Just 24 Hours In Buffalo? Here Are 17 Things You Shouldn’t Miss
Buffalo, New York might not top everyone’s travel list, but this under-the-radar city delivers way more than you’d expect.
Nestled on the edge of Lake Erie, Buffalo blends Rust Belt grit with a surprising dose of charm, creativity, and culinary excellence. It’s the kind of place where you can spend a single day and still feel like you’ve uncovered something truly unique.
Whether you’re here for the wings (of course), the architecture, or the lake breeze, this one-day Buffalo bucket list will help you dive into the city’s soul—fast, delicious, and full of character. Ready to be pleasantly surprised?
1. Explore Elmwood Village
Wandering through Elmwood Village feels like stepping into Buffalo’s beating heart. This charming neighborhood buzzes with local shops, cafes, and galleries that showcase the city’s creative spirit.
Victorian-era homes line the streets, providing a colorful backdrop for your morning stroll. Stop by one of the sidewalk cafes for a quick breakfast or browse through quirky boutiques selling everything from vintage vinyl to handcrafted jewelry.
If you’re here on a Saturday morning, don’t miss the Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market where local farmers and artisans gather. The village perfectly captures Buffalo’s blend of historic charm and modern energy.
2. Try Beef on Weck
You haven’t truly visited Buffalo until you’ve sunk your teeth into a beef on weck sandwich. This local staple features thinly sliced roast beef piled high on a kummelweck roll – a kaiser roll topped with coarse salt and caraway seeds.
The sandwich typically comes with horseradish and au jus for dipping. Charlie the Butcher and Schwabl’s serve up some of the most authentic versions in town, but many local pubs offer their own take on this Buffalo classic.
When ordering, ask for it medium rare and don’t be shy with the horseradish! This humble sandwich has been a Buffalo tradition since German immigrants brought it here in the 1800s.
3. Stroll Canalside Promenade
Buffalo’s waterfront transformation is on full display at Canalside. This vibrant area along Lake Erie offers stunning water views and plenty of activities no matter when you visit. During summer, the boardwalk fills with people enjoying outdoor concerts, fitness classes, and boat tours.
Winter transforms the space into a wonderland with ice skating and curling on the frozen canal. Grab an ice cream cone and watch massive lake freighters glide by, or rent a kayak to paddle the historic canal system yourself.
The naval park nearby features decommissioned military vessels you can tour. Canalside represents Buffalo’s remarkable comeback story and connection to the water.
4. Visit Albright-Knox Gallery
Art lovers rejoice! The Albright-Knox Art Gallery houses one of America’s finest collections of modern and contemporary art. The museum’s striking neoclassical building itself is worth admiring before you even step inside. Their impressive collection includes works by Picasso, Warhol, Pollock, and Kahlo.
I was particularly blown away by their Abstract Expressionist pieces – some of the best you’ll find anywhere in the country. Currently undergoing expansion as the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, they maintain a satellite location called Northland while construction finishes.
Even with limited time in Buffalo, the world-class art here makes this stop absolutely essential for understanding the city’s cultural significance.
5. Check Out Silo City
Towering grain elevators stand like concrete cathedrals along Buffalo’s Buffalo River at Silo City. These massive industrial relics once made Buffalo the world’s largest grain port, and now they’ve been reimagined as cultural spaces. Take a guided tour to learn about their fascinating history and architectural significance.
The acoustics inside these hollow concrete giants are incredible – they occasionally host poetry readings and musical performances that echo hauntingly through the chambers. Many visitors find the site eerily beautiful, especially at sunset when the light plays off the weathered concrete.
Photographers will want to bring their cameras to capture these industrial monuments that helped build America and now serve as a reminder of Buffalo’s industrial might.
6. Snap Shark Girl Statue
She sits patiently at Canalside, a quirky sculpture that’s become Buffalo’s unofficial mascot. Shark Girl – a little girl with a shark’s head wearing a blue dress – might sound odd, but she’s utterly charming in person! Created by artist Casey Riordan Millard, this whimsical artwork has become the city’s most Instagram-worthy photo op.
