New York
Nature|Parks & Gardens

Rent Your Own Floatmingo In Buffalo This Summer Right On Hoyt Lake

Delaware Park in Buffalo introduces whimsical flamingo boats for rent on Hoyt Lake, adding a fun new attraction for summer visitors.

Published Jul 7, 2020

Written by 

Lea Monroe

Located right in the heart of Buffalo, Delaware Park’s 350 acres of natural and man-made beauty play host to all sorts of local festivities. Summertime is particularly sweet in this popular park, and many are making their way here to see what’s new now that attractions and activities are beginning to reopen. If you’ve stopped by recently, you may have spotted an odd sight on Hoyt Lake: a flock of flamingo boats! Read on for more information about this fun new addition to the park’s seasonal attractions.

Delaware Park is one of many excellent outdoor spaces here in Buffalo, but it's easily one of our favorite spots to explore.

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Eric Becker/GettyImages

During the summer season, you'll find that people come to Delaware Park from all over Erie County to spend some time out on the water.

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Gustavo Juri/Google

Renting rowboats for a relaxing paddle on Hoyt Lake has long been a favorite summertime activity at Delaware Park, but the 2020 season also offers a new boat option that you don't want to miss.

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ilive4sun / TripAdvisor

Check out the fun flamingos... or, should we say, floatmingos!

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Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy

Add a little dose of tropical fun to your day on Hoyt Lake by renting a Floatmingo boat. A half-hour rental costs just $15.

So, if you are ready to spend a day that is equal parts exciting, whimsical, and relaxing, head to Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park to rent out your own Floatmingo for an afternoon.

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Amanda Janosky/Google

To find out more information about Delaware Park, Hoyt Lake, and how to rent a Floatmingo boat, click here.

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If you're looking for more ways to enjoy yourself outdoors in the Queen City while it's warm, then you'll also want to read about how The Public Art Loop Is Buffalo’s Best Open-Air Museum Adventure!

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Nature|Parks & Gardens

Glide Across A Natural Ice Skating Rink This Winter At Akron Falls Park Near Buffalo

Akron Falls Park in Erie County offers a free natural ice skating rink and other winter activities.

Updated Nov 13, 2022

Written by 

Lea Monroe

As things begin to continuously freeze over here in Buffalo, you'll start to find that our residents will become more and more eager to dive into our favorite winter activities. If you're someone who's been itching to break out your ice skates all year long, then you'll want to get a good look at how you can glide across a natural rink at this small-town park in Erie County! It's the best outdoor ice skating in Buffalo.

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Open all throughout the year, Akron Falls Park lies roughly a half-hour east of us in Buffalo — and one of the best things about it is it's a free park to visit.

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William House/Google

Covering nearly 300 acres of land here in Erie County, the park is one of the oldest in the area, acquired by Eerie County Parks in 1947, and draws in explorers from all around Western New York and beyond.

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The heart of the park is the roughly 40-foot-tall Akron Falls, a natural wonder that looks like something out of Frozen during the wintertime.

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TheKiltedWolf/Google

Luckily for us though, frozen waterfalls aren't just the only thing that this park offers visitors during the wintertime!

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Azraels Kitten/Google

Once things have frozen over, the snow has fallen, and the weather's just right, Buffalonians can make their way to Akron Falls Park to get out on a natural ice skating rink.

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John N/TripAdvisor

Weather permitting, the free natural ice skating rink remains open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. during the winter months and will leave you feeling completely enchanted.

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Benson Kua/Flickr

Instead of gliding your way around an indoor rink, come out to this breathtaking park to enjoy Western New York's beautiful scenery and some fresh air as you skate across this natural rink here in Erie County.

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To find out more about ice skating at Akron Falls Park and all of the other winter activities that are featured, visit the Akron Falls Park page of the Erie County Parks Department website or the Erie County Parks Department Facebook page!

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Len Chelius/Google

Ready to take on more of Western New York's best outdoor adventures? Then be sure to also read about one of the largest snow tubing parks in the U.S.

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Nature|Parks & Gardens

The Charming Little Plant Shack Near Buffalo That’s Every Plant Lover’s Paradise

The Plant Shack in Erie County offers a variety of plants and locally-sourced goods, with online shopping and curbside pick-up available during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Published Jun 1, 2020

Written by 

Lea Monroe

During a time when the majority of Buffalonians are finding themselves spending more time indoors than usual, you may be wondering how you can spruce things up around your home and add a special touch to your day-to-day scenery. Well, if you're ready to bring a slice of Mother Nature into your own living space, then it's time you make the trip on over to The Plant Shack here in Erie County.

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With two locations here in Western New York, The Plant Shack is our go-to destination in Erie County when it comes to shopping for plants and other locally-sourced goods.

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The Plant Shack/Facebook

The Plant Shack has two locations in East Aurora; one inside Knox Farms State Park and another shop right on Main Street.

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The Plant Shack/Facebook

The Knox Farms location is currently closed for the season, so check ahead before making the trip over in the future.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Buffalonians are currently unable to shop around inside of The Plant Shack, but that doesn't mean that you have to give up on filling your home up with wonderful plants from here.

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The Plant Shack/Facebook

Normally, Buffalonians would be able to come into The Plant Shack to shop around or enjoy one of their workshops that happen 3 to 4 times a week...

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The Plant Shack/Facebook

...but right now, plant lovers will simply have to shop online for what they're looking for.

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The Plant Shack/Facebook

From basic household plants and tropical plants to pet-friendly plants, pottery, jewelry, home decor, and even face masks, you can find a little bit of everything to spruce up your day-to-day when you're online shopping at The Plant Shack.

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The Plant Shack/Facebook

After placing your order, you'll receive more specific instructions via e-mail, including information about how head to the back of The Plant Shack to grab your things.

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The Plant Shack/Facebook

With pick-up currently available on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., you'll have plenty of time to place your order and make your way on over to East Aurora!

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The Plant Shack/Google

To find out more information and to place your pick-up order for The Plant Shack, click here and be sure to stay up to date by following its official Facebook page!

If you're wondering how else you can surround yourself with nature while you're in Western New York, then you won't want to miss out on reading about how Here’s The Ultimate Bucket List For Buffalonians Who Are Obsessed With Nature!

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