- States:
- New York
In Western New York and on the eastern shore of Lake Erie lies the second most populated city of the State – Buffalo, which is just 20 minutes from spectacular Niagara Falls and a bridge away from Canada.
Buffalo is emerging as a vibrant centre of art and culture and boasts many sites to visit, including architectural masterpieces by Frank Lloyd Wright as well as one of the best collections of modern and contemporary art in the world.
Soaking up Art at the Albright Knox Art Gallery
First on my itinerary was a visit to the Albright Knox Art Gallery, which showcases masterpieces from some of the most well-known artists in the world: Renoir, Cezanne, Picasso and Warhol, just to name a few, as well as a collection of cutting-edge contemporary art. The wonderful thing about the gallery is that it houses both permanent and temporary exhibitions, so there is always something new to see.
Exterior view and sculpture at the Albright Knox Art Gallery
Astonishing Architectural Achievements
Next up was Frank Lloyd Wright’s must-see, Darwin Martin House Complex. Frank Lloyd Wright is known as an innovator in architecture who designed more than 1,000 projects and completed 532 of them. The Darwin Martin House was completed in 1905 and is a masterpiece of 20th century architecture. The complex is nearing its $50 million dollar restoration, done in painstaking detail, from the stained glass windows to finding a company to recreate the exact bricks used and no longer made, to make sure Wright’s original design comes to life.
Interior room of the Darwin Martin House
Dining, Shopping and Entertainment in Buffalo’s Neighbourhoods
Buffalo’s neighbourhoods are easy to navigate and fun to explore. The lively downtown is filled with amazing architecture , unique restaurants and a variety of entertainment to keep everyone happy.
Canalside is the perfect family-friendly area to explore with its cafés, boat and kayaking tours, large green lawn with relaxing chairs and giant-sized games, like Connect 4 and Jenga for you to play. Concerts and free events also take place in the area throughout the year, especially in the summer.
Laid-back Elmwood Village is full of artists’ murals, eclectic shops, some of the best restaurants in the city as well as one of the top spots for beer at one of Buffalo’s finest gastropubs, Blue Monk.
Shopping at a Buffalo boutique
Spectacular Nature at Niagara Falls State Park
Of course, a visit to Buffalo wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the breathtaking Niagara Falls State Park. I was lucky to see a beautiful rainbow streaking across the sky as I stood viewing the spectacular falls, the most powerful in North America. There are several ways to experience the falls including taking the legendary Maid of the Mist cruise or treating yourself to the Cave of the Winds trip where you can actually reach out and touch the falls yourself, an absolutely incredible experience.
If you’re looking for a fun, friendly city filled with art, natural wonders and an abundance of culture, look no further than Buffalo, New York.
Maid of the Mist tour, Niagara Falls
