The insiders guide to Buffalo with Mr. Buff.

 

Mr Buff says: Don’t be fooled by people who tell you there is nothing to see in Buffalo!

Why stay in Buffalo a few days?

1. It’s very inexpensive
2. There’s a lot to see
3. The people are among the friendliest in New York
4. The Hostel (voted the best in North America in 2005) has the friendliest, most helpful staff and, in the Hostel itself, there is a lot to do for free.

Don’t make the classic mistake of assuming the only thing to see around Buffalo is Niagara Falls and book for one night. Not only will you miss one of the most important cities on the East Coast, you will miss out on meeting some really friendly people, both (locals and visitors) and some great shopping, clubbing and dining experiences. Additionally, can do it all for a lot less money than in other cities like Chicago, NYC and Boston.

If you take at least two nights, you can plan for one full day at the Falls, and one day for the Art Museum and other local attractions. You can also take in The Anchor Bar (where Buffalo wings were invented) and the charming bars, restaurants and shops of Allentown, Elmwood Village and the Chippewa party district. Three days in Buffalo will also allow you to meander around the Erie Canal Zone, visit the Pearl Street Tavern with its warm and cozy atmosphere and huge 2 story facility right near the HSBC Arena (where you can take in a hockey game or see a live concert). Buffalo has a lot to offer for a lot less money, if you take a few minutes to discover its treasures.

Also, if you are from another country and haven’t met any Americans yet, Buffalo is the place to do it. Buffalonians are known for their friendliness and charity. Just go to the Anchor Bar on a Friday or Saturday night or Bottom’s Up or the Spot coffee shop and strike up a conversation with someone sitting near you. You will find that, unlike NYC where people tend to keep to themselves, Buffalonians are New Yorkers that are a hard-working, sports-loving lot who are proud of their city and who love a good chat and a good joke with someone they’ve just met.

 

Beautiful neighborhoods

The Allentown Historic District is one of the largest areas of preserved houses and buildings in the USA. If you want to get the REAL feel of life in the USA, bring your camer and take a walk down its tree-lined streets with its quaint houses (each with its own distinct charm). You would think you were in the USA 75 to 100 years ago. If you happen to come in the wintertime, this area in snow is one of the most picturesque neighborhoods anywhere in the States.

 

Pumping nightlife

The Chippewa area, only four blocks from the Hostel, is the liveliest area in Buffalo for clubbing, bar hopping and general staying out all night and meeting new people. Unlike other cities that close at 2am, Buffalo is just getting started at that hour and goes till 4am, with more people spilling out into the streets after that. So just like in Spain, where people take a siesta in order to have plenty of energy to stay out late, plan to show up at these places around 10pm tp midnight and be rested enough to stay out until 2-4am. If you are under 21, this is one of your few chances to party with your older friends until late. Pure Nightclub is 18+ and has a capacity of 1000+ and the most modern sound and lighting system and a huge two-level dance floor.

 

Check out the quaint bars and restaurants

If the wild club scene isn’t your cup of tea, all along Allen St. you will find a slew of quaint bars and restaurants that cater to a mellower crowd. At the far end of Allen St., bars like Nietzsche’s, Hardware and many others appeal to people looking for quieter conversation and a good pour. On Elmwood Ave., you have coffee shops like the Spot and assorted bars and eateries that cater to a more upscale cosmopolitan following and show you a trendier side of Buffalo than the venues nearer to the Hostel.

 

Save big

Remember, Buffalo was one of the biggest, richest cities in the USA 50-100 years ago, so there are a lot of things to see and do if you take a minute to find out about them. However, unlike N.Y.C. and Chicago, that are overflowing with crowds and cost a lot of money to visit, Buffalo’s is a very inexpensive and slower-paced option if you want to see beautiful building and houses, eat great food and actually meet some real Americans. In Buffalo, you have an opportunity to meet New Yorkers who are friendlier and more open to visitors than those in the Big Apple. What’s more, the cost of going out, eating and drinking are a fraction of those in NYC. 

 

Discover the city’s hidden treasures with the help of the staff

Because the city is so spread out, many assume that, because the Theater District immediately near the hostel is quiet, that the city is boring. Nothing could be further from the truth. Take a few minutes to talk to the Hostel staff and ask for info on what there is to see and do according to your tastes and the day of the week you are here. If you can, plan to come to Buffalo on a Friday or Saturday and go out to the Chippewa area or any other part to meet Buffalonians and sample the unique ambience that Buffalo has to offer. If you aren’t driving, the public transport system gets you to all the attractions and, for just $4 for an all day pass, you can see a lot for very little. Besides, the train stops right in front of the Hostel. So what are you waiting for, come explore Buffalo and get a true taste of America and New York!