BuffaloPete
Registered User
Buffalo is very excited to be hosting this tournament! There is quite a buzz around here and it's very exciting to be having these teams, the media, and visitors (many from Canada, of course) coming here. I apologize if this has already been done, but I didn't see a previous thread, so here is some useful information, especially for out-of-town guests:
Buffalo World Juniors official website
http://buffaloworldjuniors.com/
TRANSPORTATION:
Buffalo Niagara International Airport is the best bet for flights, being the closest and least expensive airport to all the action.
Niagara Falls International Airport (US) has very limited flights, mainly from Florida and South Carolina, I believe.
Hamilton and Toronto are the closest airports for Canadians looking to fly to another Canadian city. However, these are obviously still 1-2 hours away, plus you would have to deal with crossing the border, which is sure to be difficult. Flights to these airports are likely more expensive, as well.
There are 4 border crossings from the Niagara region of Canada to the USA.
1. Lewiston-Queenston Bridge- This is typically the busiest bridge and sees a lot of truck traffic. I would avoid if I were you.
2. Rainbow Bridge- Connects Niagara Falls CAN with the USA. There is no truck traffic, and if you are going to Dwyer Arena (on the campus of Niagara University), I would recommend using this crossing.
3. Whirlpool Bridge- This is another border crossing in Niagara Falls, but you need a NEXUS pass. Obviously if you have a NEXUS pass I would use this bridge, especially if you are headed to Dwyer Arena.
4. Peace Bridge- Connects Fort Erie with Buffalo. This will take you right to Downtown Buffalo, where HSBC Arena is located. May be busy, but like I said, the worst bridge is Lewiston-Queenston.
Some things to remember- 65% of tickets sold were to Canadians, so leave plenty of extra border crossing time. Many Canadians will also be headed across the border to take advantage of post-Christmas shopping sales in America. Finally, there is a Buffalo Bills game on Sunday Dec 26, which will make USA-bound traveling even more difficult.
Getting to HSBC Arena:
The arena is located in downtown Buffalo, and you can take Interstate 190 (get off at exit 6 or 8) or Route 33 (Kensington Expressway- connects the airport to downtown). Parking is relatively easy and inexpensive compared to larger cities, but this isn't to say that it will be a breeze, either.
The Metro Rail train is another alternative. There is free parking at the University at Buffalo South Campus (on Main St.), and you can take the train directly to the arena. Very easy and fast (about a 20 minute ride).
Getting to Dwyer Arena:
The arena is located on the campus of Niagara University, a small Catholic university located on the beautiful Niagara gorge in Lewiston. You can take Interstate 190 and follow the signs for Niagara University (Exit 25A). The arena is small and parking/traffic should not be much of an issue.
Taxis:
Liberty Taxi Cab website
http://www.libertycab.com/
HOTELS
Here's a complete listing of most hotels:
http://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/worldJuniors2011/default.asp
If seeing games at HSBC Arena, downtown Buffalo would be your best bet for a hotel. A hotel by the airport would also be good for guests flying in.
Niagara Falls hotels (close to Dwyer Arena):
1. Crowne Plaza
300 Third Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14303 (map)
Phone (716) 285-3361 / 800-95-Falls
2. Hampton Inn Niagara Falls
501 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303 (map)
Phone (716) 285-6666 / (800) 426-7866
3. Holiday Inn Express & Suites
10111 Niagara Falls Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14304 (map)
Phone (716) 298-4500
4. Howard Johnson Closest to the Falls
454 Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14301 (map)
Phone (716) 285-5261 / (800) 282-5261
5. Holiday Inn Niagara Falls
114 Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY 14303 (map)
Phone (716) 285-2521 / 800-Holiday
6. Red Coach Inn
Two Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY (map)
Phone (716) 282-1459
7. Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel
310 Fourth Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14301 (map)
Phone (716) 278-3706 / 1-877-8SENECA
FOOD
Here is a great webiste that has all restaurants and Buffalo favorites
http://buffalochow.com/
If you're looking for wings, you can check out the Anchor Bar (Main St. just north of downtown) where they were invented, but I personally think that Duff's wings is the best (Dick Rd. in Depew, Sheridan Dr. in Amherst, and Orchard Park Rd. in Orchard Park).
