Once inhabited by the Iroquois, and later colonized by the French, Buffalo is now a bustling city that serves as the gateway for commerce across the Canadian border.

On the eastern shore of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River, Buffalo is just 16 miles from the falls. With the Buffalo River running through the city, the city is truly a waterfront community. While there's a great deal of history here, the most well-known is the assassination of President William McKinley. The 25th president, McKinley was shot in 1901 at the Pan-American Exposition. The x-ray machine debuted at this World's Fair, but doctors were hesitant to use the new technology on the president. This, combined with an ill-equipped hospital lead to a serious infection and McKinley died eight days later.

Buffalo is home to more than 50 private and public art galleries. This includes the Albright-Knox Art Gallery which displays modern and contemporary work. And since 1958, the Allentown Art Festival has brought hundreds of modern artists together for one weekend each summer. Combining art and history, Shea's Performing Arts Center accommodates 4,000 patrons for Broadway shows. Built in 1926 with interiors by Louis Comfort Tiffany - yes, that Tiffany - there's something beautiful to see year-round.

Buffalo has 20 parks, several of which are accessible from all over the city. Three-quarters of the city's parkland is in Olmsted Park and the Parkways System. Constructed in 1868, this is the U.S.'s first attempt at coordinating public parks and parkways. You'll now see variations of this can throughout the country.

With all the outdoor space and the continental climate of the Great Lakes Region, locals love to enjoy the great outdoors. This includes the seasonal festivals and its annual marathon. The most popular event? The Taste of Buffalo, bringing two days of restaurants, wineries, and music to the streets of downtown.

Once ranked 3rd among National Geographic Society's World's Top Ten Food Cities, there's plenty to nosh on around town. Italian places like Mulberry and Lombardo Ristorante top the list of must-visit places. Big Dutch Brewing Company and Hutch's offer classic food with American twists. And it's inside these places you're sure to find the game on TV. Buffalonians cheer for their hometown teams, the Bills and Sabres, as well as The University of Buffalo Bulls. Just don't forget to wear your blue!

Out-of-towners may associate Buffalo with extreme snowfall, but the summer sees an average temperature of 80 degrees. Buffalo boasts the sunniest and driest summers in the northeast, but still receives enough rain to keep vegetation green and lush. Of course the landscapes could use some help, but who has time for yard work? Enter LawnStarter. Download our free app, enter your ZIP code and we'll send you back a list of services available in your area. You pick the pros and services you want at a price and schedule that works for you. LawnStarter is the region's choice for quality landscaping services, allowing you to enjoy everything Buffalo has to offer.