Buffalo City is a small charming community nestled between two lakes in Minnesota.
Being the county seat of Wright County, there is so much going on in this small city.
It has numerous schools, historical sites, parks, and thriving businesses responsible for the growth of Wright County.
In addition, Buffalo City is situated within the Saint Paul-Minneapolis metropolitan area, making it very accessible to this huge metropolis.
It’s specifically located 42 miles northwest of Minneapolis.
Although it’s the county seat of Wright County, Buffalo maintained its quaint and tranquil vibes, making it an ideal destination for relaxation.
It is indeed a nice destination because of the two huge lakes surrounding this city, not to mention the 25 parks, each with unique features.
You will get your hands full of outdoor and waterborne activities in Buffalo City.
This city is packed with exciting stuff to do and places to visit despite its size.
Whether you’re just passing by or looking for a destination for a quick escape from the city stress, you will have so much fun in this quaint city.
To give you an idea, here is a list of the 20 best things to do in Buffalo, MN.
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Buffalo Lake spans more than 1,552 acres in Wright County, Minnesota, and is a popular outdoor fishing destination.
So, if one of your intended outdoor activities in Buffalo is fishing, you can bring your fishing gear and rent a boat there.
The lake is teeming with popular freshwater fish, such as Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, and Channel Catfish.
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Your catches there are pretty similar to the ones in Lake Pulaski.
Nevertheless, Buffalo Lake offers you a fun-filled fishing experience.
In addition, the lake’s surrounding area offers beautiful trails and several parks, where you can hang out and watch the beautiful sunset in the afternoon.
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The Buffalo Civic Center is considered the main recreational facility in Buffalo City.
Operated by Buffalo’s Parks and Recreation, it hosts most of the city’s sports and social events.
It’s a nice place to check out and see local hockey tournaments either in the two indoor ice rinks or its outdoor rink.
The ice rinks serve as the home court for the Buffalo Bisons, a local hockey team with boys and girls’ squads.
In addition, the Buffalo Civic Center is also equipped with an events center and private function areas for various affairs.
This local bar is known for its retro interior and vibes that virtually take you back to the early 1900s when speakeasies became very popular due to alcohol prohibition.
Speakeasies were popular hangout places to enjoy alcohol without repercussions, and it was also a nice place to socialize.
Today, Muffy’s Basement maintained this kind of atmosphere inside its premises.
Interestingly, patrons need to whisper the secret code to enter the establishment, which is a very cool experience, especially for first-timers.
Once you’re inside, you will be treated to refreshing and classic cocktails along with short orders.
You will also enjoy the cozy retro atmosphere that brings a lot of nostalgia.
Muffy’s Basement is one of the must-visit places in Buffalo if you want to experience or perhaps pay homage to the speakeasies back in the day.
This vast lake covering more than 813 acres in Buffalo was named after an American Revolution war hero, Casimir Pulaski.
It’s one of the several lakes surrounding Buffalo, and it’s also a very popular outdoor destination.
Many people head to this lake to have boat cruises, fishing, and even swimming during the summer months.
There are numerous sandy beaches and shallow areas along its shores; thus, many visitors dip in this lake.
In addition, many anglers lure their line in the middle of the lake, as it is also abundant in freshwater fishes such as Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Pumpkinseed, Black Bullhead, and Smallmouth Bass.
Visiting Lake Pulaski is great to get yourself acquainted with the city’s most visited attraction.
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Sturges Park is known for its musical trail installed by the Buffalo Rotary Club, where you can play different musical instruments.
It’s a nice place to bring the kids and let them play their hearts out with the musical instruments or the nearby playground.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sturges Park’s musical trail has xylophones, drums, bells, and other percussion instruments that will surely add a more fun experience during your visit there.
In addition, Sturges Park has nearby restaurants and establishments, making this outdoor attraction in Buffalo convenient to visit.
Lastly, if you visit Buffalo during summer, you and your family can swim or do waterborne activities on the park’s beach since it is adjacent to Lake Buffalo.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mary lake is located on the southern side of Buffalo’s city limits.
Like the two larger lakes in Buffalo City, Mary Lake is also a popular fishing destination for locals and visitors.
So, if you’re looking for an alternative fishing spot in Buffalo City, Mary Lake is your best option.
