Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We are going to be in the Buffalo area for a couple of days midweek and are looking for some things to do with our 2 and 3 year old daughters. We will be staying near Amherst but we'll have a car.
The Buffalo Zoo if the first thing that comes to mind with children that young. Actually it's the only thing that comes to mind with children that young. Can you tell it's been a while?
If you want your kids to see beautiful places take the hour drive or so to Letchworth State Park... my parents took me there as a little kid and, even at that young age, I remember how it woooed me... seventeen miles long and one mile wide at the widest point, it has a thousand and one places to see and do... and explore. The park runs along the Genesee river, has 3 spectacular waterfalls, trails, neato historic indian areas, tiny streams to play in (wolf creek would be one)... stick your hand in there and catch a crayfish and show it to them...or find a fossil... this is a very nice place to enjoy natures beauty without commercialism... they'll get enough of that later on in their lives... always remember to bring the camera, no matter Where you go!!! A very nice 1/2 day trip indeed...
I would suggest driving to Rochester (45 min to an hour) to visit the Strong Museum of Play. It is constantly rated among the top 10 Children's Museums, and receives many comments about being better than Boston's Children Museum which is highly regarded.
Cross the border into Canada, and head for Niagara Falls (no, passports aren't necessary yet. Driver's License and birth certificates will do). There's so much kid friendly stuff to do you couldn't possibly fit it into one day. Apart from the obvious (the Falls, Maid of the Mist, the viewing platform behind the falls), right in Niagara Falls there's:
Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, on top of the casino this place is great fun for kids and adults
Marineland - kids love this place - killer whales, aquarium, petting zoo, amusement park -it's got it all
Bird Kingdom - I believe this is the world's largest indoor aviary, with over 400 species of free flying birds, including fabulous tropical varieties
Clifton Hill - yes, the grown-ups know its tacky, but kids are fascinated with the wax museums, neon lights, Ripley's Believe It or Not museum, etc. etc.
A little further along the Niagara Parkway is the Butterfly Conservatory - a fascinating place, with butterlies flitting about all around you (and the odd lizard hiding in the foliage)
Drive a littler further along the Niagara Parkway to Niagara-on-the-Lake and you can catch the Jetboat - a wet and wild ride up the Niagara River and into the Niagara Gorge. I took my nephews on this 'cruise' and it was an absolute blast.
Niagara Helicopter's - also took my nephews on a helicopter ride which takes them over the Falls and down the Niagara River Gorge - also a blast.
For dinner the kids always love Planet Hollywood or the Rainforest Cafe, both in Niagara Falls.
Oops, didn't realize your kids were so young. Jetboats and helicopters would obviously be out. The waterpark has areas for babies, toddlers and little ones, & they're sure to love Marineland too.
We are taking a road trip from Columbia SC to Niagara Falls, taking I77 straight up to Buffalo, NY and into Niagara Falls. Would you have any suggestions for fun family things to do? We have 2 children, age 7 and 12.
We are taking a road trip from Columbia SC to Niagara Falls, taking I77 straight up to Buffalo, NY and into Niagara Falls. Would you have any suggestions for fun family things to do? We have 2 children, age 7 and 12.
Martin's Fantasy Island - Western New York's Favorite & Affordable Family Theme Park! (http://www.martinsfantasyisland.com/2010/index.html - broken link)
We are taking a road trip from Columbia SC to Niagara Falls, taking I77 straight up to Buffalo, NY and into Niagara Falls. Would you have any suggestions for fun family things to do? We have 2 children, age 7 and 12.
If you are passing through Rochester I suggest the Strong Museum of Play. It is the second largest Children's Museum in the USA (only Indianapolis has a larger one) It also contains the toy hall of fame and a butterfly conservatory. By far the best attraction for kids 7 and 12 within 150 miles of the Falls.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.