Parkside - Buffalo, NY

Frederick Law Olmstead planned the landscape of Parkside and Delaware Park. Much of the architecture of the area, such as the gently-curving streets, flatters Delaware Park, the centerpiece of the area. Olmstead's alluring designs quickly drew attention, and more and more wealthy residents moved to the area.

To learn more about the history of Buffalo, head over to the Buffalo History Museum, located just outside Parkside. Explore the museum, and learn about the Niagara Frontier's history. The collection includes artifacts, photographs, and books.

Parkside possesses a vibrant art scene, including Impact Artists Gallery. This gallery hosts six visual art exhibits each year. It promotes the arts for everyone and the pieces focus on highlighting current social issues. The annual Echo Art Fair showcases a wide variety of different arts, such as print, sculpture, video, and mixed media.

Many of the restaurants in the area sit on Hertel Avenue. Here you'll discover some of the best Middle Eastern food in Buffalo. From the outside, Shish Kabab Express fails to impress, but the amazing food forces you to keep coming back for more. Give it a go with the beef tikka, chicken shawirma, or the shish kabab.

To discover a taste of Italy, check out Romeo and Juliet's Bakery Cafe. This charming little cafe boasts an intimate atmosphere that makes you feel like part of the family. Try some of the special entrees, like lasagna with ragu or baked eggplant parmigiana. Of course, you never go wrong with pizza, so consider some of their delectable DEK oven-style pizzas, such as the pizza alle verdure, which features eggplant, mushrooms, tomato, olives, mozzarella, and romano.

If you still need more Italian food, head over to Ristorante Lombardo. The mellow atmosphere and beautiful culinary concoctions make Ristorante Lombardo perfect for a romantic night out. Enjoy authentic Italian dishes, such as tagliatelle bolognese or fazzoletti e prosciutto. Don't forget to pair it with a glass of savory red or white wine.

When the sun goes down, Parkside gets up and out to have fun. If you crave a good beer along with some fantastic music, Sportsmen's Tavern promises to meet all your needs. Listen to live music or watch exciting shows on the stage as you kick back and enjoy a good drink or quick meal.

As a suburb away from the hustle of downtown, most residents get around by using their own personal transportation. Luckily, most businesses in Parkside provide their own free parking to customers. Due to its smaller size and location near many businesses, walking and biking provide a healthy and excellent option for getting around Parkside.

The area houses a handful of city bus stops, making it a useful way to get out and explore the rest of Buffalo. Thanks to Main Street cutting right through the neighborhood and with Highway 198 just around the corner, reaching other highways and expressways proves simple.

The Parkside neighborhood sits right next to Delaware Park, one of the major parks in Buffalo. The park spans an incredible 350 acres. Residents consider it Buffalo's "Central Park," and you don't have to pay anything for access. Delaware Park rewards visitors with awe-inspiring views and scenery, including calm meadows, mysterious forests, and a beautiful lake. While there, explore the Japanese Garden or watch the ducks on the lake as you stand on the Ivy Bridge.

Amenities, such as an 18-hole golf course, baseball diamonds, football fields, and basketball courts make it a perfect option if you want to get some exercise. If you prefer walking over sports, walk the many trails. The playgrounds and picnic tables make it perfect for a day out with the kids. Depending on the time of year, different events occur in the park, such as Shakespeare in the Park, so make sure to check often for exciting activities.

Parkside comes with a slightly above average cost of living when compared with the rest of Buffalo. The rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Parkside averages about $687. If you head down to a pub near your house or apartment, expect to pay about $3.75 for a beer.

If you drive your own car, gas prices range about eight percent higher than the national average. If you prefer to travel via public transportation, a ticket to downtown Buffalo cost about $2 for a single-use ticket or $5 for a day pass. If you travel to downtown for work, consider a monthly pass, which costs $75.

As with restaurants, most shops near Parkside lie along Hertel Avenue, including some high-end boutiques. Modern Nostalgia sells stylish contemporary fashion for women. The friendly staff and darling clothing and accessories make this shop a must for any fashion-lover.

Parkside's grocery store options include Aldi, which promises fresh ingredients at low costs. At Aldi, you can also find a home section that features inexpensive items for your home, such as cookware. These items go fast and change every week, however, so make sure to check back often.

Dash's Market, another grocery option, has departments for meats and seafood, produce, prepared foods, bakery items, and organic foods, selling everything you need.

If you prefer fresh, local foods, stop by the North Buffalo Farmers Market. Shop incredibly fresh produce, cooked meals, baked goods, and even honey. The farmers market opens every year in mid-June and runs to the end of summer or early fall.