Most catches in Lake Mary include walleye, perch, northern pike, bowfin, crappie, largemouth bass, and pumpkinseed.
Whether you’re using fly fishing or baitcasting, you have a good chance to lure any of these species from this lake.
If you have more time for another fishing session, you can test your luck at this lake and hope for a wonderful catch.
Myotus, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Of course, you can’t complete your Buffalo experience if you don’t visit its local museum called the Wright County Historical Society.
This museum in Buffalo has a vast collection of information and artifacts relevant to the city and Wright County’s backstory.
The museum is situated north of Buffalo along Highway 55 inside an 8,000-square-foot building and library.
Don’t miss checking out the museum’s Foyer and Main galleries, which takes you to the Nelsonian, a 32-piece one-person band, as well as uncovering the mystery behind Wright County’s ‘business of death and dying.’
Meanwhile, its hands-on gallery that is currently under renovation offers visitors an interactive way to learn history.
There, you can touch and even hold century-old artifacts and devices used back in the day.
In addition, the Wright County Historical Society also hosts numerous events throughout the year which everyone can join.
The Buffalo Farmer’s Market is one of the popular communal areas, where local farmers and artisans display their products for everyone to buy.
It’s a wonderful place to buy fresh produce and delicious food, where you can immerse yourself with the locals and meet people along the way.
The Buffalo Farmer’s Market runs from May until October every Saturday morning.
So, chances are, you can certainly visit the farmer’s market during your visit to Buffalo since it lasts for five months.
The farmer’s market becomes more exciting during the winter months because of the artisanal food served by vendors, perfect for warming your senses up with the freezing weather.
There are more than freshly harvested vegetables and fruits to buy there.
You can also buy locally-made bread, pastries, cheeses, cured meats, canned goods, and handicrafts.
Buffalo is home to around 25 parks, as mentioned in the introduction.
One of them is the 2.1-acre Griffing Park, an excellent place to pass the time and chill, especially in the afternoon, where you’ll see many locals doing the same thing as you.
The park has enough greenery and seating for everyone.
You can also bring your pet there, as long as they’re leashed.
Or perhaps, bring your family there to have a picnic and have quality time together.
Lastly, Griffing Park’s main highlight is its picturesque sunset view every afternoon.
For over 20 years, this local restaurant and grill have been providing locals and visitors fun times with their vast selection of tap beers and wines along with delicious short orders.
This bar and grill are popular for their regular happy hours, great live music, rotational menu, and cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
It is an excellent spot to hang out, have fun, and meet locals who will surely buy you a drink and tell you good stories.
If you’re hungry, Thirsty Buffalo specializes in wraps, sandwiches, short orders, chilis, taco, quesadilla, chicken tenders, and burgers.
This locally-owned coffee shop/book store is one of Buffalo’s favorite hangout places for coffee connoisseurs and bookworms.
The Buffalo Books and Coffee allows everyone to drink top-notch coffee and buy nice books.
This coffee shop/book store has a wide collection of different genres of books.
You can browse through their aisles for hours while sipping a freshly-brewed coffee.
In addition, their coffee beans are being supplied by local Minnesotans along with other ingredients for their products.
It’s a wonderful place to have your caffeine fix and also for relaxation and passing the time.
This Mexican restaurant owned by locals offers diners a wide array of popular and authentic Mexican cuisine.
You don’t need to fly to Mexico to try the famous burritos, tacos, and nachos because locals popularly know this restaurant for its authentic way of preparing and cooking Mexican food.
If you’re craving this kind of cuisine, you can dine at this restaurant that boasts fresh ingredients and an authentic style of cooking that originates from Jalisco, Mexico.
In addition, the restaurant has another branch in Elk River, called Mucho Loco, which serves similar Mexican food to the one in Buffalo City.
Despite Minnesota’s freezing temperatures during the winter months, top-notch grapes grow there abundantly to make excellent wines.
Thus, there are numerous wineries you can see across the state, one found in Buffalo City.
The Buffalo Rock Winery boasts a fabulous collection of fine wines.
Opened in 2010, this winery offers around 20 excellent types of wine that you can try at their tasting room.
Don’t miss trying their port, red, white, and rose wines, which will surely tickle your tastebuds.
In addition, you can buy a bottle of wine there as your souvenir along with wine glasses available at their winery.
