Best of Western New York

Allentown [1]: The nation’s second-largest historic district is chock-a-block with Victorian buildings and home to the Anchor Bar, where Buffalo chicken wings were invented.

Griffis Sculpture Park [2]: Whimsical, 20-foot-high humanoid figures, created by Buffalo artist Larry Griffis Jr., perch among 225 other works on a hill with sweeping views of the valley below.

Niagara Region State Parks [3]: Safari-camping, NY-style at Four Mile Creek, Evangola, or Golden Hill State Park. No tent? No car? No problem. City-folk and travelers alike can enjoy the great outdoors the way nature intended (er, plus a bed) without baggage fees and hauling gear across the state.

Niagara Reservation State Park [4]: The famed waterfalls straddling the U.S.-Canada border may be a cliché, but they incite wonder nonetheless and excitement can be amped up by sailing into the mist, particularly on the Canadian side. For unique perspective, check out Horseshoe Falls half-iced over in dead of winter.

Whirlpool State Park [5]: Whirlpools State Park offers a great hike to a bubbling, thrashing stretch of impressive rapids and whirlpools.

Artpark [6]: Enjoy a musical or Big Band event at Artpark’s open air ampitheatre overlooking Niagarqa River Gorge. Spread over 20 acres, this is the only national park in the U.S. devoted to the visual and performing arts.

Erie Canal Cruise [7]: Rent a canal boat or let someone take the helm and explore the historic towns along the canal. Landlubbers can watch the locks in action or catch a live jazz concert by motoring into the same towns.