M&T Bank

Whether you want to take to the water in your own vessel or just jump right in, Buffalo offers two prime locations for your aquatic recreation endeavors. Buffalo has the geographic advantage of being located near two of the Great Lakes—Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Such close proximity offers excellent opportunities for watersports when the weather is warm. The kids will love swimming, and dad will equally enjoy taking the boat out for a fishing excursion a little further out from the shore.

The kids will love running around and enjoying the classic playground experience that awaits them at Beecher Playground. Among the many amenities that this Buffalo park offers are walking paths, picnic tables, a twisty slide, swings, and a set of monkey bars and a jungle gym. Getting the kids away from the video games and computer screens is easy when the alternative is this fun, "quality-family-time" attraction.

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.

Artpark accomplishes the formidable task of combining art with nature. The project is one that succeeds brilliantly. As for the art portion of the equation, there are several outdoor events scheduled at the park throughout the year that include concerts, recitals and various other presentations that celebrate the many types of performing arts. But also, Artpark is a haven for nature lovers as visitors can enjoy hiking and walking, biking, fishing, and picnicking. There are large sculptures along the walking trail as well as an 1,800-year-old burial mound to take in as you walk through the trails. There are also several opportunities for birding, as several feathered species make their home here.