Discover the hidden gems, lesser-known stories, and off-the-beaten path locales that make Buffalo and Niagara Falls such an extraordinary place to visit. Revised and updated edition.
In 111 Places in Buffalo That You Must Not Miss, author Brian Hayden reveals the lesser-known stories, off-the-beaten path locales, and hidden gems that make Buffalo and nearby Niagara Falls extraordinary. Journey through the region and explore century-old ethnic clubs, neighborhood taverns with incredible wings, a hiking trail in the shadow of a collapsed power plant, possible buried treasure in the Niagara River and the small town that invented the kazoo.
Find out why Irish Civil War Veterans launched an invasion on Canada from Buffalo, how the manuscript of a Mark Twain masterpiece ended up in a downtown library, and where you can see a “stunter’s row” of daredevils buried together in a Niagara Falls Cemetery. Shop for unique finds in the city’s last “junk shop,” browse for produce grown by recently resettled refugees at an urban farm, and play Buffalo Gay Bingo in an Amvets Hall. Discover the places and people who have called this region home for centuries – and the new arrivals from around the world who have infused New York’s second largest city with new life. Experience the Buffalo and Niagara Falls that even locals might not know about – and come away with a renewed appreciation for this historic and inspiring region.
Adam Mickiewicz Library
Preserving Buffalos proud Polish past | 10
The AKGs Town Square
Discover this museums free side | 12
Aletheas Chocolates
Bite into generations of confectionery traditions | 14
The Ararat Stone
The cornerstone of a Jewish colony that never was | 16
Arts Cafe
A communitys transformation through creativity | 18
The Assassination Boulder
Marking the spot where a president was shot | 20
Assembly House 150
Bringing back the lost trades | 22
Babcias Pierogi
New twists on a Broadway Market favorite | 24
The Bird Island Pier
Buffalos 200-year-old buffer from lake storms | 26
The Brain Museums
Study the bodys most complex organ twice | 28
The Brewster Street Farm
Building community one seed at a time | 30
The Buffalo Lighthouse
A beacon for historic preservation | 32
Buffalo Shopcraft
Where everything is #MadeinBUF | 34
Buffalo Zoo Bison
Where buffalo definitely roam | 36
Buffalos Oldest Tree
Centuries-old sycamore has serious competition | 38
Burnt Ship Creek
Home to sunken ships and buried treasure? | 40
The Canalside Ruins
Explore the remnants of the Infected District | 42
Central Terminal Clock
The secret of the train stations meeting spot | 44
Charles Burchfield Studio
The workspace of an American master | 46
Colored Musicians Club
Where musical legends have jammed | 48
Common Council Chamber
Inspired by ancient civilizations | 50
Concordia Cemetery
The curse of a grieving mother | 52
Connors Hot Dog Stand
Potatoes in the morning, fries by lunchtime | 54
Cross Over the Line Rodeo
Saddle up at Alden Community Church | 56
The Custom Hatter
Buffalos celebrity hatmaker | 58
Delaware Parks Mass Grave
Tragic burial ground hiding in plain sight | 60
Devils Hole State Park
Where Seneca warriors fought for sovereignty | 62
Dnipro Cultural Center
Celebrate Ukraine at this social hall | 64
Doris Records
Where Rick James promised big things | 66
Edens Kazoo Factory
Birthplace of everyones favorite instrument | 68
The Edward M. Cotter
Climb aboard the oldest active fireboat | 70
The Eternal Flame
A natural wonder that really makes you wonder | 72
Explore & More
Playing in Buffalos miniature Erie Canal | 74
F. Scott Fitzgerald Home
A literary giants early creative education | 76
The Fenian Memorial
That time the Irish invaded Canada | 78
The Flight of Five Locks
Experience an engineering marvel for yourself | 80
Founding Fathers Pub
Have a beer with Buffalos quizmaster | 82
The Foundry
A bustling maker space for all | 84
The Freedom Wall
Telling the stories of Civil Rights trailblazers | 86
Gadawskis
A Polish tavern filled with Fighting Irish flair | 88
Gay Bingo
You dont have to be gay to play! | 90
Gentner Commission Market
Be part of a Springville tradition | 92
George & Company
New tricks at an old magic shop | 94
Gondola Macaroni Company
Taste Buffalos rich pasta-making legacy | 96
Hawk Creek Wildlife Center
Close encounters of the wild kind | 98
The Hermits Cascade
Former stomping grounds of a legendary recluse | 100
Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
What goes around comes around | 102
Hibbards Original Custard
Rich frozen treats for generations | 104
Hispanic Heritage District
Taste this neighborhoods rich heritage | 106
Hoyt Lake
Ride on a FLOATmingo or a Buffalo-made rowboat | 108
Humboldt-Hospital Station
Where art elevates the downtrodden | 110
The Iron Island Museum
