72 Things to Do in WNY That Aren’t Cancelled This Summer

Originally Published: June 23  |  Last updated: July 2

Yes, a lot has been cancelled this summer – from 4th of July firework celebrations (legit ones anyway…) to Step Out Buffalo events (they were gonna be good y’all). We’re sad about it, but if we’re looking on the bright side you probably didn’t want to go to half of those cancelled things anyway. Now thanks to Covid-19 you have plenty of time to experience some of the summer activities you might not have explored otherwise.

We were inspired by 92.9 Jack FM’s 106 Things You Can (Still) Do This Summer article – which includes classics like catching lightning bugs in Como Park and having a backyard bonfire – to pull together our own list of things that haven’t been cancelled this summer with a step out (safely) twist. Let’s make the most this long list, shall we Buffalo?

Friendly reminder to please continue to follow proper social distancing guidelines, wear a mask when social distancing isn’t possible, and make sure to check in with any and all businesses before visiting to learn about their new hours, service adjustments, and up-to-date health and safety protocols.

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1. Skydive the Falls
2. Hit the Miss Buffalo on a Buffalo Harbor Cruise
3. Order take-out and have a picnic at any of these parks
4. Rent a pontoon boat
5. Hit Buffalo’s Ice Cream & Candy Shop Trail
6. See a drive-in movie at Transit Drive-In, Artpark, or the Outer Harbor
7. Experience happy hour on a restaurant patio
8. Ride Water Bikes at Canalside
9. See a live concert at the Transit Drive-In thanks to the Live at the Drive Series
10. Go on a fishing charter
11. Pick your own bouquet of flowers at The Flower Stand, a u-pick flower farm
12. Get up close and personal with Niagara Falls on the Maid of the Mist (opens June 26)
13. Become a geocacher on a county park trail
14. Try a locally made hard seltzer
15. Get alcohol to-go from your favorite bars and restaurants
16. Hit a beer garden
17. Visit Sunflowers of Sanborn (late summer)
18. Sail on the Spirit of Buffalo
19. Explore street art in the Southtowns, Downtown, East Side, South Buffalo, Elmwood, Allentown, and Hertel
20. Go on a socially distanced overnight retreat at Becker Farms
21. Concoct a Cocktail at Home using these local distillery and brewery recipes as your guide
22. Buy locally grown produce and plants at a farmers market
23. Support a black-owned restaurant or business
24. Go kayaking
25. Order Bozanna’s Pizza from Armor Inn Tap Room
26. Take a Buffalo River History Cruise
27. Camp out at or take a day trip to Letchworth State Park
28. Try one (or 5?) of Taffy’s 130 milkshake flavors
29. Hike to the eternal flame at Chestnut Ridge
30. Hit a U-pick fruit farm

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31. Get ice cream from Mississippi Mudds and take a walk along the river in Niawanda Park
32. Head to Hidden Valley Animal Adventure to see the animals
33. Pick your own lavender at Kin Loch Farmstead
34. Check out a waterfall near you
35. Visit Griffis Sculpture Park
36. Do a Murder Mystery Cruise with Grand Lady Cruise
37. Visit Becker Farms for a petting zoo, freshly made donuts, chicken BBQ kinda day
38. Get a homemade ice cream sandwich
39. Go see the new Black Lives Matter Mural in person
40. Hit the trails and connect with nature at Reinstein Woods
41. Head out to one of these nearby state parks
42. Go on Buffalo Bike Tours’ Wing Ride
43. Visit a dog park

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44. Take an in-person outdoor yoga class
45. Stop by Red Top for one of the most unique hot dog & french fry experiences in WNY
46. Try one of these 25 alternative parks and trails for walking, biking and jogging
47. Get soaked on a Whirlpool Boat Tour (opening July 1)
48. Hit the beach
49. Take a short drive to Lilydale, (opening June 26)
50. Cool down at a splash pad
51. Check out one of these 6 Bike There, Buffalo! Self-guided tours
52. Catch up on some summer reading thanks to Buffalo & Erie County Libraries
53. Keep an eye out for outdoor mini-events happening at the Buffalo Waterfront, like Creators on the Boardwalk

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54. Wander Forest Lawn Cemetery
55. Dig for fossils social distance style at Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve
56. Visit the Lakeside Bike Park and rent a bike
57. Head out on a Buffalo Pedal Tour (Bike or Boat)
58. Do a self-guided Explore Buffalo walking tour
59. Check out Panama Rock Park (reserve a time here)
60. Rent a “Floatmingo” paddle boat at Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park
61. Experience the Taste of Buffalo in a totally new way
62. Go camping at a NYS park or at Darien Lake
63. Visit the shuck shack (opening 4th of July weekend)
64. Enjoy one of WNY’s many waterfront patios
65. Get a flight of ice cream at Main Street Ice Cream
66. Get an adventure in at Sky High Adventure Park at Holiday Valley in Ellicottivlle
67. Visit the Buffalo Zoo – opening July 3
68. Head to Old Fort Niagara for some old fashioned entertainment – opening July 3
69. Drive out to Genesee Country Village & Museum for lot’s of family friendly fun – Opening July 3
70. Get friendly with the animals at Aquarium of Niagara – opening July 4
71. Learn something new at Buffalo Museum of Science – opening week of July 6 (date TBD)
72. Stop and small the flowers at Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens – opening July 15