Set on Lake Erie’s edge and shaped by the Erie Canal, Buffalo rose as a Gilded Age powerhouse, imprinting the county with grand architecture and a proud cultural streak. That story lives on in the city’s Olmsted-designed parks, the towering grain silos that once fed a nation, and the exquisite Frank Lloyd Wright designs tucked into leafy neighborhoods.

Today, Erie County is synonymous with a fun-loving food scene (yes—wings!), a revitalized waterfront at Canalside, and the newly expanded Buffalo AKG Art Museum that draws art-lovers from around the world. Neighborhoods like Elmwood Village and Allentown pair indie shops with standout coffee, while the Southtowns roll into pastoral parks and the Arts & Crafts roots of East Aurora’s Roycroft Campus.

Winter brings famous lake-effect snow (pack boots and layers), while summer spreads out paddleboards and patio dining along the river. Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) sits about 20 minutes from downtown; ride-hailing runs roughly $25–$40 each way. You’ll get the most flexibility with a car, but the NFTA Metro Rail is handy downtown and through the theater district to the Medical Campus.

Buffalo

Buffalo is your lively home base: a city where Wright’s geometric lines meet the soft curve of Lake Erie sunsets. Spend mornings with third-wave coffee in West Side corners, afternoons wandering the AKG’s luminous galleries, and evenings debating the best wings—Anchor Bar might claim the origin story, but locals whisper different names.

Top highlights include the waterfront renaissance at Canalside and RiverWorks, the historic Delaware Park–Front Park system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, and architectural heavyweights from the Richardson Olmsted Campus to the sleek Darwin D. Martin House. Food-wise, come hungry: from beef on weck to natural-wine tastings, Buffalo punches above its weight.

Where to stay (browse and compare): Downtown for theater and easy transit; Allentown or Elmwood Village for leafy, walkable blocks; Canalside/Waterfront for lake breezes.

• Search vacation rentals on VRBO Buffalo.
• Compare hotels (from boutique to big-brand) on Hotels.com Buffalo.

Getting here: Fly into BUF (typical nonstop times: NYC ~1h30, Chicago ~1h35, Boston ~1h30). Check fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. Driving from Toronto takes ~2 hours (border wait times vary); from Rochester ~1h15.

Day 1: Arrival, Waterfront Vibes, and Classic Wings

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, ease in with a cappuccino at Tipico Coffee (Elmwood) or a pour-over at Remedy House (Five Points)—both roast-focused, locally loved spots with light bites and sunny corners for a gentler landing.

Afternoon: Check into your hotel, then head to Canalside, the heart of Buffalo’s waterfront revival. Stroll the boardwalk, take in public art, and, season permitting, ride the vintage Buffalo Heritage Carousel ($1–$2) or lace up for ice skating in winter. History buffs can tour the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park (plan 60–90 minutes; adult tickets typically ~$20) to step aboard the USS Little Rock and learn how the Queen City fueled the Great Lakes and beyond.

For a late lunch or brew: Southern Tier Brewing’s Harborcenter taproom pours local favorites with burgers, tacos, and wings; Liberty Hound next to the ships serves Lake Erie–friendly seafood when in season. Expect mains in the $15–$25 range.

Evening: Wing night in Allentown. Grab a bar seat at Gabriel’s Gate—dark wood, tin ceiling, and flats that crunch just right. Order medium or hot, and add a side of curly fries; many locals rank these among Buffalo’s best. Prefer the original origin story? Pop into Anchor Bar’s Main Street location for a compare-and-contrast flight.

Cap the night with craft beer at Big Ditch Brewing (downtown; Hayburner IPA is the local standard) or take the elevator to VUE Rooftop Lounge at the Curtiss Hotel for city lights and a Lake Erie breeze.

