Story Ideas
What’s New in Buffalo
Buffalo’s reputation as a Mecca for art, architecture, history, dining and culture continues to grow. Look for the following new developments in 2012 and the next couple years:
The Big 150
Three of Buffalo’s most venerable museums – the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the History Museum of Buffalo, New York, and the Buffalo Museum of Science – are each marking their sesquicentennials this year with special exhibits and programming.
www.albrightknox.org
www.buffalohistory.org
www.sciencebuff.org
War of 1812 Bicentennial
Now through 2014, Buffalo is joining Canada in celebrating 200 years of peace and commemorating battles fought on both sides of the border.
www.visit1812.com
Canalside
Buffalo continues the $295 million development of its historic Canalside district, where the Erie Canal once had its western terminus. More than 400 events will take place there this year and construction of canals and a Courtyard by Marriot have begun.
www.eriecanalharbor.com
National Garden Festival/Garden Walk Buffalo
The third annual National Garden Festival will take place from June 23 to July 29 in Buffalo. This five-week-long garden party features 14 weekend garden walks (including America’s largest – Garden Walk Buffalo), open gardens on Thursdays and Fridays, workshops, speakers, bus tours and a neighborhood-transforming Front Yard Contest.
www.nationalgardenfestival.com
www.gardenwalkbuffalo.com
Wright Gem Nearing Completion
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin Martin House is approaching the completion of a $50 million restoration. This stunning Prairie-style complex remains open for tours during construction.
www.darwinmartinhouse.org
Classic Cars & a Frank Lloyd Wright Legacy Project
The Buffalo Transportation/Pierce Arrow Museum is already home to an amazing collection of automobiles dating from 1903 to the 1960s, including Buffalo-made Pierce-Arrow and Thomas Flyer models. Construction continues on the museum, which will include an enclosed gas station, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
www.pierce-arrow.com
The Rebirth of Two Grande Dames
Two historic hotel buildings in downtown Buffalo – the Lafayette Hotel & Statler Hotel – are being redeveloped into exciting mixed-use projects. The Hotel @ The Lafayette, a new boutique hotel, is now accepting reservations.
www.statlercity.com
www.thehotellafayette.com
Fresh Dining Options
Buffalo has more than 400 independently owned restaurants, with more popping up all the time! Mike Andrzejewski, one of Buffalo’s most respected chefs, has two exciting new projects – Cantina Loco in Buffalo’s Allentown neighborhood and Mike A’s Steakhouse, which just opened in The Lafayette. Other exciting additions include Lagerhaus 95 in the Cobblestone district, Vera Pizzeria in the Elmwood Village, and The Liberty Hound at Canalside.
www.cantinaloco.com
www.mikealafayette.com
www.lagerhaus95.com
www.verapizzeria.com
Buffalo, On Tour
Discover Buffalo’s architecture and neighborhoods on a tour by the Open Air Autobus of Buffalo or Buffalo Tours, explore hidden pubs and taverns on a Forgotten Buffalo Tour, glide on a Segway with the Buffalo Touring Company, or set sail on the Queen City Water Ferry or the Spirit of Buffalo.
www.openairbuffalo.org
www.preservationbuffaloniagara.org/buffalo-tours
www.forgottenbuffalo.com
www.buffalotouringcompany.com
www.queencityferry.com
www.spiritofbuffalo.com
Ready Teddy:
The Roosevelt Historic Site is Restored and Expanded
On September 14, 1901, Buffalo stepped into the national spotlight as Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office as the nation’s 26th president following the assassination of President William McKinley. In a simple ceremony in the library of the Ansley Wilcox house, Roosevelt began a journey that would forever alter the course of the United States and the office of the presidency itself. Seventy years later, on September 14, 1971, the Ansley Wilcox house was opened to the public as a historic house museum, the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site.
Extensive renovations to the historic home and the construction of a new addition are complete. The Site's all new guided tour experience features interactives, audio, dramatic lighting, and a “storytelling” approach that transports visitors back to the drama of September 1901.
Artisans in Buffalo:
Handcrafted Elegance
Buffalo abounds with artisans -- furniture makers, potters, glass blowers, among others – who work at an extraordinary level of craftsmanship. From the artists working in a former windshield wiper factory at Buffalo Arts Studio to the new residents of a transformed printing plant now known as Artspace to the Roycroft Renaissance furniture makers found at the Schoolhouse Gallery in nearby East Aurora, there is a wealth of talent at work throughout the Buffalo region. Meet and profile the many craft artists who create custom home furnishings, architectural elements, art objects and accessories for the home and garden. Visit Buffalo Niagara has created an award-winning "Handmade in Buffalo" brochure to highlight several of the region's premier artisans.
