Guided Tour—Buffalo, New York

Lake Erie’s revitalized gem

July 2017 Feature

Buffalo is a city on the shores of Lake Erie in upstate New York. Its fine neoclassical, beaux arts and art deco architecture speaks to its history as an industrial capital in the early 20th century. Its landmarks include the 398-foot art deco City Hall, the Frank Lloyd Wright–designed Darwin D. Martin House and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, a Greek revival museum with works by Picasso and Warhol.

Food

Chicken wings have long grabbed the national and international spotlight as Buffalo’s signature regional food, but locals here have long known that wings are only the beginning of Buffalo’s distinct culinary offerings. In fact, last year food writer Michael Stern from the [New York Times] said he considered Buffalo without a doubt to be “one of the great eating cities.”

Plus several years ago, the Buffalo Niagara region had just a handful of breweries and now there are nearly two dozen.

Waterfront

That boom and the role breweries are playing in Buffalo’s revitalization have weaved all aspects of Buffalo’s renaissance—its waterfront, architecture, neighborhoods breweries, and restaurants—into a single feature.

Buffalo has experienced nearly $300 million in new waterfront development in recent years, and that transformation is earning recognition across North America.

The Chicago Tribune reported, “The vibrant energy here is palpable. The waterfront is once again brimming with activity, but unlike in the canal days, the focus is on new hotels and restaurants, sporting activities, river cruises and entertainment.”

Buffalo Harbor

Days seem longer and sunsets more colorful at Buffalo Harbor according to those who dock and partake in the good life most often. From the impromptu parties and festivities to the fun and relaxed community atmosphere, the Safe Harbor Marina at Buffalo Harbor State Park has plenty to offer. You can take the family out for a day of water sports or sailing, find your favorite fishing hole, or just go for a leisure cruise and tie-up with family and friends.

Home to over 1,000 slips, a first-class restaurant, bait shop and storage facilities, Safe Harbor Marina welcomes all boaters and non-boaters alike. Water is magic and the marina welcomes everyone to experience the magic Lake Erie has to offer.

Also, Safe Harbor Marina partnered with Olson Brothers Marine to offer customers a full range of service offerings, as well as access to an extensive inventory of new and used boats for sale in the area.

Skyline View

Buffalo First River Marina is another full-service marina and it is located on the Buffalo River, the gateway to the Buffalo China Lighthouse. The marina's views of the Buffalo Skyline, the historic wharf and the Buffalo Naval and Serviceman's Park are second to none. Docks slips, marine service, storage and transient dockage are examples of what you can find at Buffalo First River Marina.

Buffalo Yacht Club

The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 spurred the growth of Buffalo and the concomitant influx of yachtsmen from the East Coast nurtured the formation of the Buffalo Yacht Club. Early in August 1859 a small group initiated the club and on August 10, 1860, adopted a constitution and by-laws naming John S. Newkirk as the first commodore. Today they have a proud heritage as perhaps the third-oldest yacht club in continuous operation in the United States.
The club began with about a dozen men who paid an initiation fee of $3 and annual dues of $2. There are now over 600 members in all categories. The rolls over the years have listed many illustrious Buffalonians including President Grover Cleveland. Although the number and types of boats in the club’s fleet in 1860 is unknown, the current fleet is comprised of over 300 vessels of all descriptions.