Travel guide
Buffalo Event Travel Guide
Most people who fly into Buffalo for an event are here for one of three things: a Bills game in Orchard Park, a Sabres game or concert at KeyBank Center downtown, or a show at Shea's. Those three sit in two different places (downtown is compact and walkable; the stadium is in a suburb 11 miles south), and that single fact drives almost every travel decision you will make here.
Buffalo: More than 20 events are currently on sale across more than 10 venues, and our accommodation partner lists 110 properties within about five miles of the middle of the city; 4 of them are shown below.
Upcoming Buffalo events
The reason most people book this trip. Every date links to live tickets and a seat map.
- From about $16.00View Tickets
Matinee
Sweeney Todd
From about $96.00View Tickets- From about $94.00View Tickets
- From about $37.00View Tickets
- From about $61.00View Tickets
- From about $26.00View Tickets
- From about $76.00View Tickets
- From about $99.00View Tickets
- From about $33.00View Tickets
Popular Buffalo venues
- KeyBank Center
- Sheas Performing Arts Center
- Kleinhans Music Hall
- University at Buffalo Center For The Arts
- Tralf
- Broadview Stadium
- Buffalo Convention Center
Hotels near Buffalo venues
Where you stay depends on which building you are going to. These guides cover the areas, parking and transport for each one.
- Hotels near Highmark Stadium
- Hotels near KeyBank Center
- Hotels near Sheas Performing Arts Center
- Hotels near Kleinhans Music Hall
- Hotels near Tralf
Where to stay in Buffalo
The closest hotels to where Buffalo's venues actually are, nearest first. Pick your dates to see live prices.
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The Hilton Garden Inn Buffalo-Downtown
10 Lafayette Square, Buffalo
Luxurious Amenities The Hilton Garden Inn Buffalo-Downtown offers a perfect blend of comfort and convenience with an indoor pool, fitness centre, and free WiFi access. Each room i…
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Hyatt Regency Buffalo / Hotel and Conference Center
Two Fountain Plaza, Buffalo
Luxurious Amenities Indulge in the offerings of our Art Deco hotel, from a 24-hour fitness center to a sportsbook, ensuring there's never a dull moment. Gastronomic Delights Savor…
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Embassy Suites Buffalo
200 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo
Luxurious All-Suite Hotel in Buffalo Suite Perks: Experience a comfortable stay at Embassy Suites Buffalo with a complimentary hot breakfast and high-speed internet in every suite…
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Curtiss Hotel, an Ascend Collection Hotel
210 Franklin St, Buffalo
Luxurious Spa Experience Indulge in relaxing massages and unwind in the spa tub at our full-service spa. Keep fit at the 24-hour fitness center, and enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi acce…
Want a wider list than the one above? Expedia searches its own hotel inventory in Buffalo. We do not show its prices here.
How we earn: StubOrder may earn a commission when you book through the Expedia links on this page. It costs you nothing extra, and it never changes which events, venues or places we show you.
Compare more hotels on Expedia (opens Expedia in a new tab)Which area to stay in
Downtown / Canalside
Walkable, on the waterfront, next to KeyBank Center and Shea's. The default base for anyone attending a downtown event.
Elmwood Village and Allentown
The city's restaurant and bar districts, a short ride north of downtown, near the Buffalo AKG Art Museum.
Cheektowaga / Airport
Chain hotels near BUF. Cheapest and most convenient for flights, least interesting on foot.
Hamburg / Blasdell
South of the city, the closest usable hotel cluster to Highmark Stadium.
Airports for Buffalo
Which airport you choose changes the rest of the trip more than the fare usually does.
| Airport | Code | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Niagara International Airport | BUF | The primary airport, about 10 miles east of downtown in Cheektowaga, roughly 20 minutes by car. Served by most major US carriers. Rental cars are on site. |
| Niagara Falls International Airport | IAG | A much smaller alternative about 30 miles north, occasionally cheaper on low-cost carriers, but with very limited schedules and no realistic transit link. |
| Toronto Pearson International Airport | YYZ | About 100 miles north across the Canadian border. Sometimes far cheaper on international routes, but it requires a border crossing in both directions and can add two hours or more each way. |
Search live fares on our Buffalo flights page.
Getting around Buffalo
Buffalo is a driving city. The NFTA Metro Rail is a single line running up Main Street from Canalside through downtown to the University at Buffalo South Campus, which is genuinely useful if you are staying downtown and nothing else. Buses cover the rest of the metro but are not built around event schedules. If your trip includes Highmark Stadium or Niagara Falls, rent a car or budget for rideshares.
Things to do in Buffalo
Niagara Falls is 30 miles north and is the obvious half-day trip. In the city, Canalside runs events year-round on the restored waterfront, the Buffalo AKG Art Museum reopened after a major expansion, and Buffalo has an unusually good architectural inventory for its size: the Darwin Martin House by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Guaranty Building by Louis Sullivan and Richardson Olmsted Campus are all open to visitors.
Where to eat in Buffalo
Buffalo wings were invented at the Anchor Bar, and Duff's is the other name locals will send you to. Beyond wings, the city is known for beef on weck, sponge candy and a strong Italian and Polish tradition. The Broadway Market is worth a detour, especially around Easter.
Plan the rest of the trip
Frequently asked questions
How far is Niagara Falls from Buffalo?
About 30 miles from downtown Buffalo, or roughly 40 minutes by car. It is the most common add-on to an event weekend here.
Where is the best area to stay in Buffalo?
Downtown for walkability and anything at KeyBank Center or Shea's; Hamburg or Blasdell for a Bills game; the airport strip for cheap rooms and early flights.
What airport do you fly into for Buffalo events?
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF), about 20 minutes east of downtown. Niagara Falls International (IAG) and Toronto Pearson (YYZ) are alternatives but both add significant travel time.
Do you need a car in Buffalo?
For a downtown-only trip, no: Canalside, KeyBank Center and Shea's are all walkable from downtown hotels. For a Bills game at Highmark Stadium, or a side trip to Niagara Falls, a car makes the trip far easier.
