In the city · Main Street · ~7 min from downtown
Anchor Bar
Dinner · About 2 hours$$$$
Where the Buffalo wing was born, by most accounts. Go once for the story and the photo.
Dinner (21)
In the city · Allentown · ~6 min from downtown
Beacon Grille
Dinner · About 2 hours$$$$
Barbecue-forward menu with globe-trotting specials on Allen Street.
In the city · Old First Ward · ~9 min from downtown
Buffalo Deep Dish
Dinner · About 2 hours$$$$
Detroit, Chicago and tavern-style pies. Go early. They sell out.
In the city · Seneca Street · ~6 min from downtown
Chef's
Dinner · About 2 hours$$$$
Red-sauce institution near KeyBank Center. Wearing the bib for spaghetti parm is a rite of passage.
In the city · Elmwood Village · ~13 min from downtown
Cole's
Dinner · About 2 hours$$$$
Dark wood, burgers and a deep beer list a block from Delaware Park. An Elmwood institution.
In the city · Allentown · ~6 min from downtown
Fat Bob's Smokehouse
Dinner · About 2 hours$$$$
Barbecue and a long beer list in a laid-back Allentown smokehouse.
In the city · Allentown · ~6 min from downtown
Gabriel's Gate
Dinner · About 2 hours$$$$
Log-cabin tavern in Allentown with some of the most-recommended wings in the city.
In the city · Elmwood Village · ~13 min from downtown
Jack Rabbit
Dinner · An evening$$$$
Funky, music-filled Elmwood spot with comfort food, a patio, and a good weekend brunch.
In the city · West Side · ~9 min from downtown
La Nova
Dinner · About 2 hours$$$$
West Side pizza-and-wings institution. Casual, fast, and very Buffalo.
In the city · University Heights · ~12 min from downtown
Lou Lou
Dinner · An evening$$$$
Mediterranean newcomer on Main Street in University Heights.
In the city · Elmwood Village · ~12 min from downtown
Mira
Dinner · An evening$$$$
Mediterranean plates built for sharing on Elmwood. Order a spread and split everything.
In the city · Downtown · ~4 min from downtown
Old City Pizza
Dinner · About 2 hours$$$$
Neapolitan pies and handmade pasta on Pearl Street, new in 2026.
In the city · West Side · ~9 min from downtown
Southern Junction
Dinner · About 2 hours$$$$
Texas-style barbecue on Connecticut Street with a big patio for warm nights.
In the city · Black Rock · ~15 min from downtown
The Dapper Goose
Dinner · An evening$$$$
Chef-driven seasonal menu and a serious cocktail list. One of the most-recommended date-night tables in the city.
Inner ring · Amherst · ~18 min from downtown
Duff's Famous Wings
Dinner · About 2 hours$$$$
Wing-war contender on Sheridan. The menu warns that medium-hot is very hot. Believe it.
Inner ring · Tonawanda · ~16 min from downtown
Emperor Dumplings
Dinner · About 2 hours$$$$
Dim sum spot that local critics single out for its roast duck.
Inner ring · Williamsville · ~23 min from downtown
Share Kitchen & Bar Room
Dinner · An evening$$$$
Upscale shared plates in a polished room on Main Street.
Short drive · East Aurora · ~32 min from downtown
Bar-Bill Tavern
Dinner · About 2 hours$$$$
Wing lovers' pilgrimage. Wings and beef on weck in a small, always-packed tavern.
Short drive · East Aurora · ~32 min from downtown
Pizza Florian
Dinner · About 2 hours$$$$
Artisan pizza and wine in the village.
Road trip · Olcott · ~51 min from downtown
Olcott Lobster Co.
Dinner · About 2 hours$$$$
Lobster rolls by Lake Ontario. Walk the pier at sunset after.
Road trip · Crystal Beach, ON · ~35 min from downtown
Rizzo's House of Parm
Dinner · An evening$$$$
Homemade Italian in a small Crystal Beach restaurant. Reservations strongly recommended.