Visitors line up to sit beside her on the bench and snap a memorable Buffalo selfie. What makes Shark Girl special is how she represents Buffalo’s embrace of public art and offbeat personality. The sculpture perfectly captures the city’s revival through creativity and humor.
Don’t miss this uniquely Buffalo experience – it’ll take just five minutes but give you the perfect souvenir photo.
7. Grab Coffee at Remedy
When caffeine cravings hit, Remedy House in Buffalo’s Five Points neighborhood delivers the perfect pick-me-up. This bright, airy café occupies a triangular building with windows on all sides, making it an ideal spot for people-watching.
Their expertly crafted espresso drinks use beans from small-batch roasters, and the baristas take genuine pride in their craft. The minimal yet warm interior features plants hanging from high ceilings and communal seating that encourages conversation. Beyond great coffee, they offer delicious pastries from local bakeries.
The café has become a community hub where you’ll find everyone from students to artists to business folks. It perfectly represents Buffalo’s thriving independent business scene and neighborhood pride.
8. Tour Frank Lloyd Wright
Architecture buffs can’t miss the Martin House Complex, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most important Prairie School designs. Completed in 1905, this residential complex showcases Wright’s revolutionary open floor plans and connection to nature.
The main house features over 400 art glass windows, custom furniture, and multiple fireplaces. Wright designed everything down to the light fixtures and furniture, creating a total work of art. Tours take about two hours but are worth every minute to see this masterpiece.
After decades of neglect, the house has been meticulously restored to its original glory. If you’re short on time, the Graycliff Estate along Lake Erie offers another stunning Wright design with shorter tour options.
9. Watch Sunset at Outer Harbor
Buffalo’s Outer Harbor offers the most spectacular sunset views in the city. This revitalized waterfront area along Lake Erie provides unobstructed vistas where you can watch the sun sink below the horizon in a blaze of orange and pink.
Wilkeson Pointe within the harbor area offers grassy hills perfect for spreading out a blanket. The gentle waves lapping against the shore provide a soothing soundtrack as daylight fades. Bring your camera – the lighthouse silhouetted against the colorful sky makes for stunning photos.
During summer evenings, you might catch outdoor yoga classes or small concerts happening with the sunset as backdrop. This peaceful spot reveals Buffalo’s natural beauty and shows why locals love their lakefront location.
10. Explore Buffalo City Hall
Buffalo City Hall stands as one of America’s finest Art Deco buildings and offers the best free view of the city. This 32-story limestone masterpiece completed in 1931 features stunning geometric patterns, Native American motifs, and industrial-themed carvings throughout.
Head to the free observation deck on the 28th floor for panoramic views stretching to Canada and Niagara Falls on clear days. The building’s lobby showcases magnificent murals depicting Buffalo’s history and industry. Free guided tours are available weekdays, but even a quick self-guided visit is worthwhile.
Don’t miss the Common Council Chamber with its sunburst ceiling and stained glass windows. This architectural treasure tells the story of Buffalo’s prosperity and ambition during the early 20th century.
11. Taste Sponge Candy
Buffalo’s sweetest secret is sponge candy – a regional confection you simply must try. This unique treat features light, airy honeycomb toffee covered in chocolate that melts in your mouth while the center provides a satisfying crunch. Fowler’s and Watson’s are the most famous local chocolatiers crafting this specialty.
The candy has a distinctive texture – crisp yet delicate with tiny air bubbles throughout the golden center. Pick up a box as souvenirs; they travel well and introduce friends to a true Buffalo experience. During summer, get it chocolate-dipped with ice cream at local shops.
Though similar candies exist elsewhere (like British ‘honeycomb’ or ‘sponge toffee’ in Canada), Buffalo’s version has a devoted following and distinct recipe.
12. Visit Theodore Roosevelt Site
History happened here! The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site preserves the Wilcox Mansion where Roosevelt took the presidential oath following William McKinley’s assassination in 1901. Interactive exhibits let you step back in time to this pivotal moment in American history.
