More than a decade ago, I scraped together just enough gas money with my college friends to make it to Buffalo for a fun weekend in the city. Our school was 90 minutes away, and we wanted to check out the place people swore smelled like Lucky Charms. We caught a free concert in Lafayette Square, had some wings in Allentown, and headed home happy.

I knew there had to be more to Buffalo than food (ahem wings) and concerts. But I didn’t have the chance to return until now. Instead of stopping in Buffalo en route to Canada like before, we had the chance to see the renaissance that the city has undergone over the years.

The most impressive aspect of the evolution is its “adaptive reuse projects,” where nonprofit and government organizations have taken old structures and concepts to make them new. This has turned into everything from waterfront beer gardens on the once industrial-only river to zip lining among old grain silos. Want to know more? Let’s go, Buffalo!

Where to stay in Buffalo

For this trip, the Buffalo Marriott at LECOM HARBORCENTER served as a great base for exploring all the best spots around Buffalo. It doubles as a conference center and hub for hockey players at the adjoining KeyBank Center. But the super cozy and chic high-rise rooms with sweeping city and water views cannot be beat. Did I mention there’s also a Tim Horton’s on the ground floor?

It’s also worth taking advantage of the extra perks on the property, such as the Panorama on Seven lounge bar. This is a gorgeous space to watch the sun go down over the river. Next door is the M Club for Platinum members and special reservations, open 24/7 with snacks and drinks.

If you’re looking for the best hotels in Buffalo, the Buffalo Marriott works well for groups enjoying a weekend away. I recommend reserving a spacious room there. Then, wander downtown and check out some of the art deco and boutique hotels that are beautiful, but might not have as many amenities.

The Big Kahuna: Wings in Buffalo

Let’s get this straight right off the bat—wings are a big honking deal when it comes to Buffalo food. Loyalties run deep and everyone has an opinion. I won’t even try to do justice to the full tradition. But can give you an intro to these tasty eats before we get into anything else to do in Buffalo.

You can check out the hotspot for yourself and decide where the best wings are. I only scratched the surface, but was thrilled with what I found! Full disclaimer: I’m actually not even crazy about Buffalo wings. So my recommendations are based on other flavors and food as well.

P.S. Buffalo has an official “Buffalo Wing Trail” you can follow to compare the best wings in the city (and beyond!).

Anchor Bar

This reunion was more than a decade in the making, as Anchor Bar is where I had my first wings in Buffalo. Legend says that, in 1964, Teressa Bellissimo invented the Buffalo wing that became an instant success. This evolved into the Anchor Bar, which has expanded beyond its mainstay on Main Street downtown and has franchised across the country. You can even grab a few deep-fried, sauce-smothered wings at the Buffalo Airport’s Anchor Bar on your way home!

Gabriel’s Gate

Wonderfully dive-y and steeped in lore, this Allentown neighborhood spot is a local haunt and a favorite of many. Walk inside to be greeted with odd wooden carved statues and mounted taxidermy. Then, cozy up in one of the high-backed booths. Give the classic wings a try or enjoy an Italian dry rub. You can’t go wrong with either!

More fantastic foodie finds in Buffalo

You know it’s a great city for food when you can’t choose which local haunt is your favorite. From downtown and near the hockey rink to along the river and Larkin Square, you’ll find some Buffalo spectacular meal around every corner.

Ballyhoo Links & Drinks

Buffalo’s quirky side comes alive at this seemingly hole-in-the-wall joint that packs a big surprise inside. Ballyhoo’s menu is simple yet satisfying, filled with some great sausages and sides all made in-house. To pair perfectly with these hearty eats, have a pint or two of local beer. Or, splurge with the classic cocktail menu. Even better, enjoy all this surrounded by punk music, a lively crowd, and a killer server staff for a perfect Sunday Funday or weekday romp.

Lloyd’s Taco Factory

I could’ve eaten a dozen of Lloyd’s tacos in one sitting, but I settled with three. Lloyd’s has a great reputation in the North Buffalo area and features authentic and quirky variations, from slow-roasted pork to buttermilk fried chicken.

Lloyd’s has food trucks throughout the city, so keep an eye out to satisfy your taco craving.

Churn Soft Serve

Right next door to Lloyd’s is a fabulous happy ending to your meal. Churn has some really fancy options for interesting concoctions, starting with simple base flavors of cinnamon, vanilla, and chocolate soft serve made fresh. There’s a yummy coconut-based vegan option too. Get a blinged-out cone smothered in cookies and chocolate, or go nuts with a full dessert with items like red velvet churro sundaes. I know, right?

