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WNY Insider for September 18th
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WNY Insider for September 18th
WNY Insider for September 18th
Seth Greene

Seth Greene

Sep 18, 2026

The News, Eats & Events Shaping Western New York

Highmark Stadium stands as a bold symbol of Buffalo’s resilience and storied industrial roots.

 

Built just steps from the Bills’ old home in Orchard Park, the state-of-the-art facility rises from nearly 100% American steel, much of it sourced from New York, celebrating the city’s blue-collar legacy and manufacturing pride.

 

Thousands of local workers, including many from minority- and women-owned businesses, helped bring this monumental project to life, making it the largest construction effort in Western New York.

 

The stadium’s stacked, steep seating and all-encompassing canopy are designed for both comfort and electrifying atmosphere.

 

With seating trimmed to 60,000, the focus shifts to diehard fans—the “Bills Mafia”—amplifying the roar on game day.

 

New features, like heated turf and sensory rooms, ensure everyone feels welcome while honoring Buffalo’s legacy of adaptability, unity, and pride.


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Buffalo’s open studios event transforms the historic Niagara Frontier Food Terminal into a celebration of local artistry and imagination.

 

Each fall, guests explore once-industrial corridors enlivened by painters, photographers, and potters engaging in their craft.

 

Visitors receive a playful “passport” to collect stamps, inspiring discovery as they encounter interactive workshops, live performances, and creative pop-ups tucked throughout the district.

 

From DJ-fueled tastings at Wildflower Meadery to handcrafted teas at Snowy Owl Arts + Tea, local vendors showcase the region’s flavor and talent.

 

This revitalized warehouse community stands out as a colorful contrast to its industrial roots.

 

Buffalonians are invited to connect firsthand with artists, try new crafts, and take part in the city's creative journey.

 

As artists and businesses bloom, this event has become a defining moment in Buffalo’s cultural resurgence.


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Families and sports fans in Buffalo, NY are flocking to the newly unveiled Science Stadium at the Buffalo Museum of Science, an engaging exhibit that blends the region’s love of sports with STEM learning.

 

Developed in partnership with the Buffalo Bills, Sabres, and Bandits, visitors tackle hands-on activities like analyzing game highlights, experiencing real-time training simulations, and testing their skills as sports broadcasters.

 

Science Stadium celebrates Western New York’s rich sports culture, inviting all ages to explore the physics, engineering, and creativity behind every play.

 

The space comes alive with vibrant art by local artist Emeka Wajed, honoring both athletes and the Buffalo community.

 

The museum also launched Built for Buffalo, a timely interactive showcase highlighting the city’s new Highmark Stadium with a lifelike model and authentic memorabilia, sparking fresh excitement for Buffalo’s future.


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🐱 Cat Cafés Worth the Drive from Buffalo

The Scratching Post Cat Cafe 🐾
📍 3180 Latta Rd., Suite 200, Rochester, NY
A cozy rescue-focused café where visitors can enjoy drinks and spend time with adoptable cats.

 

Pawsitive Cafe ☕🐱
📍 115 East Ave., Rochester, NY
Rochester’s downtown cat café features 25–30 adoptable cats in a relaxed café setting.

 

Lazy Cat Lounge & Cafe 😺
📍 523 Eastview Mall, Victor, NY
A cat lounge inside Eastview Mall featuring adoptable cats, locally roasted coffee, drinks, and snacks.

 

Purrista Cat Café 🐈
📍 30 W. 8th St., Erie, PA
A cozy café and cat lounge where visitors can meet cats available for adoption through Because You Care.

 

Niagara Falls Cat Cafe 🌊🐱
📍 4529 Queen St., Niagara Falls, Ontario
A downtown Niagara Falls café combining adoptable cats with coffee, meals, desserts and a full grilled-cheese menu.

 

Vintage Cat Cafe ☕🐈
📍 1274 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto, Ontario
A vintage-inspired café with a separate cat lounge, homemade food, pastries and resident cats.

 

Purrfect Pet Cafe 🐾
📍 330 Steeles Ave. W., Thornhill, Ontario
A cozy cat café with a dedicated cat room, drinks, desserts and plenty of opportunities to interact with the resident cats.

 

Purrfect Café 🍰🐱
📍 2181 McNicoll Ave., Scarborough, Ontario
A Southeast Asian-inspired café serving specialty drinks and desserts alongside a lounge with 15–20 cats, some available for adoption.

 

Alley Cat Cafe 🐾☕
📍 1 Market Place, Stratford, Ontario
A rescue-focused café where visitors can enjoy treats and drinks while meeting cats looking for forever homes.

 

Uptown Purrk – Cat Café 😻
📍 41 Princess St. E., Waterloo, Ontario
Waterloo’s cat café pairs a café setting with an adoptable cat lounge and advance-booking visits.

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WNY Insider is your playful, punchy guide to everything happening in and around Buffalo, NY. From cool local events to neighborhood stories, we shine a spotlight on the people and places that make Western New York a standout community.

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