East Side Travel Guide

Plan your next trip to East Side with our comprehensive travel guide, including top attractions, hiking and biking trails, food and drink scene, accommodations, local culture, safety tips, transportation options, and nearby destinations.


Introduction to East Side

Located in Buffalo, within the Niagara Frontier area of New York state, East Side is an eclectic yet vibrant community. Though it was once a thriving center of commerce, it has undergone a revitalization in recent years. East Side boasts several historic landmarks, thriving arts and culture scene, and many outdoor adventures to offer visitors. This guide is intended to help you experience the best that East Side has to offer.

List of Places to Visit in East Side

Here are the top attractions to visit in East Side:

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

  • The Colored Musicians Club Museum
  • Nash House Museum
  • Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor
  • The Frank Lloyd Wright designed Darwin D. Martin House Complex

Natural Attractions of East Side: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

  • Tifft Nature Preserve
  • Buffalo Harbor State Park
  • Outer Harbor
  • Erie Basin Marina

Hiking/Biking Routes of East Side

East Side is home to several beautiful hiking and biking trails that offer scenic views to visitors:

  • The Shoreline Trail
  • The Outer Harbor Greenbelt Trail
  • The Tifft Nature Preserve Trail

Best Things to Do in East Side: Activities and Tours

  • Wander around the historic Broadway Market, which offers many local products to try
  • Go on a walking tour organized by Preservation Buffalo Niagara
  • Take a traditional pedal-powered tour offered by Buffalo Pedal Tours
  • Explore the unique and quirky art galleries in the Elmwood Village

Week-Long Itinerary for East Side

Here is a week-long itinerary for East Side:

Day Activity
1 Visit the Colored Musicians Club Museum
2 Go hiking at Tifft Nature Preserve
3 Explore the Broadway Market
4 Visit the Nash House Museum
5 Visit the Buffalo Harbor State Park
6 Go on a walking tour organized by Preservation Buffalo Niagara
7 Visit the Darwin D. Martin House Complex

Food and Drink Scene of East Side

East Side is home to a diverse food scene. Here are some must-try dishes and local beverages:

Must-Try Dishes

  • Beef on weck sandwich
  • Chicken wings
  • Sponge candy
  • Bison burger

Local Beverages

  • Labatt Blue beer
  • Genesee beer
  • Loganberry drink

Where to Stay in East Side: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

East Side offers various options for accommodations, catering to different budgets and needs. Here are a few of our top picks:

  • The Mansion on Delaware Avenue
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Buffalo Downtown
  • The Westin Buffalo

What to Buy in East Side: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

East Side has a unique local quality, and there are several souvenirs and local products one can bring back home.

  • Sponge candy or other local confections from Platter’s Chocolate Factory
  • Local beers like Labatt Blue and Genesee
  • Bison meat or merchandise from Bison Botanics

Local Culture and Customs of East Side

East Side is known for its architecture, arts, and culture. The community is warm, friendly, and welcoming to visitors from around the world. Visitors should respect the local culture by practicing common courtesy and receiving permission before taking photographs.

Best Time to Visit East Side

The best time to visit East Side is during the summer months, between June and August. During this time, the weather is warm, and there are plenty of outdoor events and activities for visitors to enjoy.

Do’s and Don’ts of East Side

Here are some things to do and don’ts of East Side:

Do:

  • Explore the historic landmarks and museums
  • Go on a walking tour
  • Try out the local specialties

Don’t:

  • Engage in reckless or disrespectful behavior
  • Take pictures without permission in private areas
  • Disrespect historic landmarks or properties

Safety and Health

Safety in East Side

East Side is generally a safe community, but visitors should be cautious while exploring new areas. It is advisable always to lock your doors, stay in well-lit areas, and always be mindful of your surroundings.

Health in East Side

East Side has many health services and facilities, including hospitals and clinics. Visitors are advised to bring all necessary medication and consult a physician before traveling to East Side.

Getting to East Side: Transportation Options and Logistics

Airports Near East Side

The Buffalo Niagara International Airport serves the East Side community, and it’s the closest airport.

Bus Stations Near East Side

Greyhound and Megabus all have stations in Buffalo.

Other Options

Visitors can rent cars, taxis, or ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft to get around in East Side.

How to Get Around in East Side

There are several ways visitors can explore East Side, including on foot, bike, and car.

Where to Go Next from East Side: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

Visitors can explore other destinations near the East Side community, including Chester and Niagara Falls.

Conclusion

East Side is an exciting destination that has something to offer for everyone. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, cultural attractions, historic landmarks, or unique local experiences, East Side has it all. By following this guide, visitors can make the most of their time in East Side while also respecting the local culture and traditions.