Day 2: Frank Lloyd Wright, World-Class Art, and Elmwood Village

Morning: Breakfast at Swan Street Diner, a beautifully restored 1937 Sterling diner in Larkinville, where buttermilk pancakes and skillet hash meet bottomless coffee. Then reserve a guided tour at the Darwin D. Martin House (allow ~90 minutes; popular tours run ~$25–$45 depending on depth). Wright’s prairie-style lines, art glass, and meticulous restorations make this one of the most important residential complexes he ever designed—and a cornerstone of Buffalo’s architectural pilgrimage.

Afternoon: Make your way to the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, reopened after a major expansion with airy galleries that spotlight everything from Rothko and Warhol to cutting-edge contemporary shows. Budget 2–3 hours; adult admission is typically in the high teens. If you’re ready for lunch, the on-site Cornelia cafe does thoughtful salads, sandwiches, and seasonal plates that pair well with a museum day.

Afterwards, wander Elmwood Village boutiques and galleries. Pop into a local roaster like Overwinter Coffee for an iced maple latte, then detour through Delaware Park’s meadow for an Olmsted-designed ramble. If the weather turns, the Burchfield Penney Art Center (across from AKG) offers a deep dive into Western New York art.

Evening: Dinner at Las Puertas, chef Victor Parra Gonzalez’s refined Mexican kitchen known for nixtamalized masa, precise ceviches, and a tasting-menu option—ideal for a celebratory night. If you prefer a lively bistro standard, book Hutch’s for steaks, seafood, and an Old World–leaning wine list in a clubby room.

For a nightcap, choose between Lucky Day Whiskey Bar (brick-walled, amber-lit, and stacked with rare pours) or Waxlight Bar à Vin in Black Rock, where the team pairs natural-leaning wines with inventive small plates. Either way, you’ll end the evening feeling like a local.

Day 3: East Aurora and the Southtowns—Roycroft Craftsmanship and Legendary Wings

Morning: Drive ~25–30 minutes to East Aurora, a postcard village tied to the American Arts & Crafts movement. Start with espresso and a pastry (or wood-fired breakfast pizza) at Elm Street Bakery—airy, convivial, and fragrant with daily bakes. Walk to the Roycroft Campus for a guided tour of the historic workshops and inn; you’ll see how Elbert Hubbard’s movement championed handcraft, honest materials, and a slower beauty that still resonates.

Afternoon: Stretch your legs at Knox Farm State Park, a pastoral estate with easy trails, meadows, and photogenic barns—perfect for a relaxed hour in nature. If you skipped wings in the city, this is the moment: Bar-Bill Tavern in East Aurora is a pilgrimage. Order traditional medium or hot (ask for “extra-crisp”), plus a half beef on weck—the kummelweck roll and fresh-carved roast beef explain why this sandwich is a Buffalo icon. Expect a wait at peak times; it’s worth it.

Head back toward BUF for an afternoon departure. If time allows en route, stop by Vidler’s 5 & 10 on Main Street, a delightfully old-school five-and-dime whose creaky floors hide great souvenirs and regional candy (don’t leave without sponge candy for the plane).

Practical add-ons and seasonal tips:

• Summer on the water: Rent kayaks or SUPs along the Buffalo River; sip craft cocktails at RiverWorks with grain-silo views.
• Winter coziness: Swap outdoor time for the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site, then warm up with ramen at Sato or a bowl at Sun-style noodle spots around town.
• Sports fans: Catch the Sabres at KeyBank Center or, in season, the Bills in Orchard Park—game-day wings are practically a rite of passage.

How to get in and out: Check flight options to/from BUF on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Within Erie County, driving is fastest; rideshares are plentiful in the core (downtown–Elmwood typically $10–$20).

Where to book your stay: See availability and deals for your dates on Hotels.com Buffalo and compare vacation rentals on VRBO Buffalo.

In three days, you’ll taste Buffalo’s spirit—from Wright’s clean lines to the messy, glorious joy of perfect wings. Erie County blends lakeside energy with small-town charm in the Southtowns, making it an easy, satisfying long weekend you’ll want to repeat in another season.