Buffalo History Museum Revisited

We visited the museum in 2014. Since then many of the exhibits have been updated and a few new exhibits have been added. Updated exhibits cover the Seneca Nation and the history of Buffalo and Erie County.  Newer exhibits cover Buffalo Sports and Buffalo’s Pan-American Exposition. The museum is housed in the only building from the 1901 Pan-American Exposition that was constructed as a permanent structure.

One of the new exhibits is an interactive display that allows visitors to virtually try on period clothing. It doesn't work perfectly but I was surprised that it matched the clothing to body movement and to my sitting position.

 Everything is accessible. The wheelchair entrance is at the west side of the building. Ring the bell for entry then follow the signs to the elevator and front desk. 

 The parking lot is large enough for any RV.  Museum  42.93558, -78.87702

Tifft Nature Preserve

 The nature preserve wasn't always the wild, natural place it is today. Before Europeans arrived it was hunting ground of the Native Americans but in 1858 George Tifft started a dairy farm on the land. In the early 1900s docks capable of accommodating 83 vessels were built for transferring coal, iron ore, and timber between freighters and rail cars. The 1912 Panama Canal Act forced the separation of rail and shipping interests and the area became an unofficial dumping ground then an official landfill for the city of Buffalo. After public outcry in the 1970s a huge cleanup began. The landfill has encased in clay, covered with soil, and planted with grasses and native trees. The nature preserve now has 264 acres of restored habitat, including forests, ponds, and marshes. 

There are five miles of interconnected trails which are a combination of old gravel road, narrow gravel paths, natural surface trails, grassy paths, and boardwalk. We tried every trail except for the mounds trails, which I think go up and over the landfill, and hit obstacles on all of them - roots, rocks, narrow boardwalks and boardwalks that don't meet flush with the ground, steep hills and thick grass. The map at the preserve has all of the solid line paths as being wide and even with dirt or crushed stone which is incorrect. Some of it is grassy or rocky and difficult to navigate with a wheelchair. 

 

The Service Trail and the Heritage Boardwalk Trail accessed from the Service Trail are the most accessible trails. 

 

 The Darling Environmental Education Center, at the beginning of the trail system, is accessible.  It has maps and a few displays but little information. The closed gravel road that leads to the center is pretty rough and bumpy. Visitors with a handicapped permit or plates may drive to it and park in the small lot. 

The parking lot is large enough for any RV. 

Hamburg Gaming

The casino is located on the edge of the Erie County Fairgrounds and right next to the events center. We asked at the casino security desk about RV parking and were told that as long as we were at the west edge of the event center parking section we were fine. 

The ticket and money slots are easy to reach. The chairs are heavy but the employees and other visitors are very friendly and ready to help if needed. Casino  42.73672, -78.82202

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

We really enjoyed visiting this gorgeous, historic greenhouse however I didn't know that it came close to being demolished until I started researching to write this blog post. The first threat occurred in 1929 due to poor management, low attendance and structural disrepair. Fortunately, repairs were made with federal funding, then in 1977 it suffered major damage from a blizzard but a partnership of public and private groups saved it. Between 2000 - 2017 almost all sections of the greenhouse were completely renovated. 

Each section of the greenhouse features a specific type of plant or environment. There are palms, bonsai trees, cacti, carnivorous plants, a rainforest and the Everglades. There also a small garden outside.

The greenhouse is accessible. The outside garden is not accessible due to loose, deep gravel. 

RVs will fit in the parking lot if backed up over the grass or parked lengthwise across the spaces. The sidewalk to the garden entrance goes uphill. Parking is available along the street which is closer to the entrance and avoids some of the uphill journey. There are curb cuts but no marked crosswalk. Garden  42.82914, -78.82557

Grape Discovery Center

The first grape vines were planted along Lake Erie's shoreline in 1818 by Elijah Fay. The glacial soils and the temperate conditions provided an ideal environment for the vines. Today approximately 30,000 acres  over 50 miles are planted with grapes, mainly Concord grapes which are used for juice, jams and jellies but grapes used to make wine are also grown. 

The exhibits in the Discovery Center cover the history of grape growing, processing, and grape products. There's a tasting bar with both grape juice and wine, and a gift shop with grape products and souvenirs. 

The center is accessible.

The parking lot is large enough for any vehicle. Center  42.31011, -79.59852

 

Buhl Park Fitness Trail

Buhl Park is a gift given to the people of Sharon, Pennsylvania in 1911 by Frank and Julia Buhl. Frank Buhl was the president of Sharon Iron Works which was founded by his father. After US Steel bought the iron works and several smaller business in which Buhl was a partner were also sold, he retired and dedicated the rest of his life to philanthropy. 

The park has lakes, a swimming pool, playgrounds, trails, picnic shelters, a free golf course, and several buildings that can be rented for special events.The fitness trail is about a mile long loop. It's paved, shady, and in good condition. It has a gradual incline making the loop uphill for half the way and downhill for the other half. 

The parking lot is large enough for most RVs which can be backed up over the grass or parked lengthwise across the spaces. Park  41.24508, -80.48127