United Refining Co

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.

Discover Buffalo's natural beauty when you visit the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. You will be transported to a world where nature is the focal point in an 1890s tri-domed Victorian glass conservatory on the grounds of South Park. See some of the world's most exotic flowers and plants that are housed in over 13 greenhouses that are located on South Park's 150 beautiful acres. The staff members are knowledgeable and helpful, and the kids will enjoy seeing all the different types of plant life and flowers, too. In all, the garden offers an excellent day of family fun through its floral attractions.

Niagara Gorge Discovery Center captures the essence and impressively tells the story of the Niagara Gorge. The fact that the area's history dates back 453 million years is staggering, but the museum does a highly impressive job of communicating this sweeping span of history in a fun and entertaining way. There are several interesting exhibits as well as larger-than-life presentations that can be viewed in an impressive multi-screen theater.

Buffalo's economic growth owes much to the Niagara River and Lake Erie. Historically, this body of water has been pivotal in the area's water trafficking economy and is also an attractive natural spectacle. Hear about the commercial growth while enjoying the aquatic visual appeal when you take the Buffalo Harbor Cruises. The cruises feature highly informed guides who tell the stories that have occurred between these shores. They will be happy to answer your questions, as well. Take your camera to snap lots of great views of the harbor and the city. The tour's vessel, "Miss Buffalo II," regularly departs from the dock at 79 Marine Drive.