J W Landscaping and Drainage

The Beaver Meadow Audubon Center was designed to offer Buffalo's many city-dwellers a great opportunity to get close to nature. This 324-acre wildlife sanctuary includes a forest, a field and wetland areas that are all just a short drive from downtown. In addition to the natural settings, the trail on site stretches for eight miles and the adjacent beach offers still yet another scene in which to absorb some natural beauty. Even during the winter, the center is still open as it offers more outdoor fun in the form of snowshoeing and cross country skiing.

Old Fort Niagara offers you the unique opportunity to connect nature to history. The fort and historic attraction is situated at the head of the Niagara River, and you can enjoy the river's inviting natural beauty as you learn about the fort's tri-cultural history. Originally held by the French in 1678, the fort ended up being a major strategic point for both the British and Americans. As you walk through the grounds, see several vintage structures, the oldest of which dates back to 1726. If you visit during the summer, there are various special events that are on the schedule, with a musket firing demonstration being one of the most popular.

With hectic schedules and various other distractions, it is often difficult for couples to make time to just talk and enjoy each other's company. If that sounds like a familiar scenario for you and your partner, then take a little time for a romantic date of a different sort by visiting the Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center. Stroll hand in hand from gallery to gallery as you take in the best in cutting-edge visual arts, contemporary music or innovative performance art. And maybe after absorbing it all, the two of you can find a bench in the corner and share some intimate conversation among these memorable expressions of art.

Transport yourself back in time to an area where classic homes and perfectly planted gardens were the order of the day. The Parkside Garden Tour is a self-guided tour of the impressive Parkside neighborhood that features over 50 gorgeous gardens. Parkside is an area of Buffalo that was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and has the distinction of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to the stunning gardens, you'll also get to view various 19th century homes along the tour route.