Why Buffalo is the best place to grow up
A drinking town with a sports problem
If you’re from Buffalo, New York and you have the (716) area code, you know what I’m talking about. Here’s to the best hometown there ever was.
Go Bills
Bills tailgates, games and fans are probably the craziest in the NFL. Otherwise known as “Bills Mafia,” the fans will jump on tables and set things to fire, while tearing you apart if you’re wearing the other teams’ colors.
Jim’s Steak Out vs Mighty Taco
Perfect for when it’s 2am and you’re craving food or just for dinner (every night). Jim’s Steak Out’s chicken finger sub is a winner.
Canalside and Hoyt Lake
Not only will you see a beautiful city by the water, but you will also see hundreds of people at the Harbor for the concerts that half of us don’t actually watch. Any place Buffalo high schoolers and college kids can get together for a good time – we’re all there. Note the buffalo on the hats.
First Niagara Center
Home of the Sabres, Kissmas Bash and more. Whether you’re in 6th grade at Kissmas Bash, a teenager at the Justin Bieber concert or a family of hockey fans watching the Sabres game, this is the place where it all happens.
Kiss 98.5 and 93.7
Janet Snyder. Every morning on the 45 minute drive to school, one of these two stations would come on. Whether it was Kiss replaying every pop song or WBLK’s hip hop/rap.
Charity Ball
The best night of high school for every private school kid. So many short and tight black dresses, so little time.
Darien Lake
In the summer, you will see all the Buffalo kids on the lawn at Darien Lake during concerts such as Buffalo-born Goo Goo Dolls, Zac Brown Band, Chris Brown, Fetty Wap, Drake and more.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Buffalo is known for the annual St. Patty’s Day Parade on Delaware Street, where everyone in the city is Irish for the day and turns downtown into a sea of green (and Bud Light).
Chippewa
Buffalo’s city night life is the #1 spot for high school and college kids. If you grow up in Buffalo, you already know that’s where you’re going on the weekends and that everybody else will be there as well. Some crazy things happen on Chippewa. RIP Indulge.
Private School Rivalry
All-girls and all-boys schools are big in Buffalo. The rivalry between these high schools is almost that of a university. Every one in Buffalo goes to watch the St. Joes and Canisius games, whether it’s football, basketball, hockey, soccer or lacrosse. For the girls, Nardin and Sacred Heart hash it out in basketball, soccer, swimming and more. Expect to see all of Buffalo at these events and highlights of each game on the front page of the Buffalo News.
Photo: Elliott Jerge
Chicken Wings
Buffalo’s greatest accomplishment (besides sponge candy). Mild, medium or hot? Try the suicide sauce at Duff’s.
Chef’s
Buffalo’s classic spaghetti restaurant. Where all of your high school sports banquet’s will be held. How many pieces of bread can you eat before your spaghetti parm comes? Also, on your drive home you might just encounter the sweet smell of the Cheerio Factory downtown.
Snow
Well, nine feet of snow isn’t too bad when you have no school for two weeks.
The best senior class ever
Going to a high ranked all-girls or all-boys school is an advantage in terms of class bonding. You’re so close with all your classmates and your school is so tight-knit, so much that they become your sisters. You have fun but also take school very seriously.
Your best friends
The best people you will ever meet reside in Buffalo, New York. You will find your best friends and people you will keep in touch with for the rest of your life because that’s how amazing people from Buffalo are. You don’t just grow up in Buffalo and then leave, you always come back. In college, no matter how much you want to get out and experience new things, you can’t wait to come home for breaks.