War of 1812 Bicentennial

Now through 2014, Buffalo is joining Canada in celebrating 200 years of peace and commemorating battles fought on both sides of the border. Later this year, Buffalo will have a visit from 1812 tall ships and an exhibit about the city's involvement in the war, including the bicentennial of the burning of Buffalo in 1813.

www.visit1812.com

Canalside

Buffalo continues the $295 million development of its historic Canalside district, where the Erie Canal once had its western terminus. More than 600 events will be held there this year and construction of canals and a Courtyard by Marriot is in process.

www.eriecanalharbor.com

National Garden Festival/Garden Walk Buffalo

The fourth annual National Garden Festival will take place in June 21 to Aug. 4 in Buffalo. This six-week-long garden party features 14 weekend garden walks (including America's largest – Garden Walk Buffalo), open gardens on Thursdays and Fridays, workshops, speakers and bus tours.

www.nationalgardenfestival.com

www.gardenwalkbuffalo.com

Wright Gem Nearing Completion

Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin Martin House is approaching the completion of a $50 million restoration. This stunning Prairie-style complex remains open for tours during construction.

www.darwinmartinhouse.org

Classic Cars & a Frank Lloyd Wright Legacy Project

The Buffalo Transportation/Pierce Arrow Museum is already home to an amazing collection of automobiles dating from 1903 to the 1960s, including Buffalo-made Pierce-Arrow and Thomas Flyer models. Construction has begun on an enclosed gas station that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
www.pierce-arrow.com

The Rebirth of Two Grande Dames

Two historic hotel buildings in downtown Buffalo – the Lafayette Hotel & Statler Hotel – are being redeveloped into exciting mixed-use projects. The Hotel @ The Lafayette, a new boutique hotel in a building that was designed by America's first professional female architect – Louise Blanchard Bethune – is now accepting reservations.

www.statlercity.com

www.thehotellafayette.com

The Emergence of Larkin Square

At the recently opened Larkin Square, a colorful and creative public space in Buffalo's historic Hydraulics District, you'll find a gas station turned into a café, an Airstream trailer selling gourmet sandwiches, weekly live music in the summer and plenty of fun, funky chairs to lounge in.

www.larkinsquare.com