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 a suburb 11 miles south -- and that single fact drives almost every travel decision you will make here.
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
- From about $63.00View Tickets
- From about $48.00View Tickets
- From about $48.00View Tickets
- From about $86.00View Tickets
- From about $94.00View Tickets
- From about $92.00View Tickets
- From about $47.00View Tickets
Add-ons, not event tickets
Parking, tailgates and passes 1
These are add-on products rather than admission to the event itself, so they are listed separately and are not counted among the upcoming dates above.
- From about $133.00View Tickets
Popular Buffalo venues
- KeyBank Center
- Buffalo State Sports Arena
- Sheas Performing Arts Center
- Kleinhans Music Hall
- University at Buffalo Center For The Arts
- Sphere Entertainment Complex
- Tralf
- Infinity - Buffalo
- Broadview Stadium
- North Amherst Recreation Center
- Buffalo Convention Center
- Albright Knox Art Gallery
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
Hotels in Buffalo
Central Buffalo properties, closest to the middle of the city first, priced for Oct 17 – Oct 18, 2026 for two adults.
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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…
$325 per night
Check availability -
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…
$311 per night
Check availability -
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…
$441 per night
Check availability -
Hotel at the Lafayette Trademark Collection by Wyndham
391 Washington St, Buffalo
Convenient Location near Key Attractions Located just minutes from Sahlen Field and a short drive or walk to Key Bank Center, our hotel offers the perfect blend of comfort and con…
$413 per night
Check availability -
Hampton Inn & Suites Buffalo/Downtown
220 Delaware Ave, Buffalo
Convenient Location Located just 15.5 km from Walden Galleria and near Buffalo State College, our hotel is the perfect base to explore Buffalo's attractions. Comfortable Amenities…
$263 per night
Check availability -
The Westin Buffalo
250 Delaware Ave, Buffalo
Luxurious Accommodation The Westin Buffalo offers upscale rooms with modern amenities such as air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and complimentary WiFi. Each room is equipped with…
$588 per night
Check availability -
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Buffalo Downtown, NY
601 Main St, Buffalo
Central Location and Spacious Suites Located in central Buffalo, just 9 miles from the airport, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Buffalo Downtown offers suites with a living room and …
$207 per night
Check availability
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.
Flights to 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. |
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.
