50 Things to do Before Spring

In about 50 days, it’ll be SPRING!!!!! (Isn’t this where Snoopy does his happy dance??)

I’ve always believed there’s always something to do in the Buffalo-Niagara area, and I’ve come up with a list of 50 things you can do before spring kicks off on March 20^th – because at that point, a whole new list comes out with things to do before Memorial Day!

• Visit Canalside – because there’s so much to do!
• Check out HarborCenter – there’s sure to be a game going on, otherwise check out (716) or Tim Hortons.
• Catch a game at the First Niagara Center – the Sabres and Bandits are both in action.
• Garth Brooks!! – ‘nuf said.
• Queen City Roller Girls – catch roller derby action at Buffalo RiverWorks.
• Lumagination – the Botanical Gardens’ annual light show gets reworked for 2015.
• Walk through the Olmstead Parks – there are so many to choose from.
• Visit the Buffalo History Museum – a little slice of history, plus Tim Russert’s office.
• Visit the Japanese Garden – right behind the History Museum (two-fer!).
• Visit Glen Park (or your favorite local park)
• Check out M&T Museum Fridays – Albright-Knox, Burchfield-Penney, Buffalo History Museum and Buffalo Arts Studio.
• Exhibits and events at the Botanical Gardens – orchids, lights, Victorian tea, yoga…something for everybody!
• WNY Home and Garden Expo – head to the Hamburg Fairgrounds and get ideas for your spring home shape-up.
• Buffalo Home Show – not enough ideas in Hamburg? Head to the Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center for more!
• Buffalo Auto Show – in the market for a new car or truck? Visit the Convention Center for this one too.
• Cavalcade of Cars – muscle cars, hot rods and motorsports – yes, please!
• Visit a local brewery – there’s a Buffalo brewing resurgence (yes, that’s one of the breweries!).
• HorsefeathersWinter Market – who says farmer’s-style markets have to be held outdoors?
• Great Harvest BreadCo. – I discovered this place at the Williamsville Farmer’s Market a couple of years ago, then visited last year after hitting Plantasia at the Hamburg Fairgrounds – delish! Located at 18 Buffalo St. in Hamburg.
• Larkinville Ice Festival – just another reason to go to Larkinville!
• Polar Bites – support the Buffalo Zoo at this fundraising event.
• Local Restaurant Week – pick a new restaurant or two to visit, then hit an old favorite for inexpensive eats.
• Go bowling – because it’s a Buffalo thing to do.
• Take a Buffalo tour – there’s so much you can learn on guided tours, especially about this great city.
• Check out Elmwood Ave. – shopping, restaurants, galleries, etc., etc.
• Plan a garden – because at least you can think about spring and summer that way.
• Check out Hertel Ave. – see Elmwood Ave…
• Walk the Village of Williamsville – spend the day discovering Main St.
• Binge-watch your favorite TV or movie series – because it’s a winter thing to do.
• Explore East Aurora – Vidler’s, Fisher-Price, the Roycroft Inn and so much more.
• Outdoor ice skating – check out Canalside, Fountain Plaza, or any of these.
• Test your swing at the Paddock Golf Dome – again, because it feels like spring.
• Plan your summer vacation – you don’t have to get out of Buffalo – plan a staycation! But if you do need to leave, it’s something to look forward to when it’s 10-degrees out!
• Rediscover downtown Buffalo – you haven’t seen Buffalo if you haven’t seen it recently.
• Check out Forest Lawn on Sundays – tours, speakers, music and more.
• Try a new workout – there’s more than just big box gyms in Buffalo – try BikeorBar or one of the new barre workout centers in Buffalo.
• Visit Niagara Falls – it’s in our backyard, but it’s underappreciated.
• Visit the Buffalo Zoo – yes, in the winter.
• Sample soup at SoupFest – February 15^th at the Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center.
• Support the team at the Chili Cookoff – the Lake Effect Furies, one of the Queen City Roller Girls teams, is hosting a Chili Cookoff on February 7^th.
• Indulge your sweet tooth at Sweet Charity – support the Food Bank of WNY on February 5^th.
• Support local pond hockey – the Labatt Blue Pond Hockey Tournament is at Buffalo RiverWorks the weekend of February 20^th through 22^nd.
• Make new wall décor at a paint-and-sip night – check out Paint on Tap, Pinot’s Palette or one of the events at PaintNite.com.
• Celebrate “fake” summer at the Eastern Hills Mall – take the kids to EHM for Summer in February, February 14^th through 22^nd.
• Visit the Niagara Wine Trail with your Valentine – “Be Mine with Wine” is a wine and chocolate pairing event February 13^th through 15^th.
• Preview spring at Plantasia – Plantasia begins on the first day of spring (March 19^th), but you can check out preview night on March 18^th.
• Support the Aquarium at SEAsonings – the Aquarium of Niagara hosts SEAsonings, the original “Taste of Niagara,” on March 5^th.
• Have some family fun at Explore & More – celebrate winter break and the Lunar New Year at Explore & More Children’s Museum in East Aurora, February 16^th through 20^th.
• Celebrate the final weekend of winter at Holiday Valley – March 14^th and 15^th, Holiday Valley and the Village of Ellicottville present their annual Winter Carnival.
• Sample maple syrup, sugar and more at Sprague’s Maple Farms – grab a bite to eat and check out the old-fashioned sugarhouse with tastings and demonstrations.