If cabin fever hasn’t set in yet, please let us know your secrets! This time of year in Buffalo always leaves us itching to get away, and while our schedules (or bank accounts) might not always allow for a tropical trip, there are plenty of great destinations worth discovering right in our own neck of the woods. Fill up your tank, make a great playlist, and get ready to explore these 10 quick road trips from Buffalo you can take this weekend.
*Listed in order from the quickest trip to the longest. We don’t choose favorites around here!
- Niagara Falls (29 min.)
Niagara Falls USA - Facebook Our neighbor to the north is first up on this list of road trips to take from Buffalo, and it’s well worth the quick drive to staycation for the weekend! Go to the falls, the casino, or just enjoy the views from a hotel room. Whatever you decide, Niagara Falls does not disappoint.
- Medina (52 min.)
David Wilson - Flickr Medina is one of our favorite small towns to visit near the Queen City, so pack up the car and head out on this hour-long excursion from Buffalo! Indulge in great food and drink, stay in a historic hotel, and start the next morning with a hot cup of coffee from The Shirt Factory Cafe. It’s all good!
- Ellicottville (57 min.)
Holiday Valley Resort - Facebook Ellicottville is one of the most popular road trips to take from Buffalo during the winter, but this town is worthy of a visit any time of year! Stroll through town for window shopping, belly up to the bar at the brewery, or hit the slopes during ski season. With so many activities to enjoy, you’ll definitely want to stay the weekend!
- Rochester (1 hr. 15 min.)
The Strong Museum - Facebook If you have little ones to keep occupied, Rochester is the place to be! The Strong Museum is an excellent family destination. Even if you don’t have children, Rochester is one of the best road trips to take from Buffalo – a quick drive for a nice change of scenery!
- Letchworth State Park (1 hr. 16 min.)
Heartlover1717 - Flickr You don’t have to rough it to enjoy the beauty of Letchworth State Park. Although the camping here IS great, too! Buckle up for a short drive then lace up your hiking shoes to take in the sights at this beautiful state park.
- Chautauqua (1 hr. 23 min.)
Athenaeum Hotel at Chautauqua Institution - Facebook If you love exploring local lakes, you’ll definitely want to keep reading for the next two items on our road trips list! First up: Chautauqua. This town features a lovely institution, gorgeous waterfront, and plenty to enjoy in terms of restaurants and entertainment.
- Finger Lakes (1 hr. 34 min.)
Visit Finger Lakes - Flickr (via wikipedia.org) The Finger Lakes is another one of the more popular road trip destinations near Buffalo. Pick a lake - any lake - from the five Finger Lakes and you’ll be in for a weekend of fun! We can’t promise sunny weather, but we can promise you’ll have access to plenty of wine.
- Syracuse (2 hr. 21 min.)
Christopher Aloi - Flickr Fans of the Big Orange would argue that this is the best of the best trips to take from Buffalo. We can neither confirm nor deny, but we do know that Syracuse is a great place to visit, and at just over a two-hour drive, why not discover it so you can decide for yourself?
- Corning (2 hr. 25 min.)
Corning Museum of Glass - Facebook Last but certainly not least, Corning, NY features an amazing glass museum and scenery that certainly competes for the spotlight! Learn a new skill then sit back and take it all in!
Have you visited these awesome spots that are just a quick drive from Buffalo? Do you have other excellent day trip destinations to recommend? Share your suggestions in the comments below and don’t forget to share photos of your adventures on Instagram using #onlyinbflo for a chance to see your photos featured!
Niagara Falls USA - Facebook
Our neighbor to the north is first up on this list of road trips to take from Buffalo, and it’s well worth the quick drive to staycation for the weekend! Go to the falls, the casino, or just enjoy the views from a hotel room. Whatever you decide, Niagara Falls does not disappoint.
David Wilson - Flickr
Medina is one of our favorite small towns to visit near the Queen City, so pack up the car and head out on this hour-long excursion from Buffalo! Indulge in great food and drink, stay in a historic hotel, and start the next morning with a hot cup of coffee from The Shirt Factory Cafe. It’s all good!
Holiday Valley Resort - Facebook
Ellicottville is one of the most popular road trips to take from Buffalo during the winter, but this town is worthy of a visit any time of year! Stroll through town for window shopping, belly up to the bar at the brewery, or hit the slopes during ski season. With so many activities to enjoy, you’ll definitely want to stay the weekend!
The Strong Museum - Facebook
If you have little ones to keep occupied, Rochester is the place to be! The Strong Museum is an excellent family destination. Even if you don’t have children, Rochester is one of the best road trips to take from Buffalo – a quick drive for a nice change of scenery!
Heartlover1717 - Flickr
You don’t have to rough it to enjoy the beauty of Letchworth State Park. Although the camping here IS great, too! Buckle up for a short drive then lace up your hiking shoes to take in the sights at this beautiful state park.
Athenaeum Hotel at Chautauqua Institution - Facebook
If you love exploring local lakes, you’ll definitely want to keep reading for the next two items on our road trips list! First up: Chautauqua. This town features a lovely institution, gorgeous waterfront, and plenty to enjoy in terms of restaurants and entertainment.
Visit Finger Lakes - Flickr (via wikipedia.org)
The Finger Lakes is another one of the more popular road trip destinations near Buffalo. Pick a lake - any lake - from the five Finger Lakes and you’ll be in for a weekend of fun! We can’t promise sunny weather, but we can promise you’ll have access to plenty of wine.
Christopher Aloi - Flickr
Fans of the Big Orange would argue that this is the best of the best trips to take from Buffalo. We can neither confirm nor deny, but we do know that Syracuse is a great place to visit, and at just over a two-hour drive, why not discover it so you can decide for yourself?
Corning Museum of Glass - Facebook
Last but certainly not least, Corning, NY features an amazing glass museum and scenery that certainly competes for the spotlight! Learn a new skill then sit back and take it all in!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