Anderson's Frozen Custard (http://www.andersonscustard.com/) has great Beef on Weck sandwiches and ice cream.
Here are some good choices for dining downtown, which will be useful for guests staying downtown and in between games:
1. Pearl Street Grill and Brewery (close to HSBC on Pearl St., very popular destination)
2. Chef's Restaurant (about 1 mile from HSBC on Seneca St., great Italian food)
3. Buffalo Chophouse (expensive steak-house on Franklin St.)
4. Templeton's Landing (expensive, on the Lake Erie waterfront, very nice)
5. Jim's Steak Out (fast food place on Chippewa St.)
6. Pettibone's Grille (open for lunch Tue-Fri. located at Coca-Cola Field baseball field. VERY close to arena, on Washington St.)
7. Cobblestone Bar (on South Park Ave.)
8. Swannie House (small bar/restaurant on Ohio St.)
9. T.G.I. Fridays (Main and Chippewa Streets)
10. City Grille (Main St. near the baseball stadium and One HSBC Center)
11. I believe there will be a heated tent outside of HSBC Arena for easy food options in between games, as well. This is just a short list of some popular and easy places to eat. There are many other places as well.
TOP WING PLACES-
1. Duff's Famous Wings (original location on Sheridan Dr. in Amherst. Others on Dick Rd. in Depew and Orchard Park Rd. in Orchard Park)
2. Anchor Bar (Main St. near Allen St. just north of downtown... The place the chicken wing was invented)
TOP PIZZA PLACES-
1. La Nova Pizzeria (West Ferry St. in Buffalo and Main St. in Williamsville)
2. Casa-di-Pizza (Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo)
3. Just Pizza (Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo, and other locations in suburbs)
4. Bocce Club Pizza (North Bailey Ave in Amherst)
5. Pizza Junction (Erie Ave in North Tonawanda)
ENTERTAINMENT
http://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/visitors/
The Buffalo Niagara Convention Center (Franklin St., downtown) will hold a Hockey Towne USA exhibit, with interactive games, autographs, bands, food, etc. from Dec 26- Dec 29. (http://www.hockeytowneusa.com/)
The Buffalo Bills play against the New England Patriots on December 26 at 1pm at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park. Plenty of cheap tickets remain.
The Buffalo Sabres play against the Boston Bruins on January 1 at 7pm at HSBC Arena. Check sabres.com or stubhub.com for tickets.
Shopping:
Walden Galleria Mall is the closest and largest mall to downtown Buffalo, located just a short drive in Cheektowaga (near the airport).
Boulevard Mall (on Niagara Falls Blvd. and Maple Rd. in Amherst)
Eastern Hills Mall (Transit Rd. in Williamsville)
McKinley Mall (McKinley Pkwy. in Orchard Park)
Main Place Mall (downtown Buffalo on Main St. near Church St.)
Niagara USA Outlet Mall (large outlet mall on Military Rd. in Niagara Falls. Close to Dwyer Arena).
New Years Eve:
The 97 Rock Buffalo Ball drop is second largest in the US, only to NYC's Times Square. The festivities take place in Roosevelt Square downtown, with the ball dropping from the Electric Tower. This is located at Genesee St. & Washington St.
Niagara Falls USA is having a Guitar Drop from the Hard Rock Cafe, and the band Smash Mouth performing.
Nightlife:
Chippewa Street downtown is the focal point for nightclubs and bars downtown.
Allen Street is just north of downtown and also has a number of restaurants and bars.
I would highly recommend Elmwood Avenue (the "Elmwood Village"), which is a wonderful stretch of locally owned businesses, stores, bars, and restaurants a couple miles north of downtown (http://www.elmwoodvillage.org/). The nightlife scene here is very active, but is more relaxed than Chippewa Street.
Other ideas:
Albright-Knox Art Gallery (Elmwood Ave.)
Buffalo Museum of Science (Best Street exit off Route 33)
Seneca Niagara Casino (Niagara Falls USA)
Hamburg Casino
Delaware Park (north of downtown)
Buffalo City Hall observation deck
Teddy Roosvelt Presidential Inauguration Site (Delaware Ave.)
