Situated on the banks of Lake Erie, Buffalo in the state of New York is a well-known tourist destination that has a vibrant culture, beautiful architecture, and several family-friendly attractions. Due to its proximity to the Canadian border and many prominent cities in the U.S., weekend getaways and short visits are very popular here. There are parks, museums, historical landmarks, centuries-old watering holes, distinct restaurants, zoo, performance venues, and many more attractions to visit. If you’ve got just 36 hours in Buffalo and don’t know where and how to make the most of your time, no need to worry - from breakfast and sight-seeing to evening cocktails and late-night shows, we’ve got you covered! Scroll down to know more about what to do for 36 hours in Buffalo, New York.
Day 1: Afternoon
Tuck into yummy Spaghetti Parm at Chef's
Just a little something to brighten up your Monday!
Posted by Chef's Restaurant of Buffalo NY on Monday, 28 October 2019
Operational for almost a century, Chef’s is an iconic restaurant in Buffalo serving hearty Italian food to locals and visitors alike. Start your trip with a filling lunch of Chef’s world-famous Spaghetti Parm (short for parmesan) which is spaghetti doused in melted parmesan cheese. But if that is too calorific for you, this eatery also has a menu full of traditional Italian soups, salads, entrees, and desserts. Their amazing lunch specials that are smaller servings of their popular dishes are worth trying out too.
Chef's
Address: 291 Seneca St, Buffalo, NY 14204, United States
Website: Chef’s
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 9pm (closed on Sun)
Explore decommissioned naval vessels at Buffalo Naval and Military Park
After lunch, spend some time exploring remarkable ships at Buffalo Naval and Military Park. Situated on the shores of Lake Erie, this naval park houses several decommissioned American vessels like the Destroyer USS the Sullivans, the USS Croaker (SSK-246), the Guided Missile Cruiser USS Little Rock, and a WWII submarine. There are several artefacts from the navy and other branches of the Armed Forces on display at an outdoor exhibit area and in a museum building. A maritime simulator and gift shop are also situated on the park premises. A trip to this place will surely be fun for both kids and adults.
Buffalo Naval and Military Park
Address: One Naval, Marina Park S, Buffalo, NY 14202, United States
Website: Buffalo Naval and Military Park
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 6 - 15 USD
Admire the majestic architecture of St. John Cathedral
Established in the mid-1800s, St. Joseph Cathedral is a majestic, Gothic Revival architectural piece in downtown Buffalo that is the perfect last stop for the afternoon. It is the centre of the Roman Catholic faith in the city. It also has several beautiful exterior and interior features like the bell tower, the cavernous interior sanctuary, and lancet windows above the altar. While at the cathedral, don’t forget to check out the 124-year-old majestic Hook & Hastings pipe organ that is a fine example of American organs made in the late 1800s.
St. Joseph Cathedral
Address: 50 Franklin St, Buffalo, NY 14202, United States
Website: St. Joseph Cathedral
Day 1: Evening
Spend some time outdoors at the beautiful Canalside
Part of Buffalo’s harbourside revitalisation plan, Canalside is a beautiful waterfront stretch along Erie Canal that is the scene of many cultural, outdoor, recreational, and entertainment activities in the city. Make Canalside your first stop for the evening and indulge in a variety of activities ranging from ice skating in the winter and attending a concert to hiking or biking along the waterfront. You can also take to the water in the summer and enjoy kayaking, boating, and paddleboarding. Plenty of green spaces here also make for a perfect place to spend a romantic evening picnicking with some pre-dinner wine and cheese.
Canalside
Address: 44 Prime St, Buffalo, NY 14202, United States
Website: Canalside
Watch a play at the Irish Classical Theater Company
Happy Friday!
Posted by Irish Classical Theatre on Friday, 4 October 2019
Catch an evening show at the local Irish Classical Theater Company that is a renowned performing arts theatre in Buffalo. At its intimate round theatre, you can enjoy watching talented actors, singers, musicians, and performers taking the stage and entertaining the audience with both classic and contemporary plays. The theatre company specialises in putting up the greatest works of dramatic literature, including Irish plays, international classics, and even some phenomenal modern productions.
Irish Classical Theater Company
Address: 625 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14203, United States
Website: Irish Classical Theater Company
Price: from 49 USD
Have an early dinner at Marble and Rye
Round off your first evening in Buffalo with an early dinner at the popular Marble and Rye restaurant that is known for its New American cuisine. The restaurant places an emphasis on using fresh local ingredients. They source all their meat and produce from a number of local farms. At this full-service restaurant, the urban decor and the exhaustive selection of rye whiskey and innovative cocktails will surely delight you. Must-try dishes are their pickled onion rings and chana (chickpea patty) burger.
