Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Burgeoningcommerceyieldedwealthandinfluence.Bytheturnofthe20thcentury,two
of Buffalo's sons, Millard Fillmore and Grover Cleveland, had occupied the White House.
By the 1930s, railroads were becoming more popular, reducing the importance of the Erie
Canal. But the region kept growing as manufacturers such as Ford, Chevrolet, Bethle-
hem Steel, Allied Chemical, Carborundum, DuPont, and Dunlop Tire expanded. However,
forces outside of Buffalo's control conspired to strangle the region's manufacturing for-
tunes. The opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway and ever-expanding Welland Canal al-
lowedmostshippingtobypassBuffalo.Thousandsoflaborjobswerelostasmanufacturers
throughout the Northeast ceased production or moved to areas with lower taxes and less
regulation.
Today, Buffalo's fortunes are beginning to reverse, as various sectors, including govern-
ment, banking, and healthcare are employing Buffalo's capable and well-educated work-
force. Following years of inactivity, Buffalo's waterfront, Canalside, has emerged as a new
entertainmentcenterfortheregion.Entrepreneursandpreservationistshavejoinedforcesto
save andrenovate landmarks, creating newspaces forliving andentertaining. The region is
capitalizing on its organic strengths—world-class architecture, a beautiful waterfront, and
proximity to Canada—to reclaim its place as Queen City of the Great Lakes.
Buffalo and its northern neighbor Niagara County can be explored in two days by focusing
one day on Buffalo and another day on Niagara County's attractions. Make Buffalo your
basefortravel.Ithasthegreatestconcentrationoflodgingsinthedowntownarea,andmany
different types, from hostels to boutique hotels. There are many attractions such as the wa-
terfront that you can easily walk to from downtown Buffalo.
From Lockport in Niagara County, you can access the winery region by going either
west or east. Part of your route should include the shore of Lake Ontario, the northern edge
of Niagara County.
Buffalo has been called a living architectural museum. The city's grand buildings represent
many of the masters of American architecture, including Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd
