5 Reasons to Visit Western New York

Miami.  Rome.  Paris.  Rochester?  One of these things is not like the others.  Unfortunately, Western New York does not automatically come to mind when thinking up great vacation spots.  However, there is actually a lot to do in this particular region and I personally (with no bias whatsoever, of course) feel that more people could appreciate what New York has to offer outside of the Big Apple.  Here are just 5 out of the hundreds of reasons you should visit WNY.

1) Food

Some of the tastiest dishes ever were invented in WNY.  Buffalo boasts the invention of chicken wings, and Rochester is the proud home of the Garbage Plate (if you’ve never had one, you’re missing out).  Wash that all down with a Genny Light from Rochester’s own Genesee Brewery and your palate will be pleased.  Other well-known food related businesses in the region include Mighty Taco, a Mexican fast food joint that just recently spread from Buffalo to Rochester, Wegmans, a supermarket chain founded by a Rochestarian, and Abbott’s, which is a local frozen custard venue in Rochester.  Other food items that should not go unmentioned include beef on weck sandwiches, Webster’s mustard, hot dogs (both Sahlen’s and Zweigle’s), sponge candy, and Loganberry.  I know I’m leaving some things out, but for the purposes of this list, I digress…

2) Niagara Falls

This amazing  piece of the world is located at the apex of WNY.  The falls are definitely a sight to be seen, and the surrounding area, either on the American side or the Canadian side, is full of casinos, nightlife, and shopping.  You can even take a boat tour underneath the falls, but don’t forget your poncho!  If that isn’t enough for you, Toronto is not not far away by car and there is definitely plenty to do there.

3) Finger Lakes

This picturesque region of the state is a great destination for Spring, Summer, or Fall.  The local wineries are popular places to spend a day, or a whole weekend.  From June through August (or September if you’re lucky) the lakes are full of people at their summer cottages who take out their boats or jet skis to sunshiny days on the water.

4) Pro Sports Teams

Buffalo, NY has two professional sports teams, the Bills and the Sabres.  Pride is something Western New Yorkers know a lot about, so even when our teams are down, we keep rooting for them anyway!

5) Winter Sports

WNY gets a bad rap for its harsh winters, and believe me, they are rough.  However, the fact that it’s one of the snowiest places in the US makes WNY a great place for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.  Holiday Valley and Bristol are among the main winter sports destinations.

Western New York seems to be an area that is often underestimated for its value as a tourist destination, so hopefully this will enlighten the public and give a little insight into what the region has to offer besides record-setting annual snowfalls.

Image from http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/11/7/01041/9000/travel/No+Joke%3A+Western+New+York%27s+Best+Skiing

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