Sightseeing in Buffalo, Niagara Falls & the Buffalo/Niagara Region
There are plenty of places to go and places to see in the Buffalo Niagara region. Sightseeing, attractions and museums create an engaging environment for adults and children of all ages, with many hands-on exhibits. The beauty of Niagara Falls is breathtaking, no matter what the season. Waterfront tours highlight the Buffalo Niagara region's great lakes and the Niagara River. Explore historic landmarks throughout Buffalo and Niagara Falls featuring prominent architecture treasures. Many green spaces in the Buffalo Niagara region were designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted including the Niagara Falls State Park, which is the oldest park in America. Almost every weekend in the summer months is host to at least one outdoor festival and event throughout Buffalo and Niagara Falls - many of these summer festivals and events are free. To keep track of Buffalo's and Niagara's many festivals and events throughout the year, refer to our events page.
Attractions |
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Aquarium of Niagara 701 Whirlpool Street Niagara Falls, NY 14301 (716) 285-3575 or (800) 500-4609 www.aquariumofniagara.org |
Niagara’s other Water Wonder! Dive into a world of discovery beneath the waves. Encounter fishes from the Great Lakes to the Coral Reefs, including sharks, skates, piranha, and clown fish. California sea lions, and a colony of the endangered Peruvian penguins will greet you daily with scheduled activities. Gift shop. Enjoy the magnificent view of the Niagara gorge from the 2nd level Observation Deck! The Aquarium is open year 'round at 9am and is a short stroll from the Falls. Parking is free! Handicap accessible. |
Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens 2655 South Park Avenue Buffalo, NY 14218 (716) 827-1584 www.buffalogardens.com |
A local and national treasure, the Gardens is a national historic site, education center and tourist destination full of exotic horticulture treasures. This breathtaking glass conservatory is home to many palm trees, fruit trees, hundreds of tropical plants, exotic varieties of orchids, begonias, herbs, cacti, succulents and ivy, just to name a few. Other highlights include “life-size” dinosaur topiaries, a koi pond, a 27 foot waterfall, interesting water features and much more! The Gardens is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit corporation dedicated to restoring, reviving and remaking the Gardens to its fullest potential! |
Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park One Naval Park Cove Buffalo, NY 14202 (716) 847-1773 info@buffalonavalpark.org www.buffalonavalpark.org |
The Park, with its three U.S. Navy ships, military museum, and artifacts from all of the Armed Forces, is the largest inland park of its kind in the United States. You can go aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Little Rock, the submarine USS Croaker, and the destroyer USS The Sullivans. Also on display are vintage fighter planes, a helicopter, armored vehicles, and a PT Boat. There are also many other educational and inspiring exhibits. Open daily from 10am to 5pm through October. Admission is charged, although children under six are admitted free. |
Darien Lake Theme Park Resort 9993 Allegheny Road Darien Center, NY 14040 (585) 599-4641 www.GoDarienLake.com |
Darien Lake Theme Park Resort is New York’s largest theme park and resort, located between Buffalo and Rochester, and just a short drive from Niagara Falls. New in 2008, Motocoaster is the first coaster of its kind in the country. Motocoaster launches guests from zero to over 35 mph and sends them speeding through figure eights and around hairpin turns. We offer three on-site lodging choices including a hotel, RV rentals and campground. With rides, shows, kids’ park, water park and outdoor concert venue, Darien Lake is your family vacation destination. Theme park operates May through October. |
Elmwood Village Association 890 Elmwood Avenue Buffalo, NY 14222 (716) 881-0707 www.elmwoodvillage.org |
Elmwood is an animated Avenue of restaurants, shops, cafés, and galleries harmoniously nestled into a residential community. The Elmwood Village has something to offer everyone, whether you are seeking art and architecture of world class magnitude, the most distinctive shops in Western New York, a remarkable mix of cuisine, or a stimulating destination on a lazy weekend afternoon. Located just minutes from downtown Buffalo. Visit us online at elmwoodvillage.org for all that's happening in the Elmwood Village Shopping and Cultural District. |
