The Buffalo center is approximately the area of Buffalo City Hall and the area of Buffalo General Hospital.
While you'll need to battle the crowds, the beautiful weather Buffalo receives from June to August can't be beat. With average highs in the upper 70s and lower 80s, summer is the perfect time for local sightseeing. Annual events including the season-long National Garden Festival, July's Taste of Buffalo, and August's Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts also make the most of the city's favorable summer weather conditions.
While tourist numbers drop off in the fall and spring, bringing down hotel tariffs with them, these shoulder seasons are much chillier than you might expect. However, if you don't mind dressing in layers, you'll still find plenty to see and do including the Buffalo St. Patrick's Day Parade and the Buffalo International Film Festival, which runs from September to October.
The mercury often drops below freezing in winter, which makes seeing popular outdoor attractions like Forest Lawn and Buffalo Zoo unpleasant. Only visit during this period if you can cope with the extreme cold!
Several Buffalo hotels extend substantial discounts to various members of the community.
Many guests can save when they stay at Hilton Garden Inn Buffalo Downtown. Senior citizens and members of AAA, CAA, and AARP receive discounts of up to 10 percent on the best available room rate. Bed and breakfast packages are discounted by as much as 15 percent for active and retired military and their families.
Buffalo Marriott Harborcenter promises seniors aged 62 or older will save at least 15 percent when they stay. The hotel also offers unspecified discounts to AAA and CAA members and qualified government and military personnel.
Some of Buffalo's mid-priced hotels offer the city's best value.
The generous, well-appointed rooms and central location of Hampton Inn & Suites Buffalo Downtown makes it a popular choice. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast buffet or grab a Hampton On the Run Breakfast Bag on weekends; both options are included in your room rate. The hotel also offers free parking and Wi-Fi.
The pampering starts at DoubleTree Club by Hilton Hotel Buffalo Downtown the moment you receive your warm chocolate chip cookie on arrival. The hotel has more facilities than many in its price range, including an onsite bar, business center, event spaces, and gym. While you can walk to many attractions, you can catch the complimentary downtown shuttle if you'd rather save your legs. Wi-Fi is also free throughout the hotel.
If you'd prefer a boutique hotel, try InnBuffalo off Elmwood, a nine-suite historic mansion in Elmwood Village, minutes from downtown Buffalo. The suites are spacious and beautiful, with elegant touches like heated marble floors, luxurious linens, and Acca Kappa bath amenities. Guests can unwind in the music room, library, and drawing rooms. Such an opulent hotel would cost much more if it were in the heart of the city.
Sporting fans are spoiled for choice in Buffalo, which fields successful sporting teams in several national competitions.
The Buffalo Bills might not have won an AFC championship since the mid-90s, but fans still love to cheer on this National Football League team at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The parking lot can get congested around kick-off, so make sure you arrive at least an hour prior to make sure you're seated before game time. Tickets are available from the stadium's ticket office and the Buffalo Bills website. They range from around $50 to $130 during the regular season; preseason tickets are discounted.
If ice hockey is your game, catch the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Tickets start from around $40 but can top $250 for the best seats. Get yours from the Buffalo Sabres website or in person at the First Niagara Center box office.
For something a little different, check out the Buffalo Bandits, part of the National Lacrosse League's Eastern Division. They're no slouches, winning division championships in 2011, 2009, and 2008, when they took home the national title. Like the Sabres, the Bandits also compete at the First Niagara Center. Because of this, they share a ticket office. Since lacrosse has a relatively low profile, tickets are affordable, ranging from $21 to $40. You can also purchase tickets in advance from the Buffalo Bandits website.
No matter whether you love the thrill of national sporting events or the splendor of an art gallery, Buffalo has attractions and events to delight. It also has a wide variety of hotels, from the affordable to the opulent and everything in between. Research your options carefully to make the most of your stay in Buffalo.
Buffalo is a city on the shores of Lake Erie in upstate New York. Its fine neoclassical, beaux arts and art deco architecture speak to its history as an industrial capital in the early 20th century. Travel to Buffalo, New York for a vacation rich in art, architecture, history, shopping, dining. Discover one of America's great winter destinations. With so many hotels in Buffalo, when you come here for a 2 or 5 day vacation, you are sure to enjoy all that this place has to offer.
