Accommodations

Beau Fleuve Bed & Breakfast Inn (242 Linwood Ave., 716/882-6116, www.beaufleuve.com [1], $115–145), an 1882 grand Stick-style house in the Linwood Historic Preservation District, offers five guest rooms, most with private bath.

To the east of downtown, in the suburb of Clarence (known for its many antiques stores) is the acclaimedAsa Ransom House (10529 Main St., 716/759-2315, www.asaransom.com [2], $120–170, with breakfast). The 1853 inn features nine spacious and lovely guest rooms and an excellent restaurant (dinner Sun. and Tues.–Thurs., $18) serving American fare.

A team of ‘butlers’ awaits at The Mansion on Delaware Avenue (414 Delaware Ave., 716/886-3300, www.mansionondelaware.com [3], $195–240) to offer complimentary touches like ushering you to your room after whipping up a welcome cocktail of your choice; shoeshine and pressing service; evening turndown service complete with homemade cookies; chauffeuring to and from local hotspots and eateries; or if the pull of the hotel makes a night in a temptation, they will arrange for ‘order in’ from any local restaurant, preparing a table either in your room or in the hotel’s billiard room. A complimentary European breakfast, two-hour cocktail hour, whirlpool baths with multi-head showers, and spa amenities all add to this good value.

Outside Buffalo

To the southwest of East Aurora [4] is Colden Lakes (9504 Heath Rd., Colden, 716/941-5530), offering 120 campsites. To the southeast is Sleepy Hollow Lake (13081 Siehl Rd., Akron, 585/542-4336), offering 200 campsites.

The handsome 1905 Roycroft Inn (40 S. Grove St., East Aurora, 716/652-5552, www.roycroftinn.com [5], $120–230 d) is a one-of-a-kind place, filled with all original or reproduction Roycroft furnishings—mostly heavy, beautifully designed pieces in oak. All 29 suites have at least one sleeping area, a sitting area, and a whirlpool tub, while the common rooms feature fireplaces, rich wood paneling, and Roycraft lamps. The inn’s restaurant (average entrée $19) serves innovative American cuisine with a continental touch.

Just outside East Aurora sprawls the Old Orchard (2095 Blakely Rd., off Rte. 16, 716/652-4664, $16), a historic farmhouse and former hunting lodge dating back to 1901. Featured are large stone fireplaces and American/continental fare.

Near Rich Stadium in Orchard Park [6], find Eckl’s Beef & Weck Restaurant (4936 Ellicott Rd., 716/662-2262, $13), a good spot to sample the local culinary invention.