Drinks (15)
In the city · Downtown · ~5 min from downtown
Big Ditch Brewing
Drinks · About 2 hours$$$$
Two-level taproom downtown pouring Hayburner, with shuffleboard and darts upstairs.
In the city · Old First Ward · ~10 min from downtown
duende at Silo City
Drinks · An evening$$$$
Bar built from salvaged silo materials, ringed by grain elevators. Live music most weeks. Sunset is the move.
In the city · West Side · ~12 min from downtown
Indigo Chapel
Drinks · An evening$$$$
A former church on Lafayette turned tarot-themed cocktail bar, covered in psychedelic murals.
In the city · Allentown · ~6 min from downtown
Labyrinth Workshop
Drinks · About 2 hours$$$$
Reservation-only pre-dinner tasting with themed cocktails, light bites and interactive moments.
In the city · Downtown · ~4 min from downtown
Lucky Day Whiskey Bar
Drinks · About 2 hours$$$$
Vintage-feel whiskey bar on Washington Street with craft cocktails and plates to share.
In the city · Old First Ward · ~7 min from downtown
Old First Ward Brewing
Drinks · About 2 hours$$$$
Neighborhood brewery in Buffalo's historic Irish First Ward.
In the city · Old First Ward · ~7 min from downtown
Resurgence Brewing
Drinks · About 2 hours$$$$
Big taproom and patio in the Old First Ward with wood-fired pizza and events.
In the city · Black Rock · ~15 min from downtown
Thin Man Brewery
Drinks · About 2 hours$$$$
IPA-heavy taproom with a patio on Chandler Street.
Inner ring · Williamsville · ~20 min from downtown
Buffalo Brewpub
Drinks · About 2 hours$$$$
New York State's oldest brewpub, pouring house ales on Main Street since 1986.
Short drive · East Aurora · ~32 min from downtown
42 North Brewing
Drinks · About 2 hours$$$$
East Aurora brewery with a big beer garden for warm nights.
Short drive · Lockport · ~36 min from downtown
Big Ditch Lockport
Drinks · About 2 hours$$$$
Big Ditch's taproom and restaurant in Lockport's restored historic post office.
Short drive · Hamburg · ~24 min from downtown
Hamburg Brewing
Drinks · About 2 hours$$$$
Big taproom and patio from the brewers of Cabin Fever stout, who now own Flying Bison.
Short drive · Orchard Park · ~23 min from downtown
Wayland Brewing
Drinks · About 2 hours$$$$
Brewery from the Grange Group with design-magazine interiors in Orchard Park.
Road trip · Ellicottville · ~68 min from downtown
Ellicottville Brewing Co.
Drinks · About 2 hours$$$$
Brewpub on Monroe Street and the default après-ski stop.
Road trip · Burt · ~50 min from downtown
Schulze Vineyards & Winery
Drinks · About 2 hours$$$$
Niagara Wine Trail stop with tastings, cider and a patio.
Shows & music (13)
In the city · Sahlen Field · ~4 min from downtown
Bisons game
Shows & music · An evening$$$$
Triple-A baseball downtown. Cheap seats, fireworks nights, and plenty of time to talk.
In the city · Cobblestone District · ~6 min from downtown
Buffalo Iron Works
Shows & music · An evening$$$$
Live-music venue and big bar near KeyBank Center.
In the city · Michigan Ave · ~6 min from downtown
Colored Musicians Club
Shows & music · An evening$$$$
Historic jazz club and museum dating to 1917. Catch a jam session upstairs.
In the city · Downtown · ~4 min from downtown
Helium Comedy Club
Shows & music · An evening$$$$
Touring headliners in a small room. Laughing together is the closest thing to a first-date cheat code.
In the city · KeyBank Center · ~6 min from downtown
Sabres game
Shows & music · An evening$$$$
Hockey at KeyBank Center, then walk over to Canalside or the Cobblestone District.
