Beyond the Quad: A guide to Buffalo

By: Benny Bosch-Krug, Contributing Writer

Being a student in Buffalo means having an entire city to explore beyond campus. From nature preserves to sports, there are plenty of ways to spend a day off campus. Whether you are looking for something free or willing to spend a little more, Buffalo has something for everyone. 

For free, you can go sightseeing in a few places. A 15–minute drive from Canisius, Tifft Nature Preserve has 264 acres and five miles of trails. A 20–minute drive away from campus in Depew is Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve. The nature preserve offers 292 acres to explore with about three and a half miles of trails.

About a half hour drive away, Niagara Falls offers free and paid activities. Visitors can hike the gorge at Whirlpool State Park and eventually hike down far enough to reach Devils Hole State Park. At Niagara Falls State Park, you can see the falls and visit attractions. The Maid of the Mist costs 30 dollars per person and gives visitors the opportunity to get close to the falls by boat. The Cave of the Winds offers an opportunity to get up close to Bridal Falls and costs 23 dollars per person until Oct. 19th. After that, the price will drop to 14 dollars through the end of March when pricing will be updated. 

For students interested in learning more about the city’s history and arts, there are opportunities by campus. Across the street is Forest Lawn Cemetery. It houses the graves for more than 165,000 people, including the 13th United States President Millard Fillmore and  famous architect Darwin Martin. Visitors can explore the cemetery on their own or take guided tours. Every Sunday, they offer Trolley Tours that cost 35 dollars per person. In the spring, many people visit to see the cherry blossom trees. 

The Buffalo History Museum is a 10–minute drive away or a 40–minute walk from Canisius. Admission is pay what you want with a recommended donation of 12 dollars. The AKG Art Museum and Burchfield Penney Art Center are a 10–minute drive or 30–minute walk from campus. The AKG is 20 dollars for entry while the Burchfield Penny is seven dollars. The Buffalo Science Museum is also a 10–minute drive or 30–minute walk. Admission is 19 dollars with an additional fee for special traveling exhibits.

For students who love animals, they can visit the Buffalo Zoo or Aquarium of Niagara. The Buffalo Zoo is about a  20–minute walk away or 10–minute drive from campus. It is the third oldest zoo in the United States. Entry is 25 dollars per person and parking ranges from six to 12 dollars depending on how long you stay. The Aquarium of Niagara is about a 30–minute drive from Canisius and costs 25 dollars per person. The aquarium just had a renovation and now has a new rescue harbor seal, Papita. 

Not everything in Buffalo has to come with a price tag. M&T Bank does a lot of charity work in the area. Every month, they do different free museum days where you can claim a ticket to participating locations. Some of the popular options include The AKG on the first Friday of the month, the Burchfield Penney Art Center on the second Friday, the Buffalo Zoo on the third Thursday and the Buffalo History Museum on the third Friday. There are several other participating attractions as well, giving students the option to explore without spending

money. 

One thing you learn by being in Buffalo is that we are very committed to our sports teams. The Buffalo Bills Stadium is a half hour drive away, but gets longer with gameday traffic. The Buffalo Sabres and the Buffalo Bandits play downtown at the KeyBank Center, which is accessible by subway. The Buffalo Bisons play at Sahlen Field with the stadium also being downtown with the subway going close to the ballpark, getting off at Seneca Station. 

Tickets for the Bills, Sabres, Bandits and Bisons games are available through the respective teams' websites. No matter the sport, attending a game is an amazing way to immerse yourself in the Buffalo culture.

You can't have a day out without food. You may be thinking what else in Buffalo is good besides wings. Well, Buffalo's food scene goes beyond them. Some local staples and favorites include: Ted's Hotdogs, which is a longtime Buffalo-area favorite, Pearl Street Bar and Grill, Buffalo Brewpub and Uncle Joe's Diner. If you're still feeling wings, I recommend going to Duff’s Famous Wings and Anchor Bar and Grill.

Deserts in Buffalo are also a great place to find great food. Fowler's Chocolates, Platter's Chocolates and Parkside Candy are great options if you're a chocolate lover. Sweet Jenny's Chocolates and Ice Cream and Lake Effect Ice cream have various flavors of ice cream. Paula's Donuts and Anderson's Frozen Custard are two local favorites worth checking out!

From museums to local food, there are many ways for Canisius students to experience Buffalo. With options ranging from free activities to full-day adventures, exploring can be as simple as taking a short trip off campus.