Lincoln Park - Tonawanda, NY

Lincoln Park was established in 1920 by the town of Tonawanda, known at the time as "The Lumber City". With the lumber industry thriving, several town officials formed different parks in the area to ensure its forests and natural beauty remained intact. Many local museums showcase this rich history. Visit The Tonawanda Historical Museum on Knoche Road and learn about the role this area played in agriculture and war. The town holds several festivals annually. Be sure to attend Winterfest, which lasts an entire weekend and takes place in different areas around the park. Take a spin on the dance floor during the Winterfest Dance or fill your wine glass at the wine sampling event. Though tickets can be pricey, you can buy them in advance for a discount.

Lincoln Park keeps its residents well-fed with a wide variety of dining options. If you feel famished after a game of baseball or a stroll through the museum, drive to almost any nearby street to find a great eatery.

Rizzo's Casa di Italia Restaurant, located on Eggert Road, consistently tops the list of favorites among local dining venues. This eatery specializes in wood-fired oven pizza, featuring buttery, thick cut pan pizza with homemade sauce. During harvest season, Rizzo's uses local ingredients from nearby farms to make its sauce. If pizza is not your preference, try the ravioli verde instead. This spinach ravioli comes filled with sundried tomatoes, portabello mushrooms and cheese.

Peking Quick One, located on Somerville Avenue, houses some of the best Chinese food in all of Tonawanda. Residents rave about the fried rice, which contains an assortment of locally sourced vegetables. While this eatery provides delivery, be advised that it doesn't accept credit cards, so be sure to bring cash.

John's Pizza and Subs on Niagara Falls Boulevard satisfies your hunger with filling meals. A locally owned favorite, this restaurant features savory meat-topped pies, signature chicken-finger subs and stacked hoagies. Make sure you order the 3 Cheese Steak Pizza. This dish features steak, fresh mushrooms, onions, peppers, on top of a blend of mozzarella, Swiss and American cheese, all slathered with rich garlic sauce.

A variety of bars, taverns and nightclubs are ready to entertain you in Lincoln Park, but locals consistenly praise Caputi's Sheridan Pub on Sheridan Drive. Entertainment ranges from live bands to team trivia, and you can watch your favorite sporting event on one of its big screen TVs. To quench your thirst it always has a selection of locally brewed craft beers on tap.

The Lincoln Park area provides a variety of transportation options. Take your seat on the Niagara Transportation Authority bus at $2 for a one-way ride, or hail a taxi for around $6 per mile depending on your destination. Uber doesn't operate in this county as a viable transportation option.

Residents primarily use their own cars for transportation. You can access the highway easily from anywhere in the town of Tonawanda, and the convenient public parking makes getting to your destination fast and hassle-free. Abundant, well-maintained sidewalks and biking lanes make cycling and pedestrian options safe and enjoyable as well.

Lincoln Park itself provides a range of outdoor activities, from hiking or biking the trails to boating and fishing. On sunny days, you can enjoy a picnic while your children hang from the monkey bars at the playground. If sports intrigue you pick up a baseball game or practice your swing on the tennis court. Travel just down the road for more outdoor fun at Curtis Park, where visitors enjoy picnics and playgrounds. It holds tons of summertime activities for kids. For a small fee, it provides a well-rounded assortment of physical play, arts and crafts and old-fashioned fun for children 5-12 years of age. At the other end of town, travel to Ellwood park to commune with nature. This park's main attraction is the basketball court, hosting tournaments throughout the summer, and a wide array of playground equipment keeps the children busy. All of these places remain free of charge, dog-friendly and kid-friendly. Every July, tens of thousands of people gather for one week to celebrate the history of the canal at the Canal Fest of the Tonawandas. Here you can participate in the annual golf tournament or watch the Canal Fest Beauty Pageant. Endless events take place throughout the week with everything from a parade to a boat building contest.

The average rent for a studio apartment near Lincoln Park hovers around $500 per month, while the typical rent for a one-bedroom apartment exceeds $650 per month. A beer at the local tavern sets you back about $4. The cost of living sits roughly 2 percent higher than the national average, but the neighborhood gas average hovers roughly 20 percent higher than the national average.

Lincoln Park hosts a wide array of merchants, so bargain hunters can shop to their hearts' content. Locals rave about boutique clothing stores such as Cats Like Us, which sells vintage apparel with a Hollywood flair. Located on Main Street, this boutique sells all kinds of retro men's and women's clothing. Whether you want a classic car t-shirt or a cute poodle skirt for a night out on the town, this boutique has it all.

Bumblebeez Consignment and Children's Boutique on Brighton Road carries the best second-hand clothing in the area, specializing in maternity wear and kids' items. From name brand dresses for your daughter to gently used jeans for your son, this boutique sells everything. It even buys children's clothing on consignment, so if you need extra cash don't hesitate to stop by Bumblebeez.

Most residents go to Save-a-Lot in downtown Buffalo for everyday grocery needs. Closer to home, Lincoln Park Market on Niagara Falls Boulevard sells essential items, snacks and beer. For locally produced and organic food, the North Tonawanda Farmers Market has everything you need. Here, vendors supply artisan food and fresh local produce in a friendly community atmosphere. This farmers market remains open year-round.