Five Things to Do in the Charming All-American Town of East Aurora, NY
What comes to mind when you imagine the all-American small town portrayed in every Hallmark movie? A quaint Main Street lined with shops and eateries? A town with kind people, family-friendly events, farmer’s markets and the beauty of four distinct seasons? If that’s what you envision, and want to experience a place like this in real life, you absolutely need to add the idyllic village of East Aurora, NY, to your bucket list. Just 30 minutes from downtown Buffalo and 45 minutes from Niagara Falls, one afternoon exploring East Aurora’s Main Street will leave you enchanted by its small town charm. From its endearing shops, restaurants and a 1920’s-era movie theatre, to its history as birthplace of Fisher-Price Toys and the home of 13th U.S. President Millard Fillmore, this quintessential all-American town has it all, making it perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway.
With family roots in Buffalo, I’ve grown up visiting East Aurora my entire life, spending summers with my grandparents. Counting fireflies, watching fireworks, eating ice cream, exploring Main Street, picking blueberries and having sleepovers at my cousins’ seemed to make up most of my cherished childhood summers in East Aurora. Anyone who knows me knows my obsession with this magical place, and I’m honored to share about it with you today. Here are a few of my favorite things that you need to experience if you have the opportunity to visit E.A.!
Get Lost Within Vidler’s 5&10
Visiting Vidler’s 5&10 is a non-negotiable when you’re in East Aurora – it’s a must. Located on the center of Main Street, this beloved family-owned business has been an iconic staple of East Aurora history for almost 100 years, beginning in 1930 when Robert Vidler opened his five and dime in the midst of the Great Depression. His two sons, Bob and Ed, joined the business in 1949, and to this day the cherished store is still run by the Vidler family – cousins Don Vidler and Cliff DeFlyer are in the store on a regular basis. Since its 1930 opening, Vidler’s has expanded to four buildings on Main Street, and with 12 departments of goods, you can find anything here, spanning all ages and interests. Touted as the world’s largest 5&10, Vidler’s is a 20,000 square foot labyrinth of rooms filled with goods ranging from house and kitchenware, to toys, nostalgic trinkets and old fashioned candy, as well as craft supplies, bakeware, seasonal décor, and of course, East Aurora merchandise. Walking through this 5&10 is like taking a trip back in time, especially in the nostalgic candy department, complete with a candy counter and “Sandy,” their beloved coin-operated mechanical horse that made its Vidler’s debut in 1962. The wood floorboards creak throughout the store as you browse the rows and rows of merchandise, adding to the charming character of the century-old establishment. It doesn’t get much more American than this! If you can’t make the trip in person to visit Vidler’s, don’t worry – you can still see it featured in numerous Hallmark Christmas movies. I told you East Aurora was an idyllic town!
Grab a Coffee, Pastry or Lunch at Elm Street Bakery
One look at their Instagram account will tell you everything you need to know about this incredible business. Elm Street Bakery is a local favorite, and a truly aesthetic gem, which is why I make a conscious effort to visit whenever I’m in town. The warm atmosphere, coupled with their incredible menu of gourmet pastries, breads, soups, salads, sandwiches and wood fire pizzas make it the perfect place to meet up with friends and family, or enjoy a relaxing morning to yourself. With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating options, you can grab a quick bite on the run or stay a while – but I highly recommend enjoying some time there! In a barn-like setting, the warm woods and beautiful local art exude a cozy atmosphere that is enhanced by the sounds of the espresso machine, quiet chatter and scent of baked goods. Their almond croissant and Caprese sandwich are personal favorites of mine, and just about everything on their menu is as tasty as it is photogenic. They even have a “Breadule” – a daily schedule of their baked breads that patrons excitedly line up to purchase. If we had an Elm Street Bakery in Nashville, I can guarantee I would be there at least once a week!
