Buffalo and Niagara Falls

[Wandering Spectator]

Any good Penn State bars in Buffalo?

We’re here for the Bills game Monday but might pop into a bar for the game tomorrow.

Also checking out the Falls on Sunday.

Any must see/do/eat/drink in the area?

 

[Obliviax]

Everything nice is on the Canadian side. If you’ve never been, you have to do the maid of the mist and the tour behind and under the falls. It’s best to just give into the cheesy side of Niagara Falls. Go to things like Riply’s believe it or not and just walk around the town. if you want something really nice There are a few good restaurants north of the city and some beautiful wine country with some good wine tasting this time of year. if you really want something nice go to the lake house in Canandaigua. But that’s kind of a haul oh yeah, they have a really cool butterfly museum.

https://lakehousecanandaigua.com/?gad_source=1

 

[bdroc]

Everything nice is on the Canadian side. If you’ve never been, you have to do the maid of the mist and the tour behind and under the falls. It’s best to just give into the cheesy side of Niagara Falls. Go to things like Riply’s believe it or not and just walk around the town. if you want something really nice There are a few good restaurants north of the city and some beautiful wine country with some good wine tasting this time of year. if you really want something nice go to the lake house in Canandaigua. But that’s kind of a haul oh yeah, they have a really cool butterfly museum.

https://lakehousecanandaigua.com/?gad_source=1

The city of Niagara Falls NY is a dump but it's still nice to walk around the park to view the river and both falls.

The better views, hotels, and restaurants are on the Canadian side but it's also more crowded. If you go into Canada I'd highly recommend a drive down the Niagara Parkway to Niagara on the Lake. It's a gorgeous town with great wineries along the way.

While in Buffalo try a Beef on Weck at Charlie the Butcher.

 

[LMTLION]

I haven’t been up there in a number of years, but the Canadian side was far nicer back then. A friend was just up there a few weeks ago and told me that NY side was an absolute dump.

 

[psu1969a]

Reminder to go into Canada you need a passport.

 

[psu1969a]

Any good Penn State bars in Buffalo?

We’re here for the Bills game Monday but might pop into a bar for the game tomorrow.

Also checking out the Falls on Sunday.

Any must see/do/eat/drink in the area?

If you wish to see the Falls from the Canadian side, you need a passport.

 

[bdgan]

If you wish to see the Falls from the Canadian side, you need a passport.

Or enhanced driver's license

 

[bdgan]

NY side was an absolute dump.

The park is nice. The city is horrible.

 

[OKLionFan]

Definately do the Canadian side if you have the credentials. A couple of casinos there if that’s your thing.

 

[JWB389]

My daughter got her passport and was excited to use it, so we took a weekend trip. Totally exceeded our expectations. As mentioned above the Canada side is beautiful.

If you get the chance, do the excursion behind the falls on the Canadian side. It’s a very different sensation. Difficult to describe. You can feel the power of the falls in your body.

It can take some time to cross the border, depending on timing.

Can’t disagree with anything anybody above said.

 

[RochLion]

Resurgence Brewing Company is a pretty cool spot to check out. When I was big into NE IPAs they were one of my faves. I still see a lot of their brews at Wegmans. Seem to have a good mix other NE IPAs though. https://www.resurgencebrewing.com/

 

[Wandering Spectator]

Thanks all. We’re staying in Canada. Plan on MOTM, Journey Behind the Falls, and some other sites. Maybe go to Niagara on the Lake.

Any ideas for Buffalo? Was planning on a brewery (Resurgence or Britesmith) and grab wings (maybe Bar Bill, 9 Eleven, or Gabriele’s Gate). Canalside and maybe an Italian dinner at Mulberry or DiPaolo’s.

 

[Agoodnap]

Anchor Bar in Buffalo. It's a dive bar in a seedy part of town but it's where Buffalo wings were invented. Once in Canada you'll find the urge to purchase a selfie stick, just because everyone has one.

 

[mhlarch]

Buffalo has some of the best examples of architecture in the USA, along with a fantastic park and parkway system (designed by Frederick Law Olmsted). I've never been to Buffalo, but it's on my list primarily to see the architecture and park system.

 

[JWB389]

Thanks all. We’re staying in Canada. Plan on MOTM, Journey Behind the Falls, and some other sites. Maybe go to Niagara on the Lake.

Any ideas for Buffalo? Was planning on a brewery (Resurgence or Britesmith) and grab wings (maybe Bar Bill, 9 Eleven, or Gabriele’s Gate). Canalside and maybe an Italian dinner at Mulberry or DiPaolo’s.

Something I should have mentioned re behind the falls. If somebody in your group is claustrophobic, it may not be the best place for them, particularly if it’s crowded.

