The Buffalo Wing Tour of Buffalo

Ask a foodie, and the city of Buffalo in upstate New York has one main claim to fame: it’s the birthplace of the buffalo wing.  And as you’d expect, every restaurant and bar in town has their own version—many of them pretty delicious. In the battle for “best wing,” though, some contenders rise to the top. These are a few.

The Anchor Bar invented the buffalo wing… of course it has to get top billing in a wing round-up. The owner at the time whipped up a batch to feed her son and his friends, who scarfed the deep-fried, spicy, blue cheese-accented invention and swiftly returned for more. Thus was an iconic American bar snack born.  (Or that’s one version of the story. There are others, but they mostly all take place in the Anchor kitchen.)

Architecture of Buffalo

Although its roots are industrial, Buffalo came into its own as an artist in the mid-19^th century. When its more cosmopolitan neighbors stumble upon reminders of its thriving cultural scene, they always act shocked—but the truth is, art and architecture have thrived here over the past 150 years.

It started with Elbert Hubbard, a businessman turned visionary architect/writer,  who founded the American Arts & Crafts movement and lured some of the country’s finest talent to Buffalo at the turn of the 20^th century. Hubbard established the Roycroft Campus in neighboring East Aurora; it was the community for Arts & Crafts artisans until 1938.

Outdoors in the Adirondacks, New York

September in New York's Adirondack Mountains highlights the emergence of fall in the beautiful backcountry, so what better way to enjoy it than sky-high in a hot-air balloon? Each September, the Adirondack Balloon Festival organizes hundreds of ballooners in the Lake George area. This year's festival runs September 22-25.

Photo credit: Adirondack Balloon Festival, New York (courtesy, Visit Lake George)

Eagle-eye View of Niagara

What’s the best way to get a stellar view of the great Niagara Falls? By soaring with the birds, of course. If there’s every a time you don’t want to forget your camera, boarding a helicopter bound for the peaks of the majestic falls is one of them. National Helicopters Inc. will also take you high above the Great Lakes Canal, Niagara vineyards, wineries, Botanical Gardens, the Niagara River Rapids, and the fascinating whirlpool. The 20-minute flight is an experience you won’t get from a paved walkway and a plastic raincoat.

Photo Credit: Niagara Falls (Denis Waugh/PhotoDisc/Getty)

Classic Americana: New York City

Walt Whitman said it best in his 1990 poem, "Manhattan": "A million people manners free and superb—open voices—Hospitality—the most courageous and friendly young men …City of hurried and sparkling waters! City of spires and masts! City nested in bays! My city!"

Photo credit: Empire State Building and Manhattan skyline (Photodisc/Getty)

New York's Finger Lakes for Less: Trip Ideas for Under Ten Bucks

Here are some free things to do in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, for when you're not out sampling the area's great local wines and exploring the trails and lakes.

Name of activity: The Arnot Art Museum
Location: Elmira, New York
Price: Free
Description: Housed in its original 1833 showcase, with a grand late-20th- century gallery addition, the museum displays its permanent collection of 17th- to 19th-century European paintings and 19th- and 20th-century American art. Temporary exhibits highlight various aspects of the collections and include works from around the world.
Dates open/available: Year-round
Website: www.arnotartmuseum.org

Trip Guide to Newark Liberty International Airport

Spare yourself the headaches of Manhattan traffic, not to mention a $50-$70 cab fare, by using Newark Liberty International Aiport’s AirTrain for your trip into the Big Apple. The service connects EWR terminals with connecting rail routes into Manhattan and other New York/New Jersey boroughs, as well as Amtrak service to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. to the south. When you buy a NJ TRANSIT or Amtrak ticket to or from Newark Liberty International Airport Station, that ticket includes the $5.50 AirTrain Newark fee. Children under age 5 ride for free. Journey time to Manhattan's Penn Station is approximately 30 minutes; one-way fare costs $15. AirTrain operates daily throughout the year, with trains departing every three minutes between 5 a.m. and midnight.

Photo credit: Newark Liberty International Airport's AirTrain (courtesy, The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey)

Albany: New York City's Historic Neighbor

Although its neighbor to the south is slightly better known, Albany is the capital of New York state, and it has a majestic Capitol building to prove it. Completed in 1899, the New York State Capitol Building was the work of three teams of architects and cost upwards of $25 million—the most expensive government building of its time.

Photo credit: Albany, New York (Corbis)

Top 5 Cheap City Getaways

Take advantage of freebies and think like a local to experience these five big cities on a small budget.

New York
If you stay in a family-friendly hostel or funky bed and breakfast, use public transportation, and scout for deals on food, a trip to NYC can be surprisingly cheap.

Chicago
Don't overlook city passes, use the El when you can, and keep in mind that some of Chicago's most beloved attractions, like the Lincoln Park Zoo and Millennium Park are free.

New York City Escapes: Lake Placid Olympic Center Bobsled Ride

Take a ride on the 1980 Olympics bobsled track in Lake Placid, New York, with a professional driver and brakeman. The Olympic Center at Lake Placid offers a safe, thrilling experience, starting from the half-mile mark and passing through the famous Zig Zag turns at about 90 mph. If you prefer a solo ride, the Luge Rocket is a semi-enclosed luge sled that patrons can pilot through 16 heart-quickening curves.

Photo credit: Lake Placid, New York (Mark Kurtz/Olympic Regional Development Authority)