The Elmwood Village: A true Buffalo gem

This article is part of a TNGG series on cities.

By: Samantha Nephew

The City of Buffalo is one of those towns that’s known for just a few things – chicken wings, snowstorms, and a pair of sports franchises that always seem to come so close. And aside from those few things, people often find themselves asking, “What is there to do in Buffalo?”

Turns out there’s actually quite a bit to do — and you don’t even have to go to Niagara Falls!

The Elmwood Village – Elmwood Avenue, in the city proper, and the surrounding streets – has grown into the premier place to live, shop, and be seen in Buffalo. The American Planning Association even named the Elmwood Village one of America’s 10 best neighborhoods in 2007.

You’re likely to find an eclectic bunch of people on Elmwood – local residents lounging at coffee shops and bookstores during the week, shoppers from all over peering through windows every weekend – and for good reason: there’s something for everyone.

Let’s begin with one of Buffalo’s greatest assets – the food. And there’s an awful lot of it in the area. Greek diners like Pano’s and Acropolis, Indian food at India Gate, and exquisite Thai cuisine at Saigon Café are just the beginning. That famed Buffalo pizza and, yes, chicken wings are also available at any one of a dozen pizza places – Mister Pizza, Just Pizza, Casa Di Pizza, and the newly established Zetti’s Pizza, for example – and will hit the spot at any time of day. For the health conscious, Globe Market and the Lexington Co-Op have an array of good-for-you dishes ready to be enjoyed.

In the mood for a hot cup of coffee? Spot Coffee and Caffe Aroma are a must. Cupcakes and other sweets to go with that coffee are always available at Zillycakes (famous for the cupcake portrait of Barak Obama) and Delish.

But we can’t just eat all day long, so how about a little music? Local bands and artists frequently perform at the coffee shops and bars that dot the area.

Or would you rather spend some time enjoying some beautiful art, shows, and museums? The Albright-Knox Art Gallery (free admission on Fridays!) is revered for its massive collection of classical and contemporary art, and across the street, the Burchfield Penney Art Center is home to creations by Charles Burchfield himself. There are often student-produced art and dance shows hosted at Buffalo State College’s Performing Arts Center, directly behind Burchfield Penney, and just down the block, the Erie County Historical Society‘s grounds are highlighted by their stunning Japanese Gardens.

Want to do a little shopping? Annie Adams, Shoefly, Plum Pudding, Splash Panic and The Silver Kaleidoscope are just few of the amazing, unique boutiques lining Elmwood.

Because Elmwood Avenue is home to Buffalo State College, there are a lot of college students and young twenty-somethings in the area, which means a busy bar scene. Cozumel Bar and Grill’s patio is one of the hottest spots to have a few drinks with your friends, and gilded, wood-lined bars at J.P Bullfeathers, Cole’s, and Mr. Goodbar are usually packed to the walls on weekends. If you’re looking for a more subdued night out, try a glass of wine with friends at Toro, Cecilia’s, or The Wine Thief.

During the summer, Elmwood floods with people excited to attend the Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts, the annual Gay Pride Parade, the Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers’ Market, and the free Tuesday night concert series at Bidwell Park.

If you’re searching for a glitzy, glamorous vacation, you should probably and head for Toronto, just 90 miles north of Buffalo, or New York City, which is about eight hours east. But Buffalo will easily provide relaxation and a low-key, affordable weekend excursion, and the Elmwood Village is an absolute must-stop. It’s hard not to walk away from a day on The Strip excited about the people you met, the ideas that were exchanged, the food you’ve eaten, or the places you’ve shopped.

It’s truly one of Buffalo’s gemstones.

Samantha Nephew was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, and is a senior at Buffalo State College, majoring in Public Communication. She plans to attend Canisius College to receive her masters in Sports Administration and hopes to work in public or media relations for the Buffalo Sabres, or any other National Hockey League team. Nephew credits her father Arthur, who passed away in 2008, as her motivation for wanting to work in sports public relations, and her mother Zenna, who passed away in 2010, as her inspiration to keep challenging herself in academia and in pursuit of higher education.