About Buffalo
Buffalo is a city in the U.S. state of New York. It lies in Western New York on the eastern shore of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River on the Canada–United States border, with a population of 278,349 at the 2020 census. The Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area, with over 1.23 million residents, is the second-largest metropolitan area in New York State behind only the New York City metropolitan area, and the 51st-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Buffalo is the county seat of Erie County.
Places to visit in Buffalo
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Niagara Falls
Nature · 17 mi from centreAbout 30 km north of Buffalo, the famous waterfalls can be seen up close from Niagara Falls State Park, the Maid of the Mist boat tour and the Cave of the Winds walkways.
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Buffalo AKG Art Museum
Museum · 3 mi from centreA major museum of modern and contemporary art, with works by artists such as Picasso, Pollock and Warhol, set in classical and modern buildings beside Delaware Park.
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Darwin D. Martin House
Historic · 4 mi from centreA Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie style house complex, carefully restored, with guided tours that reveal its design details, connected spaces and hundreds of art glass windows.
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Canalside
NeighborhoodThe revitalized waterfront at the western end of the Erie Canal, with summer concerts, boat tours, kayak rentals and outdoor ice skating on recreated canal waters in winter.
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Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park
MuseumOn the downtown waterfront, visitors can board a guided missile cruiser, a destroyer and a World War II submarine, and see military aircraft and exhibits honoring veterans.
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Buffalo City Hall
LandmarkAn Art Deco skyscraper with elaborate murals and lobby decoration, plus a free observation deck near the top that gives views across Lake Erie and the city.
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Delaware Park
Park · 3 mi from centreDesigned by Frederick Law Olmsted, this large park contains a lake, golf course, a Japanese garden and the Buffalo Zoo, and is surrounded by grand historic homes.
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Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
HistoricThe house where Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as president after the assassination of William McKinley, presented through interactive exhibits and guided tours of the restored Wilcox Mansion.
Things to do in Buffalo by type
2 tours, tickets and experiences across 1 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
- 3-6 hours 1
- 1-3 hours 1
Where to stay in Buffalo
Popular hotels in Buffalo, out of 122 properties you can book.
Wyndham Garden Buffalo Downtown
From $173 per night
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Buffalo-Airport IHG
From $141 per night
Hampton Inn Buffalo South/I-90
From $159 per night
Aloft Buffalo Airport
From $119 per night
Buffalo Airport Hotel
From $83 per night
Hyatt Regency Buffalo Hotel And Conference Center
From $126 per night
Sleep Inn and Suites Buffalo Airport
From $92 per night
Curtiss Hotel, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member
From $258 per night
Embassy Suites by Hilton Buffalo
From $198 per night
M Hotel Buffalo
From $105 per night
Hilton Garden Inn Buffalo Downtow
From $213 per night
Hampton Inn & Suites Buffalo Downtown
From $200 per night
Best time to visit Buffalo
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Buffalo is September, when average daytime highs are around 74°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Buffalo weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 62° 35° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 63° 44° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 59° 43° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 63° 42° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 65° 46° 2%
- Mon 26 Oct 65° 53° 6%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/New_YorkUTC−4
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Buffalo
These are the airports closest to central Buffalo. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- BUF Buffalo Niagara International Airport8 mi (13 km) from the city centre
Getting around Buffalo
For most visitors to Buffalo, access to an automobile will prove extremely useful, although Buffalo's public transportation system provides access to the majority of the metropolitan area. Travelling around the city proper by public transit can be relatively hassle-free, especially on weekdays; however, transit riders travelling to the suburbs should be prepared for service that is infrequent (and, on the weekends, often non-existent).
By car
In addition to the Interstate highways mentioned in the "Get In" section, Buffalo has several intraurban expressways useful to visitors:
Rental cars
Rental car facilities can be found mainly at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National all have offices directly on airport property, while the Buffalo locations of ACE and Fox Rent A Car operate out of the Quality Inn across the street.
Car sharing
Members of the Zipcar car-sharing program can access vehicles in the Buffalo area from various locations in the city, as well as from the North Campus of the University at Buffalo in nearby Amherst.
Buffalo travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Buffalo?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Buffalo is September, when average daytime highs are around 74°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.
What is the weather like in Buffalo?
July is usually the warmest month in Buffalo, with average highs of 81°F (27°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 22°F (-6°C). The wettest month is typically April, with about 157 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Buffalo?
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) is the closest airport, about 8 miles (13 km) from the centre of Buffalo.
What time zone is Buffalo in?
Buffalo uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Buffalo?
For most visitors to Buffalo, access to an automobile will prove extremely useful, although Buffalo's public transportation system provides access to the majority of the metropolitan area.
What are the best places to visit in Buffalo?
Top sights in Buffalo include Niagara Falls, Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Darwin D. Martin House and Canalside. About 30 km north of Buffalo, the famous waterfalls can be seen up close from Niagara Falls State Park, the Maid of the Mist boat tour and the Cave of the Winds walkways.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Buffalo?
The most popular types of experiences in Buffalo are shows, sports and special events (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Buffalo?
Popular areas for hotels in Buffalo include Buffalo and Buffalo Airport Area. Well-reviewed options include Wyndham Garden Buffalo Downtown and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Buffalo-Airport IHG.
How many hotels can I book in Buffalo?
Destina Holidays currently lists 122 properties in and around Buffalo, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
