If ever there was a city of rabid sports fanatics, Buffalo is it. What other metropolis would build its two largest sports stadiums—Coca-Cola Field and the HSBC Arena—in the heart of downtown, not far from government offices? The town made a recent top 10 list of great places to tailgate, due to the diehard fans that abound here.

If ever there was a city of strong ethnic persuasions, Buffalo is it. What other midsize city—Buffalo’s population is under 300,000—can boast the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade west of Manhattan (population eight million) and the largest Pulaski Day Parade east of Chicago (population three million)?

If ever there was a city of broad, tree-lined streets, expansive Victorian homes, and striking architectural landmarks, Buffalo is it. There aren’t many places that have received the architectural stamp of approval from both The New Yorker critic Brendan Gill and architectural historian John D. Randall. Randall states that Buffalo has a wider range of American and European architectural forms than any other city in the world.

Visiting Buffalo is like visiting an overgrown small town. People talk to strangers here and point to recent civic improvements with enormous, and quite justified, pride. Nonetheless, the city has its share of urban problems, including a population exodus to more prosperous areas and rising crime rates.