RV Rental Buffalo, NY

Buffalo, NY RV Rentals

There’s a lot more to love about Buffalo, N.Y. than the city’s world-famous chicken wings, although those are something you want to experience if you’re planning a trip there. Buffalo is the second-most populated city in New York, behind New York City, so it has an almost overwhelming amount of cool attractions and things to do during your time there. 

RV rentals in Buffalo are growing in popularity as many people realize what a fun and affordable way it is to explore the city and surrounding countryside. Buffalo was just named one of the best places to travel to in 2021 by Travel + Leisure magazine, so you’re practically guaranteed to love it there. World-class museums, restaurants, breweries and distilleries, and a vibrant visual arts scene await you, along with breathtaking natural attractions and hiking.  

With a Buffalo RV rental, you can make the most of your time there by traveling to several of the area's excellent campgrounds and parks. There’s so much to choose from in Buffalo that you may find yourself wanting to visit it more than once, especially since Buffalo offers a completely different feel and experience if you go during different seasons. 

Popular RV Destinations in Buffalo

Niagara Falls

Renting an RV gives you the perfect opportunity to visit one of the greatest natural wonders in North America. Niagara Falls is a short 20-minute drive from Buffalo and should be at the top of your list of things to see. You’ll be in awe once you experience its jaw-dropping power and beauty.

The noise and energy that’s created from 4-6 million cubic feet of water racing over the edge of the falls each minute is something you need to see in person to understand the true magnitude of this natural wonder. You can even take a boat ride to the foot of the falls to get the full immersion experience. 

Take the rest of the day to explore Niagara Falls State Park, the nation’s oldest state park. It offers plenty of hiking trails that are suitable for all levels of fitness as well as some lush and memorable scenery that will remind you of a Rockwell painting. 

Buffalo Waterfront

The city is very proud of its newly revitalized and bustling waterfront. Ideally situated on the southern shore of the great Lake Erie, Buffalo’s trendy waterfront area has tons to offer in the way of excellent restaurants, breweries, parks, and water sports. Visitors can choose to view the waterfront via a fun harbor cruise, an eclectic cycle boat, or rent your kayak or paddleboard. 

The waterfront is broken up into three distinct locations: the Buffalo River winds its way from downtown through the Old First Ward and Valley neighborhoods, the Outer Harbor, which boasts tons of park space, bike paths, and beautiful marinas, and Canalside, which sits at the start of Main Street in downtown. Each area offers something different, but all fun and interesting things to see and do.

Visit Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, Buffalo Harbor State Park, the Buffalo Lighthouse, take a Buffalo River History tour or sample some of the highly varied and numerous cuisines and microbreweries that Buffalo is becoming famous for.

Architectural Tours

Buffalo also boasts some masterful examples of architecture. The famous Frank Lloyd Wright chose Buffalo to showcase his unique and iconic style with several different buildings, including Martin House, which was built between 1903 and 1905 for Darwin and Isabelle Martin. Be sure to check out the iconic Graycliff, which was also built for the Martins between 1926-1931 to serve as their summer home. It features breathtaking, sweeping views of Lake Erie. Take a tour and experience the architectural genius of Frank Lloyd Wright firsthand. 

Other notable architectural landmarks include Louis Sullivan’s Guaranty Building, which is reminiscent of the early origins of skyscraper design, the Romanesque Richardson Olmsted Campus with its steep and dramatic rooflines, Kleinhans Music Hall which features graceful curves and lines, the famed “Millionaire’s Row,” and much more.

You can plan your entire trip around the many examples of late 19th and early 20th-century architecture. 

Garden Tours

The city of Buffalo is very proud of its successful lush, and prolific gardens. It boasts the largest free garden tour in the United States, so it’s an experience you won’t want to miss. “Garden Walk Buffalo” is enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year who are impressed by the variety and vastness of Buffalo’s well-renowned gardens.

Eight distinctive and different stops on the garden tour allow you to experience the beautiful Buffalo Botanical Gardens, Erie Basin Marina Trial Gardens, Forest Lawn Cemetery, the Japanese Garden of Buffalo, and much more. There’s something for every horticultural enthusiast to enjoy.

Buffalo Zoo

For kids and animal lovers, there’s the Buffalo Zoo. Open every day of the week year-round for you to explore and observe a vast array of domestic and exotic animals in naturalistic habitats. Be sure to check out the Arctic Edge exhibit and the Rainforest Falls exhibit, which appears to be exceptionally popular during the winter months. You can also enjoy specifically tailored programs at many of the zoo’s exhibits.

The zoo is conveniently located at the edge of Delaware Park, which offers several other iconic area attractions within walking distance. Tickets can be purchased online in advance of your arrival. Admission is free for children under 2.

