36 Hours

Who Knew There was So Much to Do:
36 Hours in Buffalo

The city of Buffalo offers visitors an invigorating mix of heritage, cultural and entertainment options. Arrive Friday afternoon and head for the Albright-Knox Art Gallery (1285 Elmwood Ave.) for Gusto at the Gallery, an ongoing program of concerts, lectures and special events that is free of charge every Friday from 3-10 p.m.

After surveying the Gallery's stunning collection of modern masterpieces, head to the nearby Elmwood Village for dinner and drinks at Nektar (451 Elmwood Ave.), a stylish restaurant that features an eclectic menu and memorable martinis.

After dinner, continue downtown to Chippewa Street and stop in at La Luna (52 W. Chippewa St.) for the latest in salsa, meringue, samba and other Latin sounds for the music lovers in your party.

Begin Saturday morning with a hearty breakfast at Ambrosia (467 Elmwood Ave.), a classy Greek coffee shop on Elmwood Avenue, before heading out on a walking tour of Buffalo's architecture with a guide from the Landmark Society or Campaign for Buffalo. Tours run between May and October and last between one and two hours.

Satisfy your post-tour hunger with lunch at La Dolce Vita at 1472 Hertel Avenue in North Buffalo. Then stop by the Buffalo Zoo for a look at the new Sea Lion Cove and River Otter exhibits. These active animals are sure to please any kid in your party from one to 92.

Next, walk up Jewett Parkway for a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's recently re-constructed Darwin Martin House Complex (125 Jewett Parkway) in the city's lovely Parkside neighborhood. This is the finest example of Wright's "Prairie Style" in existence and the work he considered his "opus."

For dinner, stop by the Anchor Bar (1047 Main St.), the place where chicken wings first took flight and experience an American culinary legend. Terressa Bellisimo invented the tasty finger food here in 1964 and millions have been consumed in the years since. Find out why.

End your evening with a stroll along the Buffalo waterfront at the Erie Basin Marina Gardens and the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park. The summertime blooms are beautiful, the sunsets often breathtaking and it's the best view to be found of the city's skyline.

Sunday morning, make your way back to the Albright-Knox for brunch at the Garden Restaurant. The view of the sculpture garden makes for great conversation and the food is scrumptious.

If your schedule allows, visit the Burchfield-Penney Art Center (1300 Elmwood Ave.) across the street for a look at their stunning collection of watercolors by American master Charles Burchfield or spend some time walking and gawking among the antiques and boutiques of the Allentown district. Great deals abound. Be sure to take home a treasure.