Not To Be Missed! - Need ideas! :) (Buffalo, Amherst: best neighborhood, house)

[TheWhale]

Originally Posted by MPBYO

Love how that engineering marvel known as the skyway is plopped right in-between the purposed water front development.

What waterfront development?
That's my question.
It seems to me that Buffalo's waterfront development is a front.
A front to funnel money to consulting firms for studies is all it is.

[Canerican]

Originally Posted by MPBYO

Love how that engineering marvel known as the skyway is plopped right in-between the purposed water front development.

Haha good point. I've noticed it, but never thought about it really. It's so relaxing to watch the water with 18 wheelers screaming over top of you.

[MPBYO]

Originally Posted by TheWhale

What waterfront development?
That's my question.
It seems to me that Buffalo's waterfront development is a front.
A front to funnel money to consulting firms for studies is all it is.

Buffalo has been known to spend $2 million studying birds that live near a international bridge that doesnt exist.

[Buffalonian4life]

Originally Posted by Canerican

Nice pictures, but there is pretty much nothing on the waterfront.

I went to Commercial Slip for the Tea Party protest on the 4th of July, I thought that the boardwalk was very nice, well made and all that, but besides the few military exhibits, there isn't a ton to do there. Sure there the Pearl St. brewery, and city hall nearby, but if you went to visit, you'd likely say
"that's it?" There's absolutely no shopping, no entertainment (unless you find staring at a lake for 8 hours fun).

There's a couple of good restaurants there, they generally are lunch places though since Buffalo is a fairly poor town, and it's residents generally consider fine dining Applebees. The ones that are classier live in the suburbs, and commute to the few businesses that haven't relocated yet.

Seriously, avoid Buffalo. I've experienced Buffalo as a tourist before I moved here, and ended up going to Toronto because there was absolutely nothing to do here.

And what is in Toronto that has so much to do? What do you call "so much to do?" What is that? What does Buffalo lack?

I thought the waterfront would be nice to be able to experience some of what our city has to offer, other than just urban areas. It'd be neat for them to be able to see all the construction going on, and look at all the renderings for the future development happening now! WNY's new retail center, right on downtown Buffalo's waterfront. Maybe it's not the place to be now, but soon, perhaps we could land a few of those going to Toronto, to stay in Buffalo for a day...

[TheWhale]

Originally Posted by Buffalonian4life

And what is in Toronto that has so much to do? What do you call "so much to do?" What is that? What does Buffalo lack?

I thought the waterfront would be nice to be able to experience some of what our city has to offer, other than just urban areas. It'd be neat for them to be able to see all the construction going on, and look at all the renderings for the future development happening now! WNY's new retail center, right on downtown Buffalo's waterfront. Maybe it's not the place to be now, but soon, perhaps we could land a few of those going to Toronto, to stay in Buffalo for a day...

I'm not familiar with what their specific plans are for a retail center down there, but I have doubts about the potential of retail in that area.
I hope it isn't something they're going to gamble too much taxpayer money on because it doesn't sound like a good bet.

[jblake78728]

Originally Posted by SalRizzo

Hopefully Buffalo can complete this development and it will be successful because Buffalo and Rochester woefully need to capitalize on their waterfront locations.

Truer words have never been spoken. They only need to look at what Pittsburgh did with their riverfront areas or Baltimore with their Inner Harbor. When I was a kid the Inner Harbor was much like Buffalo's waterfront, plenty of plans but little progress ..... then one day they decided to finally back up all the big talk. Now its a huge draw for the city. Buffalo & Rochester could easily have similar areas on their respective waterfronts ....... bringing people into the areas to spend money is another matter.

[Canerican]

I agree. It COULD be good, if done right. Plus it could make a ton of money, since people would buy stuff, get robbed, then have to go right back to the store and buy the stuff again.

I'm kidding of course. We could make the area nice, but we need to find a way to get the hoodlums out of there.

One thing to note about the nicest waterfronts is that they are usually at least 2 miles long, have no road traffic for about 1/4 mile to the waterfront, and the nice shops usually go 2-3 streets deep.

