We love nothing more than to live in and explore the wonderful Queen City, but sometimes we need a break from the fast-paced ways of western New York’s slice of urban heaven. Giving you the chance to explore a more quaint way of living that includes things like friendly faces and family-run businesses, there’s nothing quite like heading out to any one of the small towns that surround our city. All less than an hour from the city, any one of these destinations will make you feel right at home from the instant you begin your visit. Here are our favorite small towns near Buffalo you can’t miss:

1. Arcade
Arcade, NY 14009, USA
DuchessofRush/TripAdvisor
Just over 45 minutes from the heart of Buffalo, Arcade is a small town out in Wyoming County with just 4,000 residents. Equipped with its own village park and, of course, the charming Arcade & Attica Railroad station, you'll find plenty of ways to get outside and enjoy the fresh air in this small town. When you aren't busy making use of Arcade's small-town attractions, you can visit the town's tasty restaurants and even check out a winery right on Main Street!
2. Medina
Medina, NY 14103, USA
Keith Ewing/Flickr
Just under an hour away from Buffalo, the quaint village of Medina is home to 6,000 residents. A great town to visit with the entire family, Medina is home to some truly delightful places to see and things to do. If you're not into learning more about the history of trains in New York and all that jazz, you can also go for a walk down Main Street to get a look at all the different shops and restaurants in town. Another reason why we love this small town? There's plenty of parks and outdoor spaces to enjoy.
3. Clarence
Clarence, NY, USA
gardener41/Flickr
With amazing towns like Clarence and all the rest that have made our list, it often feels unnecessary to even wander outside of Erie County. A town that's made up of 30,000 people, you'll find lots of out-of-towners flocking to Clarence around this time of year to visit places like The Great Pumpkin Farm that comes to life during the holiday season. If you're looking for more than just a pumpkin filled attraction, Clarence also features historic homes and sites, antique shops and malls, and even a local brewing company that'll give you a taste of what small town is like in Western New York. Just a 30-minute drive outside of Buffalo, there's no excuse not to visit Clarence this fall.

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4. Depew
Depew, NY, USA
Vicky M/TripAdvisor
Another wonderful gem of Erie County, the village of Depew may be larger in size when it comes to residents but you'll still find that same small town charm alive and well here. Home to roughly 15,000 people, Depew is a serene area of the county to enjoy, with beautiful outdoor spaces like the Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve and Veterans Park available just outside of your door. Only 20 minutes outside of Buffalo, you'll love the quick drive it'll take to get to this village.
5. East Aurora
Seyemon/Flickr
A small village that's part of Erie County, East Aurora has just over 6,000 lucky residents that get to call this small town home. It will give you a taste of that old school charm you're always longing for. Be sure to wave hello to Mr. Vidler on the roof and step inside the world's largest 5 & 10 store to do some shopping. After exploring such a darling destination, you'll also want to check out the town's local museums where you can dive into history or even visit the Hawk Creek Wildlife Center to get your daily dose of outdoor sunshine and fun. A splendid village worth taking the time to visit, you won't want to leave Knox Farm State Park off of your East Aurora bucket list either.
6. Akron
Akron, NY 14001, USA
docpetre47/Flickr
A tiny slice of Erie County that's just over a half-hour away from Buffalo, the small town of Akron is only home to about 2,000 residents and the Rich-Twinn Octagon House that's only one of a dozen left in the entire country. If you're already familiar with the history of Akron, you can spend your time exploring natural wonders like the ones you'll find tucked away in Akron Falls Park that features a beautiful 40-foot waterfall that cascades down along Murder Creek.
7. Williamsville
Williamsville, NY 14221, USA
John Piercy/Flickr
Less than 20 minutes outside of Buffalo, Williamsville is a village within Erie County that's home to roughly 5,000 residents. One of the first places that you'll find people visiting in Williamsville is Glen Park, a walking park filled with well taken care of pathways and even a gorgeous waterfall for you to view along Ellicott Creek. The park is a great place to visit when the weather's warm enough to be outside and you're ready to see a familiar and friendly face from around town.

Ready to get your eyes back on the Queen City? Then make sure you read about the reasons why Buffalo is the most underrated city in the U.S!

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More to Explore

Small Towns Near Buffalo, New York

Tori Jane | September 19, 2022

What are some of the best small towns near Buffalo New York for families?  

Life in New York is pretty swell, especially when you’re living somewhere as beautiful as the Buffalo area. One of our favorite family-friendly small towns near Buffalo is Williamsville, which is full of restaurants and eateries, galleries, shops, and excellent schools. There’s plenty to do without being overly large, and it’s easily one of the safest suburbs of Buffalo as well. Clarence Center is another excellent choice, boasting very low crime rates and some of the best schools in the state. Other options include gems like Eggertsville, Harris Hill, and East Aurora.  

Where are some cute towns near Buffalo New York to visit?  

Unfortunately, there are way too many cute towns near Buffalo that get overlooked on the regular, and we think that’s some kind of huge injustice. There are lots of gorgeous small towns in New York that are perfect for day trips (more on that in a moment), and then there are gorgeous small towns around Buffalo that top that list more often than not. Some of the cutest towns near Buffalo to visit include Alden, which is 40 minutes away from the city and features some truly amazing sunflower fields. Lockport is another unsung gem, also 40 minutes away from Buffalo, and famous for the Erie Canal. Then, there are other nearby options like Orchard Park (20 minutes away), Hamburg (25 minutes away), and, of course, Niagara Falls, which is just a half-hour from downtown Buffalo.  

What are some of the best towns in western New York?  

There are entirely too many underrated towns in New York, especially in the western portion of the state. Some of our all-time favorite small towns in western New York include places like the above-mentioned Alden, on the eastern edge of Erie County, Chautauqua, which is found in a county of the same name, Youngstown, in northwestern Niagara County, and Ellicottville, in Cattaraugus County. We also love Angola, Medina, and Lewiston.  

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