Buffalo has long flown under the radar—but it wasn’t always that way. Frederick Law Olmsted—the mastermind behind other famous New York green areas like Manhattan’s Central Park and upstate’s Niagara Falls—designed the country’s first and oldest park system here, in Buffalo, in the mid-to-late 1800s (850 acres of which are still intact today). Then, at the turn of the 20th century, Buffalo was among the most prosperous and populous ports in the nation. Not only did it have a strategic trade position on the Canadian border, it was also a stronghold for the manufacturing and shipping industries. Although it may feel like Buffalo has been dormant for decades, this Rust Belt city is in the midst of a resurgence thanks to its beautifully restored architecture, burgeoning culinary scene, and new art compounds. Below, we’ve compiled seven surprising attractions that design lovers visiting the city shouldn’t miss.
Martin House and Graycliff
Frank Lloyd Wright has iconic estates all across America, namely in Scottsdale and outside Chicago. Yet he built a handful of properties in Buffalo as well. Two of which—Martin House and Graycliff—are both fresh off a decades-long restoration and back open to the public starting last summer. The eight-bedroom Martin House is a classic example of Wright’s prairie-style architecture. A $52 million renovation in 2017 returned it to its turn-of-the-century glory, even down to the original landscape plans, stained-glass windows, and custom-designed furniture. The Martin family also owned the Graycliff summer house, whose sprawling terraces overlook the shores of Lake Erie.
Silo City
The local arts community has breathed new life into this former industrial mecca. A cluster of abandoned grain silos have been transformed into Silo City, a riverside space for live music, immersive theater, poetry readings, food festivals, nightly illumination art shows, and more. Visitors can see it from the water on a guided kayak history tour or from the sky on one of the zip lines that canopy overhead.
Hotel Henry
This striking hotel can be found in one of the most unlikely places: a 19th-century psychiatric hospital on the Richardson Olmsted Campus. Set on 42 acres in the heart of the city’s museum district, the 88-room building hosts pop-up galleries and special exhibits, which you can see on its curated public art tour. Hotel Henry marks the first phase of the landmark complex’s redevelopment; coming soon is the neighboring Lipsey Architecture Center.
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Las Puertas
While this city is known for creating the Buffalo Chicken Wing, there are a bevy of new and exciting culinary ventures that are making waves. Much of that is due to Las Puertas, an upscale Mexican restaurant that’s helped pioneer Buffalo’s growing restaurant scene. James Beard semifinalist Victor Parra Gonzalez heads the kitchen with a tasting menu that showcases a fusion of French techniques and regional Mexican cuisine. Inventive dishes include pasta de hojaldre with fermented chile ancho and pickled mushrooms as well as crab with avocado mousse, spicy pickles, and seaweed-infused olive oil.
Albright-Knox Northland
The Albright-Knox Art Gallery has always been a hidden treasure—and now there’s even more to see thanks to its new Northland campus, debuting in January 2020. Tucked in a warehouse on the East Side, the facility will feature temporary exhibits while the main gallery undergoes a $150 million expansion to be completed in 2022. The inaugural installation, Open House: Domestic Thresholds (January 17–April 12), includes paintings and interactive sculptures by Heather Hart, Edra Soto, and Rodney Taylor.
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Elmwood Village
Consider Elmwood Village the Brooklyn of Buffalo. Just north of downtown, the tree-lined enclave is home to a cluster of boutiques, coffee shops, and studios. Ró is a favorite for Scandinavian homeware, textiles, and art. Fashionistas, meanwhile, will want to make a beeline for Half & Half, a women-run atelier with feminine accessories and outfits, or Anna Grace for trendy threads and fragrances.
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Waxlight Bar a Vin
A highly anticipated French bistro concept, Waxlight Bar a Vin, has just opened. The chic eatery is run by a team of five partners who double as the main employees: two chefs, a sommelier, beer guru, and cocktail expert. Guests can expect comforting yet creative shareable plates, such as a threefold omelette with Burgundian truffles and osetra caviar.
