We love nothing more than to live in and explore the wonderful Queen City, but sometimes we need a break from the fast-paced ways of western New York’s slice of urban heaven. Giving you the chance to explore a more quaint way of living that includes things like friendly faces and family-run businesses, there’s nothing quite like heading out to any one of the small towns that surround our city. All less than an hour from the city, any one of these destinations will make you feel right at home from the instant you begin your visit. Here are our favorite small towns near Buffalo you can’t miss:

Ready to get your eyes back on the Queen City? Then make sure you read about the reasons why Buffalo is the most underrated city in the U.S!

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Small Towns Near Buffalo, New York

What are some of the best small towns near Buffalo New York for families?  

Life in New York is pretty swell, especially when you’re living somewhere as beautiful as the Buffalo area. One of our favorite family-friendly small towns near Buffalo is Williamsville, which is full of restaurants and eateries, galleries, shops, and excellent schools. There’s plenty to do without being overly large, and it’s easily one of the safest suburbs of Buffalo as well. Clarence Center is another excellent choice, boasting very low crime rates and some of the best schools in the state. Other options include gems like Eggertsville, Harris Hill, and East Aurora.  

Where are some cute towns near Buffalo New York to visit?  

Unfortunately, there are way too many cute towns near Buffalo that get overlooked on the regular, and we think that’s some kind of huge injustice. There are lots of gorgeous small towns in New York that are perfect for day trips (more on that in a moment), and then there are gorgeous small towns around Buffalo that top that list more often than not. Some of the cutest towns near Buffalo to visit include Alden, which is 40 minutes away from the city and features some truly amazing sunflower fields. Lockport is another unsung gem, also 40 minutes away from Buffalo, and famous for the Erie Canal. Then, there are other nearby options like Orchard Park (20 minutes away), Hamburg (25 minutes away), and, of course, Niagara Falls, which is just a half-hour from downtown Buffalo.  

What are some of the best towns in western New York?  

There are entirely too many underrated towns in New York, especially in the western portion of the state. Some of our all-time favorite small towns in western New York include places like the above-mentioned Alden, on the eastern edge of Erie County, Chautauqua, which is found in a county of the same name, Youngstown, in northwestern Niagara County, and Ellicottville, in Cattaraugus County. We also love Angola, Medina, and Lewiston.