Getty Images/500px Plus

Outer Harbor

Buffalo


This narrow, 400-acre strip of land between the Buffalo River and Lake Erie serves as the city’s Central Park. The heart of the space is Wilkeson Pointe, which features a small beach. Nearby, the Pointe Beer Garden serves up suds and other refreshments alongside lawn games like cornhole. At the other end of the island is Buffalo Harbor State Park, which includes a marina and restaurant, as well as a nautical-themed playground.

On a clear day, you can see Canada to the northwest. Birders shouldn’t miss the park’s 264-acre Tifft Nature Preserve, with 5 miles of trails through marsh and wetlands. Outer Harbor is also accessible by Bike Ferry from Canalside ($1 fare each way).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Buffalo attractions

1. Canalside

0.19 MILES

Buffalo's once-derelict waterfront has been spruced up to offer year-round entertainments and activities, from markets and light shows in summer to ice…

3. Guaranty Building

0.66 MILES

Completed in 1896 for the Guaranty Construction company, this gorgeous piece of architecture has a facade covered in detailed terra-cotta tiles and a…

5. Buffalo City Hall

0.87 MILES

This 32-story art deco masterpiece, opened in 1931 and beautifully detailed inside and out, towers over downtown. It's worth joining the free tour at noon…

7. Old Fort Erie

2.56 MILES

East of Port Colborne and south of Niagara Falls is the town of Fort Erie, where the Niagara River leaks out of Lake Erie. Across from Buffalo, NY, it’s…

8. Delaware Park

3.77 MILES

This 350-acre park is one of three in the city designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. It includes meadows, forests, lakes, rose and Japanese-style gardens,…