Buffalo Zoo (located right next to Delaware Park)
Niagara Falls and Niagara Falls State Park
Enjoy your stay in Buffalo and the World Junior Hockey Championships!
Buffalo World Juniors official website
http://buffaloworldjuniors.com/
TRANSPORTATION:
Buffalo Niagara International Airport is the best bet for flights, being the closest and least expensive airport to all the action.
Niagara Falls International Airport (US) has very limited flights, mainly from Florida and South Carolina, I believe.
Hamilton and Toronto are the closest airports for Canadians looking to fly to another Canadian city. However, these are obviously still 1-2 hours away, plus you would have to deal with crossing the border, which is sure to be difficult. Flights to these airports are likely more expensive, as well.
There are 4 border crossings from the Niagara region of Canada to the USA.
1. Lewiston-Queenston Bridge- This is typically the busiest bridge and sees a lot of truck traffic. I would avoid if I were you.
2. Rainbow Bridge- Connects Niagara Falls CAN with the USA. There is no truck traffic, and if you are going to Dwyer Arena (on the campus of Niagara University), I would recommend using this crossing.
3. Whirlpool Bridge- This is another border crossing in Niagara Falls, but you need a NEXUS pass. Obviously if you have a NEXUS pass I would use this bridge, especially if you are headed to Dwyer Arena.
4. Peace Bridge- Connects Fort Erie with Buffalo. This will take you right to Downtown Buffalo, where HSBC Arena is located. May be busy, but like I said, the worst bridge is Lewiston-Queenston.
Some things to remember- 65% of tickets sold were to Canadians, so leave plenty of extra border crossing time. Many Canadians will also be headed across the border to take advantage of post-Christmas shopping sales in America. Finally, there is a Buffalo Bills game on Sunday Dec 26, which will make USA-bound traveling even more difficult.
Getting to HSBC Arena:
The arena is located in downtown Buffalo, and you can take Interstate 190 (get off at exit 6 or 8) or Route 33 (Kensington Expressway- connects the airport to downtown). Parking is relatively easy and inexpensive compared to larger cities, but this isn't to say that it will be a breeze, either.
The Metro Rail train is another alternative. There is free parking at the University at Buffalo South Campus (on Main St.), and you can take the train directly to the arena. Very easy and fast (about a 20 minute ride).
Getting to Dwyer Arena:
The arena is located on the campus of Niagara University, a small Catholic university located on the beautiful Niagara gorge in Lewiston. You can take Interstate 190 and follow the signs for Niagara University (Exit 25A). The arena is small and parking/traffic should not be much of an issue.
Taxis:
Liberty Taxi Cab website
http://www.libertycab.com/
HOTELS
Here's a complete listing of most hotels:
http://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/worldJuniors2011/default.asp
If seeing games at HSBC Arena, downtown Buffalo would be your best bet for a hotel. A hotel by the airport would also be good for guests flying in.
Niagara Falls hotels (close to Dwyer Arena):
1. Crowne Plaza
300 Third Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14303 (map)
Phone (716) 285-3361 / 800-95-Falls
2. Hampton Inn Niagara Falls
501 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303 (map)
Phone (716) 285-6666 / (800) 426-7866
3. Holiday Inn Express & Suites
10111 Niagara Falls Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14304 (map)
Phone (716) 298-4500
4. Howard Johnson Closest to the Falls
454 Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14301 (map)
Phone (716) 285-5261 / (800) 282-5261
5. Holiday Inn Niagara Falls
114 Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY 14303 (map)
Phone (716) 285-2521 / 800-Holiday
6. Red Coach Inn
Two Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY (map)
Phone (716) 282-1459
7. Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel
310 Fourth Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14301 (map)
Phone (716) 278-3706 / 1-877-8SENECA
FOOD
Here is a great webiste that has all restaurants and Buffalo favorites
http://buffalochow.com/
If you're looking for wings, you can check out the Anchor Bar (Main St. just north of downtown) where they were invented, but I personally think that Duff's wings is the best (Dick Rd. in Depew, Sheridan Dr. in Amherst, and Orchard Park Rd. in Orchard Park).
Anderson's Frozen Custard (http://www.andersonscustard.com/) has great Beef on Weck sandwiches and ice cream.