If we want to make it nice to the point where out of towners will forgo the Galleria and go into the heard of the city, it's going to require alot of work, and probably tax cuts to bring the businesses in. Once the businesses are in place, people will - but it's not something that can be done halfway, or else it will fail, and look like the Main Street Mall before long.

[Buffalonian4life]

There are some potential major national retailers looking at the development area. Some are rumored to have looked at the southern portion of Main Street as well. I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes an incredible attration, with the hopes of Buffalo being the Waterfront recreation and entertainment center of the Northeast... One day...

[Canerican]

Originally Posted by Buffalonian4life

There are some potential major national retailers looking at the development area. Some are rumored to have looked at the southern portion of Main Street as well. I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes an incredible attration, with the hopes of Buffalo being the Waterfront recreation and entertainment center of the Northeast... One day...

Which retailers?

I would wait for them to break ground before I got that excited. I mean, Bass Pro was supposed to be open 3 years ago. The waterfront was supposed to be done by now. I could see Buffalo's waterfront attracting people from as far as Rochester, but I think that you are getting pretty far ahead of yourself. The first step to that goal is to stop people from wanting to leave Buffalo. Pittsburgh has, Toledo has, Syracuse is starting... Buffalo has not, at all. How can you attract people from other towns into Buffalo, when people from Buffalo don't want to be in Buffalo? Pittsburgh has figured this out, that's why it is regarded as being far superior to Buffalo by many. That is also why people from Erie travel to Pittsburgh, rather than Buffalo, even though Buffalo is closer. Buffalo just isn't a desirable city, and just building stuff won't do a thing. The reasons for Buffalo being so bad go far beyond a lack of shopping... which shouldn't need to be subsidized. Have you ever noticed that the only ways businesses stay in Buffalo are if the government compels them to, through tax incentives, or if the unions force them to. This is a big problem. We need an environment where business enjoys Buffalo's economic climate. But that isn't happening. I hope that Buffalo takes a hint from far better cities such as Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Erie, and Toledo.

You may not think that they're better, but the facts speak for themselves. Those cities are growing, and attracting new and exciting businesses, while Buffalo shrinks and wonders what the next big business to close up shop will be.

[RocketSci]

Originally Posted by Sumermarie

We are flying up for the weekend of Sept. 11th and driving around the neighborhoods (good and bad) and I wanted some "not to be missed" attractions/food/places etc..

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated so I can get a feel of the area.

Where do I start...

North Buffalo:
Start your day at a small diner on Hertel Avenue or on Delaware Avenue in Kenmore (north of Buffalo city line) for breakfast. Or, stop at one of the many bakeries and enjoy the local pastries. Then head down Delaware and go down Nottingham and spend a while at the Buffalo Historical Society to get to know the city. From there if you can walk over to the Japanese Gardens to relax, or head across the bridge to the Albright-Knox or Burchfield art galleries for a day of culture. Or, just take a walk around the park lake and maybe take a boat ride (if they have them out). Or, hop back in the car and back along Nottingham to look at the mansions and head toward the Buffalo Zoo to visit the animals. If you are morbidly curious, go south on Delaware to Delevan and visit Forest Lawn Cemetary - you can bring a sack lunch, and see Millard Fillmore and Rick James' graves and outrageous headstones and mausoleums dating back to the mid 1800s. When you are done you can go back to Hertel Avenue (between Delaware and Parker) to look at antiques, clothing, or maybe visit the 6 Nations store for Iroquois Indian crafts. Have dinner at one of the dozens of Italian restaurants, and if the weather is cool (it will be if your from FL) there are at least a dozen outdoor cafes to choose from and enjoy the afternoon/evening (I recommend Romeo and Juliettes, but there are many many more). Or grab a beer and beef on weck at Kelly's Corner Tavern on Delaware (or Andersons just down the road if you want custard instead of beer). After dinner see a show at the historic North Park theater, and afterwards head back out for a drink al fresco (bars are open til 4am).

