Despite the name, you won't find any roaming herds here. This is a revitalised, booming city rich in history, music, art, architecture, scenic beauty, distinctive ethnic neighbourhoods and friendly people. In fact, you'll discover a surprisingly small-town atmosphere in this second-largest city in New York State, dubbed "the biggest small town in America". Often associated with Niagara Falls or major league sports, the city offers a great deal more than that for weekend visitors. Architectural gems include Victorian mansions, Frank Lloyd Wright designs and the Art Deco City Hall, whose 28th-floor observatory offers spectacular views. If you like nature, grab your hiking boots and head out to the Tifft Nature Preserve. For a tamer time, take in the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, with its Victorian-style greenhouse, or the Zoological Gardens, with its popular gorilla rainforest and, yes, buffalo. Don't leave without munching on Buffalo chicken wings (which really did originate here) and 'sponge candy', a local confection that's light and crunchy inside and coated in chocolate.