Buffalo
Buffalo is a Lake Erie city in western New York, known for Frank Lloyd Wright houses, Olmsted parks and buffalo wings. Niagara Falls is a short drive north of the city.
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Buffalo sits at the eastern end of Lake Erie in western New York. The Niagara River leaves the lake near the city and runs north to Niagara Falls. Visitors come for Buffalo wings, which trace back to a bar here, for the Frank Lloyd Wright buildings including the Darwin D. Martin House, and for parks laid out by Frederick Law Olmsted. The downtown core is compact, and the Canalside waterfront is close by.
The main choice on a short trip is where to sleep. Staying downtown keeps the architecture, restaurants and parks within easy reach, with Niagara Falls a drive north by car. Staying near the falls puts the views first, but city sights mean driving back. Late spring through early fall suits walking and time by the lake. Winter brings cold weather and lake-effect snow. Plan two to three days for the city and a half day for the falls.
Buffalo in five
- Do Niagara Falls as a half-day tripThe falls are about 30 minutes by car from downtown Buffalo. The American side is free to walk to, and the Canadian side has the wider views, which means a border crossing.
- Check entry rules before crossing to CanadaA walk over the Rainbow Bridge to the Canadian side needs your passport, and your ESTA or visa status matters for the return. Read the entry guide first.Canada eTA, explained
- Eat wings like a localBuffalo wings began here, and bars still compete on them. Order them with celery and blue cheese, and ask what the house sauce is rather than chasing one famous place.
- See the architecture and Olmsted parksThe Darwin Martin House is a Frank Lloyd Wright landmark, and Delaware Park is part of Frederick Law Olmsted's park system. Book Martin House tours ahead.
- Pack for lake-effect snow in winterWinter brings heavy snow off Lake Erie. If you visit between December and March, check forecasts for driving and allow slack in flight plans.
Things to do in Buffalo
See all attractions in Buffalo
Need to know
- Airport
- Buffalo Niagara (BUF), about 20 minutes from downtown
- Getting around
- Car for Niagara and the suburbs; Metro Rail and walking downtown
- Best base
- Downtown or Canalside; Elmwood Village for a local feel
- Time needed
- 1–2 days; 2–3 with Niagara Falls
- Time zone
- Eastern, UTC−5; UTC−4 in summer
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow13 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh0°Low-6°Snow, lake effectJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- 0°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, lake effect
- FebruarySnow12 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh2°Low-5°Snow, coldFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, cold
- MarchRain13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh6°Low-2°ThawMarchRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw
- AprilRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low3°Spring, rainAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 113 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, rain
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Mild, greenMayRain
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 89 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°Warm, festivalsJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, festivals
- JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°Warm, lake breezeJulyRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 119 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, lake breeze
- AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Warm, falls busyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, falls busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Mild, fall startsSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 88 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, fall starts
- OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Fall colorOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 129 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color
- NovemberRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low2°Cool, greyNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 104 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, grey
- DecemberRain15 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh3°Low-2°Cold, lightsDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, lights
Average daily high and low in Buffalo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Buffalo
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
15
- Feels like
- 12°
- Humidity
- 70%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 16%
Buffalo
02:52 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today21°14°16%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Wed23°12°54%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 54%.
- Thu19°14°86%Thursday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Fri14°7°30%Friday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 30%.
- Sat8°5°30%Saturday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 30%.
- Sun12°4°15%Sunday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 15%.
Updated 02:37 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.119 USD
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Niagara Fallsabout 30 minutes by carThe American side is free; the Canadian side has wider views.
- Finger Lakesabout 1.5–2 hours by carLakes, waterfalls and wine country.Read the guide
- Torontoabout 2–2.5 hours by carAcross the border; check entry rules first.Read the guide
Before you go to Buffalo
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Rules for Buffalo, checked
- Most visitors from visa waiver countries need an ESTA before flying to the USA. Check eligibility on the official CBP ESTA site before you book.Source
- Crossing into Canada by the Peace Bridge or the Rainbow Bridge means a border check. Check the documents you need on the CBSA site before you cross.Source
- Check the current fare and payment rules at nfta.com before you ride NFTA buses or the Metro Rail.Source
- Tip restaurant servers about 15 to 20 percent of the bill, the usual custom in the USA, unless a service charge is already added.
- Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance. The number works from any phone in Buffalo.
Plan around Buffalo
Wine and waterfalls, 1.5–2 hours east
Read the guideCleveland travel guideLake Erie city, 3 hours south-west
Read the guideNew York travel guideThe long Empire Service rail ride east
Read the guideESTA explainedWho needs it and how to apply
Read the guideAll of the USAParks, cities and road trips
Read the guideBuffalo FAQ
Is Buffalo worth visiting?
Yes, as a base for Niagara Falls with good food, architecture and a lively waterfront. It is smaller and quieter than New York, and it suits a two to three day stop.
How far is Buffalo from Niagara Falls?
About 30 minutes by car to the American side. The Canadian side is a short drive or walk across the Rainbow Bridge, but you need to pass through border control.
Should I stay in Buffalo or Niagara Falls?
Buffalo for restaurants, nightlife and architecture; Niagara Falls for walking to the falls at dawn or after dark. Most visitors base in Buffalo and make a half-day trip.
How many days do you need in Buffalo?
One to two days covers the city. Add a day for Niagara Falls, and another for the Finger Lakes if you want a longer loop.
When is the best time to visit Buffalo?
June to September for warm weather and events, October for fall color. Winters are cold and snowy, with heavy lake-effect storms, though the falls are striking in ice.