If you want to save money on your hotel reservation, worry not “ Buffalo has plenty of cheap hotels that can help you do just that. Here are a couple of the best Buffalo hotels offering cheap but warm accommodation. Comfort Suites Buffalo is a cheap hotel located in central Buffalo and is 9 miles from the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Suites include a living room and two 37-inch wide-screen TVs. Comfort Suites Downtown Buffalo rooms include a sofa bed, a microwave and refrigerator. They are equipped with cable TV and free Wi-Fi. Manor Inn Buffalo is a great affordable hotel for everyone. In all rooms of the University Manor Inn, guests will find a microwave, refrigerator and ironing facilities. Non-smoking rooms are available, too. The University Manor Inn is very close to Grover Cleveland Park and a Metrorail station. It is 7 miles from The Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
If finding the best Buffalo hotel is the name of the game, take a look at a couple luxury hotels that we picked out. Buffalo Marriott is located 350 yards from First Niagara Center, Buffalo Marriott Harborcenter features air-conditioned rooms and private parking. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar. Rooms are fitted with a TV. The rooms have a private bathroom. There is dry cleaning services at the property. Hilton Buffalo Hotel close to Buffalo General Hospital and Roswell Park, this hotel is only minutes from city center attractions and provides state-of-the-art amenities as well as spacious accommodation. On-site dining at Carlton's Grill is available to guests. There is also an on-site fitness center and a business center.
The Mansion Buffalo is a fully restored historic mansion, located in Buffalo city centre, boasts personalized butler services and elegantly decorated guestrooms. Shea's Performing Arts Center is 3 minutes' drive away. The Mansion on Delaware Avenue features rooms with cable TV and free Wi-Fi access. Decorated in soft colours and plush bedding, these rooms also have a work desk. Some have a spa bath. Lenox Suites Buffalo is located 15 minutes' drive from this hotel, which offers an on-site restaurant and bar. Every room at Lenox Hotel and Suites features a 32-inch flat-screen cable TV. A microwave and fridge are provided in the traditional, warmly decorated rooms. They also have a seating area and ironing facilities.
Below are the GSA reimbursement limits for hotel spending in Buffalo, NY excluding taxes per night. See gsa.gov for more details.
Applies to Erie
| Season Begin | Season End | Lodging Rate | Meals & Incidentals |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2025 | June 30, 2026 | $126.00 | $80.00 |
| July 1, 2026 | August 31, 2026 | $139.00 | $80.00 |
| September 1, 2026 | September 30, 2026 | $126.00 | $80.00 |
Below are reviews of the city of Buffalo, NY from an actual visitor's perspective.
it was so calm and relaxing, even for a city. i would recommend living there as a permit residence
The Pancake House.
Walking distance of great restaurants, available parking.
We were very pleased with Buffalo. Toured the downtown. Went to a ball at the Lafayette Hotel. Went to Fort Niagara. Had a great time.
Close to Niagara Falls
Basilica downtown, Niagara falls of course is a must. Botanical garden, City Hall, canal side with the boats and monuments, the list goes on and on.
We live in Silver Creek and stayed there because of an early flight out the next day.
Great parking.
Love the city!
The food!
The food!
The city of Buffalo is great.
I love Buffalo! Everything is clean and very accessible. I feel safe there.
Disney on Ice and Sleeping Beauty at Forbes Theater!
Best wings anywhere!
The food!
Everything!
I love it, I live there.
Food, the Buffalo Bills and Sabres and the shopping!
My wife was in the hospital, the reason for my stay.
It's always something to do.
Bills Mafia
The Buffalo Bills!
Walked along the canal and it was neat to see the ships and aircraft up close.
Highmark Stadium for Buffalo Bills!
Naval Yard and art museum.
It is such a lovely place!
We had a great visit with our family on returning to our hometown! The Olympic restaurant has great food and a pleasant welcoming staff!
Hotel was clean, staff nice, food good.
Love Buffalo and going to games and concerts and all the food! Sheas is also amazing!
Staff was friendly and the room was clean. The falls needs to be seen from the deck of the Maid of the Mist
The room was clean and comfortable. Nice architecture and clean
It's easy to navigate to get where you want to go (by car). We felt safe walking the streets after dark.
