Buffalo, incorporated in 1832, is a city full of history, vibrant arts and culture, and natural beauty. New York State's second largest city with 1.2 million residents, Buffalo resides on the eastern shores of Lake Erie.

Due to Buffalo's rich cultural heritage, visitors will find the city full of surprises. Buffalo is world renowned for its architecture, including five homes built by Frank Lloyd Wright. History buffs will discover the terminus of the Erie Canal on Buffalo's waterfront, President Theodore Roosevelt's inauguration site, and stops on the Underground Railroad.

The Albright-Knox Art Gallery is considered to house one of North America's top collections of contemporary art. The city's theater district features no less than 14 theaters and performance spaces.

A stroll through the Elmwood & Hertel Avenue districts will reveal funky shops and hip restaurant & dining establishments. The Chippewa Entertainment District in downtown is another destination for those searching for a great pub, distinctive dining or live music.

Visit Walk Buffalo for a virtual walking tour of Buffalo and a list of other areas of interest.

Other local attractions include:

• Riviera Theatre
• Skylon Tower
• Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises
• Buffalo and Niagara Falls
• Erie County Fair, Aug. 6 to 17, Hamburg, N.Y.
• Buffalo Bisons baseball - Home games scheduled Aug. 14-21. Schedule.

Upstate New York has many scenic natural resources - Niagara Falls, the Finger Lakes Region, and rolling hillsides of farmland. Agriculture is still the number one industry in the state and within 50 miles of Buffalo you can see vineyards, dairy, grain, vegetable crops, and potato production.

If you have the time, other interesting regions of Upstate NY include:

• Western New York's Niagara Wineries Trail offers a range from premium wines to fruit wines and even one place with wine ice cream.
• The Adirondacks with Lake Placid, two-time host of the Winter Olympics.
• Lake George, "Queen of American Lakes."
• The Leatherstocking Region with Cooperstown and the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
• The 1000 Islands with the famous Boldt Castle.
• The Finger Lakes - very scenic region filled with farms and wineries.
• I Love New York - New York State Tourism

Questions? Email Don Halseth: deh3@cornell.edu