VISITING Buffalo · The Queen City of the Lakes

Visiting Buffalo with toddlers and little kids: the plan.

Buffalo is easy to plan around Canalside downtown and the Delaware Park area up north. Here’s how we’d spend one or two days, with lunch, a nap and an optional run to Niagara Falls.

Top 5 can’t-miss spots

#1Canalside, 130 Main St.

Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum

Make it your first morning. Kids and adults pay the same, and babies under 1 are free.

$16 eachUnder 1 freeIndoor

See it in the guide

#2Delaware Park, 300 Parkside Ave.

Buffalo Zoo

Plan a morning, then walk over to Delaware Park if anyone still has energy.

Kids $19.95Adults $25.95Under 24 months free

See it in the guide

#3East Side, 1020 Humboldt Pkwy.

Buffalo Museum of Science

A good after-nap stop. Prices are slightly lower if you pay cash.

Kids $19Adults $23Under 2 freeIndoor

See it in the guide

#4South Park, 2655 South Park Ave.

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

Warm and green on a cold day. It’s about ten minutes from downtown.

Kids $9.50Adults $19Under 3 (ticket required) freeIndoor

See it in the guide

#5Niagara Falls (about 30 minutes)

Aquarium of Niagara

Pair it with a look at the falls. Feedings and talks are included in admission.

Kids $18Adults $25Ages 2 and under freeIndoor

See it in the guide

Nap breaks built in

One day or two in Buffalo

A couple of big stops, a real lunch and a nap in the middle. Tap a stop for the full listing.

If you have one day

MORNINGExplore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s MuseumGo at opening · Canalside, 130 Main St. · $16 per person

LUNCHTed’s Hot DogsCharcoal hot dogs · Several Buffalo-area locations

NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.

AFTER NAPBuffalo and Erie County Botanical GardensWarm conservatory · South Park, 2655 South Park Ave. · $9.50 kids, $19 adults

If you have two days

Day 1 is the one-day plan above. Day 2:

MORNINGBuffalo ZooA full morning · Delaware Park, 300 Parkside Ave. · $19.95 kids, $25.95 adults

LUNCHElmwood Taco & SubsElmwood Village · Elmwood Village, 937 Elmwood Ave.

NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.

AFTER NAPBuffalo Museum of ScienceFree parking · East Side, 1020 Humboldt Pkwy. · $19 kids, $23 adults

Where to stay

Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions

Pick the area by the stops you’ll make most, then plan around nap.

BEST FOR FIRST-TIMERSDowntown and CanalsideWalk to Explore & More and the carousel.Near Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum and Buffalo Heritage Carousel

FOR PARKSElmwood Village and North BuffaloNear the Zoo, Delaware Park and Elmwood Taco & Subs.Near Buffalo Zoo, Delaware Park and Elmwood Taco & Subs

FOR THE FALLSNiagara FallsNext to the falls and the Aquarium, about 30 minutes north.Near Aquarium of Niagara

Eat

Easy restaurants near the big stops

Kids’ menus, quick service and a short drive from the attractions. Prices come from each restaurant’s own menu.

Hot dogs · Several Buffalo-area locationsTed’s Hot Dogs

Tacos and subs · Elmwood Village, 937 Elmwood Ave.Elmwood Taco & Subs

Plan B

Rainy-day backup plan

If the forecast turns, swap the outdoor stop for one of these. More options: indoor play places in Buffalo.

Canalside, 130 Main St.Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s MuseumA big indoor museum at Canalside.$16 eachUnder 1 freeIndoor

East Side, 1020 Humboldt Pkwy.Buffalo Museum of ScienceScience exhibits, all indoors.Kids $19Adults $23Under 2 freeIndoor

South Park, 2655 South Park Ave.Buffalo and Erie County Botanical GardensA warm glass conservatory.Kids $9.50Adults $19Under 3 (ticket required) freeIndoor

Niagara Falls (about 30 minutes)Aquarium of NiagaraIndoor tanks next to the falls.Kids $18Adults $25Ages 2 and under freeIndoor

Before you go

Practical tips

Parking, strollers, changing tables and the best times to go.

Parking

Buffalo Zoo: $6 for the first two hours, then $2 an hour up to $12. Pay at the kiosk outside Zootique or as you leave.
Buffalo Museum of Science: Free in the museum lot on the Humboldt Parkway side.
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens: Parking is free in the lot next to the conservatory or along the South Park Ring Road.

