If your mental image of Buffalo involves chicken wings and a very famous waterfall, it's time for an update. According to a recent Condé Nast Traveler guide to the city, Buffalo has been quietly becoming one of the more interesting destinations in the northeastern US - and it rewards travelers who look past the obvious.

Yes, do the classics - but do them right

No one is telling you to skip wings or Niagara Falls. They'd be on any honest itinerary. But the point of visiting Buffalo in 2024 is that those are the starting line, not the finish. The city has a real identity beyond its greatest hits, and that identity is worth exploring.

A food scene that's earning serious attention

Buffalo's dining landscape has grown well beyond its comfort food reputation. The city now supports a range of restaurants reflecting genuine culinary ambition - the kind of places that would draw notice in any major city. Whether you're chasing a serious dinner out or a low-key neighborhood lunch, there's something to discover that doesn't involve a deep fryer (though, again, no judgment if you want that too).

Arts, architecture, and neighborhood character

Buffalo has a remarkable architectural heritage - the kind of grand early-20th-century bones that most mid-sized American cities have either lost or paved over. Combined with a growing arts scene and distinct, walkable neighborhoods, it offers the kind of texture that makes a city feel alive rather than just functional.

The neighborhood energy here is real. Buffalo has a reputation as a genuinely community-minded place, and that warmth comes through in the local businesses, bars, and gathering spots that give each area its own personality.

Where to stay

Accommodation options have grown to match the city's rising profile, with choices ranging from boutique hotels in restored historic buildings to properties that put you right in the heart of the most interesting neighborhoods. Where you stay shapes the whole experience, so it's worth thinking about which part of the city you want to be based in.

The bottom line

Buffalo is one of those cities that tends to surprise people - in the best way. It's accessible, affordable compared to major metros, and packed with more to do than most visitors expect. If you've been sleeping on it as a travel destination, the Condé Nast Traveler guide makes a pretty compelling case that now is a good time to pay attention.

The waterfall will still be there. So will the wings. But so is a whole lot more.