You may have heard mention of a curse in relation to the City of Buffalo and sports. We’re not going to comment too much on that (we’re not going to be responsible for adding one single speck of additional bad karma to our hometown teams!).
In all seriousness, though, Buffalo is home to several sports teams that are fun to watch and that play in great venues. We highly recommend planning some sports weekends to enjoy watching some of the dynamic professional athletes that take the field (or court) in the Buffalo area.
We’ve put together some suggestions for fun outings you can do with family or friends to enjoy the collegiate and professional sports scene around Buffalo.
Fall Sports Weekend in Buffalo
You can do football all day every day if you’re up for it during a fall Buffalo sports weekend. Start with the tailgate experience at a college game watching the University of Buffalo Bulls hit the gridiron. Staying at the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Amherst means you can enjoy a walk across the university’s campus as you immerse yourself in the complete college football gameday experience.
Then, grab your blue and red body paint and get ready to root for the home team at a Buffalo Bills game. With the promising draft class the Bills were able to nab this past year, fans are looking forward to a season filled with potential.
Attending a professional football game can be an exhilarating all-day experience, and you’re going to want to make sure you can focus on fun and not on logistics. Plan to stay in one of our West Seneca hotels near New Era Field; three of our hotels offer discounted rates if you’re staying the night before the game, and they’re all just a short distance from the game day action.
And, for the most die-hard of fans who still haven’t gotten their fill of football, you can also book a stadium tour experience and get the thrill of going behind-the-scenes at New Era Field.
Winter Sports Weekend in Buffalo
Buffalo is a winter lover’s paradise; you may have heard that it snows here occasionally. All jokes aside, winter is one of our favorite sports seasons because we love cheering on the Sabres.
Watching a hockey match can get your blood pumping like no other sport. And, thanks to the KeyBank Center’s extremely convenient location, taking in a match can be part of an overall fun downtown excursion.
If you’re looking for a great sports lovers’ outing, stay at the Aloft Buffalo, then just hop on the Buffalo Metro Rail to enjoy the match, then go back to the hotel to celebrate a victory, or commiserate after a tough match, at 500 Pearl’s on-site w xyz bar.
Basketball fans can also take in a Buffalo Bulls basketball game and cheer on the team as they seek to make another trip to the NCAA tournament. Cheer on the squad at Alumni Arena and enjoy being a part of March Madness in the making.
Spring Sports Weekend in Buffalo
Run, don’t walk, to book your runner’s weekend and see the sights of the city while running the Buffalo Marathon.
The marathon follows a scenic route that lets you get a firsthand look at Buffalo’s community renaissance. You’ll enjoy views of Lake Erie, LaSalle Park, Forest Lawn Cemetery, parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and many other Buffalo highlights.
If you’re planning to run the marathon, a luxurious hotel stay and a carb-heavy meal are two musts for your weekend. And, to be honest, if you’re the one cheering your runner on, you deserve those posh experiences too.
Plan to enjoy a delightful stay at the new downtown Aloft hotel at 500 Pearl. As for your pre-race carb-loading dinner, the perfect pastas at Osteria 166 are a must.
The short walk home between the dinner and your hotel will give you just enough opportunity to stretch your legs and see the city without getting too worn out.
Summer Sports Weekend in Buffalo
You might not plan on traveling to Buffalo just to take in an FC Buffalo match; however, soccer lovers will want to add a trip to All-High Stadium to your Buffalo sports bucket list. And, you can make it a tradeoff if you’re in a sports-loving/ sports-enduring marriage or relationship.
The sports lover gets to watch an exciting fast-paced matchup featuring community-oriented FC Buffalo. The long-suffering sports endurer gets to enjoy a stay at the nearby Wyndham Garden Hotel, complete with an excursion at the Tres Aurae Spa and a dinner at local favorite Hooked. With that agreement, you’ll both be getting the best end of the deal and enjoying each other’s company at the same time.
If soccer’s not exactly your style, you can also plan a weekend outing to a Buffalo Bisons minor league baseball matchup. The relaxed atmosphere of a baseball game makes it the perfect opportunity to catch up and have a conversation while enjoying a game.
And, if you’re a ballpark food aficionado, check out the multiple variations on nachos, including the Rupricht vegetarian option.
And, regardless of the time of year, Buffalo is a great place for enjoying outdoor sports and activities. Check out some of the following when you spend a weekend in Buffalo:
- Canalside features opportunities for ice skating, sailing, dance and fitness programs and more.
- Skiing, snowboarding and winter sports abound in the mountains around Buffalo. Buffalo Ski Center offers day passes for out of town visitors who want to hit the slopes.
- Adrenaline seekers can enjoy the pristine beauty of skydiving with a view of Niagara Falls
When you’re looking for a weekend of sporting fun, Buffalo doesn’t disappoint. Plan a weekend excursion for the sports, then stay for all the other good times to be had around the Buffalo area.
