6 minute read
What Goes Around, Comes Around 38
AROUND, WHAT GOES
On Buffalo’s waterfront what’s old is new again
Buffalo’s waterfront was once a center of shipping and industry – a rough and tumble place of docks and deckhands who helped make Buffalo a 19th century boomtown. After decades of decline and neglect, Buffalo’s 21st century waterfront has been reborn as a family friendly hot spot. This transformation from desolate to destination over the last decade has added all sorts of ways to soak up some fun and sun with the kids.
Canalside, the jewel in our waterfront crown, has seen the most dramatic transformation thanks to the opening of Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Children’s Museum. And don’t let the word “museum” fool you. There’s nothing stuffy about this interactive, family experience. The kids will be busy marveling at the multi-story waterfall, sliding in their socks on the play ice rink and climbing through the fully ADA-compliant indoor treehouse. The museum pays tribute to the city’s sports teams, historic waterways, architecture, legacy of innovation and what it means to be a neighbor in the “City of Good Neighbors.”
A comeback of a different sort is taking place right across the street from Explore & More with the return of the restored Buffalo Heritage Carousel to Canalside. Built in 1924 in nearby North Tonawanda, the carousel spent 60 years in storage before returning to Western New York where it has been refurbished by a legion of volunteer artisans. It’s scheduled to resume making children happy – powered entirely by solar energy – in mid-summer 2020.
In the spirit of “what goes around, comes around,” Buffalo’s Naval Park is home to three decommissioned World War II-era ships – the USS Little Rock, a guided missile cruiser, the USS The Sullivans, a destroyer, and the submarine USS Croaker – as well as a museum’s worth of smaller vessels, vehicles, military artifacts, equipment and exhibits. Daily tours allow visitors to experience the stories of the sailors who manned these ships in the service of their country.
exploreandmore.org / buffaloheritagecarousel.org / buffalonavalpark.org
try to lunch JAY LANGFELDER 5
Pizzaiolo Jay Langfelder is the owner/operator of Jay’s Artisan Pizza, 2872 Delaware Avenue in Kenmore.
CASA AZUL They have great handmade tortilla shells and creative and perfectly executed tacos. The fish taco is my favorite; it has a beautifully battered and fried piece of fish. 128 Genesee St., Buffalo casaazulbuffalo.com
CHIN HILLS RESTAURANT I almost always order the bibimbap with tofu, which is a hearty rice bowl with sides of pickled and marinated vegetables served with gochujang. 2756 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo buffalochinhills.com
FRANK’S GOURMET HOT DOGS While I really love everything they do, from burgers to dogs and sides, the perfectly cooked and salted french fries are truly my favorite anywhere. 707 Kenmore Ave., Kenmore findfranknow.com
MATTINA’S Quintessential Buffalo-style pizza with concentrated tomato, pepperoni right off the stick and burnt edges. One of the few places still following the traditional preparation of Buffalo style pizza. 6040 Sheridan Dr., Williamsville 3744 Delaware Ave., Tonawanda mattinaspizzeria.com
SQUEEZE JUICERY The fruits and veggies they incorporate into their smoothies, which are always the perfect consistency, make for a quick and healthy lunch. 770 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo squeezejuicerybuffalo.com
CASA AZUL
GET YOUR
SeaLegs READY
Around here, fun runs on water! Buffalo’s waterfront is now home to kayakers, paddle boarders, boaters, water bikers and partygoers because the best way to enjoy the water is to be ON the water. Test your balance coasting down the Buffalo River atop a stand-up paddleboard. Use some pedal power aboard a water bike. Admire Buffalo’s repurposed grain silos on a Buffalo River History Tour. Lay your eyes on a breathtaking Buffalo sunset with an evening sail on the Spirit of Buffalo. And new in 2020, the Big Kahuna makes a big splash as it takes partygoers for a tropical themed ride on the river. Get your sea legs ready for some fun in the sun this summer!
exploreandmore.org @Canalside
in Bualo! best family fun
“TWO-STORY MALL WHERE YOU CAN FIND EVERYTHING!” -TRIP ADVISOR REVIEW
OF EGYPT BY DREW BROWN GOLDEN MUMMIES
Run, don’t walk like an Egyptian, to the Golden Mummies of Egypt at the Buffalo Museum of Science! Glittering, gilded and enigmatic, this world-class exhibit of Egyptological treasures kicked off its international tour in Buffalo through June 21, 2020. Using enhanced technology, you’ll be one of the first to see what mysteries are unraveled beneath these golden sarcophagi. Don’t miss it! sciencebuff.org
There’s bison at the Buffalo Zoo, so yeah, I feel right at home here. And while I love visiting my pals, I always get a huge kick out of feeding the giraffes. Man, they can’t get enough lettuce. But my favorites have got to be the polar bears. Luna and Sakari always put on an amazing show in their cool pool. #AnimalLover
FAMILY FUN VisitBuffaloNiagara.com/family-fun
NIAGARA POWER VISTA Powerful Fun For Everyone • Educational & Electrifying 50+ Energy-Themed Exhibits & Events • Stunning Niagara River views • A USA Today “10 Best in Niagara”
The Flagship of Buffalo
(716) 796-7210 SpiritOfBuffalo.com
(716) 796-4556 BuffaloRiverHistoryTours.com
Bus Tour Groups Welcome • Student, Bus Group & Senior Tours • Driver Rest Area & Bus Parking • Dining Areas for Catered or Brown Bag Lunches • Open Daily 9 am — 5 pm, Except Certain Holidays • Handicapped Accessible
To Preregister Groups: Teresa Martinez, Community A airs Manager 716-286-6652 • Teresa.martinez@nypa.gov
FREE ADMISSION & PARKING
Niagara Power Vista At the Niagara Power Project 5777 Lewiston Road (Route 104) • Lewiston NY 14092 1-716-286-6661 or 1-866-NYPA-FUN nypa.gov/niagarapowervista
