All Posts tagged Buffalo summer health

Summer Activities in Buffalo

buffaloAfter what felt like a never-ending winter, Buffalo has enjoyed beautiful weather so far this summer! Outdoor activities with family and friends are a safe way to adhere to social distancing, while exploring the most scenic sites in Buffalo. The region has countless hiking trails and many beautiful creeks. Additionally, Western New York is home to some incredible wildlife, including deer, foxes, hawks, and bald eagles.

Here is our list of the best nature-related day trips within an hour’s drive from Buffalo.

  • Chestnut Ridge Park
    One of Erie County’s best attributes, Chestnut Ridge Park is located about a half hour outside of Buffalo—just past Orchard Park. This huge park offers beautiful scenery for hiking, biking, or even driving. The park includes picnic areas and tennis courts.
  • Eternal Flame Falls at Chestnut Ridge Park
    This interesting natural phenomenon is tucked away off the beat and path in Chestnut Ridge Park. The waterfall contains a natural gas spring with a flame that can reach four to eight inches. The best time to see the falls at full water capacity is during the spring, after plenty of rain. However, the half-mile hike is scenic and can also be an enjoyable outing in the dry season.
  • Tifft Nature Preserve
    This urban-adjacent gem is located only five minutes from downtown Buffalo on the Outer Harbor. Tifft is a massive 264-acre preserve with five miles of trails and boardwalks. The facilities offer fishing and guided tours. Additionally, Tifft is an ideal spot for photographers, as it’s designated as an ‘important bird area’ by the Audubon Society. Many at-risk species, including bald eagles, red-shouldered hawks, and short-eared owls can be found among the 265 bird species at the preserve.
  • Eighteen Mile Creek
    If you are looking for a less urban/more remote option, check out Eighteen Mile Creek in Hamburg. This 466-acre undeveloped park offers vast hiking trails with fishing and wildlife viewing. Parking near South Creek Road leads to a trailhead that continues along the rim of the creek for about five miles.
  • Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve
    Located in the suburb of Depew, this unique 292-acre complex offers lush forests, ponds, and wetlands. Popular walking trails include the Lily Pond Loop where visitors can see ducks, geese, turtles and other aquatic wildlife, and the Beech Tree Trail that takes visitors through a beech-maple forest. Many native species of wildlife to Western New York, including white-tailed deer, beavers, waterfowl, red-tailed hawks, pileated woodpeckers and blue herons, can be found here.
  • Knox Farm State Park
    Those looking for more than just hiking and fishing, should check out the biking and equestrian trails at Knox. This state park occupies the former estate of the Knox family near the idyllic village of East Aurora.
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How To Take Advantage Of Summer To Start Some Healthy Habits!

ID-100158069Summer in Western New York is a special time—especially after a long, hard winter! Most of us enjoy the longer days, the sun and the heat. This summer, why not get more out of this time of year by integrating some healthy habits into your daily routine? Here are a few ideas that can help you get started:

  1. Buy Local Produce: Between farmers’ markets, roadside stands and supermarkets that buy from nearby suppliers, it’s easy to find locally grown fresh produce. Buying locally means your produce is fresher and retains more nutrients—and it’s better for the environment, too! Visit a market near you to shop for a week’s worth of salad ingredients, fruits for a healthy dessert, or a side vegetable for your next weekend barbeque. When fruits are in season, stock up and freeze some for use in the winter.
  2. Get Moving: Make the most of the warmer temperatures and longer days by swimming laps at a community pool, planning a hike to explore a local park, or riding your bike instead of driving to run small errands. Or get a running/walking buddy to keep you company while you work toward a goal.
  3. Protect your skin. Yes, sunlight is a major source of Vitamin D, and we enjoy full doses of it when we can. But you need to take precautions and protect your skin. Always wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 and reapply it regularly. If you’re going to be outside for hours at a time, wear a hat and other protective clothing. The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
  4. Drink lots of water. Many people find it easier to drink enough water in the summer, when you’re more aware of having to keep hydrated. Water is more refreshing than sugary juices or carbonated beverages, while unsweetened iced tea is a good substitute for those who don’t enjoy plain water all the time. Keep an insulated bottle of water or tea with you at all times!

At Chouchani, Sayegh and Bagnarello, we believe a healthy community is a strong community, so we encourage our patients and their families to live healthier lifestyles. Want to know more about our OB-GYN practice located in Western New York? Call us anytime.


Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

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