Neighborhood Shopping
Elmwood Village
Named one of the "10 Great Neighborhoods in America" by the American Planning Association, the Elmwood Village is one of the Buffalo's top shopping and entertainment districts. Bordered by the city's museum district on one end and Allentown on the other, Elmwood Avenue features a host of boutiques, coffee shops, bars, art galleries and restaurants.
Directions from Southern Ontario/Peace Bridge (Approaching Elmwood Village via City Streets from the south of the district)
Take the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) to the Peace Bridge crossing at Fort Erie, Ontario. After passing through customs on the American side of the border, follow Moore Drive through historic Front Park to Porter Avenue. At the traffic signal make a left on Porter and continue to Symphony Circle. Take the Symphony Circle Rotary to North Street. Take North Street to Elmwood Avenue. Make a left onto Elmwood and enter the Elmwood Village district. The heart of the district is located at Auburn and Elmwood Avenue; about 2 kilometers north of North Street. You are now in the heart of the Elmwood Village! On-street parking is available and free Saturday & Sunday; parking on Elmwood is paid during the work week from Monday – Friday from 9 – 5pm.
Directions from Southern Ontario/Peace Bridge (Approaching Elmwood Village via New York State Interstate Expressways from the north of the district)
Take QEW to the Peace Bridge crossing at Fort Erie, Ontario. After passing through customs on the American side of the border, look for signs directing towards Interstate 190 North (I-190 North). Take I-190 North towards Niagara Falls. Exit I-190 at Route 198 (Scajaquada Expressway). Take Route 198 to the Elmwood Avenue exit. After exiting the Elmwood Avenue ramp make an immediate right onto Iroquois Road, then an immediate left onto Elmwood Avenue at the traffic signal. Continue down Elmwood for about 1 kilometer until you reach the intersection of Auburn and Elmwood. You are now in the heart of the Elmwood Village! On-street parking is available and free Saturday & Sunday; parking on Elmwood is paid during the work week from Monday – Friday from 9 – 5pm.
Hertel Avenue
Known as an antique haven for the last 15 years, North Buffalo's Hertel Avenue now boasts much more than the half-dozen or so antique shops that call it home. The shopping district has a collection of bars, restaurants, coffee shops and an early 20th century movie theater that's not to be missed. Nicknamed Buffalo's "Little Italy," Hertel is also renowned for its Italian restaurants, cafes and grocery stores.
Allentown
Long known as a hip cultural destination in the city, Allentown continues to live up to that reputation today. The neighborhood, bound by Allen Street, Franklin Street, Delaware Avenue and Elmwood Avenue, has a number of bars featuring live music and jazz every weekend, restaurants and small galleries. You'll also find antique shops and bookstores, filled with off-the-beaten-path knick-knacks, used books and CDs.
Williamsville
First settled nearly 200 years ago, historic Williamsville is a destination for those who want to skip the malls and prefer the allure of an old-fashioned Main Street shopping experience. The village features a host of boutiques, clothing stores, gift shops and other retailing outlets centered around picturesque Glen Park. Williamsville also has a number of well-known restaurants and cafes.
Clarence
Founded in 1808, Clarence was the first town incorporated in Erie County. Located northeast of Buffalo, Clarence's history and heritage are still very much alive today. Many of Clarence's antique shops, cafes and bookstores are housed in quaint 19th century buildings along Main Street and on Goodrich Road in the hamlet of Clarence Center. When you need a break from the shopping, take in Clarence's forests, fields and wetlands on a pair of walking and biking trails.
East Aurora
The village of East Aurora, located southeast of Buffalo, can stake claim to the residence of an American president - Millard Fillmore - and the birthplace of the American Arts & Crafts Movement - the Roycroft Campus. Today, its quaint Main Street is filled with shops, restaurants, an old-fashioned movie theater and Vidler's 5 & 10, a surprisingly expansive store that has been in operation for more than 80 years.