Here are some good choices for dining downtown, which will be useful for guests staying downtown and in between games:
1. Pearl Street Grill and Brewery (close to HSBC on Pearl St., very popular destination)
2. Chef's Restaurant (about 1 mile from HSBC on Seneca St., great Italian food)
3. Buffalo Chophouse (expensive steak-house on Franklin St.)
4. Templeton's Landing (expensive, on the Lake Erie waterfront, very nice)
5. Jim's Steak Out (fast food place on Chippewa St.)
6. Pettibone's Grille (open for lunch Tue-Fri. located at Coca-Cola Field baseball field. VERY close to arena, on Washington St.)
7. Cobblestone Bar (on South Park Ave.)
8. Swannie House (small bar/restaurant on Ohio St.)
9. T.G.I. Fridays (Main and Chippewa Streets)
10. City Grille (Main St. near the baseball stadium and One HSBC Center)
11. I believe there will be a heated tent outside of HSBC Arena for easy food options in between games, as well. This is just a short list of some popular and easy places to eat. There are many other places as well.
TOP WING PLACES-
1. Duff's Famous Wings (original location on Sheridan Dr. in Amherst. Others on Dick Rd. in Depew and Orchard Park Rd. in Orchard Park)
2. Anchor Bar (Main St. near Allen St. just north of downtown... The place the chicken wing was invented)
TOP PIZZA PLACES-
1. La Nova Pizzeria (West Ferry St. in Buffalo and Main St. in Williamsville)
2. Casa-di-Pizza (Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo)
3. Just Pizza (Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo, and other locations in suburbs)
4. Bocce Club Pizza (North Bailey Ave in Amherst)
5. Pizza Junction (Erie Ave in North Tonawanda)
ENTERTAINMENT
http://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/visitors/
The Buffalo Niagara Convention Center (Franklin St., downtown) will hold a Hockey Towne USA exhibit, with interactive games, autographs, bands, food, etc. from Dec 26- Dec 29. (http://www.hockeytowneusa.com/)
The Buffalo Bills play against the New England Patriots on December 26 at 1pm at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park. Plenty of cheap tickets remain.
The Buffalo Sabres play against the Boston Bruins on January 1 at 7pm at HSBC Arena. Check sabres.com or stubhub.com for tickets.
Shopping:
Walden Galleria Mall is the closest and largest mall to downtown Buffalo, located just a short drive in Cheektowaga (near the airport).
Boulevard Mall (on Niagara Falls Blvd. and Maple Rd. in Amherst)
Eastern Hills Mall (Transit Rd. in Williamsville)
McKinley Mall (McKinley Pkwy. in Orchard Park)
Main Place Mall (downtown Buffalo on Main St. near Church St.)
Niagara USA Outlet Mall (large outlet mall on Military Rd. in Niagara Falls. Close to Dwyer Arena).
New Years Eve:
The 97 Rock Buffalo Ball drop is second largest in the US, only to NYC's Times Square. The festivities take place in Roosevelt Square downtown, with the ball dropping from the Electric Tower. This is located at Genesee St. & Washington St.
Niagara Falls USA is having a Guitar Drop from the Hard Rock Cafe, and the band Smash Mouth performing.
Nightlife:
Chippewa Street downtown is the focal point for nightclubs and bars downtown.
Allen Street is just north of downtown and also has a number of restaurants and bars.
I would highly recommend Elmwood Avenue (the "Elmwood Village"), which is a wonderful stretch of locally owned businesses, stores, bars, and restaurants a couple miles north of downtown (http://www.elmwoodvillage.org/). The nightlife scene here is very active, but is more relaxed than Chippewa Street.
Other ideas:
Albright-Knox Art Gallery (Elmwood Ave.)
Buffalo Museum of Science (Best Street exit off Route 33)
Seneca Niagara Casino (Niagara Falls USA)
Hamburg Casino
Delaware Park (north of downtown)
Buffalo City Hall observation deck
Teddy Roosvelt Presidential Inauguration Site (Delaware Ave.)
Buffalo Zoo (located right next to Delaware Park)
Niagara Falls and Niagara Falls State Park
Enjoy your stay in Buffalo and the World Junior Hockey Championships!
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