Downtown is beautiful. Lots of very cool architecture.
Unfortunately we had no time to explore other than seeing the American side of Niagara Falls which was spectacular.
Sabres! Elmwood village. Dining and bars. Roswell Park.
Sabres! Elmwood Village. Dining and bars. Roswell Park.
I was there for MNF, Bills need to improve. Did enjoy Niagara Falls!
Clean place with no homeless.
Great for artsy theater and movie buffs!
Great restaurants!
The AKG Museum and the theater district.
Niagara Falls
Visited Niagara Falls and Anchorbar!
Great location close to all shopping!
I noticed Buffalo is as majestic in places as it is depressed in others. Downtown is incredible though. Being close to the water helps! Polar opposites and not much in between. A typical American city really. Overall Buffalo is lovely!
The architecture and the time with my family at our first reunion post Covid.
Scenic downtown train and bars!
Great staff!
Buffalo Airport is quick and efficient. There is plenty of shopping in the area.
Enjoyed a concert and the ease of getting to and from the venue.
My stay was to visit the VA Medical Hospital.
The city is awesome with great, local dining experiences.
Went shopping and it was great watching hockey games!
Buffalo is awesome, has something for everyone to enjoy and the food is amazing!
I am a buffalo resident. I took my grandchildren there to be able to enjoy the pool and the Jacuzzi and have a mini day spa!
We enjoyed visiting the Key Bank Arena to watch a Sabre's game. It was easy to get in and out of the Arena. Buffalo had some good shopping options and lots of restaurants to choose from.
Airport is so easy to get through. Niagara Falls is amazing. No wonder it's the 7th wonder of the world. Downtown is easy to get around. Niagara Falls Outlet Mall and Walden Galleria Mall have excellent shopping
Everything was within walking distance of the hotel.
Rooms were clean and very comfortable. Downtown Buffalo is great!
Loved food
We love Buffalo. We lived and worked there for 16 years. It is the friendliest city in the country.
Proximity to many places in Buffalo as well as Canada that are most worthwhile in visiting.
There were so many things to do. Wish I had more time.
Great city with so much to do! So much good food (get the wings at Bar Bill).
The shopping!
We love Buffalo, great restaurants, great friends, loved the casino, it has always been a great place for a mini vacation!
Proximity to many places in Buffalo which are worthwhile as well as proximity to places most worthwhile in visiting country and in Canada.
Nice atmosphere and location!
Shopping!
Very clean.
Rich's Atrium was absolutely fantastic!
Niagara Falls. The pumpkin 🎃 festival in Clarence.
Buffalo is great
Lovely city, friendly people, we were there for annual girls weekend and shopping. Lovely variety of stores and options.
We really enjoyed Buffalo. Defintely would visit again and recommend to friends. People friendly, a city on the rise.
Born and raised in Utica.., it was the historical aspect. TDR's inaugural site is just too cool.
The area is clean and the people are nice
Loved how close Niagara Falls is. Wish we had more days to experience more of canada and the zoo and aquarium. Definitely will be back.
It felt like home.
The food is amazing, check Kostas or Acropolis for Greek/ Mediterranean food, and downtown canalside is awesome, they have an ice rink with ice bikes. Yes you can ride bikes on the ice!
Theater district, shopping and dining were awesome.
Frank Lloyd Wright House, Niagara Falls, Red Carriage Inn restaurant, Como's Restaurant, Downtown Library, Dinosaur BBQ, Anchor Bar, Chef's Restaurant, St Anthony's Church downtown, the Landing Restaurant, the friendly people.
Love Buffalo, but they need Uber.
Buffalo is a nice town, the people are proud of their town, but friendly too. I think Buffalo has so much to offer, nearby wonder of the modern world, Niagara Falls, gateway to Canada which gives the town something of an international flavor (Canadians, by the way, are super friendly too).
Great shopping and choices of restaurants.
The people were friendly and it was easy to navigate around the city.
We visited Niagara Falls and the group enjoyed it.
We loved staying here and enjoyed a walking tour with the Buffalo History Tours. Our clients loved the tour and city history as well.
When in town, be sure to visit Duff's Famous Wings and La Nova Pizzeria.
Easy to get around and a variety of restaurants.