Walking In Buffalo Amid Fairy-Tale Settings Just the Thing To Do On A Summer Week-End

This last weekend was Garden Walk weekend in Buffalo, New York, and I took advantage of being able to stay with my son and daughter-in-law, and having a son who is willing to go on treks with me. I had read that Garden Walk Buffalo is the largest garden tour in the U.S., so off we went!

We didn't have to travel far on Delavan Ave. to have a large Victorian house (and the street is lined with them) catch my eye, and of course the flamingos didn't hurt. But Buffalo is full of surprises, including the Cottage District, originally known as Black Rock, where the cottages date from the 1850's. These charming cottages have been restored and colorful gardens accent the bright colors of the houses. So this is the fortuitous result of the economic downturn in Buffalo--they couldn't afford to tear down these run-down houses in the 1950's, and many smart people purchased them in the last 20 years and set about restoring them, thereby creating an architectural treasure. 

Although these homes may have been identical originally, the variety in colors and additions seems endless. The green and blue houses have set a colorful mood, while the white house bears an unusual hood over the door with a Star of David. Was it a temple? It would be interesting to find out.

The pure beauty of some of the creations was stunning. I especially liked the overflowing window boxes on this Victorian home, and the flowers hanging on the pergola on the last picture. So if anyone looks at you curiously when you say you want to visit Buffalo, tell them they are missing out on some great architecture and gardens by not heading up to the city just down the road from Niagara Falls. Garden Walk Buffalo is held annually on the last weekend of July.