Western New York Destination Guide

FAQ

There are 17 counties that make up western New York, which includes the areas of Buffalo, Rochester, Niagra Falls and Finger Lakes. Western New York is approximately the size of Connecticut and Massachusetts combined.

The land is very scenic. Finger Lakes is has spectacular waterfalls, gorges and glens formed by glaciers thousands of years ago. Letchworth State Park, "The Grand Canyon of the East" is a natural wonder as well. Those same geological forces also created a land of great agricultural potential. The Genesee Country, once "The Granary of the Nation," is still a highly productive farm area.

GolfNewYork's course guide has listing by city, so any city in Western New York you are traveling to, you can get information including rates, location and phone numbers.

Buffalo is a 20-minute drive from Niagara Falls and some of the finest tourist attractions anywhere, including: the Maid of the Mist sightseeing boat and the Cave of the Winds, a web of wooden catwalks and staircases accessed through a tunnel in the rock behind the American Falls that provide spectacular up-close views of the cataract.

Buffalo is 439 miles from mid-town Manhattan. This is an eight-hour drive via the New York State Thruway, an eight-hour train ride via Amtrak or a one-hour flight from either LaGuardia or Kennedy Airports.

Yes. In 1964, Terressa Bellisimo made an impromptu snack for some patrons who were enjoying an evening at the Anchor Bar, her family's bar and restaurant. She took some chicken wings that were left over from the day, deep-fried them, added some hot sauce and served them crisp and hot. Her friends loved them and gradually other restaurants throughout the city - and eventually the world - began serving this new delicacy. You can still find the Anchor Bar at 1047 Main Street in Buffalo.

The best weather occurs from mid May until mid September. Yet, Niagara Falls can be very spectacular during the Winter. Nowadays more and more people are visiting the Cataract City year round.

It's a little more than a day trip, and requires an overnight stay most likely. New York City is 406 miles from Niagara Falls. By car it's a 6.5 hour drive. By plane it's a 45-minute flight.