Coming to visit Buffalo!!!!! (Adams, Hampton: hotels, wedding, live)

[Buffalonian4life]

Originally Posted by coldwynn

I've only been to Jersey City once, got lost in Union City a couple of times (didn't like that one bit), been to Hoboken several times, mostly lived in Morristown and Mt. Arlington.

So here's my take: think of Elmwood district as kind of like Washington St. of Hoboken, lots of quaint shops, restaurants, cafes, very few (thank goodness) chain stores. Allentown (which begins on the South-end of Elmwood) and Chippewa (which is close to Allentown), I would liken more to downtown, NYC - angled narrow streets, more business like. The North-end of Elmwood has a park that was designed by the same person who designed NYC's Central Park.

But here's the big difference. Whereas NYC and most of NJ have an North-East Coast, tough as nails, it's got nothing to do with me, kind of vibe - Buffalo has that, but is softened by its proximity to the midwest. So it's like, blue-collar, hard-working, but friendly and neighborly (at least in the Elmwood/Allentown areas).

Wonderful post! - I too have been to Jersey City just once, and I do not have too much in the way of knowledge of that area - other than that it is basically part of NYC.

I really hope that Tommy and his buddies have a great time in Buffalo - a city once one of the most prosperous and progressive in North America - to a long decline and loss to a mid-sized American city. Now that Buffalo has hit rock bottom recently in the past 10 years, we are starting to make sizeable steps to our future, and our growth is becoming sustainable and welcome. The quality of life in the area is quite impressive, and I hope Tommy and his friends (along with all other visitors), will be able to see past the old stereotypes of historic myths, and see what a hidden gem Buffalo truly is - and what we have to offer in our Queen City of the Great Lakes.

[tommyc_37]

Originally Posted by Buffalonian4life

Wonderful post! - I too have been to Jersey City just once, and I do not have too much in the way of knowledge of that area - other than that it is basically part of NYC.

I really hope that Tommy and his buddies have a great time in Buffalo - a city once one of the most prosperous and progressive in North America - to a long decline and loss to a mid-sized American city. Now that Buffalo has hit rock bottom recently in the past 10 years, we are starting to make sizeable steps to our future, and our growth is becoming sustainable and welcome. The quality of life in the area is quite impressive, and I hope Tommy and his friends (along with all other visitors), will be able to see past the old stereotypes of historic myths, and see what a hidden gem Buffalo truly is - and what we have to offer in our Queen City of the Great Lakes.

Thanks Buffalonian4life...I am very, very confident that we will have a GREAT time. I, for one, LOVE anything that is a "hidden gem".

[Buffalonian4life]

Originally Posted by tommyc_37

Thanks Buffalonian4life...I am very, very confident that we will have a GREAT time. I, for one, LOVE anything that is a "hidden gem".

I am glad to hear you are excited about the trip! I'm also sure that this will be a great/very different getaway from your Jersey City. What a beautiful skyline you guys have over there, though!

(My photos from Jersey City - Summer 2008)

[tommyc_37]

Thanks! Yeah, Jersey City's skyline is growing every day it seems. Here's one taken at night. It's the Jersey City skyline, with NYC's skyline in the background. The second photo is an example of some historic architecture in my neighborhood, which is all brownstones and rowhouses from the Civil War era. By the way, Jersey City was an integral crossroads for the Underground Railroad...several routes passed underneath the city's cobblestone streets. (nevermind about the second photo...it's saying I've already attached that photo in another thread....so I can't attach it in a different thread? That's a dumb rule...)

[Buffalonian4life]

Originally Posted by tommyc_37

Thanks! Yeah, Jersey City's skyline is growing every day it seems. Here's one taken at night. It's the Jersey City skyline, with NYC's skyline in the background. The second photo is an example of some historic architecture in my neighborhood, which is all brownstones and rowhouses from the Civil War era. By the way, Jersey City was an integral crossroads for the Underground Railroad...several routes passed underneath the city's cobblestone streets. (nevermind about the second photo...it's saying I've already attached that photo in another thread....so I can't attach it in a different thread? That's a dumb rule...)

Beautiful skyline pic! When I was there, I couldn't believe how many cranes were in the air with the amount of construction going on. It was a breath of fresh air for myself being from Buffalo - a city that is now starting to get cranes in the air and buildings to rise, but not nearly as many as the progressive Jersey City! Congrats to your city for getting things done!

[Dockwalliper]

Originally Posted by tommyc_37

In my mind, I envision a mid-sized city with brutal winters, and an overall blue collar vibe. Is this accurate? What main industries are in Buffalo? Any large corporations headquartered there?

We have brutal days but I don't consider the season to be "brutal". Like most North east citys we are losing lots of union jobs so we are also losing some of the "Blue collar feel"
Delaware North and M&T bank are the largest corporate headquarters I can think of in Buffalo.
We have a GM engine plant, Ford stamping plant, Dunlop tire, DuPont....
and lots of "Call centers".

[jenny S]

Hi Tommyc_37, I wasn't sure when your weekend to Buffalo was supposed to be, so I thought I 'd check in to see if you had been here yet, what you ended up doing and what you thought of Buffalo.

We'd love to know!

[tommyc_37]

Originally Posted by jenny S

Hi Tommyc_37, I wasn't sure when your weekend to Buffalo was supposed to be, so I thought I 'd check in to see if you had been here yet, what you ended up doing and what you thought of Buffalo.

We'd love to know!

Heading there February 20th!

[Buffalonian4life]

Originally Posted by tommyc_37

Heading there February 20th!

Awesome! Have a great time, and enjoy !!!

[tommyc_37]

Just got back from Buffalo! Some thoughts...

WINGS:

Pearle Street Brewpub - We actually thought that these might be the best overall, that we had. Great texture and crispiness, tasty sauce. The beer here was great as well (Railroad, and Lake Effect).

Duff's - the Medium wings here were REALLY tasty...but would have liked them a bit crispier.

Anchor Bar - Great wings, but even the "Hot" ones were not as spicy as I would prefer.

BEEF ON WECK:

Pearle Street Brewpub - awesome beef on weck. Quality meat, quality bun.

Ulrich's Tavern - was CLOSED when we tried to go there for lunch on Saturday (opened at 3)

Duff's - Not nearly as tasty as Pearle Street's beef on weck...the meat was not very high quality.

Overall, the people were really friendly in Buffalo, the weather wasn't THAT bad, and we had a great time. We loved the Buffalonian accent!!!