Buffalo lives up to its name as the “City of Good Neighbors” where you’ll find people willing to help each other out (no matter how deep the snow!).
Buffalo is home to one of the most impressive waterfalls in the entire world, Niagara Falls. In addition to amazing opportunities to connect with nature, the city of Buffalo is up and coming with a developing waterfront full of restaurants (yes, with Buffalo wings!), breweries, and nighttime adventures.
Let’s talk about how to spend 3 fun days visiting Buffalo! In my not-so-biased opinion, it’s the best weekend in Buffalo itinerary on the internet!
This post contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly love 🙂
Side note: This post was written by Lindsay, a former local of Buffalo. This way, you can ensure you are reading the best and most accurate Buffalo weekend guide. Locals know best!! Read more about Lindsay in the link in the bio!
Table of Contents
3 Days in Buffalo, NY ( Map & Quick Overview)
I know I know, you’re busy and you might not have time to read this super-detailed/super helpful full Buffalo itinerary. To make your life easier, here’s a quick recap of how you will spend 3 days in Buffalo, NY!
- Day 1: Niagara Falls guided walking tour, Maid of the Mist boat tour, & dinner at Skylon Tower (passport needed)
- Day 2: Cruise along the Erie Canal, tour the Naval and Military Park, lunch at Liberty Hound, & Sunset Sail
- Day 3: The Martin House, Deleware Park (or zoo), The Albright-Knox Art Gallery,
- Where to Stay: InnBuffalo ($$)
How do I get to Buffalo?
Buffalo International Airport is quick and easy to navigate, making it an ideal spot to fly into when visiting from all over the world. Buffalo is not easy to get around using public transportation, so it’s best to rent a car while you’re here.
Thankfully, when you arrive at the airport, all of the most popular rental car companies in the area have booths within the airport where you can pick up your car directly after picking up your luggage from the baggage claim.
Other nearby Airports:
- Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG) – Niagara Falls, NY – 22 miles
- Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) – Rochester, NY – 75 miles
- Rochester International Airport (ROC) – Rochester, NY – 76 miles
- John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM) – Hamilton, ON – 66 miles
- Erie International Airport (ERI) – Erie, PA – 108 miles Psst: Erie also makes for a fun weekend getaway!
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) – Toronto, ON – 110 miles
What is the best time to visit Buffalo?
Buffalo is infamous for its snow-packed winters, averaging almost 7 feet per year! It goes without saying travelers should avoid visiting Buffalo during the winter time unless you’re a fan of winter activities like ice skating, skiing, and snowboarding.
In contrast to the grey winters, the summertime in Buffalo is actually quite beautiful, making May-September the perfect time to visit.
Be mindful that many activities that involve being outdoors in Buffalo will be weather-dependent. Check ahead of your trip to see the weather forecast and plan accordingly.
Where should I stay in Buffalo?
The main attraction when visiting Buffalo, NY is Niagara Falls, but there are a few reasons you might choose a hotel within the city of Buffalo rather than the Niagara Falls region.
Niagara Falls is home to a lot of chain hotels and casinos, making the vibe overall very touristy. If you want a stay with more character and proximity to cool restaurants and nightlife, you’ll want to choose a hotel in the city of Buffalo.
My Personal Recommendations:
- Budget-friendly Option: Buffalo’s Allentown Area Apartment This adorable Airbnb is right inside of the Allentown district of Buffalo, an energetic area known for popular restaurants and bars.
- Mid-range Option: InnBuffalo ($$) A historical mansion turned B&B in the vibrant Elmwood Village of Buffalo, InnBuffalo is a great choice for travelers who want a unique stay without splurging for luxury lodgings.
- Luxury Option: Curtiss Hotel ($$$) Located in the heart of downtown Buffalo, Curtiss Hotel is known for its luxury rooms and is the perfect choice for special events. The restaurant and bar is also a destination in Buffalo, featuring a revolving bar and year-round patio seating complete with an oversized mineral hottub.
- Dog-friendly Stay: The Westin Buffalo ($$) The Westin is a Marriott Bonvoy hotel in Buffalo that offers close proximity to arts and cultural events like Shea’s Buffalo Theatre. Pets with a maximum weight of 40 lbs are welcome to join you.