The East Side isn't all blight: these suburban-style houses along William Street in the '''Near East Side''' were built in the 1990s, some of the first fruits of the city government's successful efforts to promote homeownership in troubled Buffalo neighborhoods. These heavily subsidized homes are marketed to first-time and minority homebuyers — the perfect way to help at-risk communities learn valuable life skills, establish credit, and ultimately bootstrap themselves into the middle class, while at the same time transforming formerly derelict areas into full-fledged residential neighborhoods whose inhabitants have a stake in the community's success. The East Side isn't all blight: these suburban-style houses along William Street in the '''Near East Side''' were built in the 1990s, some of the first fruits of the city government's successful efforts to promote homeownership in troubled Buffalo neighborhoods. These heavily subsidized homes are marketed to first-time and minority homebuyers — the perfect way to help at-risk communities learn valuable life skills, establish credit, and ultimately bootstrap themselves into the middle class, while at the same time transforming formerly derelict areas into full-fledged residential neighborhoods whose inhabitants have a stake in the community's success. '''St. Mary Redemptorist Church''' as it looked in 1914. '''St. Mary Redemptorist Church''' as it looked in 1914. While there's clearly much work still to be done on the '''Central Terminal''', the enduring commitment of the local preservation community to seeing through such a monumental project in a troubled neighborhood is truly remarkable. While there's clearly much work still to be done on the '''Central Terminal''', the enduring commitment of the local preservation community to seeing through such a monumental project in a troubled neighborhood is truly remarkable. The radial streets that converge on downtown — including '''Genesee Street''', seen here — figure among the East Side's main throughfares. The radial streets that converge on downtown — including '''Genesee Street''', seen here — figure among the East Side's main throughfares. '''Artspace Buffalo''' is situated in the National Register of Historic Places-listed '''Buffalo Electric Vehicle Company Building''' on Main Street in Midtown. '''Artspace Buffalo''' is situated in the National Register of Historic Places-listed '''Buffalo Electric Vehicle Company Building''' on Main Street in Midtown. Humboldt Parkway today. Humboldt Parkway today. The passenger concourse of the '''New York Central Terminal''' in Broadway-Fillmore. The passenger concourse of the '''New York Central Terminal''' in Broadway-Fillmore. The '''Polish Heritage Dancers''' march down Broadway in the 2012 Dyngus Day Parade. The '''Polish Heritage Dancers''' march down Broadway in the 2012 Dyngus Day Parade. '''Martin Luther King, Jr. Park'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s historic '''Humboldt Basin''' wears many hats: in the summer, it's a splash pad where neighborhood kids cool off; in the spring and autumn, it's a lovely reflecting pool as seen here; in the winter, it's frozen over and converted to a popular free ice skating rink. '''Martin Luther King, Jr. Park''''s historic '''Humboldt Basin''' wears many hats: in the summer, it's a splash pad where neighborhood kids cool off; in the spring and autumn, it's a lovely reflecting pool as seen here; in the winter, it's frozen over and converted to a popular free ice skating rink. The quad at '''Canisius College''' on a November afternoon. Canisius' 77-acre (31 ha) campus is the cornerstone of the Hamlin Park neighborhood. The quad at '''Canisius College''' on a November afternoon. Canisius' 77-acre (31 ha) campus is the cornerstone of the Hamlin Park neighborhood. Looking south down Bailey Avenue from the corner of Westminster Avenue in the Kensington-Bailey business district. Looking south down Bailey Avenue from the corner of Westminster Avenue in the Kensington-Bailey business district. The '''Broadway Market''', seen here the weekend before Easter, the busiest season of the year. This place is the last of its kind in Buffalo — there were once a half-dozen or so public markets in the city like this one, but in the years after World War II they declined and, one by one, died off in the face of competition from the supermarkets and shopping malls of suburbia. The '''Broadway Market''', seen here the weekend before Easter, the busiest season of the year. This place is the last of its kind in Buffalo — there were once a half-dozen or so public markets in the city like this one, but in the years after World War II they declined and, one by one, died off in the face of competition from the supermarkets and shopping malls of suburbia. If you like sausage, you've come to the right place. If you like sausage, you've come to the right place. Tucking into a delicious plate of brown stew chicken, with red beans and rice, steamed vegetables, and a frosty bottle of ginger beer on the side. Jamaican food figures prominently among the East Side's restaurant scene. Tucking into a delicious plate of brown stew chicken, with red beans and rice, steamed vegetables, and a frosty bottle of ginger beer on the side. Jamaican food figures prominently among the East Side's restaurant scene. '''Willie's''' on Ludington Street is the prototypical blue-collar gin mill of Lovejoy. '''Willie's''' on Ludington Street is the prototypical blue-collar gin mill of Lovejoy. In Buffalo, poverty and blight does not always equal crime. Despite its appearance, this is actually one of the safer neighborhoods in the entire city. In Buffalo, poverty and blight does not always equal crime. Despite its appearance, this is actually one of the safer neighborhoods in the entire city. Buffalo's largest single hospital, the mammoth '''Erie County Medical Center''' dominates the Delavan-Grider skyline. Buffalo's largest single hospital, the mammoth '''Erie County Medical Center''' dominates the Delavan-Grider skyline. The foundation of '''St. Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr''' in 1872 gave rise to the Polish community centered in Broadway-Fillmore. Unlike most East Side Catholic churches, St. Stanislaus is still an active and vibrant parish. The foundation of '''St. Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr''' in 1872 gave rise to the Polish community centered in Broadway-Fillmore. Unlike most East Side Catholic churches, St. Stanislaus is still an active and vibrant parish. Humboldt Park and Broadway-Fillmore are home to a considerable population of Muslims. Humboldt Park and Broadway-Fillmore are home to a considerable population of Muslims.