Strollers and accessibility

Buffalo Zoo: Single strollers are $8 and doubles $10.
Buffalo Museum of Science: Free strollers are available by the coatroom, across from Stanley’s Shop.

Changing tables

Buffalo Museum of Science: Changing tables are in the first-floor restrooms, the Comfort Room outside SensERIE and the 3rd-floor restrooms near In Motion.
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens: There’s no private nursing area right now.

Canalside in one stop

Explore & More and the carousel are next to each other at Canalside.

Pay cash at the Science Museum

Prices are slightly lower with cash, and parking is free.

Visiting in November or December?

Santa and Christmas lights in Buffalo

If your trip lands in the holiday season, these two pages have the dates, prices and booking links.

Santa in BuffaloBreakfast with Santa, Santa photos and Santa trains, with 2026 prices

Christmas lights in BuffaloDrive-thru and walk-through displays, start times and 2026 prices

On a budget

Free and cheap wins for visitors

Spend less without skipping the good stuff.

North BuffaloDelaware ParkA free Olmsted park.Free

South BuffaloTifft Nature PreserveFree trails and boardwalks.Free

All free things to do in Buffalo →

This week

Happening while you’re here

This week’s top events in Buffalo. The full list, with hours and the forecast, is on the this-week page.

#1Sat 10am–4pm, Sun 10am–3pm

Halloween Spooktacular at Explore & More

Come in costume and trick-or-treat on all three exhibit floors (10:30am–2:30pm), with allergy-friendly treats, all included with admission.

Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum · Buffalo

$16 ages 1–59Indoor

Hours, food & parking

#2Sat 3–6pm

Town of Tonawanda Halloween Bash

A free town Halloween party with trick-or-treat stations, hay rides, touch-a-truck, crafts, a bonfire and s’mores, and a costume contest. Weather dependent, no rain date.

Lincoln Park · Buffalo

Free

Hours, food & parking

#3Sat & Sun from 10am; attended activities 11am–5pm

Fall Fun on the Farm at Becker Farms

Becker’s fall weekends: a petting farmyard, giant bounce pillow, mega slides, corn maze, goat races, wagon rides and a U-pick apple or $5 pumpkin voucher.

Becker Farms · Gasport

$23 online

Hours, food & parking

#4Sat 11am–2pm

Spooky Library Party (Central Library)

Come in costume to watch magician Cris Johnson in the auditorium, then trick-or-treat, visit a haunted room and make crafts.

Central Library · Buffalo

Free

Hours, food & parking

#5Daily 10am–4pm

Scarecrow Trail at the Botanical Gardens

Dozens of scarecrows, mums and ghosts tucked among the conservatory plants. Last entry 3:30pm.

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens · Buffalo

Included with admission: $9.50 ages 3–12

Hours, food & parking

See everything this week →

Good questions

Visiting Buffalo with toddlers: the FAQ

Is Buffalo kid-friendly?

For a family with kids under 6, yes. Our Buffalo guide lists 11 places we checked for little kids, plus 2 free places and 4 picks for babies and toddlers. This page adds 2 easy restaurants near the big stops and free storytimes at 1 library system. This week’s list has 28 dated outings for ages 0–6. See free things to do in Buffalo and this weekend’s list.

Where should we stay in Buffalo with little kids?

Downtown near Canalside for Explore & More, or North Buffalo for the Zoo and Delaware Park.

Is Niagara Falls worth adding with a toddler?

Yes, as a half day. It’s about 30 minutes away, and the Aquarium of Niagara is next to the falls.

How many days do you need in Buffalo with a toddler?

Two days: Canalside and the Botanical Gardens on one, and the Zoo and the Science Museum on the other. Add a third morning for Niagara Falls.

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Visiting Buffalo with toddlers and little kids: the plan.

Top 5 can’t-miss spots

One day or two in Buffalo

Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions

Easy restaurants near the big stops

Rainy-day backup plan

Practical tips

Santa and Christmas lights in Buffalo

Free and cheap wins for visitors

Happening while you’re here

Visiting Buffalo with toddlers: the FAQ

Other cities

Your weekend, planned by Friday.