Buffalo

Architecture buffs will fall in love with Buffalo. A shining example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work can be seen at the Darwin D. Martin House Complex consisting of five structures: two homes, a garden house, stables, Porte Cochere and a formal garden were designed by Wright in his signature Prairie House Style in 1902 for the wealthy industrialist. Docent led tours of the property are given year round. The Delaware Historic District boasts the Heath and Davidson houses also designed by Wright. In 1825 the building of the Erie Canal made the city of Buffalo the most western outpost of the East and also made it the East’s gateway to the ...

Architecture buffs will fall in love with Buffalo. A shining example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work can be seen at the Darwin D. Martin House Complex consisting of five structures: two homes, a garden house, stables, Porte Cochere and a formal garden were designed by Wright in his signature Prairie House Style in 1902 for the wealthy industrialist. Docent led tours of the property are given year round. The Delaware Historic District boasts the Heath and Davidson houses also designed by Wright. In 1825 the building of the Erie Canal made the city of Buffalo the most western outpost of the East and also made it the East’s gateway to the West. Its prime location drew inventors, industrialists and bankers, many of whom became millionaires. A testament to this wealth still stands in the early 20th century Italian Renaissance Revival and Georgian Revival mansions that line Delaware Avenue, Millionaire’s Row. The Richardson Olmsted Complex is another architectural delight. Designed in 1871 as the Buffalo Psychiatric Hospital by noted architect Henry Hobson Richardson in a style that has become known as Richardsonian Romanesque, the five massive pavilions are surrounded by gardens designed by America’s first landscape artist, Frederick Law Olmsted. That gorgeous building (look under the scaffolding) that dominates Niagara Square is City Hall, which is currently undergoing a $3.9 million dollar exterior facelift. The building dates to 1932 and was designed by John Wade. On completion it was considered by architects to be the finest Art Deco building in the country. And don’t forget Niagara Falls, just 20 minutes away.

About the Expert

Frances Folsom is the author of CitySpot Palermo, a contributor to the Reiskits guides to Milan and Italy's Lakes Region, and Thomas Cook's Independent Traveller USA.