Karmynn Grimmer

Nearly everyone is charmed and captivated when they see an old fashioned carousel. Buffalo's Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum offers visitors a chance to dig a little deeper into the history and construction of this time-honored attraction. The venue has the distinction of being the only one of its kind in America, and the whole family will love learning about how carrousels are made from start to finish. Various artifacts include a merry-go-round that dates back to 1916, vintage park rides, organs, and woodcarvings. And, instead of enjoying all of these tremendous works of art from a distance, you're highly encouraged to hop on and take a ride, which will add an even greater level of fun to your visit!

Reading about art is one thing, but seeing it for yourself takes the experience of art appreciation to a whole new level. That is the mission of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. This internationally recognized museum proudly houses impressive collections of international sculptures and paintings that will captivate your imagination the moment you see them. Also, there are works from iconic artists like Picasso, Renoir, Matisse and Van Gough that are among the many highlights that you'll see in this world-class art venue.

For some of the finest musical performances you'll ever see and hear, you only have to go as far as Buffalo's Kleinhans Music Hall. Built in 1940, this iconic entertainment venue features incredible acoustics and a classic yet inviting atmosphere. The hall is also the home of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as the site of various seasonal plays, operas and ballets. So if you are in the mood to broaden your cultural outlook and be pleasantly surprised at the variety of performances you can take in, the Kleinhans Music Hall is most definitely the place to discover it all.

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.