Western NY

Western NY is my home area! There are so many fun things to do here and, especially, beautiful places to see (and it was a great place to see the 2024 solar eclipse)!

So take it from a local, here are all the best things to see and do in western NY:

Where to Fly Into:

Buffalo Niagara International Airport

How to Get Around:

The best way to get around is to drive your own car or to pick up a rental car at the airport.

Best Time of Year to Visit:

The best time of year to visit western NY is May-October, but I think September is the absolute best month to visit.

Big Cities:

The two big cities in western NY are Buffalo and Rochester.

Buffalo is the second largest city in NY State (behind NYC, obviously). The city has undergone a renaissance in the past few years, and has truly embraced their industrial roots. If you are flying into western NY, most likely you will fly into Buffalo.

Rochester is the state’s third largest city, and has its own unique attractions, including a waterfall that flows right through the city (on a river that flows north!). It is also the birthplace of the Eastman-Kodak Company, and (most importantly!) Wegmans. You can’t visit western NY without visiting Wegmans.

Cool things to do in Buffalo, NY:

  • Kayak through historical grain silos

  • Stand where President Teddy Roosevelt was inaugurated

  • Visit Niagara Falls

  • Eat wings

  • Explore one of the country’s best art museums

  • Ride through the locks on the Erie Canal

Cool things to do in Rochester, NY:

  • Visit (the outside of) a castle

  • Tour George Eastman’s mansion

  • Shop at Wegmans

  • Eat a garbage plate

  • Explore the National Museum of Play

  • Cruise on the Erie Canal

State Parks:

Western NY has no shortage of state parks, and we have some of the best state parks in the country!

Letchworth State Park has been voted the #1 state park in the country, and is often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the East. It is stunning, especially in the fall (but really any time of year). Special points of interest are Archery Field Overlook and Inspiration Point.

Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the country, and is the most popular tourist attraction in NY state behind NYC. Ride the Maid of the Mist, hike the Cave of the Winds, or walk across the Rainbow Bridge to Canada!

Watkins Glen State Park was voted the #3 state park in the country. The Gorge Trail (open May-October) is a stunning fairy tale setting that looks like it belongs in Middle Earth.

Museums:

In addition to state parks, western NY has some pretty cool museums too!

The National Comedy Center was voted the best new museum in the country in 2020. It’s located in Jamestown, NY, birthplace of Lucille Ball. The museum is super high tech and interactive, and is sure to get you laughing!

Strong National Museum of Play is one of the highlights of Rochester, NY. It started out as a toy collection, and is now an entire museum dedicated to play! It is also super fun and interactive, and is great for both kids AND adults!

Corning Museum of Glass is one of the most unique art museums you can ever visit. With multiple galleries showing all types of glass (from ancient artifacts to Olympic medals to the coolest paper weights ever!), there is a lot to see here. You can even make your own glass, with various seasonal options available throughout the year!

A Western NY Road Trip

Ready to explore all the best places of western NY? See everything on this 8-day road trip from Buffalo (though you might want to stay longer!). If you fly Saturday-Saturday, this road trip will only take one work week!

This road trip itinerary has everything you need, from where to sleep, what to eat, and how long each day’s drive will take!

Map created using Wanderlog, a trip planner app on iOS and Android