A Taste of Niagara County

From the Niagara wine region to the famed home of Buffalo wings, eat your way through the singular food delights of Niagara Falls USA. There’s something for every palate.

DAY 1

Welcome to New York

Your first day in town should be all about experiencing the best of Niagara Falls, New York —from the Falls themselves to the delicacies this corner of the Empire State is known for. Start your journey in the center of it all, Niagara Falls State Park, where you can get closer to the Falls than you ever thought possible. Set sail on the Maid of the Mist, and get your heart-pumping at Cave of the Winds’ Hurricane Deck. Afterwards head into town for a lunch of New York-style deli sandwiches at Power City Eatery. Later, make it a progressive dinner: Whet your appetite with Buffalo wings at the legendary Anchor Bar, and then seek out a New York-style pizza pie — and don’t forget the ice cream.

DAY 2

Wine & Dine

Pick your designated driver for the day and head for the Niagara wine region, with over 20 wineries, breweries and cideries. At Black Willow Winery, you can pair your tasting with artisanal Amish cheese or gourmet chocolate. Stop into the gift shop on the way out for olive oil and vinegar — and a bottle of wine or two. It doesn’t get more farm-to-table than eating at the farm itself! Becker Farms is a working farm with u-pick opportunities seasonally, but you don’t want to miss the gastropub on premises or taste the wines they produce at their own Vizcarra Vineyards. End the day in charming Lockport, where you can continue your tastings at Arrowhead Spring Vineyards and then enjoy a cozy meal at Shamus Restaurant or at Lock 34 Bar & Grill.

DAY 3

The Sweet Life

Start your day with a sweet and a stroll. Not far from the lovely walking paths of Niagara Falls State Park, you’ll find La Patisserie, a French-inspired pastry shop serving fresh-made pastries. Next, it’s off to quaint North Tonawanda for a tour of a real-deal chocolate factory, Platter’s, and a visit to a sweet relic of turn-of-the-20th-century Niagara County: the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum. A true French bistro experience awaits you for dinner at nearby Webster’s Bar & Bistro, where the owners sought to recreate the experience of a warm, local restaurant like the ones they love in Paris. The chicken Française and bouillabaisse never disappoint — nor does the 17-layer chocolate cake.

DAY 4

Fresh Air and Fresh Produce

Western New York is known for its farmers markets, so stop at one of the markets available almost every day of the week. Sample local vendors and pick up enough to pack a picnic, then head to one of these picnic spots with your spread (or stretch your legs on a Niagara Gorge hike). One last item on your foodie to-do list: tasting the creations of the next generation of Niagara Falls chefs. Snag a seat at Savor, the fine-dining restaurant at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (when school’s in session) — it’s staffed by students, who take advantage of the restaurant’s wood-fired oven. Dinner service features a $35 prix fixe, three-course menu.

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