Events and Entertainment in Buffalo

Dyngus Day

Interestingly, Dyngus Day falls on the Monday after Easter Sunday. It’s an annual post-Lenten party that attracts tens of thousands of tourists to Buffalo, which just so happens to be the Dyngus Day capital of the world. It’s a fun and lively celebration that ushers in springtime with some major fanfare and a big parade, because who doesn’t like a parade?

Dyngus Day is a Polish-American tradition that is a great way for people to celebrate and honor Buffalo’s long-time Polish-American heritage, traditions, and culture. You’ll experience a lot of fun Polish customs, polka bands, and food at one of Buffalo’s biggest parties of the year. You can also participate in the Dyngus Dash, a two-person, one-mile relay race in which many people dress in fun and goofy costumes and come up with quirky team names.

Buffalo Mac and Cheese Festival

Every spring, Buffalo hosts its famous Mac and Cheese Festival at Buffalo RiverWorks, the city’s premier waterfront sports, music, and entertainment spot located on the banks of the Buffalo River. Top chefs, vendors, and food trucks compete to serve up some of the most amazing and inventive mac and cheese dishes you can imagine.

Of course, it’s much more than just a food festival. There’s also an impressively large and varied selection of craft beers, wines, and ciders to wash down all that cheesy goodness. Enjoy tons of live entertainment and music, and even vote for your favorite mac and cheese. This event usually sells out fast, so be sure to buy your tickets well in advance so you’re not left with a rumbling stomach and a grumpy group.

Famous Flea Markets

For select dates each month, customers and tourists can enjoy a relaxed shopping experience and discover unusual and eclectic gifts and antiques that may not be found anywhere else. A clean, bright, spacious hall in Hamburg, N.Y., just minutes from Buffalo plays host to a large number of permanent and guest vendors, including experts in various arts, furniture, jewelry, and antiques. 

Saint Mary of the Lake Hall houses a wide variety of collectibles and antiques, including holiday items, antique postcards, books, magazines, advertising, toys, jewelry, china, glassware, household items, clothing, crafts, small furniture, and more. Enjoy free appraisals on selected items each month as well. Hours are between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and admission is free.

NHL Hockey Games

Few cities love their hockey team as much as Buffalo loves its famous NHL Buffalo Sabres. From January to May, you can attend a home game at the KeyBank Center in downtown Buffalo and cheer on one of the best teams in the NHL.

There’s a wide range of ticket prices to suit any budget, so be sure to check out one of Buffalo’s most beloved activities and experience the excitement and competition of an NHL hockey game. Don’t forget to partake in the quintessential food and drinks offered by a plethora of vendors at the arena when you’re there.

Food and Brewery Crawls

Buffalo has long been home to a large number of food and drinking establishments. It currently boasts over 35 craft breweries and five distilleries, including the well-known Flying Bison Brewing Company, Pearl Street Grill & Brewery, Big Ditch Brewing, Resurgence Brewing Company, Lakeward Spirits, Tommyrotter Distillery, and many more. Enjoy a preplanned bike tour of several different establishments, or Uber around town on your schedule.

You can also take part in the famous Buffalo Wing Trail and get your Buffalo wing fix at each of the 13 pubs along it. Known as “America’s tastiest drive,” Buffalo takes its wing reputation seriously. That being said, you can also do a food crawl focusing on Buffalo’s famous beef on weck sandwich, Buffalo-style pizza (yes, Buffalo even has its take on pizza), or work your way around the city’s numerous ice cream parlors.

FAQs:

Q: What are RV rentals?

RV rentals work much like any other vehicle rentals. You pay a daily or weekly rate for your RV rental. You can expect these rates to fluctuate based on the time of year and the geographical location that you're renting. Naturally, rates tend to increase during peak season. They allow you to get an RV for a certain period and enjoy all its benefits while traveling without the hassles and large cost of owning your RV. It’s also a great way to try out some different RV models if you are considering purchasing your own.

Q: How much are RV Rentals?

RV rentals in Buffalo can range between $75-150 per night for most small to moderately sized trailers and campervans. Larger RVs and travel trailers can cost between $100-250 per night, depending on the season and the year, make and model of the RV. Some companies also offer a discount if you rent for longer than a week.

Q: Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Buffalo?

The minimum legal age to rent an RV in the state of New York is 25. 

Q: Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

Yes, you'll need insurance to rent an RV in Buffalo. It's meant to cover the vehicle in case of an accident and is mandatory in most states. Most RV rental companies will have RV specific insurance that you can purchase.

Q: Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

This policy varies between rental agencies, but most RV rental facilities in Buffalo will expect you to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas. At the very least, the fuel should be at the same level as when you got the vehicle.

Q: Are RVs pet-friendly in Buffalo?

Many RV and camper rentals in Buffalo are pet-friendly, and there are even vehicles specially designed for accommodating animals. Still, it’s important to double-check the policy with your chosen rental agency before renting a particular vehicle.