Jon Purizhansky says that Buffalo, NY has become a real tourist attraction lately. It is seeing a movement to preserve a number of historical buildings, including the works of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who has several famous homes in the Buffalo area. One can set sail on the Spirit of Buffalo for a scenic day cruise or evening sunset sail. Buffalo is also the gateway to the Niagara Falls, a globally known landmark. Niagara State Park is America’s oldest, and each year tourists make the short drive from Buffalo to watch more than 750,000 gallons rush over the edge each second.
Jon Purizhansky also notices Niagara Wine Trail as a great wine trail. There are many wineries on the wine trail that are open to the public for tastings and tours.
The micro-climate around the Great Lakes allows for the production of fine wines including Riesling, Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and ice wines. There are currently 19 wineries in the Greater Buffalo area and plenty of B&Bs, restaurants, and bars. Buffalo is also home to Ralph Wilson Stadium, the only professional NFL football stadium in New York State and to the third oldest zoo in the United States, which hosts wild species from around the world and is a participant in global conservation efforts.
More than 1,000 animals are housed at the Buffalo Zoo that includes some of the rarest animals in the world. There are many great parks in and around Buffalo, including the Eternal Flame Falls, where the eternal flame is supported by natural gas seeps that break through the earth’s surface. Another great Buffalo area attraction is Fort Niagara, which sits on the head of the Niagara River. First held by General La Salle and his French troops in 1678, the fort eventually was a stronghold for both the British and Americans.
Jon Purizhansky says that Buffalo is also home to the bustling urban cultural scene. Founded in 1862, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery is among the world’s leading collections of international sculptures and paintings, including works by Picasso, Renoir, Monet, Matisse, and Van Gogh. There are many other galleries, including Burchfield Penney Art Center with its outstanding collection of regional art. Most galleries are located in the Elmwood Village neighborhood of Buffalo.
The Elmwood Village was named by the American Planning Association as one of the country’s 10 best neighborhoods and boasts some of the city’s most popular boutiques, bars, and restaurants. Elmwood Village has been Buffalo’s “cool” neighborhood since before it had any real competition for that title. Now, however, there is a number of up-and-coming districts in Buffalo that include Hertel Avenue, Allentown, and a resurgent downtown, all full of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. These attractions and much more make Buffalo a great place to visit any time of the year.
