21 Iconic Buildings to Explore in Erie County

The Buffalo AKG Art Museum is a space dedicated to the celebration of culture and art. The museum houses an impressive collection of American and international art, from both the 20th and 21st centuries, and features a wide variety of mediums, including paintings, sculptures, photography, and installations. Along with this collection, the museum hosts educational events, lectures, and workshops with visiting artists, and is home to an outdoor sculpture garden.

Buffalo City Hall is the seat of government for the City of Buffalo, located in Erie County, New York. Built in 1931, the Art Deco building is the largest city hall in the United States and stands as a symbol of the city's industrial heritage. The building is crowned with a magnificent dome and features ornate sculptures and murals which represent the city's cultural and natural history.

The Buffalo Psychiatric Center is a psychiatric hospital located in Erie County, New York. It is a public facility, and specializes in providing comprehensive mental health care for adults, adolescents, and children. It offers a wide range of services, including inpatient, outpatient, emergency services, and an intensive outpatient program.

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.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Graycliff estate includes a three-story main house, a chauffeur's cottage, a gatehouse, a guest house, and a boat house - all located on an eight-acre site overlooking Lake Erie. The main house features terraced stone walls and a flat roof, with windows and balconies designed to take advantage of the views. Inside, a central breezeway connects the three main living areas.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House is a stunning Prairie Style masterpiece situated on a 5.5 acre site in Buffalo, New York. The house, originally designed for Buffalo businessman Darwin D. Martin in 1903, features a complex series of interconnected buildings, including a main house, a conservatory, a carriage house, and a gardener's cottage, as well as a series of terraces, gardens, and a pergola.

The Guaranty Building & Interpretive Center in Erie County is a must-see for history buffs. The building is a National Historic Landmark, which was built in 1895 and is one of the few early skyscrapers to have survived. It once housed the offices of Guaranty Trust Company and is now a museum dedicated to the history of the region. Visitors can explore the building's interior with guided tours and exhibits that highlight the former offices and the history of Erie County.

Hertel Avenue, is a major thoroughfare that runs through the northwestern part of the county. It stretches for 15 miles, from the city of Buffalo to the south all the way up to the suburbs of Amherst to the north. It is a popular destination for shopping and dining, as well as numerous attractions. The area is known for its vibrant nightlife, with a number of bars, clubs, and restaurants located along the avenue.

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.

Knox Farm State Park is located in the heart of Erie County, New York. The park is a 633-acre oasis of rolling meadows, woodlands, wetlands, and ponds. Visitors can enjoy its many trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. The park also features an equestrian campground, a picnic area, and a playground. It is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and fox.

Lafayette Square is located in Erie County, Pennsylvania, on the eastern edge of the city of Erie. The area was first established as a public square in 1839 by the local government and named after Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. It has since become an important landmark and destination for locals and visitors alike.

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.

Niagara Amusement Park and Splash World, is the perfect destination for family fun. With thrilling rides, exciting attractions, and Splash World, a thrilling water park, there is something for every member of the family. The park features classic rides such as the Ferris Wheel and the Tilt-a-Whirl, as well as a roller coaster and bumper cars. In addition, Splash World offers a heated pool, a wave pool, and numerous slides and water features.

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

The Richardson Olmsted Campus is a historic site in Erie County, New York. It was designed by renowned architects H.H. Richardson and Dankmar Adler in the late 19th century as a world-class psychiatric hospital for the Buffalo Psychiatric Center and Buffalo State Hospital. The campus consists of over 20 buildings spread out over 73 acres, including two historic towers, an administration building, and a chapel.

The Roycroft Campus is a historic preservation site located in East Aurora, NY in Erie County. The site is a former industrial complex that encompasses 14 buildings, including the Roycroft Inn, the Roycroft Power House, the Roycroft Copper Shop, and the Roycroft Chapel. The site was home to the Roycroft Arts and Crafts Movement, which took place in the early 1900s, and was one of the country’s first intentional artist colonies.

Located in the heart of Erie, Pennsylvania, Saint Joseph Cathedral is a historic Catholic church that has been serving the spiritual needs of the community since 1853. Featuring impressive Italian-style architecture and breathtaking Gothic spires, the cathedral is renowned for its beauty and grandeur. Inside, visitors will find a variety of decorative elements including stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, ornately carved wooden altars, and an intricately decorated ceiling mural.

The Colored Musicians Club of Buffalo, Erie County was founded in 1917 by a small group of African-American musicians. It is the oldest continuously operating jazz club in America and has served as a safe refuge for black musicians facing discrimination during the era of segregation. Throughout its history, it has hosted some of the greatest jazz performers of all time, including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday.

The Electric Tower is an iconic skyline landmark in Erie County, New York. Located on the corner of Main Street and Perry Square in downtown Buffalo, it is one of the region's most recognizable sights. The tower was built in 1912 by local architect Edward Brodhead Green as a power plant for Niagara Falls Power Company, which eventually became part of Niagara Mohawk. The tower is constructed of steel and brick, and stands at a height of 217 feet.

The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site, is a commemoration of President Theodore Roosevelt's first inauguration in 1901. It provides a unique insight into the events that led to the swearing-in of the country’s twenty-sixth president and the beginnings of the Progressive Movement. The site, which includes Roosevelt's home, the Ansley Wilcox House, and the Ansley Wilcox Library, has preserved artifacts, photographs, and documents from the time of his presidency.