Marble and Rye
Address: 112 Genesee St, Buffalo, NY 14203, United States
Website: Marble and Rye
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 4:30pm - 12am; Fri - Sat: 4:30pm - 1am (closed on Sun & Mon)
Day 1: Night
Sip delicious cocktails at Lucky Day Whisky Bar
At Buffalo’s Lucky Day Whisky Bar, enjoy late-night cocktails in quaint yet trendy settings. And if you happen to visit over the weekend, you will even be treated to the lively tunes of local and international bands. Though a full-service restaurant, this place is well-known in the city for their huge selection of spirits and for the talented bartenders who will whip up amazing cocktails for you. Popular drink choices are the classic old fashioned, manhattan, and a straight-up whiskey on the rocks! And if you are hungry, you can always try out one of their famous hand pies.
Lucky Day Whisky Bar
Address: 320 Pearl St, Buffalo, NY 14202, United States
Website: Lucky Day Whisky Bar
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 4pm - 12am; Fri - Sat: 4pm - 2am (closed on Sun & Mon)
Catch a live late-night performance Nietzsche's
End your day by catching a live performance at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo’s popular live-events venue. Nietzsche’s has been operational for more than 30 years and hosts several live-music acts of all genres, both regional and national. They also have comedy shows, open mic nights, and burlesque shows. The bar has daily specials, a range of beers, and amazing cocktails that you can enjoy while watching the shows.
Nietzsche's
Address: 248 Allen St, Buffalo, NY 14201, United States
Website: Nietzsche’s
Opening hours: Sun - Wed: 12pm - 2am; Thu - Sat: 12pm - 4am
Day 2: Morning
Have a big Greek breakfast at Nick's Place
Now serving Fresh Fruit Plates at Nicks Place Express. A healthy alternative with fresh fruit, cottage, cheese, and your choice of chicken or tuna
Posted by Nick's Place on Friday, 30 March 2012
A Buffalo breakfast favourite for the past 15 years, Nick’s Place serves traditional Greek and American breakfast delicacies in a casual and cosy ambience. Highly recommended dishes to try here are open Greek souvlakis, country breakfast, and skillet. The family-owned diner also serves their famous Mama’s Homemade Bread and amazing coffee, perfect to kick-start your morning. For the health-conscious eaters, Nick’s Place serves some healthy breakfast plates too.
Nick's Place
Address: 504 Amherst St, Buffalo, NY 14207, United States
Website: Nick’s Place
Opening hours: 7am - 3pm (daily)
See wildlife exhibits at Buffalo Zoo
After breakfast, head on over to Buffalo Zoo and make it your first sight-seeing spot for the day. This 125-year-old zoo is a very popular destination in the city and attracts thousands of visitors each year. The zoo has various activities and educational programmes suitable for children as well as adults. But the highlights here are the majestic animals from across the world, including several exotic and endangered species. Check out the various wildlife exhibits and see lions, tigers, bald eagles, pythons, turtles, polar bears, stingray, tarantulas, and more!
Buffalo Zoo
Address: 300 Parkside Ave, Buffalo, NY 14214, United States
Website: Buffalo Zoo
Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)
Price: 8.95 - 13.95 USD
Learn about the city's history at Buffalo History Museum
Next up, learn about the evolution of the city with a visit to Buffalo History Museum. The museum houses over 200,000 photographs, 20,000 books, and 100,000 artefacts that trace Buffalo’s history through various eras of Industrialization and Westward Expansion, among others. Must-see exhibits are the beautiful Apostolic Clock and the displays about pioneers, the Suffrage Movement, trains, Native Americans, Lake Erie, and various other subjects. All the exhibits are spread across three floors of the museum. The gift shop is the perfect place to pick up a Buffalo souvenir.
Buffalo History Museum
Address: 1 Museum Ct, Buffalo, NY 14216, United States
Website: Buffalo History Museum
Opening hours: Tue: 10am - 5pm; Wed: 10am - 8pm; Thu - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 2.5 - 10 USD
Day 2: Afternoon
Have a soup and sandwich at Globe Market
After all the sight-seeing has got you hungry, make your way to Globe Market for a spot of lunch. Open since 2003, this eatery is well-known for serving 100% homemade food from across the globe. The restaurant has a cosy indoor dining area, plus an alfresco dining patio too. For lunch, order their award-winning tomato basil soup and roast turkey sandwich with a side of salad.
Globe Market
Address: 762 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222, United States
Website: Globe Market
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10:30am - 7pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm
Solve puzzles to escape Lock & Key Escape Room
The House of Secrets is closing it’s doors! Your last chance at this thrilling adventure is September 23rd. Book now at Buffaloescaperooms.com And keep an eye out for our newest adventure opening in October!
Posted by Lock and Key Escape Room on Friday, 7 September 2018
Experience an interactive adventure for the mind with a visit to Lock & Key Escape Room in Elmswood Village, Buffalo. Choose from one of their themed escape rooms with cool background stories. Use puzzles, mystical clues, and teamwork to solve the mystery, find the key, and escape - all within the time limit of one hour! This is best experienced with your own gang, colleagues, or family. But you can also join in with other people at the venue to partake in an escape room adventure.
Lock & Key Escape Room
Address: 504 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222, United States
Website: Lock & Key Escape Room
Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 12pm - 9pm; Thu: 12pm - 9pm; Fri: 1pm - 10pm; Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 9:30pm (closed on Wed)
Price: 25 USD
Ponder over the beautiful artworks at Burchfield Penney Art Center
Out sketching in the Big Woods—A wonderful feeling to be out again after not having painted for so long a time—A cool...
