New York
Nature|Parks & Gardens

The Japanese Garden Of Buffalo In New York Feels Like The Scenic Utopia Of Your Dreams

Delaware Park Japanese Garden in Buffalo is a picturesque and serene garden inspired by Kanazawa, Japan, offering a tranquil escape in the city.

Updated Apr 10, 2024

Written by 

Witt Wells

The Delaware Park Japanese Garden is impressive in every way. Even in a state with so much scenic wonder, the design of this picturesque garden in Buffalo puts it on par with the most awe-inspiring landscapes in New York, and it is located in the city's beloved park. Here are a few reasons why this is one of our favorite gardens that even New Yorkers might not know about and among the best gardens near Buffalo.

Behind the Buffalo History Museum lies one of the most beautiful hidden gems in the city: the Japanese Garden of Buffalo.

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Friends of the Japanese Garden of Buffalo FB Page

Buffalo Japanese Garden, which is located in Delaware Park, is six acres of paradise right on Mirror Lake.

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Delaware Park Buffalo/Facaebook

You won't find a better place in the area to relax and reflect.

In 1962, the United States Sister City Initiative brought Buffalo together with Kanazawa, Japan, a city that became a significant source of inspiration and collaboration for the garden's style.

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Ken A/Tripadvisor

We think it's one of the best gardens in New York!

Two entrances to this heavenly garden are accessible from the Buffalo History Museum's parking lot.

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Ken A/Tripadvisor

While you're there, check out the beautiful Buffalo History Museum, which has a wealth of great exhibits based on Westward expansion, immigration, transportation, and more.

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Friends of the Japanese Garden of Buffalo FB Page

The museum is housed in the New York State Building, which was designed by architect George Cary. It was dedicated to the Buffalo Historical Society in 1901.

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One of the best gardens near Buffalo also includes three landscaped islands in the middle of the central pond.

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MrsH0dges/Tripadvisor

Connecting bridges allow visitors to walk through these idyllic islands and find spots with a little more privacy.

This also isn't the only garden in Delaware Park. You'll also find the Delaware Park Rose Garden, which is over 100 years old and has a gorgeous French design.

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Friends of the Japanese Garden of Buffalo FB Page

The Japanese Garden also hosts the annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival. One of the garden's original purposes was to highlight the significance of this local cherry tree grove.

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Delaware Park Buffalo/Facebook

Delaware Park Japanese Garden offers more information on the web page. Since the park is centrally located in downtown Buffalo, it's also the perfect spot to start if you want to explore the rest of the park and city!

Stroll through the Forrest Park Cemetery, grab a bite at Oliver's Restaurant, or head over to Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House. Learn more about this cool city's history by reading the book "Buffalo, New York."

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-york/martin-house-ny/

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Nature|Parks & Gardens

The Completely Free Nature Spot Hiding in a New York Park Is a Must-Visit

Webster Pond is an amazing secret pond in New York that offers a stunning slice of nature not far from the big city.

Published Sep 6, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

As I explore more and more of the Empire State, I've developed a love for the unique cities of upstate. There is so much to do, see, and eat in these cities that it can be a little overwhelming in the best way. Still, sometimes I need to get away and decompress, and that's the perfect time to explore one of the city's charming county parks. A perfect example can be found in Syracuse, hiding in the humble Rand Tract Park. A heavily-wooded park filled with easy hiking trails, it's also home to Webster Pond, a unique and beautiful pond that has been designated as a nature preserve and is teeming with life. It's one of the most accessible nature spots in Syracuse, so discover this gorgeous hidden pond in New York below!

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Kyra Carp/AllTrails

Rand Tract Park is a laid-back upstate New York destination, and it can be seen via the Webster Pond and Rand Tract Trail, which is an easy 2.2-mile loop trail. You'll encounter some uneven terrain, but the heavily wooded area is beautiful.

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Erin Hanlon/AllTrails

The main highlight of the area is Webster Pond, a stunningly beautiful pond that has been maintained as a nature preserve since 1890. Dogs aren't allowed on the trail - likely to ensure the ecosystem here remains undisturbed.

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Erin Hanlon/AllTrails

The pond is designed as a refuge for the local fish, game, and birds - especially birds. Lots and lots of birds, making this an incredible spot for birdwatchers to visit.

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Ali Shela/AllTrails

The pond is surrounded by handicaped-accessible bridges and plenty of benches, so this is a great laid-back spot for people to visit when they need a break from the hustle and bustle of Syracuse. It's an ideal spot for the whole family - the kids can look for birds while grandpa takes a break.

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Joe Bessette/AllTrails

At some points, it feels like it's really the birds' pond and we're just visiting - and that's exactly how we like it. This pond is an amazing spot to visit through the year.

Have you visited Webster Pond in Rand Tract Park before? Let us know about your visit to this hidden pond in New York in the comments section! You can see more pictures of the pond and the surrounding area on the Webster Pond and Rand Tract Trail listing on AllTrails. This might be an easy trail, but the trail guides and point-by-point directions on AllTrails + might still be useful to someone new to the area. And when you're done with nature, why not visit Syracuse's spectacular Destiny USA - one of the largest malls in the United States?

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Nature|Parks & Gardens

This Natural Water Park In New York Is A Summer Dream Come True

Published Aug 16, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

Visiting a summer waterpark in New York is always a lot of fun, but during those hot summer days, it doesn't always work to beat the heat! The crowds are out in full force and the sun is beating down on the concrete and plastic. That's why when that summer heat gets to be too much, many adventurous types prefer to instead head off the beaten path and discover a natural adventure. We found exactly that at Lake George Wild Forest, a sprawling destination with over 40 individual rustic trails and some of the region's most beautiful sights. But we were the most surprised to find out that it was home to what might be the only natural waterslide in New York! This is Bear Slide Trail, a simple hike not far off the beaten path that allows you to get your feet wet and take a wet-and-wild adventure down a flowing path, far away from the area's busiest tourist destinations!

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Lake George Wild Forest is a choose-your-own-adventure of a park, with almost fifty trails leading to stunning mountaintops...

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Harriet Santisi/AllTrails

And peaceful waterfronts. But there's one hidden gem of a trail that most people don't know about.

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Web Surfer/Google Local

The Bear Slide Trail is a fairly short, easy-to-access trail that follows a racing brook. Some of the brook is rocky...

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Dan Steltz/Google Local

But at a certain point, it smoothes out while still flowing downhill. After heavy rain, it'll be a rushing river that you can simply sit down in...and let it sweep you away!

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Visit Lake George

Your final destination is a small waterfall with a shallow pool at the end, the perfect cool finish to this natural waterslide!

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Dan Steltz/Google Local

You can even camp on the ground, with 63 primitive camping sites available around the forest. It's the perfect rustic adventure for summer.

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Web Surfer/Google Local

Have you taken the often-wild ride on the Bear Slide in Lake George Wild Forest? Let us know what you think of this unique natural waterslide in New York in the comments section! To learn more about this massive natural destination, check out the Lake George Wild Forest page on the NY website. There is so much hiking to do in this area, with many of the trails being challenging, so we recommend a subscription to AllTrails + - this is the kind of destination this app was made for, letting you stay connected with downloadable trail guides no matter how remote your hike is. And if you're in the mood for a different kind of local adventure, Six Flags Great Escape just opened a new and thrilling wooden roller coaster!

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