There are two sides to Buffalo: the Canalside and the Outer Harbor. The waterfront Canalside is in the heart of the downtown district and features parks, restaurants and seasonal events, as well as water activities like kayaking and paddleboarding. The main draw of the Outer Harbor is Riverwalk, a scenic trail that runs along the Buffalo River offering beautiful views of the city and the waterfront. Like most larger cities, Buffalo has architectural treasures, a world-class symphony, extraordinary art collections, great shopping, excellent restaurants and non-stop entertainment.

You will likely want transportation while in Buffalo. See the metro rates and schedule at www.metro.nfta.com. This will broaden your area of exploration to include the trendy Elmwood Village neighborhood with independent shops, galleries, and restaurants, as well as beautiful historic homes. The Buffalo Albright-Knox Art Gallery is at 1285 Elmwood Ave with an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by Picasso, Matisse and Warhol (716-882-8700). Another option is to tour the Darwin D. Martin House Complex, a National Historic Landmark and one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous designs, featuring stunning Prairie-style architecture and beautiful gardens at 125 Jewett Pkwy. The Buffalo History Museum is nearby as well with exhibits on the history of Buffalo and Western New York, including Native American artifacts, military history, and more (716-873-9644).

To To the south of downtown is  the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens with over 1,200 varieties of plants from around the world (2655 South Park Ave., 716-827-1584).