Museum- ? called U.S. Sullivan. Never have seen. Niagara on the Lake- ?. Never have been to but heard it's nice Erie Canal restoration site- ?. Heard this was restored recently but have never been Other comments or recommendations from TBD? Thanks everyone. I try to stay on the American side as the Clifton Hill tack n brac tends to take away my money faster than the casino. NFNY recently built this monsterously out of place "Snow Park" on Second street downtown. I haven't been there but have seen it. It's got this gigantic slide that looks completely out of place in an urban setting, kids might like it. Across the street the Howard Johnson's runs helicopter rides, then there's always the usual Maid, Cave of the Winds. I like to hike the gorge trail and it's fun and safe for kids..as long as they don't venture too close to the edge. Also Lewiston is very pleasant and you might be able to catch a free show at the Art Park if you come on a Tuesday. I like the area further up north by Old Fort Niagara. You can sit on the shores of the Lake and see actually see Toronto. On the way back stop by the Ontario House in Youngstown. Across Elmwood from the Knox is a new art museum that has been very well recieved, The Burchfield Penny. My daughter liked it. If you walk by Elmwood from there stop by Cecellias patio by Breckenridge and have some of Steve's little neck clams, lobster daintys or oysters and wash it down with a Harp. Grew up with Bocce on Bailey and worked there while attending school up the street. Still tastes the same as ever...which could be both good and bad depending on your view. I like Weichecs in Kaisertown for wings...both Buffalo style and breaded. Parkside Candies still is on Main and Winspear. The new Erie Canal site is pretty nice but not exactly overwhelming, but as everyone here will tell you "it's a start". Guess they're trying to get people down there so they're holding a bunch of concerts down there during August and September. Don't forget Allentown and the Broadway Market...or Fantasy Island.
Tcali Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 go up to Wilson----do some jet skiing or boating in that beautiful harbor--then relax and have dinner and a few coctails. oops --with a 6 yr old----still go up to wilson but the coctails and jet skis will be nixxed of course/.There is stuff for the little one there.
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