- Unique Option: The Richardson Hotel ($$$) The Richardson Hotel is a stay unlike any you’ll have in Buffalo and possibly the entire US. The property, which was formerly the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, sat abandoned for decades until it was remade into the luxury Hotel Henry in 2017 and in March 2023, re-opened as The Richardson Hotel. The hotel is beautiful and the ballroom is a popular location for weddings and events.
Adventurous 3-Day Buffalo Weekend Itinerary (For Summertime!)
Ready to spend 3 days in Buffalo? Here are some of my suggestions for activities you can do in Buffalo to get a great mix of nature, history, and the art scene here.
Let’s jump right in!
Day 1 in Buffalo: Niagara Falls
Morning:
You can’t visit Buffalo without visiting Niagara Falls and it’s best to get started early if you want to make the most of your day.
Head to Niagara Falls State Park where you can do a guided walking tour for $27.99 for adults and $19.99 for children. During the one-hour tour, you’ll both see the falls and also learn about the park’s history.
Tours leave at 9 AM, 10:30 AM, 12 PM, 1:30 PM and 3PM. As a bonus, you can also enter the “Cave of the Winds” which is a lower observation deck where you can directly feel the power of the falls. This is a timed attraction so be sure to get there early!
Afternoon:
Hands down, the best way to view Niagara Falls up close is to do the Maid of the Mist boat tour, which drives directly up to the waterfalls (so close you need to wear ponchos otherwise you’ll get soaking wet!).
Reserve your tickets either in advance online or on the day of your visit. Adult tickets are $28.25 and children pay $17.75. The schedules are seasonal and weather-dependent, so be sure to check on their website before planning your trip.
Evening:
For a once in a lifetime dining experience, bring your passport to cross over to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls where you can eat at the Skylon Tower, a revolving restaurant that provides views of the falls from high above.
Day 2 in Buffalo: Erie Canal, Buffalo Canalside, & Lake Erie Cruise
Morning:
Spend the morning experiencing history firsthand by taking a cruise along the Erie Canal, where 3 million gallons of water fill the locks and you’ll feel the boat raise 50 feet in the water.
Buffalo is the historical port city of the Erie Canal that connected the East Coast to the West when it was first built in the 1800s. Passing through the locks while in Buffalo is a once-in-a-lifetime experience the family will never forget!
Adults pay $24.50 and children ages 4 and up pay $12 each.
Afternoon:
Still craving a history fix? Spend the afternoon in the Buffalo Canalside and Outer Habor region where you can tour the Buffalo Naval & Military Park and not only have full access of the naval ships but also learn about life aboard. Tours cost $35 per person and last approximately 2 hours.
After, try grabbing a bite at the Liberty Hound, the restaurant with a waterfront patio right next to these huge naval ships.
Have more time? Take a guided bike tour of the Outer Harbor!
Evening:
To finish off the evening with spectacular harbor views, try a 2-hour cruise along Lake Erie as the sun goes down. You can simply relax and enjoy the sail, or you can also book a tour package that includes a dinner of steak, pot roast or fish fry from the famous Pearl Street Grill & Brewery.
Adults pay $82 and children cost $42 per person.
Day 3 in Buffalo: Architecture, Art, & Theater
Morning:
Now that you’ve experienced some of the natural beauty and history in Buffalo, you might be excited to check out the art scene Buffalo is well known for.
Frank Lloyd Wright was a world-famous architect and you can visit one of his homes, the Martin House, which is a National Historic Landmark and an amazing piece of architecture.
Close by is Delaware Park, which is home to the Buffalo Zoo and a lovely place to take a walk to start your day.
Afternoon:
The Albright-Knox Art Gallery is in the center of Buffalo’s cultural district and is full of amazing contemporary and modern artwork from artists such as Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.
The gallery is open from 10 AM to 8 PM Thursday-Friday and 10 AM to 5 PM Saturday-Monday. Tickets for non-members cost $22 per person.
After visiting the museum, I also strongly recommend visiting the Delaware Park Rose Garden just steps away and features 33 beds of a beautiful variety of flowers. It’s beautiful, and totally free to visit!