 

[bdroc]

Thanks all. We’re staying in Canada. Plan on MOTM, Journey Behind the Falls, and some other sites. Maybe go to Niagara on the Lake.

Any ideas for Buffalo? Was planning on a brewery (Resurgence or Britesmith) and grab wings (maybe Bar Bill, 9 Eleven, or Gabriele’s Gate). Canalside and maybe an Italian dinner at Mulberry or DiPaolo’s.

I highly recommend Niagara on the Lake and nearby wineries.

The big names for wings is Anchor Bar or Duffs but to be honest you can get wings anywhere. That's why I'd opt for Beef on Weck.

The Bills play Monday night and they have crazy fans. If you're still around try Bar Bill or any establishment where you can get a table.

 

[Canadian_lion]

I do not to be biased against my American friends but the Canadian side is far better from every aspect.

The Canadians built parks along the river where Niagara Falls NY had much industry. Plus your American dollar goes far here.

Go the Bills tail gate early( noon) . The best experience in the NFL , along with Green Bay. you will have a blast.

DO NOT WEAR ANY JAGS SWAG. It will be a horrible experience.

The Anchor Bar is a hoot when they have their music. The building will remind you of the 1950's .

Have a great time.

Robert

 

[psualt]

I didn’t heed the advice to stay in Canada. Perhaps the person I talked to was too nice. Unless of course food trucks are your thing. Don’t be me.

Niagara on the Lake is very nice.

 

[Wandering Spectator]

Got some sites in today. My parents were married in Our Lady of Victory Basilica. We popped in to see it and before we knew it we were in there for almost 3 hours. One of the most beautiful churches we've seen in the US. The museum for Father Baker detailing his life was also fascinating.

Falls tomorrow.

 

[RochLion]

Another real interesting place to check out is visitor center at the Niagara Power Vista, just north of Niagara in Lewiston NY. Was there several years ago with the kids and was a lot of fun, and it's free!

https://www.nypa.gov/communities/visitors-centers/niagara-power-vista

 

[nittanymoops]

The Teddy Roosevelt inaugural site is a nice museum and will not take a lot of time, but plenty of interesting items to see and things to learn. You can then drive a few miles north to see the actual site where McKinley was shot (just a stone in a side street median now, IIRC). There is also a cemetery close by where Millard Fillmore is buried.

Find a Watson's chocolates for some sponge candy and thank me later. Enjoy the game!

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site | Bringing A Legend To Life

 

[Lion_Backer]

Got some sites in today. My parents were married in Our Lady of Victory Basilica. We popped in to see it and before we knew it we were in there for almost 3 hours. One of the most beautiful churches we've seen in the US. The museum for Father Baker detailing his life was also fascinating.

Falls tomorrow.

I hope that your visit goes well!

 

[DELion]

DuPont operated a plant for many years along the Niagara River on the US side just above the falls. That didn't contribute much to the aesthetics. The plant was spun off with Chemours in 2015 and then closed. I did a little work up there back in the 1980's. They manufactured molten lithium and sodium among other things - an interesting, hazardous process. The Love Canal environmental disaster also hurt the city's image. It was a heavily industrialized place due to cheap hydro power generated by the falls.

 

[Wandering Spectator]

Thanks to everyone for the input. It was a great trip capped by a Bills beatdown if the Jags. All good!

There's my writeup of our trip.

TL;DR: Our Lady of Victory is spectacular. Niagara Falls Canadian side is awesome. Journey Behind the Falls and boat ride are worth the time and money. Niagara on the Lake is a great retreat from NF. Bills tailgating is incredibly unique. Local foods (wings, beef of weck, sponge candy) live up to the hype. Net: cool area to wander.

Wandering in Buffalo: A Hidden Gem

Let’s face it, when you think of vacation destinations, I’m guessing Buffalo isn’t at the top of the list. I get it. With so many options, it’s hard to add a blue-collar tow…

wanderingspectator.wordpress.com

 

[Obliviax]

Thanks to everyone for the input. It was a great trip capped by a Bills beatdown if the Jags. All good!

There's my writeup of our trip.

TL;DR: Our Lady of Victory is spectacular. Niagara Falls Canadian side is awesome. Journey Behind the Falls and boat ride are worth the time and money. Niagara on the Lake is a great retreat from NF. Bills tailgating is incredibly unique. Local foods (wings, beef of weck, sponge candy) live up to the hype. Net: cool area to wander.

Wandering in Buffalo: A Hidden Gem

Let’s face it, when you think of vacation destinations, I’m guessing Buffalo isn’t at the top of the list. I get it. With so many options, it’s hard to add a blue-collar tow…

wanderingspectator.wordpress.com

Incredible. Glad you had a good time. Are you going to the usc game?

 

[Wandering Spectator]

Incredible. Glad you had a good time. Are you going to the usc game?

Planning on it. I think we’re driving over.