Take a Leisurely Stroll Down Main Street
There’s nothing more idyllic than taking a leisurely stroll down Main, popping in and out of shops with no timeline. In addition to beloved Vidler’s (which deserved a category all on its own!), Main Street is host to plenty of endearing boutiques, shops and eateries that can fill a whole day of exploration. Browse Head Over Heels for an incredible collection of women’s clothing, then wander next door to Head Over Heels Home to peruse their rustic home décor. For jewelry, head to Petrocy Jewelers to support another family-owned business. Grab sponge candy (another Buffalo delicacy) at Fowler’s Chocolates. For a classy lunch or dinner, you can’t beat Rick’s on Main. Take a quick coffee and snack break at Taste Bistro. Antique lovers can visit Roycroft Campus Antiques, Punkins Patch Antique Shop and Upstairs Treasures. Catch a movie at the Aurora Theatre, which opened its doors in 1925 with an iconic marquee out front. A quick drive will find you at the headquarters (and birthplace) of Fisher-Price Toys, complete with a toy store and classic toy exhibits for the perfect photo ops. Lastly, after a day of exploring, you can wind down with a cold one at local brewery 42 North. While I didn’t mention everything, there are so many ways you can spend a truly enjoyable day on Main Street!
Devour Famous Wings at The Bar-Bill Tavern
Everyone knows what the foodie town of Buffalo is famous for, and when visiting, it’s almost a crime if you don’t order wings. The other equally delicious Buffalo creation is “Beef on Weck,” a carved roast beef sandwich on a kimmelweck roll, served with au jus and horseradish. It might be the best roast beef sandwich you may ever have! Luckily, East Aurora is home to one of the best spots in the region for both of these local delicacies – The Bar-Bill Tavern. Housed in a 150+ year old building on Main Street, the cozy dark interior is packed with character of the era. The Bar-Bill first opened its doors in 1983 and has been pleasing patrons with their famous award-winning wings ever since. With 14 wing sauces, plenty of beer options and some of the best beef on weck in town, you won’t be disappointed. Be forewarned, this is a POPULAR hotspot for locals and tourists alike, so plan on getting there when the doors open, or be prepared to wait a while (but the wait is worth it!). You can always walk next door to Aurora BrewWorks for a couple of beers before your Buffalo culinary experience. But a word to the wise – if it’s a Bills’ game day, you might want to settle for takeout, because it is guaranteed to be packed. It doesn’t get more Buffalo than wings and Bills football!
If for some reason you can’t make it to the Bar-Bill, you can still grab a beef on weck at another unsuspectingly delicious contender – Charlie the Butcher. Located on Main Street inside a Marathon gas station (with other locations around Buffalo), this carving station serves up incredibly delicious beef on weck, as well as other gourmet options including ham, turkey, fish fry, and meatloaf lunches and dinners if you’re on the run. It is also a 10/10!
Enjoy an Ice Cream Cone
If you’re an ice cream fan, you’re in luck, because there are plenty of great options to grab a cone around East Aurora – such a cliché for an all-American town! For a unique outdoor experience, head to the Red Caboose, located across the street from the Elm Street Bakery. Housed in a red train car, the Caboose has all the ice cream flavors and classic concoctions of sundaes and floats you could ever ask for, and plenty of outdoor seating options including swings to enjoy a cone with friends and family. Definitely a charming place to stop by on your leisurely walk down Main Street. As with many ice cream shops around town, the Red Caboose is open seasonally, and closes up shop in October. Similarly, down the road a bit is another (indoor) local favorite, Kone King East. With an impressive amount of ice cream flavors, soft serve and shakes, this place is packed in the evenings! And for those looking for a more gourmet ice cream route, look no further than Rosie’s Ice Cream. With freshly-churned classics as well as rotating seasonal flavors, each season brings new inventive options that keep ice cream connoisseurs coming back for more. When football season comes around, so does their fan favorite flavor – “Joshalicious” – named after the Bill’s beloved quarterback Josh Allen. This silky smooth pistachio ice cream with crunchy pistachios is sure to instill Josh will play for the Bills for years to come. With a motto like “every scoop tells a story,” one taste of their gourmet ice cream and you’ll be hooked!
There you have it, some great things to do in my most favorite small town on earth. If you’re looking for the perfect getaway to enjoy small town America, East Aurora is easily the perfect choice, no matter the season. From nostalgic shops, to gourmet eateries and plenty of family-friendly activities, this is one idyllic town that will forever have a very special place in my soul, and I’m certain you’ll love it too. I sincerely hope you enjoy your visit to East Aurora, “where good neighbors gather!”
Stay tuned, as I’ll be sharing more about my favorite town in upcoming articles!
