Western New York – and Buffalo, in particular – has earned quite a reputation for its wild winter weather, but that doesn’t mean that we just stay bundled up by the fire all season long. In between snow storms, we love to get out and experience the Queen City’s best attractions – many of which only come around during this time of the year! Ready to see why there’s no better place to be than Buffalo in the wintertime? We’ve compiled a list of our favorite things to do in Buffalo, New York, in the winter. Keep reading to see why we love this season so much.

What are your favorite things to do in Buffalo, NY, in the winter? Did we miss any of your top cold-weather activities? Looking for other ways to enjoy this season? Then make sure you read about how The Mountain Coaster Ride Near Buffalo That Will Make Your Winter Unforgettable!

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things to do in Buffalo, New York, in the winter

What are some other fun things to do in Buffalo, New York, in the winter?

The above list is merely the tip of the iceberg (pun intended!) of the amazing things to do in Buffalo, NY, in the winter. Wondering about more cold-weather activities? Read on!

  • Ice Castles at Lake George: The newest member of the Ice Castles dream team, head to Lake George in the New Year to experience this real-life frozen fantasyland. A labor of love, the craftsmen at Ice Castles spend thousands of hours starting in the fall in order to conjure 5,000-12,000 icicles from nothing but water. Ice artists use variables in wind, water, and temperature to craft these incredible, dynamic, larger-than-life formations. In fact, ice castles are typically around an acre in size, and consist of more than 25 million pounds of ice. Jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring, massive, and marvelous, you'll be blown away by the grandeur of these amazing creations.
  • Saranac Lake Winter Carnival: Held annually in Saranac Lake, New York, the Pontiac Club of Saranac Lake created the eponymous Winter Carnival in 1897, and this tradition continues to this day. In fact, Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is the longest-running event of its kind in the eastern U.S. In its 125-year run, it's grown into a 10-day festival that includes sports, performances, two parades, and three sets of fireworks. The centerpiece of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is, of course, the Ice Palace, built by volunteers on the shores of Lake Flower's Pontiac Bay. The theme of this ice castle changes each year, with each year's creation somehow more marvelous than the last.

 

What are the best winter hikes near Buffalo?

The winter months are infamous for causing a lack of motivation. We know it can be hard to get out when Mother Nature is being unkind, but don’t let cold weather keep you from working up a sweat! Rather than packing on the pounds, try packing down some snow instead. We love hitting the trails when they're all snow-dusted and ice-frosted, and these picturesque trails around Buffalo are perfect for winter hiking:

  • Tifft Nature Preserve. This beautiful expanse is one of the best spots in Buffalo to unwind and recharge in nature. It's also one of the most popular spots for winter hiking. Trails at Tifft consist of 1.9 miles with a lake, bridges, and year-round opportunities to enjoy!
  • Reinstein Woods. Reinstein Woods trails run for roughly 2.5 miles and are open from sunrise to sunset daily. While we favor it in the fall, winter hiking at this nature preserve will take you up close and personal to forests, wetlands, and ponds.
  • Erie County Forest Trail. The Erie County Forest Trail offers some of the most serene winter hiking around. Not only are the Scarbuck Trail and Extension Loops beautifully scenic, there is also a warming hut and maple sugar shack located nearby.