In the city · Delaware Park · ~14 min from downtown
Shakespeare in Delaware Park
Shows & music · An eveningFree
Free outdoor Shakespeare all summer. Bring a blanket and a picnic, and arrive early for a good spot on the hill.
In the city · Theatre District · ~5 min from downtown
Shea's Buffalo Theatre
Shows & music · An evening$$$$
1926 movie palace hosting Broadway tours. Get there early and look up at the ceiling.
In the city · Black Rock · ~15 min from downtown
Sportsmen's Tavern
Shows & music · An evening$$$$
Country, Americana and blues almost every night in a no-frills roadhouse.
In the city · Main Street · ~6 min from downtown
Town Ballroom
Shows & music · An evening$$$$
Mid-size concert hall on Main. Check the calendar and buy early.
Short drive · Lewiston · ~34 min from downtown
Artpark
Shows & music · An evening$$$$
Summer concerts on the lawn above the Niagara Gorge.
Short drive · Orchard Park · ~20 min from downtown
Bills game
Shows & music · Half a day$$$$
Tailgate, then watch the Bills. Dress in layers. Then more layers.
Short drive · North Tonawanda · ~23 min from downtown
Riviera Theatre
Shows & music · An evening$$$$
1926 theatre with a Mighty Wurlitzer organ, hosting concerts, films and shows.
Short drive · Lockport · ~32 min from downtown
Transit Drive-In
Shows & music · An evening$$$$
Double features on five screens from your own front seat. Open roughly April to November.
Activities (9)
In the city · Waterfront · ~5 min from downtown
Buffalo CycleBoats
Activities · About 2 hours$$$$
Pedal-powered pontoon cruise around the harbor. Best with another couple or two.
In the city · Ganson Street · ~8 min from downtown
Buffalo RiverWorks
Activities · An evening$$$$
Silos painted like a six-pack, with a brewery, a rink, climbing and river views in one place.
In the city · Downtown · ~4 min from downtown
Hatchets & Hops
Activities · About 2 hours$$$$
Instructor-led axe throwing on Main Street, with a second spot in Black Rock. Bring your competitive side.
In the city · Parkside · ~13 min from downtown
Lock & Key Escape Room
Activities · About 2 hours$$$$
Themed escape rooms near Delaware Park. Find out how well you two communicate under pressure.
In the city · Downtown · ~4 min from downtown
Spare Lanes
Activities · About 2 hours$$$$
Boutique bowling inside the Aloft at 500 Pearl. Pairs well with the rooftop upstairs in summer.
Inner ring · Cheektowaga · ~14 min from downtown
5 Wits
Activities · About 2 hours$$$$
Live-action adventure rooms with puzzles and theatrical sets at the Galleria.
Short drive · Niagara Falls · ~28 min from downtown
Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino
Activities · An evening$$$$
Casino floor, shows and late-night dining a few blocks from the falls.
Road trip · Ellicottville · ~70 min from downtown
Holiday Valley
Activities · All day$$$$
WNY's biggest ski resort, plus a tube park for the non-skiers.
Road trip · Glenwood · ~37 min from downtown
Kissing Bridge
Activities · An evening$$$$
The closest real skiing to Buffalo, with night skiing under the lights.
Arts & culture (6)
In the city · Allentown · ~6 min from downtown
Allentown First Fridays
Arts & culture · An eveningFree
Galleries stay open late on the first Friday of each month. Wander and gallery-hop.
In the city · East Side · ~11 min from downtown
Buffalo Museum of Science
Arts & culture · About 2 hours$$$$
Hands-on exhibits for grown-up kids. Check the calendar for after-hours events.
In the city · Downtown · ~3 min from downtown
Explore Buffalo tours
Arts & culture · About 2 hours$$$$
Architecture tours on foot, by bike and by kayak. Buffalo is an architecture town, and these prove it.
In the city · Canalside · ~5 min from downtown
Naval & Military Park
Arts & culture · About 2 hours$$$$
Climb through a destroyer, a cruiser and a submarine on the waterfront.
