| CITY OVERVIEW
Stay in Buffalo
|
Ever wanted to visit a City whose people passionately follow famous old sporting teams (the Bills and the Sabres) that have never won anything yet keep on getting back up, putting themselves in position to win and then get beaten again? Add some of the coldest weather in the land and a greyish old industrial landscape and you start to get the picture of what makes Buffalo tick. It is understandable why Buffalo itself doesn’t usually attract many visitors. The drive or train ride into Buffalo usually exposes visitors to an oldish industrial landscape with a downtown area trying desperately to recover past glory. What Buffalo does do to attract visitors is to call itself the gateway to Niagara Falls, being only a short drive to the American side of the Falls. That
being said, there are actually several attractions near Buffalo that makes
this part of Upper New York State worth a visit. The ‘Underground
Railway’ or ‘Paths of Freedom’ tour, which retraces the track that
was used to lead African/American slaves across Canada is worth looking at
for an insight into this aspect of history that has only been recently
accessible. Heritage
gems include the Genesee Country Village and Museum, which has the largest
collection of historical buildings in the east; Historic Fort Erie, which
is actually located over the other side of Lake Erie in Canada; and the
historic Kenan Centre in nearby Lockport, which is an 1800’s era
mansion, sports arena, theater, education building, playground, and formal
gardens which are open to the public. And of course, there is the massive amount of snowfall in the winter, and the Falls itself, one of the great wonders of the world (although it is probably better viewed from the other side in Canada). |
| GETTING THERE
Fly to Buffalo Within USA
|
Amtrak, Greyhound and Trailways are all located in downtown Buffalo. There is also an international airport - Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Genesee St, Buffalo. Buses and shuttles connect the Airport to the downtown area. Getting around the city and suburbs is easy when you use the Metro Bus and Rail system. The Metro Rail runs along Main Street from HSBC Arena to the South Campus of the University of Buffalo, with several stops in between. The train is free while travelling above ground. However, if your ride takes you past the Theatre District, down into the subway, there is a charge. Bus stops are found on almost every city of Buffalo street corner. |
| NFL
BUFFALO BILLS |
Life
began for the NFL Buffalo
Bills in 1959 when the
American Football League granted their seventh franchise. The Buffalo
Bills are now renowned as the team that appeared in four Super bowls and
lost them all. In 1994, the Bills won their 4th consecutive AFC title to
become the first team to play in a fourth consecutive Super Bowl. However,
Buffalo bowed out to Dallas once again in Super Bowl XXVIII. Buffalo continue to be
regular playoff contenders in recent years but also continue to never
quite get there. |
| NHL
BUFFALO SABRES |
The NHL’s Buffalo Sabres began life in 1970 and although never winning a Stanley Cup final (they played in their first final in 1998-99), have only missed the playoffs 7 times in their history - making the Sabres one of the most consistent teams in the NHL. This year was one of their rare losing seasons - where they finished last in the North-East division. |
| RALPH WILSON STADIUM |
Ralph Wilson Stadium hosts the Bills and is located at 1 Bills Drive, Orchard Park, which is off Route 216. From Buffalo Downtown, it is approximately 10 miles south. The Stadium, formerly called Rich Stadium, opened on 1973 and has a capacity of 80,000. The Stadium is renowned as one of the coldest in the US, and before 2002 at least, was one of the most feared for visiting teams. Recent renovations included the installation of seat warmers for club seat holders. It also has the largest colour jumbotron videoboard in the US. As many people don’t actually stay in Buffalo, other than going through it on the way to Niagara Falls and Canada, the best public transport access may be on The Buffalo Bills Express from other parts of New York State. The train leaves Albany and makes pick-up stops in Schenectady, Syracuse, Utica and Rochester before arriving at the Depew station. From there, Bills Express passengers board coaches, which take them to Ralph Wilson Stadium. The price of the train ticket also includes entry to the game. Metro Buses are also available from downtown (Route 93- Downtown Buffalo Transportation Center); and arrive 1-1/2 hours before the game and depart immediately after the game from bus lot west off Abbott Road. Other buses also leave from the Niagara Falls International Transportation Center in Niagara Falls; Route 91- City of Tonawanda (Main and Niagara); Route 92- South Campus Station; Route 95- Thruway Mall; and Route 96- Clarence (Main and Transit). |
| HSBC ARENA | HSBC
Arena
hosts the Sabres and is located at 1 Seymour Knox
Plaza, Buffalo. Opened in 1996, the Arena has a capacity of 18,500.
The venue lies just south of its predecessor, the old Buffalo
Memorial Auditorium. If
staying downtown, the Arena is easily accessed by the City’s rail system
– the Arena is currently the last stop on the city's subway line. |
| GOLF
Early July - LPGA BMO Financial Group Canadian Women's Open, Legends on the Niagara, 9233 Niagara Parkwat Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada Ticket information through www.lpga.com |
The Canadian Women's Open is held just over the border in the Canadian section of Niagara Falls. Not surprisingly, it is quite difficult to move between the Canadian side and the American side by public transit. The best bet is to take a cab from nearby Buffalo or Niagara Falls. If you can get over to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, Niagara Transit's Route 6 or the Falls Shuttle to Chippawa's Main Street. From there take a cab to the course. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - DIVISION 1
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY LEWISTON |
The NU Purple Eagles are located in Lewiston, just off the Robert Moses Parkway and adjacent to the Niagara River, some 40km north of Buffalo. The Purple Eagles have teams in several sports, including men’s and women’s basketball. The basketball teams play out of Dwyer Arena, which is located on the campus. You can get to NU by catching the Metro Bus Route 50 and 52 from the Niagara Fall Transportation Centre in downtown Niagara Falls. To get to Niagara Falls, catch either the Greyhound or an Amtrak from their respective locations in downtown Buffalo. These services are quite irregular so careful planning will be needed to coordinate a trip to Dwyer Are |
