Destination Guides > North America > USA > Mid-Atlantic > New York> Buffalo
Buffalo
This vibrant university city near the Canadian border is best know for its cold winters and hot chicken wings. Its location near Niagara Falls makes it a popular base for visiting the Falls and a transport hub for travellers en route between Toronto, Cleveland and New York City.
Practical Information
Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau
617 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Tel (716) 852 BFLO, 1 800 283 3256
Website www.visitbuffaloniagara.com
INTERNET ACCESS
You can access the internet at Café 59 (59 Allen Street, Buffalo, NY 14202; tel (716) 883 1880; website www.cafe59.com).
If you're travelling with your own computer, there is a good selection of free Wi-Fi hot zones provided by Buffalo Wi-Fi (website www.buffalowifi.org). Hot zones include the Buffalo City Hall, Cathedral Park, Niagara Square and Lafayette Square.
Coming & Going
AIR
Buffalo-Niagara International Airport (tel (716) 630 6000; website www.buffaloairport.com) is in Cheektowaga, 16km east of the city centre. Bus 204 runs between the airport and downtown Buffalo.
BUS
Greyhound (website www.greyhound.com) buses to Albany, Cleveland, New York City, Rochester, Syracuse and Toronto and Trailways (website www.trailwaysny.com) buses to Albany, New York City, Rochester and Syracuse stop at the Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center at 181 Ellicott Street.
TRAIN
Amtrak (website www.amtrak.com) trains stop in Buffalo en route between Toronto and New York City. Buffalo's train station is at 75 Exchange Street.
Local Transport
Buffalo's public transport services, run by the Niagara Frontier Transit Authority (NFTA; tel (716) 855 300; website www.nfta.com) consists of buses and a metro that runs along Main Street between downtown Buffalo and the University. An all-day pass, valid on buses and the metro, costs $3.50.
BUS
A standard one-way bus ticket is $1.50 with an additional 25c when you cross into a different zone.
METRORAIL
Buffalo's metro system is comprised of a single line that runs along Main Street between downtown Buffalo and the University. The seven downtown stops between Special Events and Theater are above ground (where it operates like a tram) but once it leaves the downtown area it runs underground like a conventional metro. It is free to ride the aboveground section and a ticket for the underground section costs $1.50.
Accommodation
HI - Buffalo-Niagara Falls
667 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Tel (716) 852 5222
Eating & Drinking
No one should visit Buffalo without trying some Buffalo Wings. Loads of places around town sell them, but your best bet is to head to the Anchor Bar (1047 Main Street, Buffalo; metro Allen-Medical Campus; website www.anchorbar.com) where the spicy chicken wings where invented.
Sights
Buffalo is a popular destination for architecture buffs. Some of the city's architectural highlights include the 1895 Prudential Building (28 Church Street, Buffalo) dubbed the first skyscraper and the 1931 art deco City Hall as well as the city's Frank Lloyd Wright houses. Pick up a copy of the Walk Buffalo brochure (website www.walkbuffalo.com) from the tourist information centre for a do-it-yourself architecture walking tour of the city.
Albright-Knox Art Gallery
This leading art gallery has an impressive collection of contemporary American and French art.
1285 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222
Bus 20, 32A-C
Tel (716) 882 8700
Website www.albrightknox.org
Admission $10, students $8
Open Wed-Thu 10am-5pm, Fri 10am-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
Buffalo City Hall
Buffalo's City Hall is more than a beautiful art deco building, it also offers brilliant views from the rooftop observation deck. Take the lift to the 25th floor and climb another three flights of stairs and then take in the panoramic views.
65 Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY 14202
Website www.ci.buffalo.ny.us/Home/Leadership/Mayor/CityHallHistory
Buffalo Museum of Science
Buffalo's science museum has the usual collection of interactive science-themed exhibits with an emphasis on natural history in the Niagara region.
1020 Humboldt Parkway, Buffalo, NY 14211
Bus 29
Tel (716) 896-5200
Website www.sciencebuff.org
Admission $7, students $5
Open Wed-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm
Buffalo Zoo
Buffalo's Zoo is the second most popular tourist attraction in Western New York (second only to Niagara Falls). It is home to a diverse collection of animals and it is noted for its endangered species breeding programmes.
300 Parkside Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214
Tel (716) 837 3900
Website www.buffalozoo.org
Admission $8.50
Open Jan-Feb Wed-Sun 10am-4pm; Mar-Jun 10am-4pm daily; Jul-Aug 10am-5pm daily; Sep-Dec 10am-4pm daily
