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| Waterfront
of Buffalo1 |
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Although Buffalo,
New York, is recognized as
the place where Buffalo Chicken Wings were created, the city has much more to
offer visitors. A variety of attractions are available for travelers to explore
and experience while in the city, including tours of Underground Railroad destinations,
an assortment of sports teams, museums, art galleries, unique festivals and
more.
ORIENTATION
Located in western New York, Buffalo is the second largest city in the state
after New York City. Lying
on the Niagara
River, which connects Lake
Erie and Lake
Ontario, Buffalo is situated 82 mi (132 km) northwest of Erie,
Pennsylvania, 16
mi (26 km) southeast of Niagara
Falls, New York, and 5 mi (8 km) east of Fort
Erie, Ontario,
Canada.
HISTORY
Throughout the 1700s, the land on which Buffalo is situated changed hands many
times, from being given to the Duke of York as a gift in the mid-18th century
to the area being sold to Dutch investors in 1792. The first permanent settlement
in the area was in 1789 when Cornelius Winney and “Black Joe” Hodges built a
log cabin to trade with American Indians. The village, which Buffalo stemmed
from, was initially dubbed Lake Erie, but later was called Buffalo Creek, and
by some accounts the city received its name when it was shortened to Buffalo.
By 1811, the population of the predominantly Anglo-American village had grown
to 5,000 inhabitants. During the War of 1812, on December 30, 1813, British
troops, along with their American Indian allies, captured the growing community
and burned it to the ground. The settlement was soon rebuilt and incorporated
as a town in 1816.
In 1825, the Erie
Canal was completed, connecting Buffalo and New York City in a 524 mi
(843 km) waterway. The town’s population continued to grow and in 1832 reached
over 8,000 residents. In 1836, the first railroad was completed between Buffalo
and Niagara Falls, and before the end of that year trains ran regularly to the
falls. In 1853, Buffalo annexed the border town of Black Rock and was incorporated
as a city.
Underground
Railroad
During the mid-1800s Buffalo, New York, was known as a stop on the way to
freedom for runaway slaves from the southern United States. The Underground
Railroad was a series of covert safe havens for runaways to use so that
they may escape their enslavement. The slaves were escaping toward Canada
and using Buffalo’s close proximity to their advantage. The city features
many stops on the informal railroad including the Michigan
Street Baptist Church, Murphy
Orchards and Broderick
Park—where the once imprisoned people crossed the Niagara River
into Ontario.
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During the mid-19th century Buffalo became a terminus for the Underground Railroad—an
informal series of safe havens for runaway slaves who had escaped from the southern
United States. From the early 1800s to 1901, the city’s history includes many
United States Presidents with the most notable event occurring when Leon Czolgosz
shot President William McKinley on September 6, 1901, at the Pan American Exposition.
The president died of his wounds eight days later and as a result, Vice President
Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in on September 14, 1901, at the Wilcox Mansion—becoming
one of the few American Presidents to be inaugurated outside of Washington, D.C.
At the turn of the century, Buffalo’s economy was booming and with that immigrants
from many countries, including Germany, Italy,
Poland and Ireland, were
drawn to the city. In 1927, the Peace
Bridge, which spans the Niagara River connecting Buffalo to Fort Erie,
Ontario, opened, attracting many dignitaries and heads of state to the opening
ceremony. In 1932, Buffalo’s
City Hall, whose façade reflects an Art Deco style, was completed as
the tallest building in the city, a title it would hold until 1970.
The Buffalo Wing was created in 1964, by Teressa Bellissimo, proprietor of
the Anchor
Bar, as a snack for some late-night patrons. In the mid-20th century,
the city began to decline with the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway as goods
that had previously passed through Buffalo’s port could now bypass the city
by using the new seaway to reach the ocean. The population decline is also attributed
to suburban migration. Even though the trend continues to a certain extent,
Buffalo’s metropolitan area has not reduced in size as a whole and is still
bustling with a variety of interesting and entertaining attractions.
TRANSPORTATION
Interstate
90, which is the northernmost east-to-west highway in the United States,
runs along the eastern edge of Buffalo, and connects with Interstate
190, which continues eastward toward Albany,
New York. Spanning the Niagara River, Peace Bridge is an arch bridge that allows
access between Buffalo and Fort Erie, Ontario.
The Buffalo
Niagara International Airport is located 16 mi (25 km) east of downtown
Buffalo. Several major airlines use this hub, offering travelers daily flights
in and out of the city.
