This January has been an anomaly – though the snow has finally begun to fall, it’s nowhere near the record-setting cold we’ve seen in years past. With the lack of snow comes a greater willingness to go out and find events around town to attend before the true Buffalo cold comes sweeping through.
If you’re still in Buffalo over the winter break, or you’re looking for activities once you get back to campus, here are some local events to check out.
Ice skating
Whether or not you’re coordinated, ice skating is a classic winter activity. Canalside is a great place for students to find cheap and fun events. Without the pressure of a full class schedule, there’s more time to check out the rink as well as the Canalside area, where they also offer curling and ice bikes to rent. Ice skating costs $4 during the week and $6 on the weekend.
If you’re not looking to spend any money, go down to the Rotary Rink at the Fountain Plaza downtown – they offer free ice-skating, with snacks and hot drinks available to buy.
Go to a museum
The museums around Buffalo including the Burchfield Penney Art Center and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery offer some great opportunities for students and community members alike to enjoy the artwork they have to offer. The Burchfield Penny offers special events every second Friday of the month including a happy hour, free admission and even lectures from artists.
The Albright-Knox is offering a free tour of the gallery with admission, which allows visitors to learn more about the art they see as well as the history of the museum itself.
Attend a sporting event
Buffalo is ripe with sports, and though the Bills’ season over, that doesn’t mean the games end. The Buffalo Sabres play regularly downtown at the First Niagara Center. The Buffalo Bandits of the NLL also play in the arena.
If you’re not a hockey or lacrosse fan, UB’s own Bulls basketball teams have games in Alumni Arena almost once a week.
See a show
Concerts are abundant downtown and without the pressure of classes during the week, any night is a good night to see one. Yellow Claw will be having a show at Town Ballroom on Jan. 26 to bring back the EDM scene. There are a variety of other shows in the Buffalo/Rochester area, and they’re a perfect winter event as they are usually held indoors.
Tori Roseman is the senior features editor and can be reached at tori.roseman@ubspectrum.com.
