Delaware Park is a prized community asset that is a significant part of Buffalo’s Olmsted Parks System. The 350-acre park, which resembles New York City’s Central Park, combines Buffalo’s cultural district and recreational offerings along a two-mile-long path that meanders around lakes, gardens, and meadows. On busy days, finding a parking spot near your desired destination can be challenging, so consider looking for a place near Meadow Drive, which encircles the recreation fields near the Buffalo Zoo. Alternatively, parking is available along Lincoln Parkway and Rumsey Street near Hoyt Lake. The Buffalo AKG Art Museum has a parking lot for patrons. The Buffalo History Museum offers parking for those interested in starting their visit at the gallery, Japanese Gardens, or Mirror Lake.
You may also enjoy our guide to exploring the Queen City at Buffalo’s waterfront, including Canalside and Outer Harbor.
Plan Your Day Trip to Buffalo
Breakfast
Consider stopping at Break’n Eggs Crêperie or The Original Pancake House in Williamsville for a tasty meal. Afterward, take a short walk through Glen Park to experience the beauty of a 30-foot waterfall in the village’s heart.
Morning
Embrace the beauty of Forest Lawn Cemetery, including the Blue Sky Mausoleum designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, with a self-guided tour using the cemetery’s app. Forest Lawn is the final resting place for notable figures such as William Pryor Letchworth, Red Jacket, Millard Fillmore, and Rick James. After exploring the cemetery, drive a mile north on Main Street for a 75-minute guided tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House.
Lunch
The Terrace at Delaware Park, overlooking Hoyt Lake, is open for weekend lunches. But if you are visiting on a weekday, take a short drive to Kostas Family Restaurant, Royal Family Restaurant, or Sophia’s Restaurant.
Afternoon
On the park’s west side, spend a few hours exploring the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, with a newly constructed Gundlach Building north of the original 1905 Greek Revival Albright Art Gallery and the 1962 Knox expansion. Marvel at the contrast in architectural styles and over 70,000 world-class modern and contemporary art pieces. Or rent a flamingo boat from Buffalo Maritime Center to explore Hoyt Lake. Then, walk or drive to the northwest corner of Delaware Park to visit the Buffalo History Museum and Japanese Garden on Mirror Lake. Be sure to visit during the Cherry Blossom Festival in late April or during the peak fall colors in October.
Dinner
Stay in Buffalo long enough to enjoy dining at Left Bank, Ristorante Lombardo, or Anchor Bar. Or, as you return to Rochester, stop in Clarence at Morluski’s, El Ranchito Mexican, or Bar-Bill Tavern.
Evening
Enjoy a Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra performance at Kleinhans Music Hall, a world-class, mid-century modern architectural masterpiece beside a reflecting pool that mirrors the Mary Seaton Room’s curved façade. The water, drained in the fall and filled in the spring, is dyed black to increase its reflectivity.
Signature Events
Dyngus Day
April
Buffalo transforms into America’s Dyngus Day capital on the Monday following Easter. The Polish American community invites everyone to join in the fun and celebrate the end of Lent, the joy of Easter, and spring’s arrival. Festivities include parades, Polka music, pierogi, and playful pussy willows. Broadway between Memorial Drive and Fillmore Avenue
Cherry Blossom Festival
late May
The Buffalo History Museum and Japanese Garden at Delaware Park host one of the most beautiful spring festivals in Western New York. This event is a perfect way to celebrate spring, featuring stunning cherry blossoms and a picturesque location on Mirror Lake.
Allentown Arts Festival
mid-June
Wander with the crowds along historic Allen Street and enjoy live music, delicious food, and the opportunity to purchase unique pieces from local and regional artisans. This festival is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in Buffalo’s culture and creativity. Allentown Historic Preservation District
Taste of Buffalo
early-July
Recently awarded the top spot in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best City Food Festival, the nation’s largest two-day food festival is downtown along Delaware Avenue. It features more than 40 restaurants and food trucks from Buffalo and Western New York and several wineries. Admission to the festival is free; purchase tickets for tastings.
Garden Walk Buffalo
late July
With over 300 private and public gardens in Buffalo’s Elmwood Village and Parkside neighborhoods on display, Garden Walk Buffalo is the most extensive self-guided garden tour in the United States.
Erie County Fair
mid-August
Established in 1819, the Erie County Agricultural Society organizes the annual 12-day fair in Hamburg, which features the World’s Largest Demolition Derby. The creation of the hamburger can be traced back to the 1885 Erie County Fair.
National Buffalo Wing Festival
Labor Day weekend
At Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, the home of the Buffalo Bills, enjoy this two-day festival celebrating Buffalo’s most famous invention and America’s favorite appetizer. Wingfest features dozens of local, regional, national, and international eateries serving captivating combinations of flavor and heat. You’ll find live music, chicken wing eating competitions, a celebrity sauce competition, bobbing for wings, and the United States Buffalo Wing Eating Championship.
Google Map of Locations
Explore More
From Canalside to Outer Harbor and RiverWorks to Silo City, there are a dozen excellent day trips from Rochester along Buffalo’s waterfront.
From Vidler’s to the Aurora Theatre to the Roycroft Arts & Crafts movement, the early 1900s are alive and well on Main Street in East Aurora.
Visitors travel far and wide to see Niagara Falls State Park, America’s first state park, and we are fortunate to drive there in 90 minutes.
Ranked as one of the “Top Ten Small Towns,” spend a day in Lewiston, with its excellent shops, restaurants, and Niagara River views.
Ellicottville offers the perfect combination of outdoor adventures, boutique shopping, craft beverages, and delicious dining.
These day trips are filled with carefully chosen options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as memorable experiences and events.
24 Hidden Places Around Rochester
From secret gardens to enchanting waterfalls, exploring hidden places around the Rochester area is the ultimate way to add some spice to your travel experiences.
🍦The Best Ice Cream Shops Around Rochester
These top ice cream and frozen dessert shops in charming villages and city neighborhoods turn a simple scoop into an artisanal delight.
132 Things to Do Around Rochester
We’ve pulled together a list of fun and unique things to do around Rochester, NY, within two hours of home—perfect for quick getaways.
Where are your favorite places to explore around Buffalo’s Delaware Park?
Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.
People often ask me if I get free access to places while exploring. The answer is no unless I’m invited to previews or granted behind-the-scenes access as part of my media role. Generally, I don’t mention my project, Day Trips Around Rochester, NY, because I want the same experience you would have. I create and share content simply because it brings me joy. I would appreciate your support—a cup of coffee or two to help fuel future field trips—if you have found valuable information here that has helped you explore the Rochester area.