Boasting an extensive public transit service, the Niagara
Frontier Transit Authority offers a number of bus routes that travel
throughout the city and suburban areas. The transit authority also operates
Metro
Rail, a 6 mi (10 km) rapid, light rail system, which is at ground level
in the downtown area and underground in the outlying areas.
| |
|
Month |
Avg.
Daily Temperature |
Average
Rainfall |
|
Min |
Max |
| Jan
|
18°F
(-7°C) |
31°F
(0°C) |
80
mm |
| Feb |
18°F
(-7°C) |
33°F
(1°C) |
61
mm |
| Mar
|
26°F
(-3°C) |
42°F
(6°C) |
76
mm |
| Apr |
36°F
(2°C) |
54°F
(12°C) |
77
mm |
| May
|
48°F
(9°C) |
66°F
(19°C) |
85
mm |
| Jun
|
57°F
(14°C) |
75°F
(23°C) |
98
mm |
| Jul |
62°F
(16°C) |
29°F
(26°C) |
79
mm |
|
Aug |
60°F
(15°C) |
78°F
(25°C) |
98
mm |
|
Sep |
53°F
(11°C) |
70°F
(21°C) |
97
mm |
|
Oct |
42°F
(5°C) |
59°F
(15°C) |
81
mm |
|
Nov |
33°F
(1°C) |
46°F
(8°C) |
99
mm |
|
Dec |
23°F
(-5°C) |
36°F
(2°C) |
96
mm |
|
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Climate
data from the
Northeast Regional Climate Center |
Rental car
providers and 24-hour taxi
services are also available throughout the city.
CLIMATE
With an undue reputation for severe weather, Buffalo actually possesses the
sunniest and driest summer of any other major center in the northeastern United
States. Autumn is brief, occurring from mid-September to early November.
Winters in Buffalo can last longer than in other regions, typically starting
in mid-November and ending in late-March. The nature of the city’s winter seasons
stem from what is referred to as the lake effect, when cold air from the north
passes over the relatively warm water of Lake Erie resulting in clouds and precipitation,
usually in the form of snow. Spring arrives slowly to the area, beginning in
late-April because of the presence of the icepack on the lake. Lots of sunshine,
warm temperatures and moderate humidity levels define summers in Buffalo. Rain
does make an appearance occasionally, yet most of the precipitation falls overnight
so it rarely interferes with outdoor activities.
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| Aerial
View of Buffalo's City Hall2 |
|
FEATURED ATTRACTIONS
Museums
Albright-Knox Art Gallery
Governed by one of the United States’ oldest public art organizations, the
Albright-Knox
Art Gallery was completed in 1905 as what was originally supposed to
serve as the fine arts pavilion for the Pan-American Exposition of 1901. The
gallery exhibits, acquires and preserves both contemporary and modern art. Permanent
collections housed at the gallery include a variety of art that ranges from
a Mesopotamian figure dating from 3,000 B.C. to pieces that reflect the styles
of impressionism, cubism, surrealism and post-impressionism. The work of artists
such as Picasso, Matisse, Gauguin and van Gogh are also displayed.
Buffalo Museum of Science
Established in 1861 by the Buffalo Society of Natural Science, the Buffalo
Museum of Science features more than 600,000 specimens in their collections,
as well as a diverse array of interactive and informative exhibits that are
regularly changed. Many programs, tailored for different age groups and families,
are offered at the Science Museum, allowing everyone to enjoy their experience.
The museum also includes the 264-acre (107-ha) Tifft
Nature Preserve, which offers 5 mi (8 km) of hiking trails and a 75-acre
(30-ha) freshwater cattail marsh and a variety of wildlife and vegetation.
Karpele’s Manuscript Library Museum
A unique attraction in Buffalo is the Karpele’s
Manuscript Library Museum, which is only one of seven such museums in
the United States. Karpele’s Library is the world's largest private holding
of significant documents and manuscripts. Exhibits on various topics are continually
brought in to the museum. Archives housed include the original draft of the
United States’ Bill of Rights, Einstein’s description of the Theory of Relativity
and more regarding areas of religion, art, history, literature and science.
