Buffalo, NY is just one hour from the City of Rochester and my home town. I’ve visited Buffalo too many times to count, but it took a four day tour with the Buffa10 garden bloggers to discover a side of Buffalo I’d never seen. I was AMAZED that just a short distance beyond the usual destinations known to us (malls, stadiums, theaters, colleges etc.) there exist revitalized neighborhoods, historic buildings with incredible architecture, and delectable eateries I didn’t know anything about! And the gardens! Oh my!
Like any city affected by economic woes Buffalo has seen ups and downs causing once thriving
neighborhoods to decline into neglected urban areas. No more! Through the efforts of homeowners and other dedicated groups these neighborhoods are being reborn into communities united by a passion for growing! To show off the reborn communities, the last week of July is reserved annually for Garden Walk Buffalo, a self-guided tour of over 350 gardens. This year’s dates are July 24-25 and truly you don’t want to miss it!
If you haven’t been to Buffalo (or like me you haven’t yet seen its treasures hidden in plain sight) now is a perfect time to plan a visit. Attend Garden Walk Buffalo… then plan to stay because beyond the gardens there’s a lot more to explore! Photograph historic architectural buildings, visit charming shops and gourmet eateries, walk along the waterfront marina and test gardens and don’t miss my favorite: Chippewa Street (dubbed the “Chip Strip” by locals) an amazing retro-looking neighborhood of clubs and eateries with an above-ground subway that runs along a nearby street. I’m not a city girl but I loved every minute as we walked through the neighborhood!
I had no idea Buffalo offered so many things to do! Hubby is off this week on vacation and we’ve already planned to return with our teens. We’ll spend the day exploring the neighborhoods, walking the waterfront and then travel a short distance to the American side of Niagara falls before returning home. I can’t wait to show them the Buffalo I didn’t know… I think they’ll be amazed.
To see more of my pictures from our tours visit my Flickr photo stream here. To see the other bloggers’ photos visit the Buffa10 site and scroll down to the list of links. The photos are amazing and you may find some great new blogs to read you didn’t know about!
Such beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing.
Lisa
Wow! You’re now officially on the Buffalo sales team! We were more than happy to share the Buffalo both Elizabeth and I know. Good to meet you! Glad you had a good time.
Oh, I wish I could have attended the Buffalo gathering. I have visited this city in winter and am thrilled to see what a pretty place it is when the flowers are blooming.
You are so lucky this was in proximity to your home. I’ve been hearing about the Buffalo garden tour for several months and was hoping to make it but no luck. Maybe next year. Thank you for your great site and photos!
If ever you decide to come in the summer, please let me know! I’d love to meet you and tour the gardens together!
I have you and Elizabeth to thank for the discoveries! I’ve already convinced two neighbors to visit Buffalo this summer for the Garden Walk event as well as touring the Botanical Gardens. Who knew there was so much going on just an hour from home?! THANK YOU!!
Thank you! It was really lovely to visit.