The city of Buffalo 'downtown' area plan was largely laid out by Pierre l'Enfant, who was the architect responsible for the design of Washington DC. Hence there are squares and impressive vistas.
The buildings themselves - the work of many different renowned American architects - have some echoes of those in New York City - particularly the City Hall, above, and many others with 1920's/1930's Art Deco features. Here it is possible to stand back and view them from a distance.
Sadly some of the Art Deco buildings are no longer in use but, because of their size will be a challenge to redevelop.
There are some very modern buildings alongside the old.
(Unfortunately although it was very hot, it was cloudy during the walking tour, which makes for rather dull pictures - although that did mean that looking skyward was easier!)
Adjacent to this intricately decorated terracotta building was a church - St Pauls - of similar colour stone but earlier date - unfortunately somewhat in the shadow of its tall neighbours.
This building from the 1880's was the original City Hall and is now the County Hall for Erie County.
At the end of the walking tour I used the tram to get to the Erie Canal Basin - a formerly very industrial area which is being regenerated.
From there I took an afternoon boat tour which explored Lake Erie, the Erie Canal and the Niagara River..
By this time the sun had chased away the clouds, the temperature was rising and our guide suggested that with the breeze blowing off the lake, this was probably the coolest non-air conditioned place in the area!
More about the boat trip another day...
Some impressive buildings. I have just looked at a map to see where Buffalo is. I hadn't realised it was so far. I gather you are going out on to the Niagra Falls
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