Public Espresso + Coffee

Have a strong cappuccino inside a cafe that pays homage to Buffalo’s Art Deco era. Linked to Hotel Lafayette (also where the Masters of Architecture tour begins, reviewed below), indulge in house-made syrups for your coffee and a delicious avo toast that won’t break the bank. Plus, build-your-own bagel sandwiches, wrapped up in a chic and laid-back atmosphere.

Swan Street Diner

Sticking with the breakfast theme, this was by far our favorite Buffalo food place in the morning for tasty eats in Larkin Square. Old-school meets new-cool, Swan Street is a refurbished diner car from the 1930s that offers heaping plates of homemade donuts, breakfast tacos, and even poutine.

Beer and drinks in Buffalo

Buffalo has turned into a big brew town in recent years, where trying a few pints or a flight is a big deal to do any day of the week. Here are some spots you won’t want to miss as a beer fan.

Big Ditch Brewing Company

Lively and fun, this seems to be where the post-college crowd hangs out for kickin’ bar food and local beers that are both traditional and funky. On our visit to Big Ditch Brewing Company, we sat upstairs to get a bird’s eye view of the bar and enjoy a sampler of a half-dozen beers to try them all (almost). While I was pleasantly surprised by the pina colada beer, my husband actually liked the jalapeno-infused kind. These rotate on the regular, but the staples like Hayburner IPA always go down smoothly.

Duende

Over by a seemingly nondescript part of town called Silo City is a gem of a hangout space. During the warmer months, Duende is an open-air bar and grassy area for cocktails, beers, and possibly some tunes with the surrounding silos looming. Year-round, it’s a repurposed bar and restaurant serving light bites and an event space upstairs.

Alongside Duende are several buildings used for film locations and occasional festivals, such as the Silo City Reading Series. Keep an eye out for special events in this unique place.

The Beer Garden at Riverworks

Also entwined among old grain silos is a relaxing place for beers and bites along the water. Most weekends, you’ll watch the boaters float by, be seated by some local music, and enjoy a cold pint brewed right onsite. There’s a restaurant called the Ward, or you can simply grab a slice and drink from the small cafe too.

Things to do in Buffalo, New York

After eating your way around the city, let’s take a break from the chow and get moving! You’re in luck if you want to discover more things to do in Buffalo with a bit of culture and adventure.

Buffalo RiverWorks Ziplining

Pop into the Beer Garden down at RiverWorks, then conclude your afternoon with something memorable. At 110 feet in the air, the new zipline course along the water has you sailing between silos painted like Labatt’s Blue Ribbon beer cans. Do note this activity is seasonal, so check the times and dates before you go.

BFLO Harbor Kayak

You might not think of Buffalo as an outdoor hub of activity. But just like any other four-season city, this destination has just as much to offer—if not more! There’s been a Renaissance in general down on the waterfront, especially with River Walk and Canalside on the Buffalo River. You can get your bearings best by viewing the area from the water. So, have an urban adventure with BFLO Harbor Kayak. We were pleasantly surprised to find out it was easy to reserve a spot on a nice two-hour paddle, starting at Canalside and looping back. The guided tours give you an overview of River Walk, Silo City, and other points of interest. If you’re just into a bit of exercise, you can rent solos, tandems, or paddleboards too by the hour.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House Complex

In the middle of a residential neighborhood and away from the downtown area is an oasis of lush gardens and beautiful buildings seemingly transported from another time. If you are in Buffalo for only a weekend, do visit the Martin House—a must-see experience. It’s recently undergone a multi-million dollar restoration and has emerged in all its splendor as an oasis of fascinating design.

Keep an eye out! We’ll have an entire post on Crooked Flight soon about this gem, so you can truly appreciate all the incredible hard work behind this timeless institution.

Masters of American Architecture Tour

To continue on the vein of Buffalo’s amazing architectural history, you can further delve into the world of design on this “Masters of American Architecture” experience. Led by enthusiasts who have a passion for Buffalo’s resurgence, history, and preservation, you’ll see many highlights of structures, inside and out, created by famed architects. My favorites included the Victorian Gothic old Post Office building and the gorgeous exterior details of the Guaranty Building by Louis Sullivan & Dankmar Adler. This tour and many others are offered on the Explore Buffalo.org site, with a full list accessible through the Explorer Pass series.

Buffalo and beyond

If a weekend isn’t enough, there’s lots else around Buffalo to experience, and beyond city limits too. One of the most popular side trips is heading up to Niagara Falls, either the New York or Canada side. We’ll have a whole other post just on doing Niagara in 24 hours if you’re interested in adding this to your Buffalo Niagara itinerary.

Buffalo in the summer was absolutely perfect. We were so lucky with sunny skies and warm nights! But I’d love to possibly hop on the short flight for a long weekend this winter. Almost everything we did can be done over the winter too.

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If you’re a fellow weekend warrior, here are a few more cities you can add to your list for future travel: