Schmap Buffalo Neighborhood Guide

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Buffalo - Neighborhood Guide
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Buffalo Home
Schmap Buffalo guide and map

From the renaissance of the waterfront area to downtown's phoenix rising, from the major airport expansion to a revived arts and cultural scene, New York's second-largest city is booming again.

This rebirth harkens back to the glory days, when Buffalo was known as the "Queen City of the Lakes" and the "Gateway to the Midwest," supplying steel, cars, meat, grain and textiles to the rest of the nation and the world. These were the days when the port bustled, the railroads hummed and the manufacturing plants, using cheap Niagara Falls electricity, produced chemicals and refined oil for a hungry industrial engine. At the turn of the last century, the city was on top of the world, boasting the known universe's largest grain and livestock markets. Buffalo was the logical choice for the 1901 Pan-American Exposition and one of those buildings still stands, housing the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society. Buffalo was an exciting, bustling place: the homeland of two presidents (Millard Fillmore and Grover Cleveland) and the site of six structures built by Frank Lloyd Wright and a park system created by one of the designers of Manhattan's Central Park.

Dark Clouds Dispelled

Oh, Buffalo saw some dark times in the three decades between 1960 and 1990, climaxing with the 1982 closing of most of its steel mills and the death of the Courier-Express morning paper, where Mark Twain had served as editor a century before. But through it all, this city of just over 300,000 (with 1.2 million in the surrounding suburbs) has always maintained its class and dignity and, above all, its friendliness. It's not called "The City of Good Neighbors" and "The Biggest Small Town in America" for nothing.

Buffalo's ethnic diversity includes people of Greek, Irish, Italian, African American, Polish, Scottish, Latino and German decent, to name a few. That, combined with a basic blue-collar mentality, creates a solid foundation for the community to build and re-build. And re-build the city has, by pumping millions into its downtown showpiece Theater District, by expanding the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, by creating waterfront housing and establishing a Metro Rail line from HSBC Arena to the South Campus of the State University at Buffalo. It has diversified its economy, moving from strictly "rust belt" industries to services and tourism, then to high tech and fiber optics. It has put up hotels, banks, office buildings and a state-of-the-art convention center.

All the while, the city has been mindful of the distinctive neighborhoods that make up the heart of Buffalo, a compact area of a mere 42 square miles. Allentown, Bailey-Lovejoy, Black Rock, the Delaware District, the Elmwood Strip, Kensington, North Buffalo, Polonia, South Buffalo, West Side: each has its unique story to tell and will defend its heritage with the ferociousness of a mother protecting her child.

National Historic District

Allentown National Historic District is home to both the Wilcox Mansion (where Teddy Roosevelt was inaugurated) and the Allentown Art Festival. The Bailey-Lovejoy area is committed to preserving its railroad-rich past through the Iron Island Museum and the annual neighborhood festival. Delaware Park, the jewel of the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park system, the historic Forest Lawn Cemetery, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and Cofeld Judaic Museum of Temple Beth Zion are all a part of the Delaware District. Polonia features traditional Broadway Market food vendors and the New York Central Terminal.

With Lake Erie and Canada to the west, Buffalo is bordered on its other three sides by suburban areas that are also rich in history and heritage. To the north and northeast lie Tonawanda and Amherst, the first combines a strong industrial base with beautiful parks and natural scenery and the latter is home to the huge University at Buffalo North Campus. To the east is Cheektowaga (aka, Land of the Crabapple) with the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and the Walden Galleria Mall, the largest mall in Western NY. To the south and southeast lie the aptly named Southtowns: Lackawanna, Hamburg, West Seneca, Orchard Park and East Aurora, that combine a range of heavy industry and farms, shopping malls and village boutiques, modern condos and 19th century architectural gems.

Economic and Cultural Hub

It is here that the 1929 Art Deco masterpiece, Buffalo City Hall, rises high above the tree tops. Also note the French Renaissance-style Ellicott Square Building finished in 1896 as the largest office building in the world at that time.

Within the compact downtown is where you'll find the hive of performing arts activity known as the Theater District. Shea's Performing Arts Center, with its classic Baroque interior, serves as an anchor for the 20-block Theater District. You'll find plenty of night life in the Chippewa Club Zone, which rose from the ashes of the former red light district . Buffalo Place has a pedestrian mall and a reputation for being festival central. If ice hockey's your thing, you'll be interested to find the HSBC Arena (formerly the Marine-Midland) where the NHL Buffalo Sabres skate.

And it's true: Buffalo chicken wings actually were created here, thanks to a stray shipment of wings that made its way to the Anchor Bar in the mid-1960s. Buffalo is also home to the Beef on Weck sandwich and it is the Friday fish fry capital of the world.

Not to be overlooked, Buffalo is a mere 25 miles from what has been called one of the seven natural wonders of the world. For 11 million visitors a year, the breath-taking Falls are attraction enough to check out Buffalo.

Now comes a mystery: How did Buffalo get its name? Woolly bison have never been part of the landscape (except inside the Buffalo Zoo). One theory says the first settlers gave the name Buffaloe's Creek to what is now the Buffalo River after seeing Native Americans in the area. Another thought stems from the French influence in the area. A French missionary-explorer, dazzled by the beauty of the Niagara River, called it beau fleuve or beautiful river and this eventually came to be mispronounced "Buffalo" by the locals.

