If you’ve got the travel itch, don’t worry – we’ve got a remedy for you. From places with natural beauty to fun and educational opportunities, and everything in between, gas up the car, pack up the family, and check out these 11 best day trips in Buffalo that are absolute must-dos!

1. Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, NY, USA
Andrea Mugheddu - Flickr
We'll start with the obvious. Venture north of the city to Niagara Falls for shopping, sightseeing, adventures like the Maid of the Mist, or try your luck at the Seneca Niagara casino!
2. Ellicottville
Ellicottville, NY 14731, USA
Sabreguy29 - Flickr
Whether you're a ski bunny or more of the window-shopping type, Ellicottville has plenty of options for year-round entertainment! Head to the spa or salt cave to relax; shop for unique home decor and clothing on Main Street, and stay for the late night scene at Ellicottville Brewing Company or Balloons Restaurant & Nightclub.
3. Old Fort Niagara, Youngstown
Old Fort Niagara, 102 Morrow Plaza, Youngstown, NY 14174, USA
gardener41/Flickr
Built in 1726, Old Fort Niagara sits proudly on the shores of Lake Ontario in Youngstown. Enjoy learning about the history of the fort year-round through either guided or self-guided tours. As an added bonus, if you visit Old Fort Niagara during one of their special events, you'll get the full effect with reenactors on-site.
4. Letchworth State Park, Letchworth
Letchworth State Park, New York, USA
Atlantic Community/Flickr
Coined as "The Grand Canyon of the East," Letchworth State Park consists of over 66 miles of hiking trails, waterfalls as high as 600 feet, and year-round activities for visitors. You can even choose to turn your day trip into an overnight with their tent and trailer campsites and winterized cabins.
5. Corning Museum of Glass, Corning
Corning Museum of Glass, 1 Museum Way, Corning, NY 14830, USA
Ellen Forsyth - Flickr
This museum blows – in a good way! Founded in 1951, the Corning Museum of Glass houses glass artifacts thousands of years old. While you definitely don't want to touch certain exhibits, the museum also offers make-your-own glass sessions for beginners and courses for all levels of glass making.

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6. Roycroft Campus, East Aurora
Roycroft Campus, 31 S Grove St, East Aurora, NY 14052, USA
Roycroft Campus Corporation
Considered the birthplace of the arts and crafts movement, the Roycroft Campus in East Aurora offers tours, field trips, and educational programming. Fill your brain with knowledge of the campus and then head over to the restaurant for a hearty meal!
7. Museum of Science and Technology, Syracuse
Museum of Science & Technology, 500 S Franklin St, Syracuse, NY 13202, USA
Museum of Science & Technology - MOST Facebook Page
The Museum of Science and Technology in Syracuse is a wonderfully fun and educational institution for people of all ages. Hands-on interactive activies are the mainstay here, bridging science, technology, our natural world, and more that we encouter in our lives every day. Plan to spend several hours here, as there is so much to see, do, and experience.
8. Presque Isle, Erie, PA
Presque Isle, Erie, PA 16507, USA
Todd Van Hoosear - Flickr
Presque Isle in Erie, PA is a quick drive from the city of Buffalo and a popular summer spot for beach-goers. Named by "Birders World Magazine" as one of the top birdwatching locations in the country, Presque Isle also has great beaches, biking trails, and features open air concerts in the summer months.
9. Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua
Chautauqua, NY 14757, USA
Gardener41 - Flickr
Visitors to the Chautauqua Institution in the charming town of Chautauqua can stay for the day, night, or longer for educational experiences in arts, religion, and recreation. The Institution is a non-profit organization located minutes from beautiful Chautauqua Lake.
10. Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave, Buffalo, NY 14218, USA
gardener41/Flickr
The Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens are absolutely stunning! A major draw for folks from all over Western New York and further afield, the history of the gardens dates back to 1900. Here visitors are literally surround by verdant plants and flowers from different regions and ecosystems across New York and from other parts of the U.S. Be sure to bring your camera to bring home shots of some of this amazing beauty.
11. Griffis Sculpture Park, East Otto
Griffis Sculpture Park, 6902 Mill Valley Rd, East Otto, NY 14729, USA
Patricia Barden - Flickr
Located in Ashford Hollow, the Griffis Sculpture Park is a 400-acre outdoor exhibit consisting of 250 impressive sculptures created by a wide array of talented artisans. The park is a great place for families to explore and photographers to snap shots of plenty of unique subjects.

Where are your go-to spots to travel outside of Buffalo? Share your favorites with us!

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More to Explore

Best day trips in Buffalo

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | July 08, 2022

Where can I take a cruise in the Buffalo area?

Taking a cruise is a wonderful day trip option, and you can do so aboard Erie Canal Cruises. The enterprise, located in the town of Lockport, offers several different cruise vessels for different numbers of passengers (although the double-deck boat is one of the most popular). The tour lasts about two hours and is narrated along the way, providing a wealth of history of the sites and attractions that line the canal. The highlight is going through Locks 34 & 35 (see why the town is named Lockport?), the Erie Canal’s only set of double locks.

I want to visit a Frank Lloyd Wright house.

This famous architect has structures all over The Empire State,and a few are in the Buffalo area. One of them is the Darwin D. Martin House Complex. One of the most popular tourist attractions in the country, the complex encompasses his beautiful home and gardens. The house was built in the Prairie School architectural style and the interior and exterior features are awe-inspiring. The gardens are meticulously maintained, offering amazing color and texture all year. A visit here won’t soon be forgotten.

Can you name one of the really unique things to do around Buffalo?

There are so many unique things to do around Buffalo that it would be hard to narrow down just one. But how about ziplining? Unlike most ziplining adventures located in treed areas in parks, nature areas, and the like, Buffalo RiverWorks is located right in the heart of the riverfront district. If you are okay with heights, you won’t mind the start some 110 feet above the ground. From there you’ll zig and zag through the famous Labatt Blue 6-Pack silos, while taking in spectacular views of the surrounding riverfront area.

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