20 Amazing Things To Do In Amherst New York

716 Selfie Museum is one of the unique places to visit in New York Amherst. Snap some cool pictures at this pop art cultural museum for your Instagram updates. 

The gallery offers a variety of interactive and immersive backdrops for visitors to take memorable selfies. Thus, don't be shy to be ingenious with your poses using the props in the mirror maze, throne room, or the 90's retro rooms. Also, they host musical events, especially during the weekends.

• Location: 3500 Main Street
• Call: +1 716-768-5066
• Closed: Sunday, Monday and Tuesday

Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village is an open living history museum in New York Amherst. It features a collection of 19th-century buildings and more!

This museum is dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting the agricultural history and rural heritage of the Buffalo Niagara region. Visitors of all ages, even students, can learn more about the past on this educational site.

• Location: 3755 Tonawanda Creek Road
• Hours: 10 am to 5 pm
• Closed on Monday and Tuesday
• Admission: $10 for adults
• P.S. Ghost Hunts begins on September 29th, every Friday

Your trip to Amherst would be incomplete if you missed Amherst State Park, one of the serene parks in the town. It is free to the public and open year-round.

Spanning almost 80 acres, this park is the ideal place to wind down and relax through flora and fauna including deer, foxes, and birds. From hiking and biking trails to fishing and swimming, there is something for everyone. If not these then pack a lunchbox and plan a romantic date in this awe-inspiring open space.

The area: 390 Mill Street, between Glen Avenue and Sheridan Drive

One of the unmissable things to do near Amherst is strolling around Elmwood Village. This neighborhood has something to serve everyone.

From quaint shops to beautiful attractions in Buffalo like parks and traditional houses with unique facades you can traverse with your family or by yourself. If that's not enough, there are plenty of vintage shops to explore for reminiscence or gifts. Walk down the street during dawn or dusk for fresh air.

Historic Landmarks Nearby:

• Albright-Knox Art Gallery
• Buffalo Tennis and Squash Club
• Richardson Olmsted Complex
• Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church
• Elmwood Historic District-West

The Martin House exemplifies Frank Llyod Wright's most important Prairie School era projects. The 1900s manor embodies his philosophy of organic architecture.

The Martin House is centered around a large courtyard, which serves as a light well and provides a sense of openness and continuity. The interior spaces are fluid and interconnected, with no wasted space. You can go for an hour-long guided tour or book the whole space for special occasions like weddings or corporate events.

• Address: 125 Jewett Parkway
• Admission: $17 for adults, $13 for seniors and $12 for students

The best restaurant in Amherst New York has to be Duff's Famous Wings. It has been serving the best authentic chicken wings since 1969. 

Duff's, which started as an American eatery in 1946, changed its name to its current one after buffalo wings became its most famous dish. Now, with five locations in New York, Duff's is known for its finger-licking good wings throughout Western New York.

• Address: 3651 Sheridan Drive, Buffalo
• Call: +1 716-834-6234
• Business Hours: Everyday 11 am to 9 pm
• Ratings: 4.4 based on 6181 reviews

Have you heard of the longest-running comedy club, Rob's Comedy Playhouse, in Amherst? This home of laughter has been operating for over 30 years since 1987.

Notable comedians and local people with hilarious talent make sure you leave the place with aching cheeks and stomachs from laughter. Jay Leno, Ray Romano, and Dennis Miller are a few of the names who have performed in this venus. 

• Address: 3200 Elmwood Avenue
• Opening days: Friday and Saturday at 4 pm
• Tickets: $15 per person and $25 include one beer or wine

Free things to do in Buffalo Amherst include leisure time at the Japanese Garden. It is a 2.5-acre garden in Delaware Park, which opened in 2001.

This garden is designed in the traditional Japanese style with a pond, waterfalls, and a teahouse. The plants in the park include maple trees, cherry trees, and Japanese pines. If these features interest you, visit once and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Location: 21 Quadrangle Drive, between Webster Center and Kirby Rgeater at Amherst College

Admission: Free

Bounce Magic is a must-go place in Amherst for visitors with juniors. It also has a party room that can be rented for birthday parties and other events.

Bounce Magic features a variety of inflatable attractions like a giant obstacle course, a ball pit, a pirate ship, a climbing structure, and many more. Bring your kids so they can burn off some energy and make new friends. There is also a food stall and ice cream parlor within the premises.

• Address: 4090 Maple Road
• Business Hours: 11 am to 9 pm
• Suggested Duration: 2-3 hours

Boulevard Mall is the place to go for a great shopping experience in Amherst. You are sure to find everything you need in those over 150 stores.

Who doesn't like shopping? From clothing to home decor and furniture to entertainment options, Boulevard Mall offers them all under the same roof. Besides, the mall hosts a variety of live music and festival events throughout the year and offers special sales during Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Additional Info: 

• Address: 730 Alberta Drive
• Opened in 1962
• Owner: Douglas Jemal
• Business Hours: 11 am to 7 pm
• Phone: +1 716-834-8600

Romantic things to do in New York Amherst include watching a live performance. MusicalFare Theatre is home to a number of aspiring artists and makers.

