Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours plans to open July 1 (tentatively) with a new health and safety protocols / Photo courtesy of Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours
Originally Published: June 23 | Last updated: July 27
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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- Skydive the Falls
- Hit the Miss Buffalo on a Buffalo Harbor Cruise
- Order take-out and have a picnic at any of these parks
- Rent a pontoon boat
- Hit Buffalo’s Ice Cream & Candy Shop Trail
- See a drive-in movie at Transit Drive-In, Artpark, or the Outer Harbor
- Experience happy hour on a restaurant patio
- Ride Water Bikes at Canalside
- See a live concert at the Transit Drive-In thanks to the Live at the Drive Series
- Go on a fishing charter
- Pick your own bouquet of flowers at The Flower Stand, a u-pick flower farm
- Get up close and personal with Niagara Falls on the Maid of the Mist (opens June 26)
- Become a geocacher on a county park trail
- Try a locally made hard seltzer
- Get alcohol to-go from your favorite bars and restaurants
- Hit a beer garden
- Visit Sunflowers of Sanborn (late summer)
- Sail on the Spirit of Buffalo
- Explore street art in the Southtowns, Downtown, East Side, South Buffalo, Elmwood, Allentown, and Hertel
- Go on a socially distanced overnight retreat at Becker Farms
- Concoct a Cocktail at Home using these local distillery and brewery recipes as your guide
- Buy locally grown produce and plants at a farmers market
- Support a black-owned restaurant or business
- Go kayaking
- Order Bozanna’s Pizza from Armor Inn Tap Room
- Take a Buffalo River History Cruise
- Camp out at or take a day trip to Letchworth State Park
- Try one (or 5?) of Taffy’s 130 milkshake flavors
- Hike to the eternal flame at Chestnut Ridge
- Hit a U-pick fruit farm
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- Get ice cream from Mississippi Mudds and take a walk along the river in Niawanda Park
- Head to Hidden Valley Animal Adventure to see the animals
- Pick your own lavender at Kin Loch Farmstead
- Check out a waterfall near you
- Visit Griffis Sculpture Park
- Do a Murder Mystery Cruise with Grand Lady Cruise
- Visit Becker Farms for a petting zoo, freshly made donuts, chicken BBQ kinda day
- Get a homemade ice cream sandwich
- Go see the new Black Lives Matter Mural in person
- Hit the trails and connect with nature at Reinstein Woods
- Head out to one of these nearby state parks
- Go on Buffalo Bike Tours’ Wing Ride
- Visit a dog park
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- Take an in-person outdoor yoga class
- Stop by Red Top for one of the most unique hot dog & french fry experiences in WNY
- Try one of these 25 alternative parks and trails for walking, biking and jogging
- Get soaked on a Whirlpool Boat Tour (opening July 1)
- Hit the beach
- Take a short drive to Lilydale, (opening June 26)
- Cool down at a splash pad
- Check out one of these 6 Bike There, Buffalo! Self-guided tours
- Catch up on some summer reading thanks to Buffalo & Erie County Libraries
- Keep an eye out for outdoor mini-events happening at the Buffalo Waterfront, like Creators on the Boardwalk
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- Wander Forest Lawn Cemetery
- Dig for fossils social distance style at Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve
- Visit the Lakeside Bike Park and rent a bike
- Head out on a Buffalo Pedal Tour (Bike or Boat)
- Do a self-guided Explore Buffalo walking tour
- Check out Panama Rock Park (reserve a time here)
- Rent a “Floatmingo” paddle boat at Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park
- Experience the Taste of Buffalo in a totally new way
- Go camping at a NYS park or at Darien Lake
- Visit the shuck shack (opening 4th of July weekend)
- Enjoy one of WNY’s many waterfront patios
- Get a flight of ice cream at Main Street Ice Cream
- Get an adventure in at Sky High Adventure Park at Holiday Valley in Ellicottivlle
- Visit the Buffalo Zoo – opening July 3
- Head to Old Fort Niagara for some old fashioned entertainment – opening July 3
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- Drive out to Genesee Country Village & Museum for lot’s of family friendly fun – Opening July 3
- Get friendly with the animals at Aquarium of Niagara – opening July 4
- Learn something new at Buffalo Museum of Science – opening week of July 6 (date TBD)
- Stop and smell the flowers at Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens – opening July 15
- Grab a bite on Food Truck Wednesdays at Samuel’s Grande Manor
- Take an Explore Buffalo walking tour – starting July 16
- Eat a lobster roll… or 2… or 3
- Get tropical on a Big Kahuna Tiki Boat Tour – starting July 10
- Visit the Buffalo History Museum – opening August 1
- Check out our Guide to Stargazing for the ultimate date night
- Take a waterfront bike ride
- Get back to the grind with one of many outdoor fitness classes happening around WNY
- Try one of these 17 new restaurants – yes those still exist in Coronatimes!
- Get your hands on some fresh oysters
- Rent a pool by the hour
- Chill on a rooftop patio
- Hunt down a Chiavetta’s Chicken BBQ near you
- Take Lewiston Food tour with The Roaming Table
