Beat the Summer Heat in Buffalo, New York, with These Family-Friendly Activities

This summer has been a hot one, but that shouldn’t stop your family from enjoying a hard-earned vacation. If you’re looking for the perfect destination to beat the heat and still make those life-long vacation memories, head to Buffalo, New York, where staying cool and having fun are practically built into the itinerary.

The city, along the northeastern shore of Lake Erie where it meets the Buffalo River, enjoys pleasant summer temperatures (while the rest of the country is sweltering) thanks to the cool breezes off the massive lake. And the city takes full advantage of this lake weather with waterfront activities for the whole family.

Discover 200 years of history by visiting Seneca Chief, an all-volunteer-built replica of the first ship to sail the Erie Canal, which helped lead to a westward expansion. This important part of U.S. history, as well as the history of the state of New York, is being celebrated with numerous events leading up to the Seneca Chief’s bicentennial inaugural voyage next September when it will set sail for the port of New York City.

Stay along the shoreline to visit Silo City, a revitalization project that brought life back to a part of the city that previously sat abandoned. In a welcome trend that is revitalizing areas like this in cities around the country, Buffalo has worked hard to turn this once-thriving waterfront industrial zone into an urban oasis. A warehouse and silos, once the home of thriving business a century ago, are being converted into a waterfront apartment complex complete with art installations, a native plant nursery and more. Visitors can even tour the area (reservations required) to discover how the history and culture of a city can be preserved, restored and honored.

Wrap up your trip with a visit to Buffalo RiverWorks, the city’s waterfront entertainment district. You’ll find something for every member of the family here, from zip lining and VR games to food and live music, along with everything in between like riding the Ferris wheel and roller skating. This fun zone is located in Buffalo’s historic Cobblestone District, and, like Silo City, is proof this city knows how to honor its past.

Thanks to the numerous places to explore along the lakefront and the river, visitors can take advantage of the cool weather during the heat waves that have been gripping the country. The family will enjoy this chance to beat the heat while enjoying the best of the city and discovering what the locals call “Buffalo cool.”