Niagara Falls
New York

Niagara Falls

Destination Overview

New York’s far-flung western region feels distinctly different from anywhere else in the state. Framed by two great lakes and crowned by its queen city, Buffalo, Western New York is proud to be a region all its own. Visitors will find the area to be delightfully dissimilar to the more famous New York City: home to mouth-watering cuisine (buffalo wings, anyone?), historic architecture, and the magnificent Niagara Falls, visitors have so much to see and do here. A honeymoon in Western New York will be a most unique newlywed adventure.

The huge, awe-inspiring Niagara Falls is one of the biggest draws to the area, and it’s a must-see if you are in the region. The sheer magnitude of this natural wonder will take your breath away, and is one of the most romantic experiences the two of you can share. Steal a kiss under the falls with a voyage on Maid of the Mist, and prepare to get sprayed by the falls! Afterward, make your retreat to Buffalo, a city bustling with culture and history. Admire buildings designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who used the city as a blank canvas in his early days. Check out the impressive Art Deco-style city hall, and marvel at street art in Allentown. Do not leave without a trip to Anchor Bar, home of the original Buffalo wings, for a taste of the recipe that started it all.

There is much to see and do beyond the city of Buffalo and Niagara Falls that will pique any honeymooners’ interest. Western New York is graced by the presence of not one, but two of the Great Lakes: Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Each lake showcases its own extraordinary beauty- take your pick! Down in Chautauqua-Allegheny, you’ll find an abundance of nature, farmer’s markets, lakes and Amish communities. A popular way to kick off a honeymoon adventure is with a visit to one of the region’s pretty parks, hiking, biking, boating and fishing your way around. Panama Rocks Scenic Park in Panama and Allegany State Park in Salamanca are two wonderful places to start.

To experience a truly “unique New York” culture, look beyond the tourist trail and head west. You will be glad you did.

About Niagara Falls

At a Glance

  • FOODIE EXPERIENCE: Buffalo is home to some pretty iconic food, from Anchor Bar’s Buffalo Wings to Paula’s Donuts and Ted’s hotdogs. You can try it all at the annual Taste of Buffalo, the largest two-day food festival in the U.S.
  • WONDERFUL WATERFALL: Want to be amazed by the raw, beautiful power of Mother Nature? Then a trip to the stunning Niagara Falls is in order.
  • PARK IT: Western New York is filled with natural parks begging to be explored. Become enchanted by the 60 foot tall mossy crevices at Panama Rocks Scenic Park, or immerse yourselves in miles of nature at Allegany State Park.
  • FESTIVAL FUN: Have fun with the locals by partaking in one of the zany festivals Buffalo hosts each year. Eat your hearts out at National Wing Festival, live it up on St. Patrick’s Day, and navigate a giant ice maze to celebrate winter at Buffalo’s Powder Keg Festival.
  • ART+HISTORY: Explore the history of the region by visiting Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin D. Martin House, Millard Fillmore’s quaint childhood home, or Buffalo’s striking Art Deco city hall. See works by Picasso and Andy Warhol at Albright-Knox Art Gallery, one of the oldest public art institutions in America.
  • JOIN THE FANCLUB: Win or lose, western NY’s pro sports teams have a loyal and dedicated following. Be it a Bills, Sabres, Bandits or Bisons game, you will have a ton of fun cheering on the team with passionate local fans.

Honeymoon Hints

  • PASSPORT-CHECK: Some say the best views of Niagara Falls are on the Canadian side, so if you have a passport, bring it along. It only takes ten minutes to cross the border at Niagara Falls, so you can easily see both sides in a day.
  • BRING A CAMERA: You will pass many aesthetically pleasing scenes, whether in industrial-cool Buffalo or the rural countryside of New York State. Be prepared to make lots of pit stops to capture the area’s beauty.

Travel Tips

  • GETTING THERE: Fly into Buffalo-Niagara International Airport (BUF) or Erie International Airport (ERI). Bus service by Greyhound and Megabus stops in Buffalo, as do Amtrak trains. If driving, western New York can be reached via the New York State Thruway (I-90).
  • GETTING AROUND: Driving a car is the best and most convenient way to explore the region. Parking is usually easy to come by, and border crossings to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls are much faster in a personal vehicle than by bus or train.
  • WHEN TO GO: The best time to visit Niagara Falls is in summer, when cool mist off the falls is most welcome. In wintertime, western New York often receives large amounts of “lake-effect” snowfall, so drive with caution.