Irish Dave has written to Buffalo Rising asking to solve a dilemma:
Question: I’m seeking advice. I grew up in Amherst and never really ventured into the city proper much. Now I live in Ireland (where my wife is from). We’re coming to visit family this July for ten days with our 2 kids and I want to know where to bring my wife around the city to show her how cool and awesome things are in Buffalo now. But where do I start? She saw Williamsville a few times but wasn’t that impressed with the burbs. I took her to Elmwood once, but being used to Dublin, it didn’t knock her socks off either. So if I really want to ‘wow’ her with the area and plant the idea in her head that moving to Buffalo might be a good idea, where should I take her? What should I show her?
Answer: Start with a Wednesday Larkinville concert. It’s a fantastic setting that mixes a lot of new Buffalo with old Buffalo.
You should take the entire family on a walk to Tifft (lead photo) and Times Beach Nature Preserves. On a Friday evening you might want to take her to Allentown, especially if you can catch the tail end of the Infringement Festival – stop by the back patio of La Tee Da. On Saturday be sure to check out the Saturday Artisan Market at the Inner Harbor and take a water taxi ride to Wilkeson Point to see the wind sculptures. On Sunday take the family to the back steps of the Albright-Knox for a jazz concert.
I would also try Elmwood again on a Saturday because a bunch of new shops/restaurants have opened, and the Peddler Flea Market is back (corner of West Ferry), as is the farmers market (at Bidwell).
Take her to Martin Cooks for brunch on Saturday (in the Horsefeathers Building), where there are a number of other food purveyors on hand. Hopefully there will be even more food sellers too, as there is a push to create a market vibe on the outside of the building starting May 10. Europa should also be well underway in its new location on Connecticut Street.
Look for an event at Silo City while you’re in town – whether it be a poetry reading or a kayak tour. You can rent kayaks at the Inner Harbor and paddle to Riverfest Park and Mutual Riverfront Park – once you arrive to Mutual Riverfront Park, take a walk down the street and have lunch at McCarthy’s. Their new micro-brewery is right next-door (inset photo).
Take the kids to see the new skate plaza at LaSalle Park (above inset photo), and while you’re there be sure to get a tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright rowing boathouse – if you’re in luck there might be a regatta underway.
Take a breather and head over to Woodlawn Beach (just past city limits) and bring some beach towels or sit at the tiki bar.
Take the kids for breakfast/lunch at Betty’s, dinner at at Dinosaur BBQ, and then escape for a nightcap at Tappo. Take a tour of the Richardson-Olmsted Complex and catch a movie at the “new” North Park Park Theater on Hertel.
Depending on what’s open by July, add a couple of micro breweries to your list, including Community Beer Works on the West Side. A few blocks over is the new BreadHive Bakery and the staple Sweet_ness 7 Café. The West Side Bazaar is also in the neighborhood.
Grab some bikes, cross the Peace Bridge and take the rails to trails along the lake – opposite direction from The Falls. You can park your car at Front Park and be in Canada in five minutes. It’s an incredible trek that will take you to hidden beaches, through woodland, quaint communities, and if you go far enough you can grab something to eat in Ridgeway.
Look for a couple of new bed and breakfasts to be opening soon – but in the meantime try the Honu House (Elmwood Village Inn). It’s located in the heart of the Garden Walk, which is an absolute must event in July.
That’s my plan A, whirlwind laundry list tour. When you’re done with that I’ll put together a Plan B tour for your next visit.