We came back for one of the last weekends they were open for the season and happy to share that the…read morestairs have been fully restored and they allow visitors to go up to the top now! It was free but we had to sign a waiver. The views from the top were nice, and the employees were friendly. A great stop if you're nearby and in the area.

It's easy to get a sense of how important shipping and travel around the Great Lakes was 100 years…read moreago by the care and attention given to this construction. I enjoyed the climb up the spiral wooden staircase to the lens platform: It's a great, breezy view of Lake Erie! If you come early enough in Summer, look for swooping barn swallows skimming over the water for insects!

I have been visiting the Watson-curtze mansion for many years from when I was young till now…read more one great place to learn about loads of local history + they always have something history related when I visit there. I remember when I was younger they had a room with robots dressed as historic figures talking about all the historic battles going on like the war of 1812 I would tell anybody who hasn't been there you have to visit there lots of great history inside there

I did a tour of Graycliff as part of the All Day All Wright tour a while ago anat that time it was…read moreinteresting but also a bit disappointing both because the renovations were ongoing and we arrived late due to traffic so the tour was cut short. Seeing online that Graycliff had just opened a new visitor center and was in full swing I decided to make a one day trip to see it again. Located about a half hour southwest of Buffalo and about an hour northeast of Erie, Graycliff sit right on the Lake Erie shore. There is a small sign at the end of the long drive that leads you to the new visitor center. The center is set up just outside the area that Wright designed. The center is very modern but it does have elements that are inspired by Wright, the horizontal lines of the building, the glass that allows you to see through the building is similar to Graycliff. Inside there is a very nice gift shop, some interesting exhibits and an unusual unisex bathroom. I had signed up for the extended tour and we had a nice group who all had some experience with Wright before, including one guy who had done extensive work in building the new visitor center. The tour starts in the visitor center with a very well made video giving some of the history of Wright, the Martins and Graycliff. After that we went through the Picking Garden which was very attractive and smelled wonderful. We then learned about the layout of the outside, including that the driveway was oriented to track the movement of the sun on the summer solstice. We were also informed about the history of the site, the local materials being used and the history of the house after the Martins had to give it up. We also were told about the water features and how the house was oriented to allow views through the house to see the lake. Although this was the 3rd project Darwin Martin had hired Wright for (the Darwin Martin House and the Larkin Company Adminstration Building were the others) here the client was Mrs. Martin and this was to be a summer house so the overall design is a bit unique. The timing of the project was also crucial as Wright had finished his Prairie Style and the Usonian style was not yet developed. Wright had also gone through a number of personal issues and public scandals so this commission was helpful in bridging a difficult period. Once inside Graycliff you realize that there are many common Wright elements, the use of natural materials, the importance of the hearth as the heart of the house and how he had opened up the common areas with a flow. Graycliff is unique in how it is oriented to the lake with huge windows on both sides. We also got to see the second floor and the second floor of the smaller second house that initially was the garage and chauffeur's quarters and later used by Martin's daughter's family. I have to compliment our docent Brian who did a great job of guiding us through the house and property while supplying information, pointing out details and just being very entertaining. Wright was a complex person, while a genius and visionary he also had personal issues and could be difficult to work with, Brian gave a nice balanced view of Wright, his relationship to the Martins and how Graycliff came to be, plus its history and restoration. On my previous visit I had enjoyed Graycliff, but also found it a bit disappointing, this visit reflects the great job that has been done on finishing the restoration and furnishing the property to best effect. While not as flashy as some of the better know Wright designs, Graycliff is well worth a visit for its historical significance to Wright and to see how he was in transition and developing new and different ideas. A great visit and I am so glad I took the time for a second visit.

Amazing Buffalo history on display on the cliffside shores of Lake Erie. The brand new visitor…read morecenter adds to the overall experience.

I'm surprised that the McClurg Musuem/CCHS doesn't have any reviews yet. My boyfriend and I popped…read morein while we were in town and ended up getting a wonderful 2 hour tour full of history and stories from John Paul. The home is beautiful and full of antiques from all over Chautauqua county. Admission is $5 and free for students and members. I would recommended the museum tour to anyone looking to understand more about Chautauqua County and the people who have lived here over the past 3 centuries.

There are many historic buildings located in Buffalo. June is a good month to visit. While it…read morecould be raining, it also could be slightly windy and sunny. We hit a good day to walk. Some humidity yet pleasant. The area is lined with trees and greenery. Many of the historic homes in the city are now attorney offices. Street parking.

Buffalo is easy to rip on, but it has a great mix of architectural styles, delicious food, cool…read moreethnic neighborhoods, nice people, public markets, and the pride of place and culture you find in towns that were once great, then declined, then found their way back.

The love and care that has been put into restoring Lucy's childhood home is indescribable. One…read moreneeds to really experience it first hand to truly appreciate it. And to know that all the money earned is then donated back to the community is a true testament to the type of people the owners are.

59lucylane.com is an awesome place to shop! Prices are great and customer service is even better…read more Highly recommend!

What a lovely view of a lovely lake, beach, and woods. The…read moremuseum was cute and informative with nice staff. The lighthouse and house were beautiful. The gift shop was really cute, fairly priced, had informative staff, and the ladies working there were so nice and welcoming!

This was our 2nd visit to this lighthouse. IT is amazing the view from the ground and then the…read moreview from the light house. It overlooks Lake Erie and give it a different perspective on Lake Erie from Buffalo. You need to pay to get to look inside but well worth the money. On a beautiful day it is a great place to visit.

Okay, so technically this is the Waterworks Steel Intake Tower but the locals call it the…read moreWaterworks Lighthouse. It dates back to when Lake Erie was used as a municipal water source. Since Lake Erie was also the output for sewage and factory waste, it wasn't a good scene. Thousands of people were sick with typhoid and worse as a result. To combat this sickness, a 60 inch pipe was laid from the waterworks plant in Erie, across Erie Harbor under Presque Isle to a distance offshore. And this tower was built in 1906 to house a steel chain and gears. That equipment was designed to lift a large lid to gain access to the municipal water intake pipe. More recently moved to its current location and renovated as a lighthouse replica, it is visible from all along the Erie shore especially the Waterworks district. And here on Presque Isle, it is near Building 12 which has a public restroom, covered picnic tables and parking. If you're headed to the actual Presque Isle lighthouse, stop by here and check this one out too! [Round number 22400 overall - review 1377 of 2024 - 654 in Pennsylvania]

I highly recommend the Buffalo Lighthouse - what a gem with some of the best views of the city too!…read moreOpen seasonally, you can choose to explore the grounds, which includes some historical signage, nautical artifacts, and a tiny house where you can watch two videos, one about the evolution of lighthouses, and another that shows the inside of the lighthouse. And, for an additional fee, you can go inside the lighthouse. Note, the first half of the climb is stairs and the second half is three ladders to get to the top. It was a really great way to spend part of our afternoon, and I'd love to go back again. Note: I recommend checking their fb page before you go because they posts their hours regularly.

Definitely worth it to get the ticket to go up the light house. Great views from the top. There are…read moreladders if for the top that are slightly narrow. There is also a building showing videos of light house history in general as well as the Buffalo harbor specifically.