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The Genesee County Park and Forest is quite popular with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. This park features more than 400 acres of forest and 17 miles of recreational hiking trails, snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter months. Another reason this destination is a favorite is that it is open year round.

Delaware Park is a favorite of Buffalo residents for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that it bears a resemblance to New York City's Central Park. The reason for that is because landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed that park for the Big Apple, also designed Delaware Park. Olmsted said that his formula for a great park always had to include water, woods and meadows, and all three are distinctly present at Delaware Park. This is an ideal place to bring the family for a day of fun outdoors that includes walking, jogging, playing tennis or golf, or just enjoying a picnic in one of the park's many expansive areas.

The Buffalo Museum of Science has an incredible number of stories to tell. But instead of presenting these accounts in a dry and uninteresting way, the exhibits and special presentations that can be found here bring it all to life in a way that makes learning about the area as fun as it is informative. The museum prides itself in its exhibits that span the various scientific fields, and the depth and breadth of their mission is accomplished quite well. Among the many highlights here are mummies and the biggest Kodiak bears in the world.

While many people see the Erie Canal from a distance, getting a closer look will reveal how this body of water works to further the area's economy. The canal is actually quite interesting, and you can learn more about it when you take the Lockport Locks and Erie Canal Cruise. Your tour guide will be quite informative from start to finish, describing how Lockport is known for the area's water "locks" that run approximately 50 feet. When you cruise through the canal on this tour, you'll actually go through the "locks" and see for yourself how these locks are used to move traffic along the river and its uniquely elevated terrain. It's a great tour for the whole family.