On the eastern shores of Lake Erie and serving as the gateway to the world-famous Niagara Falls, Buffalo is more than just a destination — it’s an experience. From its culinary contributions to its architectural marvels, Buffalo offers a trove of fun facts waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re settling into your new home or want to learn more about the “Queen City,” this Redfin article will take you through the ten interesting facts about Buffalo.
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Quick Facts about Buffalo
Median home sale price | $177,500 |
Average monthly rent | $1,234 |
Walk Score | 95/100 |
Transit Score | 64/100 |
Bike Score | 87/100 |
1. The first ever chicken wing
Buffalo proudly holds the title of being the birthplace of the iconic chicken wing. In 1964, the culinary masterpiece was concocted at the Anchor Bar by Teressa Bellissimo, forever changing the landscape of American cuisine. Today, visitors flock to Buffalo from far and wide to savor the original Buffalo wing experience in its hometown.
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2. Biggest Dyngus Day festival in the nation
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Buffalo has the largest Dyngus Day celebration in the United States, drawing crowds of revelers from near and far. This Polish-American tradition, held on Easter Monday, transforms the streets of Buffalo into a lively festival filled with polka music, traditional food, and the iconic Dyngus Day parade.
3. The landscape architect of Central Park designed Buffalo’s parks
Buffalo enjoys a rich legacy of green spaces thanks to the visionary work of landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Renowned for his design of New York City’s Central Park, Olmsted left an indelible mark on Buffalo by crafting several of its parks, including Delaware Park, South Park, and Front Park.
4. The first city to have electrically lit streets
The “Queen City” has made history as the world’s first city to illuminate its streets with electric lights, a groundbreaking achievement that revolutionized urban lighting systems. In 1881, the city’s streets were adorned with the brilliance of electricity, marking a significant milestone in technological advancement and setting a precedent for cities around the globe.
5. Buffalo hosted the first Turkey Trot
In 1896, Buffalo hosted the first Turkey Trot in the nation, marking the beginning of a cherished Thanksgiving tradition. Since its inception, this iconic footrace has grown into one of the oldest and largest running events in the United States, drawing thousands of participants each year to the streets of Buffalo.
Methodology: The median home sale price and average monthly rental data is from the Redfin Data Center. The Walk Score, Transit Score and Bike Score data is from Walk Score.