Posted by Burchfield Penney Art Center on Friday, 18 October 2019
Named after the famous watercolour artist, Charles E. Burchfield, Burchfield Art Center has the distinction of being the only museum dedicated to the art and artists of Western New York. The museum has a rotating display of Charles E. Burchfield’s works and holds several exhibits by renowned national and international artists throughout the year. A lot of the artwork on display is curated from the museum’s collection or on loan from other galleries. There are 19 galleries here for you to explore, each displaying unique paintings, sculptures, photographs, multimedia exhibits, and other pieces.
Burchfield Penney Art Center
Address: 1300 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222, United States
Website: Burchfield Penney Art Center
Price: 5 - 10 USD
Day 2: Evening
Go on a leisurely stroll through Delaware Park
As a historically significant location, Delaware Park is the ideal place to start off your evening in Buffalo. The massive 350-acre (141.64-hectare) park has several beautiful features, landmarks, and areas designed by the famous Olmsted and Vaux duo. Things to do and points of interest include boating on Hoyt Lake, going on a self-guided, mobile audio tour of Japanese Garden, admiring the varieties of beautiful roses at Rose Garden, and taking pictures of the iconic Ivy Bridge. Children’s playgrounds, an 18-hole golf course, picnic shelters, tennis and basketball courts, and baseball and football fields are also available here.
Delaware Park
Address: Meadow Dr, Buffalo, NY 14214, United States
Website: Delaware Park
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
Tour the Martin House by Frank Lloyd Wright
Head to the National Historic Landmark, the Martin House by Frank Lloyd Wright, after your visit to Delaware Park. Designed in the classic Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie House-style, this was built for a wealthy Buffalo businessman, Darwin D. Martin. It has typical design elements like deeply overhanging eaves and strong horizontal lines and planes. Visitors can embark on guided one or two-hour tours of the main Martin House, a conservatory, a carriage house, a pergola, Barton House, and a gardener’s cottage. Free tours are also available on Monday evenings for members.
The Martin House by Frank Lloyd Wright
Address: 125 Jewett Pkwy, Buffalo, NY 14214, United States
Listen to live music and sip a drink at Central Park Grill
The happiest of hours is just getting started. Catch our specials before you miss out! Monday - Friday 3-7 p.m. Your...
Posted by Central Park Grill on Tuesday, 12 November 2019
If you are in the mood for some old-school Buffalo vibe, Central Park Grill should be your last stop for the evening. One of Buffalo’s oldest watering holes, Central Park Grill offers live music, karaoke, full menu, amazing drinks, and plenty of screens for watching games or shows. The almost-century-old restaurant and bar has an amazing ambience, a growing selection of beer, and finger-licking food like chicken wings and burgers. Grab a seat at the bar, outdoor patio tables, or indoor dining room. Sip on a delicious drink as you set the tone for the evening to the tune of the live band.
Central Park Grill
Address: 2519 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214, United States
Website: Central Park Grill
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 2am; Fri: 11pm - 3am; Sat: 12pm - 3am; Sun: 12pm - 8pm
Day 2: Night
Dine at a local favourite: Eddie Brady's
Located in the heart of Downtown Buffalo, Eddie Brady’s is the ideal place to grab a tasty dinner. The restaurant and bar has the easygoing vibe of a classic American bar, with plenty of great drinks and daily specials to choose from. A favourite spot for locals to catch a game, hang out with friends, or even have a nice sit-down dinner with family, Eddie Brady’s is the perfect choice for your last night in Buffalo. Recommended dishes at the restaurant are chicken wings, Italian sausage sandwich, goulash, and beef on weck.
Eddie Brady's
Address: 97 Genesee St, Buffalo, NY 14203, United States
Website: Eddie Brady’s
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 1am; Fri - Sat: 11am - 4am (closed on Sun)
Catch a live music act at Buffalo's Mohawk Place
As Western New York’s premier live music venue, Buffalo’s Mohawk Place is the best spot to end your 36-hour adventure in Buffalo. The venue is well-known for hosting enjoyable live-music performances by talented contemporary artists. It also has a reputation for being the ultimate place to catch a performance by the latest up-and-coming acts in the region and across the nation. They host everything from blues to metal and have an exhaustive bar menu and friendly bartenders who will provide libations that will make you groove to the music even more.
Buffalo's Mohawk Place
Address: 47 E Mohawk St, Buffalo, NY 14203, United States
Website: Buffalo’s Mohawk Place
Adventures in Buffalo, New York!
The vibrant city of Buffalo has a number of attractions that will interest every kind of visitor, from children and teenagers to adults and seniors. Enjoy visiting museums, historical landmarks, parks, zoos, quaint restaurants, and bars, because the city has got you covered! If you decide to take a short trip to this amazing place situated on the shores of Lake Erie, be sure to check out our suggestions for what to do for 36 hours in Buffalo, New York.
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