There's Fun in the Niagara Indoors too!
There’s indoor fun in the Niagara region too!
From the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, to the Castellani Art Museum, The Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls & More!
The Buffalo Botanical Gardens is a National Historic Site that warms up the winter with three huge glass domes and nine greenhouses housing countless, often tropical, horticultural treasures. Night Lights (selected dates through February 16) illuminates the Gardens with theatrical and interactive lighting. The Niagara Wine Trail celebrates romance during “Be Mine With Wine” (February 8-10), but participating wineries are open for tastings and tours throughout the year. Tune up your banjos and fiddles! There’s a Bluegrass Jam Session the second Sunday of every month in Bennington.
Albright-Knox Art Gallery, a contemporary and modern art hub, is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Upcoming exhibits and educational programs include “Looking Out and Looking In: A Selection of Contemporary Photography” (through May 19) and “Dennis Maher: House of Collective Repair” (through May 12).
Alleyway Theatre’s 30th anniversary season includes the World Premiere Drama, “Night Work” (February 7-March 2), based on a true WWI tale set in Buffalo and a case that rose to the US Supreme Court.
Blue Man Group comes to Buffalo Shea Theater on February 8-10, followed by “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” (February 19-24), “The 19th Annual Oscar Experience Buffalo” (February 24), “Celtic Woman” (March 30), and other BIG events too!
Step back in time! Costumed interpreters guide tours of historic homes, churches, one-room schoolhouses and a blacksmith shop at Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village. There are festivals and special events throughout the year; the new Modern Childhood Exhibit, which explores childhood from the Victorians to the Millennials, opens February 26. Lancaster Opera House looks much the same as it did on opening night in 1897 – but the shows are contemporary: “Beatlemagic” (February 1-2), “Comedysportz Improv” (March 22-24) and that’s just a taste of their BIG event schedule.
Niagara Falls has, of course, THE falls, breathtaking rainbows, honeymoon traditions, the Maid of the Mist, the 1953-thriller noir classic, Niagara, starring Marilyn Monroe and all the BIG tourist attractions. It’s also home to the Castellani Art Museum, The Native American Museum of Art and The Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls.
Ever wonder how a carrousel is assembled? The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum in North Tonawanda has fascinating exhibits and demonstrations in seven interconnected factory buildings; carving demonstrations (and woodcarving classes for all levels); horse restoration; band organ roll production; and two fully operational antique carousels.
Quick! What’s “America’s Most Famous Dessert?” The Jell-O Gallery in LeRoy has a BIG new exhibit paying homage to Bill Cosby’s impact on the wiggly gelatin favorite, along with the history of its development and success from 1845.
GO ART!, a collective of five galleries spread over two counties features local and student artists, live performances and other cultural events.
Albright-Knox Art Gallery – Buffalo
Bluegrass Jam Session - Bennington
Botanical Gardens – Buffalo
Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village - Amherst
Buffalo Shea Theater
Castellani Art Museum – Niagara Falls
Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls
GO ART! Galleries
Herschell Carrousel Museum – North Tonawanda
The Jell-O Gallery – LeRoy
Lancaster Opera House – Lancaster
Native American Museum of Art
Niagara Wine Trail
For more winter travel ideas, visit the Greater Niagara region.
Shopping Theater