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Daytime

South Park Morning Stroll

Start your day with the quiet, Victorian elegance of the Botanical Gardens before the crowds arrive, then fuel up with a local diner classic nearby.

Best time: 15 AprAbout 180 min

Timeline

  1. 10:00

    Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens

    Arrive at the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens right when they open. The Victorian conservatory, designed by the same architects who worked on Washington D.C.'s National Botanical Gardens, is best appreciated in the calm morning light. Wander through the 1,500 varieties of plants in the carefully arranged grounds.

  2. 11:15

    Wayside Family Restaurant

    Walk 14 minutes to Wayside Family Restaurant. This South Buffalo institution has loyal fans who have been coming for decades. The staff often know regulars by name. Order a hearty diner meal to recharge after your walk through the gardens.

  3. 12:00

    South Park Golf Course

    Head back toward the park area and spend 5 minutes walking to the South Park Golf Course. Built in 1915 on the site of the original meadow, this odd little nine-hole course offers a unique glimpse into the park's history. The tight layout and lack of obvious rhyme or reason to its design make it a charming, quirky stop.

Local tip

The Botanical Gardens are open daily from 10:00 to 17:00. Wayside Family Restaurant is open from 07:00 to 23:00, so you have plenty of time for lunch after your morning visit.

Check before you go

  • Botanical Gardens: Mo-Su 10:00-17:00. Admission is $7 (seniors/students $6).
  • Wayside Family Restaurant: Mo-Su 07:00-23:00. Expect a casual diner atmosphere.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Buffalo (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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