If you’re looking for an adrenaline-pumping outdoor activity in Buffalo, you can check out Special Forces Paintball.
It offers paintball enthusiasts and casual visitors a chance to experience this exhilarating sport, even for kids ten years and over.
It has numerous paintball, splat master, and airsoft games with varying hours, making it a perfect activity to pass the time.
In addition, the facilitators ensure that you and your family wear the appropriate safety gear and helmet to ensure you have an enjoyable time firing paintballs at its modified battlefield.
One of the trendiest attractions to visit in Buffalo is the life-sized statues of buffalos well-placed in different areas around the city.
It’s pretty easy to find these statues since they are designed artistically and have vibrant colors.
There are 21 uniquely designed statues you can find across Buffalo.
So, it’s a surefire fun activity to tour the city with your family.
Searching for these statues and taking photos of them is an enjoyable experience during your trip to Buffalo.
Thanks to the Buffalo Championship Rodeo Association, the group constructed these statues as an added attraction to the city.
The 18-hole, world-class Wild Marsh Golf Club, features curved grass tees, fields, and greens.
It was created by Graham Marsh, a Champions Tour player and one of the top 100 golf course architects.
This top-notch layout and well-kept course invite guests with picturesque lake sights and lovely woodland sections in Buffalo, only a few miles west of the Twin Cities.
This par 71 course is ideal for golfers of all ability levels since it boasts several holes that weave through lovely woodland areas, undulating terrain, and natural marshlands.
Its mission is to provide an excellent experience to visitors that they will remember for years to come.
They combine championship golf, warm service, and an expansive clubhouse.
There are leagues for men, women, veterans, and juniors, so you may compete in good fun with your teammates.
Huikko’s Bowling & Entertainment Center is a fantastic spot to spend leisure with loved ones and friends while participating in top-notch activities and events and experiencing first-rate service.
They provide small footwear, lightweight bowling balls for children, and kid-friendly bumper bowling alleys.
Try Cosmic Bowling, the most incredible bowling adventure in Buffalo that combines loud, heart-pounding music with black lights, strobing lights, and fog.
Yearly, Huikko’s Bowling & Entertainment Center hosts many fantastic birthday parties, business events, and fundraisers.
Huikko’s Bowling & Entertainment Center is the perfect place to go for a fun weekend with the family in Buffalo.
Using mosaics, fused glassware, and paint-your-own ceramics, you may design stunning items at the Artistic Me studio.
Walk-ins are accepted, and no prior experience is required.
Unique gifts created by regional artisans are also easily accessible at Artistic Me.
You can choose from several seminars when you’re ready to master more sophisticated skills.
Come and take a moment for yourself, or ask your loved ones to accompany you on an unforgettable creative journey.
Additionally, it is the ideal location for a fun party or group gathering!
Any party, event, or gathering may be planned and hosted with their assistance, and they can also provide food and drink.
A charming local bistro-style eatery and wine bar, Evelyn’s Wine Bar & Bistro is situated in Buffalo, Minnesota’s historic center.
They have a modest, cozy place ideal for a romantic evening or a small group of friends.
Freshly made flatbreads, sandwiches, appetizers, soups, and desserts are available on Evelyn’s menu.
In the winter, they alternate their handmade soups weekly and release a new, unique flatbread per month.
Their wine list constantly changes and includes bottles from domestic and foreign regions.
If you want to sample numerous wines the glass or bottle offers, try tasting one of their wine flights.
The Buffalo Heights Golf Course has a fantastic layout that includes sloping hills, waterways, old-fashioned fairways, and big trees.
It was built in 1932 and is now a top-notch 9-hole course near Buffalo, Minnesota.
You can finish a quick walking round in 90 minutes, but it will test all players since most holes are between par 4 and 5.
Every golfer can have a rewarding round at this course, from beginners to professionals.
In addition to a comprehensive restaurant and bar featuring a balcony overlooking the fairway, amenities include a training putting green, a short-range practice, and space.
From swimming on the lakes and tasting local wine to relaxing at its parks, there are many things to enjoy in Buffalo.
Its attractions are for visitors of all ages, making it an ideal destination for a family vacation.
Don’t forget to take nice photos at every stop you do during your trip to this unassuming city full of hidden gems.
Make sure to bookmark this post, so you’ll have an instant itinerary for your visit to Buffalo, MN.
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