Buffalo brings together Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture with experiences on Lake Erie and at the Buffalo Waterfront. The city also has a historic park and parkway system, along with a variety of ways to explore the waterfront. You can tailor your time in Buffalo to the interests that will shape your stay.

Architecture and History

Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Martin House in Buffalo between 1903 and 1905 as a city residence for businessman Darwin D. Martin and his family. It is a National Historic Landmark. Its design and the story of its creation give the house a distinct architectural focus.

The 75-minute, docent-led Martin House Tour introduces visitors to Frank Lloyd Wright’s innovative design concepts. The tour focuses not only on the building but also on the ideas behind its design. Its stated duration makes it easy to fit this stop into your schedule.

The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site offers a different historical focus, with tours of the Ansley Wilcox House. Those interested in Buffalo from more than one perspective can compare this tour with the architectural experience at the Martin House. These are separate subjects and visitor experiences, not a combined tour.

Lake Erie and the Buffalo Waterfront

Buffalo Harbor State Park offers views of Lake Erie. It also has a pier and a waterfront promenade for walking and sunbathing. A boat launch adds another way to enjoy the water. The park offers the choice of spending time by the shore or getting out on the water by boat.

Kayaks can be rented at Canalside. Canalside also offers guided tours of the Buffalo Waterfront. Ways to explore the waterfront include guided walking and boat tours, as well as self-guided options. These are different ways to visit: you can join a guided tour or choose a self-guided option; kayak rentals are a separate activity.

Several miles of paved trails connect Canalside with the Outer Harbor and extend beyond it. The trails offer another way to explore the waterfront and give cyclists a concrete reference point for planning. Alongside kayak rentals and tours, they provide a choice of riding on paved trails, taking a guided tour, or spending time on the water.

Buffalo’s Park and Parkway System

Buffalo’s green spaces are part of a wider system: the city has a historic park and parkway system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. It adds a distinct perspective on the city’s design to the individual architecture and waterfront experiences. If you want to experience Buffalo beyond a single house or a waterfront activity, you can make this Olmsted-designed system a focus in its own right.

First decide which of these experiences matter most to your stay; this will help you tailor your search for hotels in Buffalo to your travel interests.

Discover more destinations: Getzville, Orchard Park, Hamburg, Lackawanna, Angola, East Aurora, Bowmansville, Clarence Center.

For the broader travel overview: Erie.