How to embrace the season with local travel expert Julie Fago
When people hear I am from Buffalo, NY, the first thing they think of is snow! I quickly defend our beautiful hometown and launch into a series of all the wonderful things to do here in the winter months. Since we all could use a little inspiration once in a while, here are some of my favorite winter and holiday activities.
I hope some of these ideas inspire you to get out and try something different this winter or maybe start a new tradition with friends or loved ones around the holidays!
All photos provided by Julie Fago - www.smallbeautifulmoments.com
BRUNCH @ SHIRT FACTORY
We also always plan a holiday brunch for my whole family, and the past few years we have gone to the Shirt Factory in Medina. If you haven’t been here, put it on your to-do list. The building is old and beautiful and located in the heart of the town. Think Christmas coffees, gingerbread French toast, red velvet waffles with peppermint sprinkles, and sugarplum margaritas. I can’t wait to see what’s on the menu this year!
MULBERRY ITALIAN RISTORANTE
One of the honorable mentions for spots we traditionally visit start at Mulberry’s in Lackawanna. Their giant meatball is famous, and their Christmas decorations are so beautiful. Ask to sit in the bar area when you make your reservation!
MARILLA COUNTY STORE
It wouldn’t be the holiday season without a visit to The Marilla Country Store. Who doesn’t love to walk around a 170-year-old general store and browse Christmas décor, buy old- fashioned candy, and stock up on bulk holiday sprinkles? I promise you will leave with something unique.
LIFE IS A TAPESTRY OF FLEETING MOMENTS — PRECIOUS SNAPSHOTS OF JOY FOUND IN LAUGHTER WITH FRIENDS, THE MAGIC OF SUNRISES AND SUNSETS AND THE TREASURED CANDID PHOTOS. - Julie Fago
NIAGARA ON THE LAKE
Another fabulous place to visit in the winter is Niagara on the Lake. The town is always decorated so beautifully, like something out of a Hallmark movie. Shops are filled with warm scents, and there are cozy cafés, ice skating at the Pillar and Post, the Ice Wine Festival in January, plus my favorite place to visit, the Budapest Bake Shop. If you’ve never had a chimney cake, you need to. I always order mine with cheesecake filling and Skor candy pieces! Another high recommendation of mine is the traditional high tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel. I took my daughter last winter, and we got dressed up, sipped tea, and ate tiny sandwiches. We felt so fancy and really had a wonderful time.
124 Q HOTEL & SPA
If you’d rather stay inside and be warm, I highly recommend a stay or even an afternoon at the 124 Q Hotel & Spa. The spa is incredible and has Canada’s only snow room! You can even just book the hydrotherapy circuit and spend the day between the warm and cool pools, sensory showers, sauna, and steam room. There is plenty to do without ever leaving the property.
LOW OR NO COST FUN
If you are looking for some winter fun ideas for the Buffalo area that are low cost or no cost, I have a few I do every year! I love to visit Reinstein Woods to snowshoe. If you don’t own a pair, you can rent them for only a few dollars! There is nothing like walking through the woods on a crisp, sunny winter day. And if you enjoy being outdoors, ice skating down at Canalside or the Rotary rink at Fountain Plaza is such a fun winter activity. If you’re feeling adventurous, the Eternal Flame trail in Orchard Park is stunning in the winter. The falls freeze, but the flame continuously burns. Just please use caution, wear proper footwear, and bring a lighter in case the flame is out.
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