The carefully restored rooms include period furniture and personal items from both the Wilcox family and Roosevelt himself. Rangers provide fascinating tours explaining how Roosevelt’s unexpected presidency began in Buffalo during the Pan-American Exposition.
You’ll see the library where he took the oath and learn how this moment shaped his presidency. Even if you’re not a history buff, the dramatic story of a nation in crisis and a leader’s emergence makes this modest mansion worth visiting.
13. Stop at Hotel Henry
Hotel Henry occupies a portion of the former Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, a magnificent Richardson Romanesque complex designed by architect H.H. Richardson with landscape by Frederick Law Olmsted. The massive red sandstone building with copper-topped towers is simply breathtaking.
Though recently closed as a hotel, the building remains partially open for events and tours. The soaring ceilings, massive windows, and wide corridors reflect the progressive 19th-century belief that architecture could help heal mental illness. Wander the grounds to appreciate Olmsted’s tranquil landscape design.
The complex, now called the Richardson Olmsted Campus, represents an important chapter in medical history and architectural preservation. Even if you can only admire the exterior, the imposing structure is worth seeing.
14. Enjoy Larkin Square
Larkin Square embodies Buffalo’s urban renaissance. This vibrant public space transformed a former soap factory district into a community gathering spot filled with colorful furniture, whimsical design elements, and regular events. During summer, Food Truck Tuesdays bring dozens of mobile eateries and live music to the square.
The area’s industrial past shows in the repurposed buildings now housing offices, restaurants and breweries. The square’s distinctive chairs painted in bright colors invite you to relax and people-watch. Even without a special event, it’s worth visiting to see how Buffalo has reimagined its industrial spaces.
The nearby Hydraulic Hearth restaurant and brewery occupies a historic pump house and serves excellent brick oven pizzas if you need refreshment.
15. Sample Local Craft Beer
Buffalo’s craft beer scene has exploded in recent years, with over 30 breweries now operating throughout the region. Each brewery brings its own personality and specialties to the table. Resurgence Brewing Company occupies a former engine factory and offers a spacious beer garden perfect for trying their signature Sponge Candy Stout.
Community Beer Works champions small-batch brewing with creative seasonal offerings in a neighborhood setting. If time is tight, head to Thin Man Brewery on Elmwood Avenue, where you can sample a flight of their award-winning IPAs while people-watching from the second-floor balcony.
Buffalo’s brewers often incorporate local ingredients and city history into their creations, giving you a literal taste of the region.
16. Walk Delaware Park Trails
Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed New York’s Central Park, considered Delaware Park his Buffalo masterpiece. This 350-acre green space offers a peaceful retreat from city life with meadows, forests, and a serene lake at its center.
The park’s ring road provides a perfect 1.8-mile walking loop with views of the Buffalo History Museum and Albright-Knox Gallery along the way. Shakespeare Hill hosts free outdoor performances during summer months, continuing a tradition started in 1897. Bird watchers should bring binoculars – the park’s diverse habitats attract numerous species.
The Japanese Garden near the golf course offers a tranquil spot for reflection. Even a quick 30-minute stroll through this historic park will refresh your spirit and connect you to Buffalo’s green heritage.
17. Catch a Sabres Game
Hockey runs deep in Buffalo’s blood, and catching a Sabres game at KeyBank Center delivers an authentic slice of local culture. Even if you’re not a huge hockey fan, the electric atmosphere is contagious as passionate fans cheer on their beloved team. The arena sits downtown along the waterfront, making it easily accessible.
Before the game, join the pre-game festivities at nearby bars where fans gather in their blue and gold jerseys. Listen for the famous “Shout” song that erupts after goals – a tradition shared with the Buffalo Bills.
If you’re lucky enough to see a game against rival teams like Toronto or Boston, you’ll witness Buffalo fandom at its most intense. The experience captures the city’s gritty spirit and deep love for its teams.