Bryant - Buffalo, NY

In Buffalo's early days, the district now known as Bryant was comprised of farmland and undeveloped wilderness. Buffalo Barracks, built to contain troops near the British-Canadian border, went up in the late 1830s at the neighborhood's southernmost edge. The building underwent design alterations when it changed to civilian ownership, and eventually it became the property of the Wilcox family and the place where Theodore Roosevelt was inaugurated in 1901. The property was declared a national historic site in 1966, and it offers tours, on-site school programs and events throughout the year. Although the neighborhood has shown continued growth since then, the vast majority of Bryant construction was completed prior to 1939, when 3,746 homes were built. Built in 1905, the Albright-Knox Art Museum houses 19th-century works by Gauguin, Van Gogh and modern pieces by Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol.

The Bryant neighborhood supports a variety of restaurants, many of which line the Elmwood Avenue corridor. The eateries serve up a variety of tasty delights that include Italian and American cuisine and Belgian-inspired pub eats.

Listen to a jazz duo during a Sunday brunch with the family, or cozy up for a romantic dinner date with a special someone at The Left Bank. Make reservations well in advance to enjoy the exposed brick walls, dim lighting and warm, intimate vibe of this popular restaurant. Try the local favorite, cheese tortellini -- spinach, peppers and mushrooms in a rich creamy sauce with a topping of crisp toasted breadcrumbs.

Take a bite of the official pizza of the Buffalo Bills at La Nova Pizzeria. Locals recommend the steak and pepper pizza, the chicken finger pizza and the legendary crispy barbecue wings with blue cheese dipping sauce.

The Blue Monk gastropub dishes out European-style bites with Belgian flair to complement the lineup of 32 draft beers. Tuck into the cheesy goodness of Belgian onion soup with ale-caramelized onions, and don't miss out on the duck frites with chipotle bacon mayo and honey-cayenne aioli. Enjoy specials and take $1 off the price of draft beer during happy hours running daily from 3-6 p.m.

Enjoy drinks and eats until late at Thirsty Buffalo. Listen to old-school beats on Throwback Thursday, try some trivia on Tuesdays and Sundays, or cheer on the Bills, the Sabres and the bar buffalo that blows smoke with every home-team score.

Bryant scores well for walkability. You can run most of your errands on foot in this area, and only three Buffalo neighborhoods rate higher. In fewer than 10 minutes, you can walk to the Summer-Best Station to catch a metro train along Main Street or make a quick trip downtown on the 25 Delaware bus running north-south through the center of the neighborhood. Bryant roads contain some bike infrastructure, with dedicated lanes that continue beyond the neighborhood for commutes to the downtown core.

If you're driving out of town, hop on SR-384 for a drive north to Niagara Falls and the Canadian border, or make connections to the New York State Thruway for a trip to the east. Several lots provide parking within the neighborhood at rates ranging from $3 to $8 per half-hour, and a number of retailers provide free parking for customers.

Uber doesn't serve Buffalo, but you can always hail a cab or phone for taxi service if you want someone else to do the driving.

Changing vacant property into lush green space, Fargo Estate Neighborhood Association Gardens features three community plots maintained by local volunteers and supported by donations. Mulberry Garden holds raised beds for growing veggies, Serenity Garden provides a peaceful green retreat, and Community Garden acts as a relaxing meeting place, bringing neighbors together for community events such as Wednesday weenie roasts.

In the midst of 19th-century homes and anchored by a central Victorian fountain, Days Park provides pathways, playground space and shaded grassy areas for picnics, dog walks and pickup games of scrub, soccer or volleyball. Take the family to the annual Fall Festival at Arlington Park, and enjoy live music, food booths, artisan wares and hands-on activities.

The cost of living in Bryant runs higher than the Buffalo average, but still lower than the New York State average. If you are looking for a one-bedroom apartment, plan your budget for about $764 per month in rent. Be prepared to pay New York prices for gas. The price at the pump in Bryant is about 27 percent higher than the national average.

A one-way trip to town on an NFTA bus costs $2 for adults and $1 for seniors and children. If you stop in at the local pub for a cool refreshing beer, expect to pay about $6.

Although Bryant doesn't really have a central shopping location, many of the area's retailers can be found along Elmwood Avenue. You can find Scandinavian home furnishings at Ro, funky housewares and Buffalo-themed gifts at Spoiled Rotten, and cozy jackets and hats at Buffalo Fleece & Outerwear.

Promote your business and make your staff stand out in logo T-shirts, or create a team look for your bachelorette party with customized shirts from Pasteurized Tees. Choose from in-store apparel and print designs, or bring in your own garment and original design for same-day service on T-shirts, bibs, onesies and more.

Hit Urban Leisure and Luxury for a taste of boutique shopping, and find Helly Hansen snowboard gear, Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses and a variety of trendy men's and women's wear. Shop at Buffalo Scrubs for comfortable, stylish and professional-looking scrubs designed for medical staff, dental assistants and veterinary technicians.

Centrally located Elmwood Market serves the neighborhood's grocery needs. You can order a grilled sub at the deli, pick up your custom eats after shopping and have your groceries delivered.

On Saturdays from May to November, Bryant residents make the five-minute drive to Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market for garden-fresh fruits, veggies, plants and flowers.