2-Day Itinerary

Minnesota Fall and Winter months don’t have to mean that you are sequestered to your home. Now, more than ever, getting out is important to our wellbeing and you don’t have to travel far to experience the fun and unique! Here’s how to spend a weekend in your own Buffalo Backyard:

Start the day off right with a cup of coffee at Buffalo Books & Coffee, a cozy spot downtown where you can sit and read the paper or pick up a good book and sip your favorite brew by the fireplace. Right outside the door there are several shoppes that welcome you that are open every Thursday through Saturday with some every day. From furniture and home décor to fashion, accessories, kitchen ware, soaps, jewelry, gift ideas and more! See Setterberg Jewelry, SHE, Blushing Buffalo, Indie Earth, Cuddigan Leather, A Wreath of Franklin, Honey Mama, Now & Again, Serendipity, Biggs & Co, Behind the Picket Fence, Modern Farmstead, Abundant Kitchen, Lakeview Antiques, Lillians, Rustic Arbor, Ritzy Replay and The Porch all in the walking area of downtown. Sounds like a full days adventure right there!

If One Division Art Gallery is open, make a stop there and admire some local works. The building alone is something to appreciate, but step inside and take it all in. If you need to pep up your step a bit, take a walk on the path near Buffalo Lake.

End the day with dinner at Mill Creek Inn, hosting a variety of menu options!

Today we are going to get in the car and doing more shopping! Staring the day with a heartier breakfast, eat the Buffalo American Legion (Sat/Sun).You will be fueled to the finish!

Start at Second Hand Rose if it’s occasional weekend. The birthplace of the occasional sale started right there and it’s still, over 20 years later, a destination! The first full Thursday through Sunday of each month Buffalo is home to the occasional sale event, where a number of stores share their wares for just those 4 days. People come from all over the state to see what’s new. Have you checked them all out? It’s always something new every month! If you don’t see what you are looking for, just ask. The shoppe owners will be sure to find it or custom create it for you. Occasional stores downtown are Harlow’s House, the lower level of The Porch and JTB Furniture and Home Decor. On the north side of town hit Second Hand Rose and This & That.

Then head out on highway 55 and take in all the goods on both levels of the Buffalo Nickel. You will lose yourself for hours as you take in everything from old to new. Be sure to give the resident dog, Mulligan, a little pat on the head as you enter.

If you are a true antique hunter, keep going east on Hwy 55 to Waldon Woods. Open 7 days a week, you will be sure to see some things from your childhood or stand in awe of the beautiful furniture pieces made out of old boats. If you are looking for anything nautical, they house the largest collection in the state! It’s always fun to take a walk back in time.

Start your day with some pancakes at Forget Me Not Cafe, The Brothers Caffe or Perkins Restaurant– sure to fill the kids up….for a while! Then let them burn some energy off by taking a walk on the path by Buffalo Lake to Sturges Park. They can play on the large musical instruments, use the work out equipment or enjoy the playground. Something for all ages – even the kid at heart! Be sure to look around as you walk as you might spot a painted with a fun message or picture. The kids can take it home or hide it somewhere else and let someone else have the joy of finding it.

Something else that the whole family will enjoy is to do the full Buffalo Roam and find all 26 buffalo statues. Never too far of a drive, you can find them downtown and around town! Stop in at the Chamber office (in the bin outside the door) for a map! Take selfies at each and post to BuffaloRoamMN’s Facebook page.

By now the kids deserve a treat! Take them to What’s the Scoop or Amore Ice Cream Shoppe and enjoy one of over 40 flavors of hard scoop ice cream. Nothing better than a two scoop waffle bowl or cone with two different flavors to try. Only have to do that 20 times to try them all!

Kids enjoy making art projects. Walk in to either the Knic-Knackery or Artistic Me and you will find something that doesn’t take too much time or money to create! It’s a nice take home memory from their special day!

Might also be a good time to stop at the library and grab a good book for the week ahead. So many offerings there. Buffalo is fortunate to have such a large selection of books and activities for kids.

Want something a little more active yet? Enjoy paintball at Special Forces paintball! Just a few miles out of town, they now have low impact guns so kids of most all ages can enjoy some fun in the woods! Did you know they host birthday parties there?

Maybe an indoor activity to entertain them is needed. Try bowling at Huikko’s Bowling and Entertainment Center. There is cosmic bowling late on Saturday nights, but as early as 3:00 until close on Friday nights! The lights and the music and a good pizza is always a great time spent.

Want to really wear them out? Stay over night at the Comfort Inn & Suites and let them play in the pool. The newly remodeled rooms will be perfect for the parents (and hopefully the kids) to enjoy a great night of sleep after their busy day.