7 Things That Only Buffalonians Understand

If you who hear "Buffalo, New York" and think of only one of two things — snow or wings — then we urge you to please read on. There's so much more to the Queen City than that. Want to check out a badass roller derby bout? Come to Buffalo. In the mood to try some killer local brews? Buffalo has those, too. Love unique, cultural celebrations that are exclusive to that city? B-Lo's your place.

Located on the picturesque Eastern Shore of Lake Erie, Buffalo is the largest city in upstate New York and the 45th-largest in the United States. It’s home to a state university, the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, the Sabres, the Bills, and, of course, Mighty Taco. Forbes named Buffalo the 10th-best city in which to raise a family, and National Geographic ranked it as the third-best food city in the world. (Yep, the world!)

Historically a manufacturing city, Buffalo has experienced some population decline since the 1950s. But the City of Good Neighbors is on a serious uptick, and there's no shortage of great things to do, see, and eat year-round. (And with a nickname like that, what's not to love?) Sure, they may get a lot of snow, but Buffalonians also have a lot of heart.

We partnered with Nordstrom Rack to tell you our favorite parts of Buffalo that make the city so awesome.

This is post is sponsored by Nordstrom Rack. The new Nordstrom Rack opens on Sept. 3 at Boulevard Consumer Square in Amherst. Get details.

The Craft Beer Scene Is No Joke

What better telltale sign of a hip city than an outcrop of craft breweries? The beer scene in Buffalo is booming, to say the least, with breweries like Resurgence Brewing Company, Flying Bison, and Big Ditch Brewing Company all opening up in the past couple of years alone. Notably, Resurgence boasts the city’s first outdoor beer garden, making it a happening spot for fair-weather day drinking. Also, they have a peanut butter porter. We repeat. Peanut. Butter. Porter. We’ll see you there.

Food Truck Tuesdays Are A Thing

As we’ve established, Buffalo has some good eats. In my humble opinion, food truck food is the best food, so what better way to celebrate transported deliciousness than on its own designated night? Every Tuesday night from May to October, over 40 food trucks from Buffalo, Rochester, and other surrounding areas set up shop in Larkin Square for the dinnertime rush. Start with some "tricked out" nachos from Lloyd, and finish up with gelato from Sweet Melody's.

You Can Pick Up Curling At Buffalo RiverWorks

Located in the Brewery District (yes, that’s a real place), RiverWorks opened earlier this year, and has quickly become the city’s premier indoor event center. This former grain mill operation site now has two outdoor ice rinks, as well as the world’s first ever purpose-built indoor roller derby racetrack. In fact, RiverWorks is home base to the Queen City Roller Girls roller derby team. The venue also hosted the 2015 Labatt Blue Buffalo Pond Hockey Tournament and the Buffalo Curling Club Bonspiel. Oh, and by the way: The Buffalo Curling Club is looking for new members. We’re just saying; this could be your chance at Olympic gold.

Delaware Park Is The Central Park Of Buffalo

This gorgeous 350-acre park — made up of expansive forests, lakes, and meadows on the north side of town — is the centerpiece of the city's robust park system. Home to the Buffalo Zoo and Hoyt Lake, as well as tennis courts, baseball diamonds, running paths, and a golf course, there’s no shortage of fun and adventure. Delaware Park also happens to host one of the largest free outdoor Shakespeare festivals in the country. If it ends up raining on your day in the park, check out the Albright-Knox Art Gallery on the park’s western edge, or the Buffalo History Museum on the northern edge.

Canalside Is The Place For Summertime (And Winter) Activities

Did we mention that Buffalo has some of the driest and sunniest summers in the Northeast? You’re going to want to take advantage of that. Canalside, located on Lake Erie in downtown Buffalo, has everything you'll want to stay active, from paddle boarding to power yoga classes to bike rentals, as well as fun events like haunted ghost walks (boo!) and DJ happy hours. In the winter, don't forget the HARBORCENTER Winterfest — a three-day event held in January, featuring ice skating, curling, specialty foods, and of course, the IIHF Women Under-18 Championship hockey tournament. This spot is prime B-Lo.

Dyngus Day Is A Pretty Great Way To Welcome Springtime

The annual post-Lenten bash attracts tens of thousands of people to Buffalo every year on the Monday after Easter. It coincides with Śmigus-Dyngus, or "Wet Monday," a celebration originating in Poland and Ukraine. Dyngus Day in Buffalo — which happens to be the largest American Dyngus Day event — is all about honoring Polish tradition while having a ton of fun. There’s live music, dancing, authentic Polish eats like kielbasa, and a big parade. This is a great chance to get down to some polka music while rocking your finest red-and-white attire.

Nothing Beats A Stroll Through Elmwood Village

This quaint, artsy neighborhood is known for its cafes, galleries, small clothing boutiques, beautiful houses, and super-chill vibe. With Elmwood Avenue as its main drag, the village is a great place to walk around on a spring day, or even when there’s snow on the ground. Grab a latte from one of the awesome coffee houses and chat it up with a friendly neighbor.

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