Established in the late 1990s, this non-profit organization has hosted over 180 performances which of few have even won awards. The cozy ambiance of the space creates a sense of closeness between the audience and the performers. No matter what musical you choose to see, MusicalFare Theatre is sure to make it memorable.

• Address: 4380 Main Street Suite 123
• Now playing: Guys & Dolls
• From: September 6 to October 8

Want to try something exhilarating indoors? Lasertron is at your service seven days a week with an entertainment facility that caters to everyone.

Lasertron has river eight different attractions like Krazy darts, Billiards, mini-golf, axe-throwing lanes, and arcade games. The most famous attraction is their laser tag with a twist. You can book your game online or by calling the laser tag center. 

• Address: 5101 N Bailey PO Box 930
• Call: +1 716-833-8766
• Ratings: 4.4 based on 2209 reviews
• P.S. Special discounts on weekends

There are many things to do outside NYC if you want to explore beyond the Big Apple. Amherst Canalway Trail takes you closer to nature.

The Amherst Canalway Trail, now known as the Erie Canalaway Trail, is a 7-mile paved trail that ruins along the Erie Canal. Bring your bike or rent one from a local shop and start the journey to Lockport. Within over seven miles, there's much to see and explore, like the Town Hall or the Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village.

Things to do in Amherst weekend include shopping at local markets. North Tonawanda Farmers Market is active three days a week, which is the best.

Starting from 1908 with the local producers of Niagara County, generations of over 90 vendors have been participating in the market with their goods for over a century now. Visitors purchase fresh herbs, baked items, veggies straight from the farm, and local artwork while interacting with the producers directly.

• The area: 310 Robinson Street, North Tonawanda
• Hours: 7 am to 1 pm Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 
• Ratings: 4.3

If not for the lovely Victorian architectural mansions, Amherst is well-known for its multiple exceptional local restaurants serving delicacies from worldwide.

Be it local American cuisine or fresh seafood, Korean or Japanese, you find multiple options to dine in downtown Amherst. For instance, the Ristorante Lombardo has been offering its original creations inspired by regional Italian preparations since 1975. And there are many more!

Best eateries in Amherst:

• Natalie's Mediterranean Eatery
• Blue Fire Grill
• The Grapevine Restaurant
• Ted's Hot Dogs
• Hideaway Grille

Things to do in Amherst for people looking for something exciting and fun in New York can be indoor recreational. Buffalo Battleground is home to all those fun.

Introduced in 1984, this shooting sport where participants have laser guns and targets is sought after mainly by the youth. No worries, even if you are not a pro, as they have 5 minutes for briefing before it starts. Or else, you can try many other games, including the arcade, mini-bowling, airsoft, and bowling.

• Where: 1888 Niagara Falls Blvd, Tonawanda
• When: 12 pm to 10 pm
• Closed on Mondays

What else is better than a picnic with family in  NY Amherst? Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens allow picnicking on outdoor grounds.

Besides, this sprawling garden features a variety of plants, flowers, and trees from around the world, making it a perfect spot for educational programs, research, and leisure strolls. It is the first botanical garden in the state to have a Japanese garden. Educational programs can help you learn more about the natural world.

• Location: 2655 South Park Avenue
• Opening Hours: 10 am to 4 pm

Kayaking is the best way to relax and take in the beauty of nature. Waterbike Adventures makes it even easier for those who don't want to exercise.

Their electronic boats can accommodate you effortlessly across the water. Be it waterbikes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, or the electronic, touring around the calm, peaceful Ellicott Creek is something outside this world. Or they can offer you a variety of guided tours, including the sunset tour and the birdwatching tour.

Additional information

• The season starts May 15th
• Opens at: 10:30 am
• Last rent: 7 pm

NY Amherst things to do for sports enthusiasts include physical activity like axe throwing. There is barely any other place better than Hatchets and Hops for it.

Hatchets and Hops is a premier recreational sporting venue that offers various craft beers and great food. It has three locations in Buffalo, each with itsrismatic take on the axe-throwing and beer-flowing brand. The target striking lanes are open to all skill levels, and experts are on hand to help you get started.

Location: 505 Main Street

While discussing Amherst things to do, why not treat your sweet tooth with a scoop of handmade ice cream? Anderson's Frozen Custard is at your service.

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson opened their first business in the Bronx in 1946 and now have six more locations in Western New York. Besides handmade ice cream, they are famous for their creamy, smooth frozen custard, prepared fresh with natural ingredients. You can relish one either in cones or sundaes.

• Address: 6075 Main Street, Williamsville
• Ratings: 4.4
• Services: Curbside pickup, In-store pickup