The Tourist Traps of Buffalo
Buffalo, known as the City of Good Neighbors, is a city where locals have mastered the art of navigating through snow-covered streets while dealing with tourists who often ask if they really get that much snow (yes), mispronounce local names like "Scajaquada" and "Chippewa," and take photos of every chicken wing as if they've discovered fire. If you're looking to experience Buffalo like a true local, it's best to avoid the overpriced tourist spots that make residents want to move to Rochester—something no one would ever want to do.
Anchor Bar: The Tourist Wing Pilgrimage Site
Anchor Bar, often referred to as the birthplace of the buffalo wing, is a top destination for tourists seeking an authentic experience. However, locals are often unimpressed by the inflated prices and mediocre wings served there. The atmosphere feels more like a tourist trap than a neighborhood joint, and the service is famously poor. Real Buffalonians prefer to get their wings from local spots where the food is better and the wait times are shorter.
Niagara Falls (American Side): The Disappointing Waterfall Experience
Although technically not in Buffalo, Niagara Falls is often grouped together with the city. Locals know that the American side offers a less impressive view, with tourists getting soaked by mist and surrounded by tacky shops. The Canadian side provides better views, while the American side is more about fighting crowds and paying high prices for a less-than-stellar experience.
Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin D. Martin House: The $25 Architecture Tour
This Prairie-style house attracts architecture enthusiasts who pay premium prices for guided tours. However, locals question why anyone would pay so much to see someone else’s home. The experience is more like an expensive real estate showing, while Buffalo has many other Wright buildings and architectural gems that locals appreciate without needing guides or admission fees.
Elmwood Village: The Gentrified Shopping Strip
Elmwood Village is a trendy neighborhood that draws tourists who think they’re experiencing authentic Buffalo culture. However, the area has become more about expensive retail and dining, pushing out the original residents. Real Buffalo culture thrives in neighborhoods that haven’t been commercialized by food bloggers and lifestyle magazines.
Buffalo City Hall: The Art Deco Government Building Tour
Tourists flock to Buffalo City Hall for its stunning Art Deco architecture, but locals know it's just where city council meets. While the building is beautiful, it's possible to appreciate it from the outside without paying for a tour. The observation deck offers decent views, but there are better skyline views throughout the city.
Canalside: The Artificial Entertainment District
Canalside is a downtown waterfront development that attracts tourists who think they're experiencing Buffalo's industrial heritage. However, locals know it's more of a corporate entertainment complex built on the site of former grain elevators. The overpriced concerts, chain restaurants, and activities don't match the real Buffalo waterfront culture that existed when people actually worked on the water.
Buffalo Zoo: The Small City Animal Collection
The Buffalo Zoo charges admission prices comparable to major metropolitan zoos, but locals know the animal collection is limited and the facilities are outdated. The concession prices make theme park food look reasonable, and many locals prefer taking their kids to free parks instead.
Buffalo Museum of Science: The Dusty Educational Experience
This museum attracts families who pay to see exhibits that haven't been updated since the 1980s. The planetarium shows are the same programs they've been running for decades, and locals remember going as kids and knowing their children will be bored within an hour.
Allentown: The "Bohemian" Arts District
Allentown, a historic neighborhood, attracts tourists looking for Buffalo's artsy scene. However, locals know it's more about bar crawling than actual art, with rising rents pushing out the artists who once made the area interesting. Real Buffalo arts culture happens in studios and venues where working artists can still afford to live and create.
Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park: The $15 Warship Museum
This collection of decommissioned military vessels attracts tourists who pay to climb around old ships. Locals know it's more about touring floating museums that take hours to see completely. While it's fine for those interested in military history, most visitors get bored looking at empty ship compartments and reading plaques about naval operations.
The Verdict: Find the Real Buffalo
Authentic Buffalo is found in neighborhood taverns where locals watch Bills games and eat actual good wings, community festivals celebrating the city's diverse immigrant heritage, and music venues where Buffalo's working-class culture comes alive. While tourists spend money on manufactured experiences and overpriced attractions, locals enjoy the city's real character at places that don't need tourism marketing to be special—they're interesting because they represent what Buffalo actually is: a resilient working-class city with great food, loyal sports fans, and communities that support each other through whatever weather or economic challenges come their way.