| Explore the roar of Niagara Falls on the Maid of the Mist. This world-famous boat ride cruises up to the base of the American Falls, then to the basin of the commanding Horseshoe Falls. Feel your heart race as you take in the experience of confronting millions of gallons of water crashing down like thunder into enormous rock formations at the foot of the Falls. Since 1846, when the first boat was a wooden-hulled, coal-fired steamboat, the fleet has ferried adventurous presidents, kings, film stars and millions of tourists through the swirling currents. Board the Maid of the Mist on either the Canadian or United States landing. Trips, lasting about one half hour, depart every 15 minutes beginning at 10 a.m. Boats run from May-October. For more information, visit maidofthemist.com. | |
Miss Buffalo/ Buffalo Harbor Cruises Dock Location- Erie Basin Marina, Downtown Buffalo Office Location- 79 Marine Drive Buffalo, NY 14202 (716) 856-6696 (800) 244-8684 www.buffaloharborcruises.com |
“See Buffalo from a sailor’s point of view.” Cruise Buffalo’s beautiful waterfront while experiencing Lake Erie, the Niagara River, and the Black Rock Locks and Canal. Enjoy narrated sightseeing aboard the Miss Buffalo II. Snack bar and fully-licensed beverage bars on board. Adult fee - $14.00, and children 6-12 - $9. Group rates are offered. Reservations are recommended. |
Niagara Adventure Theater Located within the Niagara Falls State Park 1 Prospect Park Niagara Falls, NY 14303 (866) 750-4629 www.niagaramovie.com |
Discover the story behind the thunder as the film "Niagara: Legends of Adventure" immerses you in action. See the majesty that inspired settlers and explorers to worship and challenge the mighty Falls. Now exclusively featured at the Niagara Falls State Park Niagara Adventure Theater, located at the Visitor Center. Shows hourly on a giant new screen. Multi language headsets available. Hours of operation: May - June 25, 9am - 6pm; June 26 - Sept. 3, 9am - 8pm; Sept 4 - Oct 31, 9am - 6pm; Nov 1 - Dec 31, 10am - 5pm; Jan. - Feb., Closed. |
Niagara Falls State Park Located off the Robert Moses Parkway Niagara Falls, NY 14303 (716) 278-1796 www.niagarafallsstatepark.com |
Plan a family adventure at Niagara Falls State Park. Travel our many nature trails around the majestic Falls. Navigate your way around the gorge to the Cave of the Winds and touch the plummeting waters. Then board the Maid of the Mist for a heart-pumping ride into the mouth of the Falls. There’s plenty more to experience; discover it all at www.niagarafallsstatepark.com and find out how you can save over 35% with our Niagara USA Discovery Pass to the Falls. |
Our Lady of Fatima Shrine 1023 Swann Rd. (just off Route 18 East in Lewiston) PO Box 167 Youngstown, NY 14174-0167 (716) 754-7489 www.fatimashrine.com |
Our Lady of Fatima Shrine is a place of natural beauty, art, communal prayer, and renewal to thousands who visit each year. An awe-inspiring glass Dome Basilica crowned by a 13 foot high, granite statue of Our Lady, highlights the beauty of the Shrine. Gardens and over 150 life-size marble and bronze statues of Saints line the impressive approaches to the Basilica. The Shrine has a cafeteria that also has youth and banquet menus. There is a religious article and bookstore and an auditorium for conferences. Free Bus Parking. |
Rainbow Air, Inc. 454 Main St. (next to Howard Johnson’s) Niagara Falls, NY 14301 (716) 284-2800 www.rainbowair.us |
Rainbow Air, Inc. invites you and your family to experience the splendor of the Niagara by air. Our quiet turbine engine helicopters will provide you with the most unique experience of your visit to Niagara Falls. Your limousine to the sky awaits you and yours to enjoy the majestic power and beauty of the falls from the air. Conveniently located at the Niagara Falls downtown heliport and entrance to the Rainbow Bridge. Open daily at 9:00am until dusk. Longer flights and charter flights are available by reservation. Visa and MasterCard accepted. |
Skylon Tower 5200 Robinson Street Niagara Falls, ON Canada L2G 2A3 (905) 356-2651 (800) 746-8860 www.skylon.com |
There are many ways to take in the majesty of the mighty Niagara Falls, but none are more famous or breath-taking than the view from high atop the Skylon Tower. At the Skylon Tower 3 glass-enclosed “Yellow-Bug” exterior elevators will whisk you silently to the top. Here the view from indoor and outdoor Observation Decks promises once-in-a-lifetime panoramic photos of the Niagara River, the mighty Falls, Great Gorge, Niagara Wine District and even the city skylines of Buffalo, New York and Toronto. This spectacular view is even more enjoyable when viewed from the comfort of the world-famous Revolving Dining Room featuring award-winning Continental Cuisine or from the family-affordable Summit Suite Buffet Dining Room featuring Niagara’s best all-you-can-eat-buffet. Both are 775 feet above the Falls. At night enjoy the spectacular Falls Illumination, city lights below and seasonal Falls Fireworks. The Skylon Tower is Niagara’s best dining value. The admission to the Skylon’s Ride-to-the-Top and Indoor/Outdoor Observation Decks is always FREE when dining. From the Peace Bridge take QEW to McLeod Rd. East then left on Stanley to Robinson Street. From the Rainbow Bridge take the QEW to Stanley Ave. Left on Stanley to Robinson. Left on Robinson to the Skylon Tower. Visit us on our website. |
