20 Attractions to Explore Near Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

The Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica is a beautiful and storied landmark. Built in 1926, it was originally designed as a shrine to Father Nelson Baker, a 19th century priest who served the poor and disadvantaged of Western New York. The basilica is constructed in the Romanesque Revival style with stunning Italian marble altars, dramatic stained glass windows and magnificent frescos. In addition to the basilica, the shrine has a museum, library, gift shop and auditorium

Gallagher Beach in Erie County is a popular tourist spot for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Located along the shores of Lake Erie, this beach offers incredible views of the lake and its many islands. The water is crystal clear and perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing. With miles of sandy beaches along with plenty of picnic areas and playgrounds, Gallagher Beach is a great spot for families to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Cazenovia Park is a stunning 685-acre park with a wealth of recreational amenities. The park features two golf courses, a pool complex, playgrounds, trails and picnic areas. During the summer months, visitors can take advantage of sports fields, tennis courts and an outdoor amphitheater for special events. Visitors can also explore the park’s historic features, including the Cazenovia Park Casino and historic stone arch bridge.

Tifft Nature Preserve is a 264-acre nature preserve in Erie County, New York, owned and operated by Buffalo Audubon Society. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including beavers, foxes, great blue herons, and over 250 species of birds, including bald eagles. The preserve contains a variety of ecosystems, including marshland, woods, meadows, and ponds, as well as a 1.5-mile boardwalk which allows visitors to explore the wetlands and observe wildlife.

Buffalo Harbor State Park is a premier waterfront destination in Western New York. Located on the banks of the Buffalo River near downtown Buffalo, the park offers spectacular views of Lake Erie and a unique mix of recreational facilities. Highlights include a boardwalk, fishing pier, boat launch, playgrounds, picnic areas, and trails. Visitors can also explore the park’s wetlands, nature center, and shoreline beach.

The SS Columbia was a side wheel steamer that operated on Lake Erie in the 19th century. Built in Buffalo, New York in 1859 for the Union Steamboat Company, it was one of the first modern steamers to be built on the Great Lakes. The ship sailed out of Buffalo and offered trips up and down Lake Erie between Detroit, Cleveland, Sandusky, and Buffalo. It was a popular passenger ship, with the capacity to carry 1,500 passengers and up to 500 tons of cargo.

Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve is a unique natural attraction located near Hamburg, New York. The park is home to a rare fossil bed, containing fossils that date back 400 million years. Visitors can explore the park's trails and take part in educational programs and events such as fossil digs, lectures, and hikes. The reserve is also home to a variety of wildlife including bald eagles, beavers, coyotes, and deer.

The Larkin Building Wall in Erie County, created by Frank Lloyd Wright, is an impressive example of modern architecture. Built in 1904, it was one of the earliest applications of steel-frame technology and featured a remarkable integration of stone, brick and metal cladding. The wall's façade was composed entirely of precast concrete blocks that had been placed over steel frame supports, thus creating a unique blend of modernism and traditional masonry.

The Edward M. Cotter is a fireboat located in Buffalo, New York on the Erie Canal. It was built in 1900 and has served as an active fireboat since then, making it one of the oldest operating fireboats in the United States. The boat is named after Edward Martin Cotter, who was killed in the line of duty while fighting a five-alarm fire in Buffalo.

The Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino is owned and operated by the Seneca Nation of Indians. It offers a wide variety of gaming options, including video slots, table games, and poker. It also provides guests with live entertainment, dining options, and a variety of other amenities. The casino hosts over 2,000 slot machines, 30 table games, and a 14-table poker room. It also features several restaurants, bars, and lounges, as well as an amphitheater for live music.

The Charles E. Burchfield Nature & Art Center is located in Erie County, Ohio and offers visitors a unique experience combining nature and art. The center features an expansive outdoor display of native plants, trees, birds, and butterflies as well as a variety of interactive educational activities for children and adults alike. Visitors can take part in guided tours around the center's gardens, learn about the local ecology, and explore the history of the area.

Wilkeson Pointe is a popular tourist destination in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Situated on the shore of Lake Erie, it offers stunning views of the lake and several nearby islands. Visitors can explore a variety of activities both on land and water, including fishing, boating, swimming, camping, bird watching and more. The park also includes trails for hiking and biking, a playground and picnic areas

Outer Harbor Buffalo is a unique destination located on the waterfront of Lake Erie in western New York. It offers stunning views of the lake and an array of attractions, activities, and events. Visitors can engage in recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, sailing, kayaking, biking, or just relaxing on the beach. There are also several restaurants and bars along the waterfront.

The Buffalo Transportation Pierce Arrow Museum is a unique museum dedicated to the history of the Pierce Arrow Motor Car Company.This museum features a variety of artifacts, including photographs and documents from the company's history, as well as an extensive collection of Pierce Arrow cars. The museum also features interactive exhibits, rare artifacts, and audio-visual presentations that tell the story of Pierce Arrow and its impact on Buffalo's history.

Iron Island Museum located in Erie County, Pennsylvania is an important part of the local history. The museum was established in 1893 and has since become a hub for learning about the region’s rich iron mining heritage. Visitors can take guided tours through the historic buildings onsite, explore exhibits showcasing artifacts from the era, and learn about the people who lived and worked at Iron Island.

Canalside, Erie County is a waterfront destination located in downtown Buffalo, New York. It is home to several attractions, including the Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Museum, the Cobblestone District, and the Schoellkopf Power Plant ruins, as well as a recurrence of summer festivals and events. Canalside also offers year-round programming, including outdoor ice skating, kayaking, and biking, and is a popular destination for any visitor to the city.

Explore & More - The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children's Museum is the premier children’s museum in the Buffalo Niagara region. Located in Canalside, the museum features interactive exhibits, educational programs, and a variety of activities to engage and educate children of all ages. Visitors can explore and discover the museum's multiple interactive play zones and experience hands-on learning opportunities, as well as the museum’s onsite theater, music and art studio.

The Buffalo Naval Park is a historic site and museum dedicated to preserving the heritage of the U.S. Navy. Located in Buffalo, New York, the Buffalo Naval Park features restored naval ships, a memorial to the victims of the attack on the USS Cole, an interactive museum, and a research facility. The park is open to the public, and offers educational programs and group tours.

USS The Sullivans (DD-537) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. The ship was laid down on 22 October 1943 at Bethlehem Steel Company's Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts and launched on 31 January 1944; she was sponsored by Mrs. Thomas F. Sullivan, mother of the five Sullivan brothers.

The USS Little Rock was a Cleveland-class light cruiser originally commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. It served in World War II and saw action during the Korean War, including participating in the Incheon Landing Operation. The ship was later decommissioned and relocated to Buffalo, NY, where it resides today as a museum ship located in Erie County–on the Buffalo River.