Evening:
I recommend finishing off your final day in Buffalo with a visit to Shea’s Theatre, where you can find touring Broadway musicals such as Hamilton, The Lion King, and Swan Lake.
Before heading to your evening event, make sure you grab dinner at the Anchor Bar restaurant where you can buy famous Buffalo chicken wings at their birthplace. You can’t leave Buffalo without saying you’ve tried real chicken wings!
Other things to do in Buffalo:
If you find you’d like to do more hiking or cultural activities, you might want to mix and match with some other things to do in Buffalo. No matter where you focus your attention, there will be something to do in Buffalo the whole family will enjoy.
And, you’ll most likely want to add days to this Buffalo weekend getaway!
- Visit the Botanical Gardens – Enjoy a walk through the lush botanical gardens or check out their website to find workshops and special events that are ongoing year-round. Adults pay $16.50, children older than 13 pay $15 with student ID, and children 3-12 years old pay $9.
- Buffalo Science Museum – This museum attracts visitors from all over the state with four floors of engaging exhibits that will capture everyone’s interest. At the museum, you’ll find workshops, camps, and classes for all ages and seasonal exhibits you won’t want to miss! Non-member adults pay $19 and children pay $16, with discounts available for students and military personnel.
- Whirlpool State Park – Want more nature views while visiting Buffalo? Hike Whirlpool State Park where you’ll have spectacular views of the Niagara Gorge and Whirlpool Rapids from above the Niagara River. The picnic facilities and playground, open seasonally, are a wonderful place to spend the day with the whole family. A bonus? Entrance is totally free!
- Visit the Niagara Power Plant – Ever been curious about where we get our power from? Visiting the Niagara Power Plant is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience how the powerful Niagara Falls generates hydropower. The powerful dam is an amazing engineering marvel itself but go on a self-guided tour to learn all about the history and science behind it. If you’re looking for an extra evening activity, they open the power station at night for an epic light and sound show! Tickets for adults are $32 and children $21
- Old Fort Niagara – Visit one of the oldest and longest preserved forts since Revolutionary War times. You’ll literally feel like you’re stepping into history brought to life when you visit Old Fort Niagara. On your visit, you’ll learn about historical events in American History and get to walk through the same structures from the days of the Revolutionary War. Adults pay $20 and children over 5 pay $12 for entrance.
Where (else) to Eat in the Buffalo:
Looking for other great places to eat in Buffalo? No matter what kind of food you’re craving, you’ll be able to find exactly what you’re looking for.
- Duff’s Famous Wings – Duff’s really lives up to its name. It’s famous, as evidenced by the wall of celebrities who have stopped there for a meal (including the president!). The wings are amazing, just be prepared, they might be the spiciest Buffalo Wings you’ve ever tried!
- Charlie The Butcher – This hole-in-the-wall restaurant is world-famous for its beef on weck sandwich. It’s a small restaurant, so it could be a good idea to either plan ahead or plan to take your food to go.
- Chef’s Restaurant – A top Italian restaurant in Buffalo, Chefs has an old-school vibe and delicious food available both for dine in and take-out.
- Buffalo Chophouse – In the mood for fine dining? Head to Buffalo Chophouse to splurge on a premier steakhouse meal.
- Casa Azul – This creative Mexican restaurant is in Buffalo’s vibrant Allentown district and offers a delicious range of tacos including vegan options!
- Wonder Coffeehouse – Located among the grain silos, Wonder Coffeehouse is the perfect option to grab a waffle and artisan coffee before a day of activities. Be mindful though that they are closed on Sundays!
Other Tips to Know Before Visiting Buffalo:
Before you visit Buffalo, it’s important to keep in mind that many activities are seasonal and weather-dependent. The weather in Buffalo is generally nice and summery (think 70s-80s) between June and August. Even still, it’s a great idea to check the weather forecast prior to booking tours.
Know that Uber is available in Buffalo and any restaurant or business can help you call a taxi if you need one after a night out.
About the Author!
I’m Lindsay and I grew up in Buffalo, New York! I visited Niagara Falls almost every year on school field trips but it somehow never got boring. After years of walking to school in feet-high snow drifts, I ditched my snow boots and currently live in Costa Rica. You can find me on social media at @lindsaymariegantz where I post about my life and travels.
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