Other Buffalo Attractions
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The
Conservatory at the Buffalo and Erie Botanical Gardens3 |
Buffalo and Erie Botanical Gardens
A product of landscaping architect Frederick Law Olmsted, botanist John F. Cowell
and the architectural firm of Lord and Burnham Co., the Buffalo
and Erie Botanical Gardens was established in 1868. The gardens are
made up of a conservatory, outdoor gardens, a lake and a ring road. The conservatory,
a tri-domed glass, wood and steel building, was modeled after the Crystal Palace
and Kew Gardens Palm House in England.
Completed in 1899, the structure is now only one of two tri-domed designs in
the United States. The conservatory houses an array of tropical flora as well
as specialty gardens, including a desert installation, an orchid garden and
a rainforest habitat. The outdoor area of the gardens features a children’s
learning space, an arboretum, a bog garden and much more. The Buffalo and Erie
Botanical Gardens also hosts a variety of events and allows wedding photos to
be staged on site.
Colored Musicians Club
Known as a landmark attesting to the importance of jazz in the American landscape
of music history, the Colored
Musicians Club is the only remaining African American club of its kind.
Designated as a historic preservation site in 1999, the club was established
in 1918 with the formation of the Buffalo Local 533 Workers Union for African
American Musicians. The club promotes historical research, preserves the jazz
legacy in the city and offers free music lessons to the community’s youth. With
a stage that has been graced by many artists including Billie Holliday, Duke
Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Lena Horne and many more, the Colored
Musicians Club is open to non-members who would like to either listen to or
join in on Sunday jam sessions.
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| The
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site4 |
|
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
Opened to the public in 1971, the former home of Ansley Wilcox is now the Theodore
Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site, the only National Park in
western New York. Tours of the home where President Theodore Roosevelt was inaugurated
on September 14, 1901, are available. Exhibits featured at the site focus on
the circumstances surrounding President Roosevelt’s inauguration, details of
his life and turn of the century America. While visitors are at the historic
site they can view the seasonal gardens and tour the nearby neighborhoods filled
with historic buildings.
Buffalo Wing Festival
Held annually on Labor Day weekend, the Buffalo
Wing Festival celebrates the Buffalo Chicken Wing that originated out
of the Anchor Bar. Established in 2002, the festival was inspired by Bill Murray’s
character in the movie Osmosis Jones, who attends the then fictional National
Buffalo Wing Festival. Festivities featured during the weekend include the US
Chicken Wing Eating Championship, live music and food from over 25 Buffalo area
restaurants.
Attractions Close to Buffalo
Amherst Museum
Situated on 35 acres (14 ha) of land in nearby Amherst,
New York, the Amherst
Museum is a living history museum that depicts 19th-century life on
the Niagara frontier that is located approximately 20 minutes northeast of Buffalo.
Filled with interactive exhibits and historical buildings, such as a schoolhouse
and functional blacksmith’s forge, the museum houses and displays a variety
of items including over 50,000 artifacts and 8,000 archived documents. Year
round tours of the museum take visitors on a journey through the past while
allowing them to participate in many of the exhibits.
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The
Lucy-Desi Museum5 |
Lucy-Desi Museum
For visitors who want to experience some of television’s past, the Lucy-Desi
Museum is a center devoted to Lucille Ball, her husband Desi Arnaz and
their massively popular 1950s show, I Love Lucy. Located in Ball’s birthplace
Jamestown,
New York, which is located 58 mi (93 km) southwest of Buffalo, the museum includes
interactive exhibits, costumes, personal belongings and even the sets from the
comedy. The center also features a gift shop with official I Love Lucy merchandise
and hosts a number of events throughout the year, including an annual festival
and various seminars.
Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
Located in North
Tonawanda, New York, only 15 minutes from Buffalo, the Herschell
Carrousel Factory Museum is the only museum in the world housed in an
authentic carrousel factory. Open seasonally from April to December, the museum
displays over 20 hand-carved carrousel characters as well as a carrousel from
1916, which is still in operation and allows visitors to ride the handcrafted
horses. The museum also recounts the history and growth of the Herschell Carrousel
Company and demonstrates the process of carving and restoring the wooden horses.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau and Angel Art Ltd.; Waterfront
of Buffalo; Buffalo, NY, USA
- Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau and Angel Art Ltd.; Ariel
View of Buffalo's City Hall; Buffalo, NY, USA
- Buffalo and Erie Botanical Gadens; The Conservatory at the Buffalo Erie
Botanical Gardens; Buffalo, NY, USA
- Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau and Angel Art Ltd.; The Theodore
Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site; Buffalo, NY, USA
- The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center Inc.; The Lucy-Desi Museum; Jamestown,
NY, USA
