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Ira G. Ross Aerospace Museum
Botanical Gardens of Buffalo & Erie County
Buffalo Transportation/Pierce-Arrow Museum
Erie Basin Marina
Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park
Fuzak Memorial Rose Garden
Niagara Reservation State Park
Kenan Center

A GARDENS AND MUSEUMS TOUR

From downtown Buffalo, go south on Washington Street to the corner of Washingon and South Park Avenue to HSBC Arena and check out the Ira G. Ross Aerospace Museum, which features a collection of aviation memorabilia and artifacts from the early days of aviation. (The museum entrance is on the Main Street side of the arena.) Continue down South Park Avenue and stop at the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens (2655 South Park Avenue). Here you'll find three historic attractions in one: Frederick Law Olmsted's South Park, the 1894 tri-domed glass conservatory building, and the Victorian-style gardens, both inside and out.

After completing your tour of the Botanical Gardens turn left (north) onto South Park Avenue (Route 62) and proceed into downtown Buffalo. Turn right onto Michigan Avenue and go eight blocks to the corner of Seneca Street. Here you'll find the Buffalo Transportation/Pierce-Arrow Museum (263 Michigan Avenue), dedicated to the preservation of Western New York-made automobiles, motorcycles and carriages, including Pierce-Arrows and Thomas Flyers.

Proceed three blocks north on Michigan Avenue to North Division Street. Take a left onto North Division and proceed across the trolley tracks of Main Street. Go four blocks to Lower Terrace. Take a left here, taking care not to make the left onto the Skyway entrance. Turn right onto Erie Street and proceed to the Erie Basin Marina, home to the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park and the Fuzak Memorial Rose Garden, one of 20 test gardens throughout the United States.

From the Marina, follow Erie Street to the New York State Thruway (I-190) North to Niagara Falls and the Niagara Aerospace Museum, 345 Third Street. Take I-190 north across the two branches of the Niagara River and across Grand Island. Follow the signs to the Robert Moses Parkway via exit 21 off I-190 to Niagara Falls, New York (a 25 minute drive). From the Robert Moses Parkway follow the signs to Goat Island and the Niagara Falls State Park for a view of the Falls.

After leaving the Niagara Falls State Park, exit Goat Island, turn left onto Rainbow Blvd and continue on the Robert Moses Parkway.  Turn right at Findlay Dr, following signs for Whirlpool St/ Findlay Dr.  and take a slight left to stay on Findlay Dr.  Turn left onto Lewiston Rd (Rt 104). Turn right on College Avenue (Route 31) to Lockport (a 20 minute drive). In Lockport, turn right onto Transit Road (Route 78) and proceed south to the third traffic light, at Willow Street. Make a left onto Willow and proceed three blocks to stop sign at Locust Street. Turn right onto Locust. Stop at the Kenan Center (433 Locust Street), and tour the 19th century Victorian mansion and explore the 25-acre grounds.

From Lockport, continue south on Route 78 to Millersport Highway (Route 263). Proceed to I-990 South to I-290 East to I-90 West to Route 33 West to downtown Buffalo.