Many Miles Later

As part of our ongoing JetBlue 25-for-25 airport challenge, we flew into Buffalo for a quick 24-hour trip. With no time to spare, we headed straight from the airport to Niagara Falls to make the most of our short visit.

Arrival at 10 PM and Overnight in Niagara Falls

We landed at BUF around 10 PM and caught a taxi up to Niagara Falls (American side) to stay overnight. Our hotel of choice was the DoubleTree by Hilton Niagara Falls. Everything was fine, but I have to mention the heavily stained carpet in our room. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, but for a DoubleTree property, I did expect better.

Breakfast at the Hotel

The next morning, we grabbed breakfast downstairs at the hotel restaurant. I had steak and eggs, which were well-seasoned and served quickly. It was a solid, no-fuss way to start the day.

Exploring the Falls

From the hotel, there’s a trail that leads directly to the falls. The walk takes about 15–20 minutes and is an easy, scenic stroll.

We started at the American Falls before continuing on to Green Island, which offers incredible views of Horseshoe Falls. If you’re visiting, walking over to Green Island is a must. It’s less crowded and gives you a beautiful vantage point of the water.

Since we had only a few hours, we skipped the Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds tours, but they’d be great for a longer trip.

Buffalo Airport Impressions

After taking in the views, we returned to the hotel, grabbed our bags, and headed back to the airport via Uber. The ride took about 30 minutes.

Props to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF). It’s small, clean, and incredibly easy to navigate. The public spaces felt open, the bathrooms were spotless, and the stalls were large enough to accommodate your luggage, which is always a huge plus.

Surprise Airport Food Highlight

The surprise hit of the day was lunch at Queen’s Kitchen in the airport. I ordered the club sandwich and was blown away. It was easily one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in an airport. The bread was fresh, the produce crisp, and the herb mayo tied it all together. Absolute winner.

From there, we boarded our flight and headed to LAX.

Final Thoughts

For a quick JetBlue layover trip, Buffalo and Niagara Falls delivered. It’s not just about the flight checkmarks — it’s about sneaking in real moments of exploration, and this one felt like a little travel gem. From the roar of the falls to a surprisingly excellent airport sandwich, this was a memorable stop.