In the city · Old First Ward · ~9 min from downtown
Silo City
Arts & culture · About 2 hours$$$$
Rewilded grain-elevator campus with art, events and guided tours. Finish with drinks at duende.
Road trip · Youngstown · ~44 min from downtown
Old Fort Niagara
Arts & culture · About 2 hours$$$$
18th-century fort where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario. Stay for the lake view.
Outdoors (6)
In the city · Canalside · ~5 min from downtown
BFLO Harbor Kayak
Outdoors · Half a day$$$$
Paddle the Buffalo River past the grain elevators. Book a sunset tour.
In the city · Canalside · ~5 min from downtown
Buffalo Boat Tours
Outdoors · About 2 hours$$$$
Harbor and Niagara River cruises from Canalside. Look for sunset and concert sailings.
Inner ring · Tonawanda · ~20 min from downtown
Ellicott Creek Park
Outdoors · About 2 hoursFree
Island picnic spots and paths along the creek. Pack sandwiches.
Short drive · Niagara Falls · ~28 min from downtown
Cave of the Winds
Outdoors · About 2 hours$$$$
Ponchos on. Wooden decks lead right to the base of Bridal Veil Falls.
Short drive · Orchard Park · ~28 min from downtown
Chestnut Ridge Park
Outdoors · Half a dayFree
Legendary sledding hill with a skyline view, plus the trail to Eternal Flame Falls.
Road trip · Ashford Hollow · ~58 min from downtown
Griffis Sculpture Park
Outdoors · Half a day$$$$
Giant metal sculptures scattered across 400-plus acres of woods and meadows.
Seasonal (6)
In the city · Canalside · ~5 min from downtown
Ice at Canalside
Seasonal · About 2 hours$$$$
Skate the replica canal, or try ice bikes, ice bumper cars and curling lanes. Rentable igloos seat up to eight.
In the city · Larkinville · ~8 min from downtown
Larkin Square
Seasonal · An evening$$$$
Food Truck Tuesdays and live music on the square all summer.
In the city · Downtown · ~6 min from downtown
The Yard at Perry
Seasonal · An evening$$$$
Open-air summer night market downtown, Wednesday through Sunday.
Short drive · Hamburg · ~25 min from downtown
Erie County Fair
Seasonal · Half a day$$$$
Every August: midway rides, fair food and grandstand concerts.
Short drive · Clarence · ~28 min from downtown
Great Pumpkin Farm
Seasonal · Half a day$$$$
Fall festival with pumpkins, a corn maze and plenty of photo ops.
Road trip · Gasport · ~43 min from downtown
Becker Farms & Vizcarra Vineyards
Seasonal · Half a day$$$$
Pick-your-own fruit, cider, wine and a brewery on a farm the same family has worked since 1894.
Getaways (2)
Road trip · Westfield · ~82 min from downtown
Lake Erie Wine Country
Getaways · All day$$$$
The Concord grape belt along Route 20, with tasting rooms every few miles. Pick a designated driver.
Road trip · Lily Dale · ~68 min from downtown
Lily Dale
Getaways · Half a day$$$$
Spiritualist community with summer readings and lakeside strolls. Bring an open mind.
Make it a whole night
Stack dinner, something to do and dessert. The planner estimates drive time, timing and cost for two, and adds it all to your calendar.
More occasions
By town & neighborhood
- Buffalo
- Elmwood Village & Delaware Park
- Allentown
- Downtown & Canalside
- Hertel & North Buffalo
- Old First Ward, Larkinville & South Buffalo
- West Side & Black Rock
- Amherst, Williamsville & Northtowns
- Hamburg, Orchard Park & Southtowns
- East Aurora
- Grand Island & the Tonawandas
- Niagara Falls & Lewiston
- Lockport & Niagara wine country
- Ellicottville & ski country
- Letchworth, Chautauqua & beyond
- Across the border