West Side/Elmwood
Instead of breakfast in North Buffalo, start out with coffee at Spot coffee on Elmwood, or maybe breakfast one of the many diner/restaurants along Elmwood between Forest and Allen Street. (You are close to Delaware Park, the Zoo, Historical Museum, etc as these all separate the North and West sides). Buffalonians are late risers (and stay up late), so most of the shops on Elmwood don’t open until 10 or 11am, so after breakfast park the car along the street or a sidestreet, and take a walk down Elmwood to visit the shops - bookstores, clothing, nic-nacs, chocolate, ice cream, bakeries - or just people watch. Elmwood is a very eclectic mix of businesses and residences, and was recently called one of the nation’s 10 best neighborhoods. You can spend all day walking up and down, but you will get tired so stop at one of the dozens of outdoor cafes for a drink or lunch/dinner. Take a walk down the adjoining sidestreets - try Lexington, for example - or anywhere between Delaware to the east and Richmond to the west, and you will see the eclectic and preserved homes which have been around since the 1870s. Stay for dinner.

North Side/West Side Driving Tour
Take a greater look at the west side - follow the Parkway system designed by Olmstead - Bidwell Parkway, Richmond Avenue, Lincoln Parkway - miles of beautiful 19th century homes. Basically, the entire area between Forest Avenue (N), Delaware Ave (E), North Street (S), and Richmond Avenue (W). You can’t and won’t miss the Richardson Comple (former State Hospital), Kleinhans Music Hall, statues, fountains, etc. This is how the better half lived in the 1890s, and how many typical Buffalonians still live today. Get a little more adventurous, and take West Ferry west to Niagara Street - cross the drawbridge into Broderick Park and visit the fishermen along the Niagara River and take a look across into Canada. The head back on West Ferry and make a left (North) onto Grant Street - once a booming Italian-American community it fell hard and is coming back - stop by Guercios Market for a look at the past and future Grant Street. Follow Grant Street north, past Buffalo State College, and turn right on Amherst street for a look at the old Black Rock neighborhood - pass by Polish Cadets hall and the Assumption church. Stop at a butcher shop or the Wegmans supermarket for free samples of local selections. Pass by Voelkers Bowling alley for a drink and a game, the head north on Elmwood and back up to Hertel Ave and go east. Drive anywhere in this area to see ‘typical’ Buffalo homes, or keep going down Hertel to Parkside Avenue, and then turn right (south) toward Delaware Park. Between Hertel (N), Parkside (W), Main Street (E) and the Scajaquada Rt 198 (S) is the Parkside neighborhood, which includes many 19th and early 20th century homes, including a couple of Frank Lloyd Wright homes (yes they have tours). Stop and take a walk. Drive back over to Hertel or Elmwood if you’re hungry...

Whew
I haven’t even written about some of the other tours and things you can do in the City...
--South Buffalo Tour - Skyway-Rt 5, OLV Basillica, South Park Botanical Gardens, McKinley Parkway/Abbott Road, Cazenovia Park
--Waterfront tour - Erie Basin Marina, Miss Buffalo boat tour, Naval and Servicemen’s Park, Front Park, Black Rock, Riverside
--Allentown visit
--Chippewa Street (if you are a 20 something drinker)
--Delaware Avenue/Franklin Street/Linwood Avenue homes
--Old East Side - Churches, Broadway Market, Central Terminal, (and unfortunately poverty and blight)
--Old West Side - South of North Street, Connecticut Street
--Museums - Albright-Knox, Burchfield-Penny, Historical Society, Museum of Science, Transportation Museum, Naval Park, Botanical Gardens, Fire Museum, Native Arts, Manuscript Museum, Iron Island, Judaic Museum, more...
--Downtown - City Hall observation deck, Library, Lafayette Square, Ellicott Square

Or outside the city...
--Niagara tour - American Falls Park, Devil’s Hole, Artpark, Old Fort Niagara, Fatima Shrine
--Towns and villages - Kenmore, Williamsville, Hamburg, East Aurora, Orchard Park, etc...

But, I suppose if you want to go to the same stores and see the same things that are in EVERY OTHER CITY in America, you could go to the suburbs and visit the Walden Galleria, Boulevard Mall, McKinley Mall, or drive down Niagara Falls Boulevard, Maple Road, or Transit Road - but I know that when I go out of town I want to see unique things...