Whatever the true story behind the name of the city (which was originally called New Amsterdam), one thing is no mystery. The "City of Good Neighbors" offers all its visitors small-town hospitality in a big-city environment. Explore the it ethnically-diverse cuisine, high-caliber theater, Elmwood Avenue's Victorian mansions or the Chippewa Club Zone's sizzling nightlife and you're sure to find something just to your liking.

Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

Allentown

Buffalo
United States

Allentown National Historic District is home to both the Wilcox Mansion (where Teddy Roosevelt was inaugurated) and the Allentown Art Festival.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Carol Kowalik

Photo: Steve Benson

Photo: David Daruszka

Photo: reisen

Photo: Kelly Heft

Chippewa Strip

Buffalo
United States
Forget New York City; Chippewa Strip should be dubbed "the city that never sleeps" because of its thriving nightlife and enticing entertainment offerings. Third-shift patrons have made the Strip the go-to spot in Buffalo for the posh and casual alike, ultimately closing their bar and nightclub doors at 4 A.M. The particularly exclusive, over-25 spot Crocodile Bar located on the infamous West Chippewa Street is known for its fine single-malt scotches and the more than 50 cocktails that make the menu the perfect sight for sore eyes. For a more dressed-down feel, Big Shotz offers live rock and roll music and daily drink specials, perfect for casual conversation and a calm evening out.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: IoC1604
Photo: Brian McClellan

Delaware District

Buffalo
United States
Delaware Park, the jewel of the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park system, the historic Forest Lawn Cemetery, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and Cofeld Judaic Museum of Temple Beth Zion are all a part of the Delaware District.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Daniel Malebranche
Photo: Paul Fultz
Photo: Erin Bogacki
Photo: Chewing Wax
Photo: Andrea Galey
Photo: Sabrina May
Photo: Alex Penvose

Downtown

Buffalo
United States
It is here that the 1929 Art Deco masterpiece, Buffalo City Hall, rises high above the tree tops. Also note the French Renaissance-style Ellicott Square Building finished in 1896 as the largest office building in the world at that time.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Scott Burgan
Photo: Dan Klosterman
Photo: jean-pierre balpe

Elmwood Strip

Buffalo
United States
Regarded as one of the most student- and family-oriented areas in Buffalo, the Elmwood Strip is lined with antique shops, yoga studios and cafes which ultimately peak at Buffalo State College. Visit the works of Matisse, Gaugin, and Pollock at the unique Greek Revival building on the strip's northern end where contemporary and ancient art collide to give Elmwood a more sophisticated feel. Avoid the hassle of parking by taking the 20 Metro bus which rides along the tree-lined strip at all hours of the day.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Maureen

North Buffalo

Buffalo
United States
Centered on Hertel Avenue and running between Main and Elmwood with the Kenmore village line to the north, this neighborhood is a mix of residential areas and the Hertel Avenue business strip. This one-mile stretch includes everything from cafes to antique shops, unusual gift boutiques and ethnic restaurants such as Ristorante Lombardo. The avenue is also home ground for the annual Western New York Italian Heritage and Food Festival, a street party extravaganza that attracts more than one million revelers in July. The neighborhood features the North Park Theatre, Buffalo's best-known cinema for independent films.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: J.M. Saltzman
Photo: Ian Jeffries
Photo: Cheryl Popielarz
Photo: caffeinatedgonzo
Photo: Gwyn Richards
Photo: Joe Flateau
Photo: Sean Birch
Photo: thenorah

Theater District

Buffalo
United States
Within the compact downtown is where you'll find the hive of performing arts activity known as the Theater District. Shea's Performing Arts Center, with its classic Baroque interior, serves as an anchor for the 20-block Theater District. You'll find plenty of night life in the Chippewa Club Zone, which rose from the ashes of the former red light district . Buffalo Place has a pedestrian mall and a reputation for being festival central. If ice hockey's your thing, you'll be interested to find the HSBC Arena (formerly the Marine-Midland) where the NHL Buffalo Sabres skate.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: zoezolka

West Side

Buffalo
United States
Stretching from Elmwood Avenue to Lake Erie and Porter Avenue to Buffalo State College, the West Side, which centers on Grant Street, served as the first home in America to many Sicilian immigrants who arrived in the early 20th century. Now the area once housing a "Little Italy" is a melting pot for many ethnicities, particularly of Hispanic origin. Delicious eateries are abundant in this area, including the renowned Left Bank restaurant, an upscale American bistro which features Thai and Vietnamese specials every Wednesday. For some beautiful views, stop by the Buffalo Lighthouse, located at the U.S. Coast Guard Base on Lake Erie.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Jannygirl

Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Buffalo - Neighborhood Guide"
Buffalo
Buffalo - Historical Background
Buffalo - Where to Stay
Buffalo - Dining & Drinking
Buffalo - Art & Entertainment
Other nearby cities:
Niagara Falls (30 miles)
Toronto (94 miles)
Detroit (354 miles)
Ottawa (374 miles)
Baltimore (445 miles)
Philadelphia (451 miles)
Washington DC (458 miles)
New York (471 miles)
Montreal (511 miles)
Richmond (609 miles)

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