What to do in Buffalo NY while house and pet sitting

Located on the shores of beautiful Lake Eerie and only a few minutes from the spectacular Niagara Falls, Buffalo in the state of New York has plenty to offer for outdoor enthusiasts – but those aren’t the only people who’ll love it here.

Grab some snacks, lean back and let us give you some inspiration for what to do in Buffalo NY during your next pet sitting trip there.

Buffalo NY attractions

Ready for the most famous must-sees in Buffalo, New York? Here are the city’s coolest sights and landmarks:

1. Niagara Falls: everyone knows about Niagara, but trust us when we say: no matter how many pictures or videos you’ve seen, nothing beats the experience of actually being there and watching the spectacular falls crash down in person. And luckily for you, from Buffalo, it only takes a few minutes by car to get there.

2. Albright-Knox Art Gallery: time for something quiet and relaxation after all the excitement of seeing Niagara Falls? Then how about a day at the fabulous Albright-Knox Art Gallery? The gallery might not be super big – in fact, it can only hold about 200 art pieces at a time – but it’s a sight to behold inside and out, thanks to its stunning architecture and amazing modern and contemporary artworks.

3. Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens: back to nature it is! For serene strolls through colourful flower arrangements take a trip to the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. The 156-acre garden consists of several themed areas, such as an arboretum, a pinetum, a shrub garden and a bog garden, and is a sight to behold all year round.

Free things to do in Buffalo, New York

Small budgets don’t necessarily equal small adventures. We’ve found the best free places in Buffalo for you to enjoy:

1. Buffalo City Hall: anyone interested in architecture should be sure to plan for a stop at Buffalo’s City Hall. The 32-story Art Deco building stands at a whopping 398 feet and first opened in 1931. Since then, it has continuously served as Buffalo’s political hub. Today, you can marvel at it from the outside for free, or you can ride up to its observation deck to enjoy the amazing view.

2. Forest Lawn: so far, Erie County has not been exactly erie, has it? But maybe our next recommendation will change that for you: Forest Lawn is Buffalo’s beautiful 19th-century cemetery and the perfect place for quiet walks through lush landscapes. And if you’d rather not be alone among the more than 152,000 buried here, you can also take a guided tour to learn more about Forest Lawn’s storied history.

3. The Buffalo History Museum: speaking of history – if you’d like to explore Buffalo’s past some more, best head to the Buffalo History Museum. The unique museum is home to more than 325.000 exhibits, including numerous books, historic artifacts and photographs, covering several thousand years of local history. And how much admission you pay to experience all that is completely up to you (pay what you wish) – just be sure to book your ticket online in advance.

Fun things to do in Buffalo NY

Let the fun times roll! Check out our personal top 3 of the most fun things to see and do in Buffalo NY:

1. Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum: if you loooove vintage cars and other vehicles, the Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum is an absolute must-see for you. The stunning cars here span 45 years of Pierce-Arrow history and will make any car enthusiast’s jaw drop over and over again.

2. Iron Island Museum: do you believe in ghosts? If your answer to that is no, this spooky museum might change your mind. Home to multiple hauntings, the Iron Island Museum has been a hot spot for ghost hunters for quite some time, and if you dare, you may join them yourself during one of the guided ghost hunting tours.

3. Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve: if hunting spectral beings is a little too scary for your taste, how about hunting for fossils instead? At the Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve you can dig up trilobites and other fossilized creatures yourself, all while being professionally guided by the local staff – and you may even keep any you find!

What to do in Buffalo NY with pets

Wondering what to do in Buffalo, New York with your new furry buddy? These activities will leave both you and the pooch in great spirits:

1. Delaware Park: stunning gardens, quiet lakes and more await you and your four-legged friend at Delaware Park in Buffalo’s north. Delaware Park spans more than 505 acres and offers ample opportunity to relax or exercise – depending on your mood. Just note that the pupper needs to be kept on a leash in the entire area!

2. Gallagher Beach: it’s finally time to go to the beach! And on Gallagher’s Beach you may even bring the pooch with you, as long as you keep them leashed at all times. You can walk the boardwalk here, relax in the warm sand or simply enjoy the beautiful ocean vistas together.

3. Walton Woods Park: for a fun woodland adventure with the doggo, best visit Walton Woods Park and enjoy a hike down the trails circling the lake here, have a picnic on the green meadows or rest for a moment in the gazebo overlooking the water. Again, though, be sure to keep the pooch on a leash while you’re there.

Best restaurants in Buffalo NY: Food and drink

Hungry for some chow? You certainly deserve it after all your sightseeing adventures. Here are some of the best Buffalo restaurants and food hubs:

1. The Broadway Market: are you planning on cooking your own meals during your Buffalo pet sitting trip? Then be sure to check out the Broadway Market for some of the best, fresh produce in town – plus some fun souvenir options.

2. Hertel Avenue: Hertel Avenue is one of Buffalo’s most popular culinary hotspots as well as a famous hub for art and entertainment. Stylish restaurants, fun cafés, numerous shops, an old cinema and much more will leave you hungry for nothing. If cafés are your thing, check out our list of dog-friendly cafés in New York (that actually allow dogs inside).

3. Lafayette Square: to combine some more sightseeing with yummy food, head over to Lafayette Square, have a look at the local monument and then take your pick among the many delicious eateries here, serving every taste and budget.

House and pet sitting in Buffalo NY

Is your Buffalo bucket list bursting at the seams now? No problem, you can come back as often as you like - with a TrustedHousesitters membership, that is! In fact, if you love pets and going on exciting pet sitting trips all around the world, you’re in just the right place! Head over to our How it works page to find out more about TrustedHousesitters, how to become a sitter and how our members connect. And then, once you’re ready, sign up right here to start your first adventure!