Museums |
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Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society 25 Nottingham Court (at Elmwood) Buffalo, NY 14216 (716) 873-9644 www.bechs.org |
Exhibits on local inventions, immigrants, 1901 Pan-American Exposition, heritage, people and stories of this region. Closed Mondays and major holidays. |
Buffalo Museum of Science 1020 Humboldt Parkway (Best Street exit off Kensington Expressway - Rt. 33) Buffalo, NY 14211 (716) 896-5200 www.sciencebuff.org |
At the Buffalo Museum of Science, guests of all ages can enjoy special exhibits and more than a dozen exhibit halls, including "Dinosaurs & Co.", "Our Place in Space", "Whem Ankh" (our ancient Egypt exhibit) and more! Everyone can do real science with real stuff in our interactive "Connections" gallery, and our youngest visitors (ages 2-7) can interact with their parents in "Explorations". Our Museum offers plenty of free parking and is handicapped accessible. Admission is $7 adults; $6 seniors; $5 students and children over 3; and free for members and children under 3. Call for hours or more information. |
Cofeld Judaic Museum of Temple Beth Zion 300 Gleed Avenue East Aurora, NY 14052 (716) 655-5131 www.tbz.org |
Collection of more than a thousand Judaic artifacts dating from 10th Century to the present. Call for times and tour appointments. Closed holidays. |
Explore & More… A Children’s Museum 300 Gleed Avenue East Aurora, NY 14052 (716) 655-5131 www.exploreandmore.org |
Spark your kids’ creativity, curiosity and imagination at the region’s only museum designed just for kids, Explore & More...a children’s museum. With thousands of square feet of hands-on fun, your kids can explore, discover and learn about the world around them. Open Wednesday - Saturday 10-5; Sunday 12-5, and the first Friday of every month 10-8. Open select school holidays. Admission $5 per person. |
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House Complex 125 Jewett Parkway Buffalo, NY 14214 (716) 856-3858 www.darwinmartinhouse.org |
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin D. Martin House complex is a National Historic Landmark constructed between 1903-05 and is one of the finest residential designs from his Prairie House period. Tours of the Martin House underscore timeless themes of daring vision as revealed in the famed architect’s masterpiece for his most loyal patron and friend, Darwin D. Martin. Awarded a 5-Star Rating for Tourist Destination. Reservations strongly recommended. Call us or visit our website for more information. |
Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum 180 Thompson Street North Tonawanda, NY 14120 (716) 693-1885 www.carrouselmuseum.org |
Relive old memories and make new ones. Enjoy a nostalgic afternoon in the original factory, riding our 1916 #1 Special carousel with traditional band organ music. Learn how carousels and Kiddieland rides from your childhood were made. The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is open Wednesday - Sunday, Noon - 4 pm, April - December. Extended Summer hours include Monday and Tuesday with opening time at 10 am, Monday - Saturday. Just 15 minutes from Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Adults $5, Seniors $4, Children $2.50. |
Native American Museum of Art at Smokin Joes 2293 Saunders Settlement Rd. (Rt. 31) Sanborn, NY 14132 (716) 297-0251 www.NativeAmericanMuseumArt.com |
The Native American Museum of Art (NAMA) at Smokin Joes is a world-class museum, located in the center of Smokin Joes Trading Post. The museum is open everyday from 7am - 10pm and admission is free. View sculptures by internationally known artist Joseph Jacobs. Interactive audio walking tour information is available in multiple languages. The gift shop features NAMA clothing and merchandise. |
Transportation |
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The Limousine Service 1165 Erie Avenue North Tonawanda, NY 14120 (716) 695-4905 or (716) 835-LIMO (5466) 24-hour service www.thelimousineservice.us |
Convenience & Style at a Reasonable Price! Leave the driving to us with our new Lincoln & Cadillac stretches and our luxury SUVs, whether you're going to the casino, the prom, a sporting event, a concert, or out for the night. Are you visiting the area? Call The Limousine Service for a private tour of Western New York and Canada. We provide door-to-door airport service in elegant new sedans, and service all local airports: Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Toronto's Lester B. Pearson International Airport, and the Rochester and Niagara Falls International Airports. Check us out on the web or call Steven George at 695-4905. All major credit cards accepted. |
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