Western New York Hostels
Located less than 20 miles from the falls, the Buffalo – Niagara hostel is the perfect stop for Niagara Falls visitors. Straddling the Canadian and American borders, Niagara Falls is split up into two major sections separated by Goat Island – the Horseshoe Falls, mostly on the Canadian side, and the American Falls on the New York side. Horseshoe Falls is the larger of the two, measuring 2,600 feet wide with a 120-foot drop; the American Falls section measures 1,060 feet wide with a 70-foot drop. The falls can be viewed from several locations, most of which are within the Niagara Falls State Park; most of the views of the American Falls are from the side or beneath the falls. The Maid of the Mist cruise line has been taking visitors into the whirlpools beneath the falls since 1846. Summer is the peak tourist season at Niagara Falls, where viewing attractions are open both day and night.
Buffalo is the second-largest city in New York, behind New York City. Located at the eastern end of Lake Erie, and the southern head of the Niagara River, Buffalo is a waterfront city with more than 20 parks, from which it earns its nickname of the “City of Trees.” Buffalo offers a great nightlife scene with its many dance clubs, bars, and restaurants. A city also known for its cuisine, Buffalo is home to eclectic eateries and local favorites including kielbasa, sponge candy, fish fries, and a loganberry-flavored beverage. Not far from the hostel is the Anchor Bar, where the first Buffalo wing was served in 1964. The annual National Buffalo Wing Festival during Labor Day weekend is a favorite Buffalo event. Buffalo offers more than 50 private and public art galleries, including the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, a major source of modern and contemporary art.
Buffalo’s climate varies greatly from season to season. Its winters are extremely cold and snowy – snow usually covers the ground from December through March, with average temperatures in the 20s and 30s. Buffalo enjoys one of the sunniest and driest summers in the Northwest with moderate humidity. Thunderstorms are common in July, with August being the rainiest and most humid month. Summer temperatures average in the 70s.
