Visit Buffalo White Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Buffalo, Indiana: Discover the City of Churches! Experience the charming city park and the historic churches. Visit the County History Museum for an insight into local history. Eat in the traditional restaurant "Buffalo Brewing Company".
Honestly, if you’re looking for “Buffalo Sights”, first imagine that you’ll land in a tiny corner of Indiana that has more charm than some big city coffee houses – this is Buffalo, a sleepy town in the heart of Liberty Township, White County. The city was founded in 1836 at the intersection of a few land roads, named after the nearby Buffalo Creek, and has hardly ever gained in size, but for that it is self-willing. I usually travel across State Road 16, because the land roads here look a bit like an open book – you can stop at any time to marvel at the field or photograph the old tractor that a local parks proudly next to his house.
A short trip to Liberty Township lets you feel the history that is in the old barns and the few but well preserved buildings; that is for me the true “seen values” to Buffalo. I don't quite understand the hype around the big metropolises, but here is a small café that attracts fresh cake every morning – no joke, that's better than some expensive latte. And if you happen to get a bus from Monticello to Rochester, you can easily get off in Buffalo because the bus connections are surprisingly reliable here, although the village is barely larger than a parking lot. So, that was my quick tour – and yes, that was only the beginning, because Buffalo's sights have more to offer than you suspect at first sight.
I have to admit that I always start the first stop in Buffalo with a slightly spidy grin – that Buffalo Historic District is what I personally call the centrepiece of the city, although it hardly calls anyone as a “must-see”. The old brick buildings along Main Street have this charming, slightly weathered look that you can only find in movies from the 30s. I took a walk there, while a local baker just pulled his croissants out of the oven, and the sound of crunchy headstone plaster was almost hypnotic. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you are not there with the whole village on Saturday night – then parking becomes a small adventure.
Directly next to the historical core lies the Buffalo Public Library, a tiny but surprisingly well-sorted place I like to call the “secret knowledge camp”. I've found some old town chronics there that told me more about the founding time than any tourist brochure ever could. The library has free Wi-Fi, so after browsing you can move back to a café nearby – that's convenient because the café itself has no seats, but that's almost a local running gag.
A short walk further leads you to Buffalo Community Park. Here there is a baseball court, a small playground area and a few benches that are perfect for people watching. I remember having a picnic with friends on a hot July afternoon while a local high school team took a training – that was the most authentic “city life” I have ever experienced. The park has a public toilet that is surprisingly clean, and parking is free at the edge of the park as long as you are not there during one of the annual festivals.
If you're looking for a little spiritual change, look at the Buffalo United Methodist Church on. The building is a real example of neo-Gothic architecture, and the interior is amazingly well preserved. I have seen a concert from a local youth band there – the acoustics is amazing, and the community is surprisingly open to new ideas, although it is quite traditional. The entrance is of course free, and you can visit the church ship from the outside at any time without having to make an appointment.
Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is the Buffalo Farmers Market, which takes place every Saturday morning from spring to autumn on the Town Hall Square. There are fresh vegetables, homemade jams and occasionally even handmade ceramics. I don't understand the hype about the “urban‐farm‐to‐table” movement completely, but here in Buffalo, the whole thing feels honest and down-to-earth – no snuck, only genuine products from real people. Parking is limited at the market place, so you'd rather come on foot or by bike if you live nearby.
A little away from the hustle Buffalo Town Hall, an imposing brick building, which today serves as an administrative center. Once I've been through the city archives and found some old town plans that show how the village was once traversed by a railway line – a piece of history that you don't see every day. The building is accessible without barrier, and parking behind the town hall is usually free, except when a city council meeting takes place.
At the end of my little tour through the city, I would like to mention that the locals often speak of the “Buffalo Sights” without knowing exactly what that means – that is, that the city is so small that almost everything is a highlight. So, next time you drive through Liberty Township, stop breathing in the fresh air and let yourself be surprised by the mixture of rustic charm and slightly cynical self-ironity of the inhabitants. Who knows, maybe you will discover your own favorite place between the old bricks and the friendly faces.
The old tractor, still on the edge of the field road, is the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of the area around Buffalo, Liberty Township, White, Indiana – and this is no coincidence, because here everything is about what you find between the corn fields and the quiet lakes.
A short trip after Monticello (about 12 km south) leads directly to White County Historical Museum. The building itself is a converted Carnegie library building from the 1910s, and I must admit that I love the smell of old wood and dust – he reminds me that history is not only in dusty books, but in the walls themselves. I discovered an old map that shows how today's Buffalo was once a small commercial center. Parking is almost always a Klack, as long as you don't come on Saturday afternoon, then the car park chaos is almost an attraction.
Just a couple of miles away Lake Shafer – Part of the famous Chain O'Lakes. Here is the controversial Indiana Beach, an amusement park that has been claiming since the 1920s. I don't understand the hype around the “Ritterburg” completely, but the giant wheel over the water is really great, especially at sunset, when the water shines like liquid gold. I made my first trip there on a wooden rollercoaster that snarred more than an old barn gate, and that was an experience I don't want to miss. Parking is a bit tight at the weekend, but a short walk from the parking lot to the entrance is always worth it.
A bit further north, just 20 km from Buffalo, lies the Tipecanoe River State Park. The river swells through dense forests, and I spent a weekend with my kayak – the water was so clear that I almost thought I could see to the bottom. The park offers primitive campsites that are barely more than a wooden ridge and a fireplace – perfect if you want to escape the urban noise. I have the feeling that nature has not yet been “optimized” by human hand, and that is refreshing. The driveway is easy, and parking at the main entrance is free as long as you don't stay there all weekend.
Back in Monticello, the imposing White County Courthouse not overlooked. The red sandstone building looks like a relic from another era, and I've seen a court appointment there – a spectacle that offers more drama than any Netflix series. The courtyard is a popular meeting place for locals who spend their lunch break there. Parking behind the town hall is usually free, except if there is a local festival, then you have to avoid a few blocks.
Another highlight I always like to visit is that White County Fairgrounds. The annual County Fair in August is a colorful mess of rides, cattle shows and local crafts stands. I have eaten the best caramel apple pastry of my life there – a sweet consolation for the many hours I spent crossing the giant wheel string. The terrain is huge, so plan enough time to see everything; Parking is a little chaotic on the festive day, but the organizers have reserved enough space, so you don't have to be in traffic.
For those who want to sniff a little culture, this is Monticello Art Center a small but fine place. There are changing exhibitions of local artists hanging there, and I have my first encounter with a painting that represented a maize field sunset in neon-colored tones – a bit cheesy, but just what you need after a day outdoors. The center has a small café area where you can look at art in a coffee. Parking is right in front of the building, and I have never had a problem finding a place.
Next time you drive over the country roads to Buffalo, don't forget that the environment has more to offer than just the tranquil town itself. From historical museums to sprude water parks to peaceful natural paradises – the region is a collection of experiences that make the heart of each traveler beat faster. And yes, all that belongs to the Buffalo Sightsthat you should not miss.
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