Spookiest Site in the City | 112
Jimmies Shoe Repair
Meet one of Buffalos last cobblers | 114
Kleinhans Music Hall
Venue built by a love story | 116
Lake Effect Ice Cream
Get the scoop on these extraordinary flavors | 118
Lake Eries Ice Volcanoes
Discover a frozen phenomenon | 120
The Lancaster Opera House
A legacy of excellence for over a century | 122
Liberty Building
Century-old advertisement above downtown Buffalo | 124
Little Summer Street
Where great gardens create great neighborhoods | 126
Love Canal Neighborhood
Forgotten community with a toxic past | 128
The Mark Twain Room
The original manuscript of a literary masterpiece | 130
The Martin House
Art glass windows of an architectural genius | 132
Millers Thumb Bakery
Baked goods that go against the grain | 134
The Monocle
A department store for a new generation | 136
My Cuzin Vintage
Old school sports gear for Buffalos biggest fans | 138
The Nash House
A spiritual leader and pillar of the community | 140
Niagara Aerospace Museum
Rediscover the regions aviation history | 142
Niagara Square
Where Buffalo witnessed its only public execution | 144
The Nine-Eleven Tavern
Wings that are all in the family | 146
Olcott Beach Carousel Park
Bringing back your grandparents summer fun | 148
The Old Chapel
Miraculous merch in a former church | 150
Old Fort Niagara
Retracing the steps of a war heroine | 152
Our Lady of Seneca Street
Say a prayer at this neighborhood shrine | 154
Our Lady of Victory Basilica
2,500 angels adorn this heavenly church | 156
Penn-Dixie Fossil Reserve
Ancient fossil treasures at your fingertips | 158
The Pothole Bandits Potholes
Transforming ruts into works of art | 160
Prophet Isaiahs House
The colorful story behind this elaborate home | 162
The Riviera Theatre
How they saved the Mighty Wurlitzer | 164
Rohr Hill Road
Otherworldly sculptures in the countryside | 166
Roosevelt Inaugural Site
Where Teddy Roosevelt took the presidential oath | 168
The Royalton Ravine
Stomping grounds of an American trailblazer | 170
The Roycroft Inn
An Arts-and-Crafts masterpiece welcomes you | 172
Schoellkopf Power Plant
Collapsed ruins in the Niagara Gorge | 174
Schwabls
Buffalos capital for beef on weck | 176
The Science Museum
Rare elephant bird egg lost and then found | 178
Seneca Indian Park
Tread gently on this Indigenous burial ground | 180
Seneca One Tower
Now you know what that yummy smell is | 182
Sheas Buffalo Theatre
Restoring greatness through dedication | 184
Silo City
Buffalos iconic structures reimagined | 186
Sloans Antiques
Step inside Buffalos last junk shop | 188
Spare Lanes
An old bowling alley gets a new lease on life | 190
Sportsmens Tavern
Buffalos honkiest, tonkiest music venue | 192
Stitch Buffalo
Creating opportunities for Buffalos new arrivals | 194
St. Casimir Church
A future pope slept here | 196
Stunters Row
Daredevils rest in peace at Oakwood Cemetery | 198
The Swan Street Diner
Flap jacks with a side-order of nostalgia | 200
The Tara Gift Shoppe
One-stop shop for all things Irish | 202
Thomas Pafk Design
Fine woodworking in the Roycroft tradition | 204
Tifft Nature Preserve
A natural oasis in the heart of the city | 206
UBs Special Collections
James Joyces home away from home | 208
Underground Railroad Museum
Retrace the harrowing journeys of freedom seekers | 210
Undergrounds Coffeehouse
A funeral home turned café | 212
The Van Horn Mansion
A centuries-old home full of spirits | 214
Vidlers 5 & 10
A nostalgic five-and-dime for modern times | 216
Violas Submarine Shop
Niagara Falls signature sandwich | 218
The West Side Bazaar
Feast on flavors from around the world | 220
Whitworth Planetarium
Cutting-edge center for stargazing | 222
The Winery at Marjim Manor
Sipping with the spirits | 224
Winter Cave of the Winds
Frozen fun at the falls | 226
WNYs Book Arts Center
Keeping the art of letterpress alive | 228
Wrights Gas Station
A long-shelved design stunningly comes to life | 230
Brian Hayden is a lifelong Buffalonian with a passion for travel and storytelling. His background in journalism, history, and destination marketing including roles at Visit Buffalo Niagara and The Buffalo History Museum have given him a rich perspective on all that Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Western New York have to offer. Jesse Pitzler started his journey as a photographer and cinematographer in Seattle after separating from the Marine Corps. He moved to Austin in 2017 to finish his education, and he completed his first book 111 Places in Austin That You Must Not Miss. He has travelled across the United States, creating beautiful visuals for various mediums. Now living near Buffalo, Jesse is continuing to share his perspective in Western New York, one photo at a time, and he has completed his second book 111 Places in Buffalo That You Must Not Miss.
