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Quizzes > Geography

Buffalo trivia questions: Test your Buffalo, NY knowledge

Quick, free Buffalo NY quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Stephanie IrvineUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art Buffalo NY landmarks hidden gems quiz illustration on sky blue background

This Buffalo, NY trivia quiz helps you test your knowledge of local history, landmarks, sports, and food. Answer quick questions and see your score at the end. Want a wider challenge beyond Buffalo? Try New York trivia questions or explore New York State trivia to compare your know-how across the Empire State.

In what year was Buffalo officially incorporated as a city?
1878
1855
1832
1812
Buffalo was first incorporated as a city in 1832, having grown rapidly from its founding in 1789. This incorporation recognized its status as an important Great Lakes port.
Which Great Lake does the city of Buffalo sit on?
Lake Michigan
Lake Erie
Lake Ontario
Lake Huron
Buffalo is located at the eastern end of Lake Erie, forming the mouth of the Niagara River. This location made Buffalo a key shipping and transportation hub.
What culinary creation are Buffalo, New York famous for?
Mozzarella sticks
Buffalo wings
Onion rings
Soft pretzels
Buffalo wings were invented in 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo and have since become a popular appetizer nationwide. The dish is traditionally served with celery and blue cheese dressing.
What is Buffalos official nickname?
Brew City
City of Good Neighbors
Queen City
Nickel City
Buffalo is officially nicknamed the City of Good Neighbors, reflecting its friendly community spirit. While other nicknames like Queen City are also used, the mayors office recognizes the Good Neighbors title.
Which NFL team is based in Buffalo?
Rochester Cougars
Syracuse Orange
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Bills are the citys National Football League franchise, established in 1960 as part of the American Football League before the AFLNFL merger. They play home games at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
Which renowned architect designed the Martin House Complex in Buffalo?
Louis Sullivan
Daniel Burnham
Henry Hobson Richardson
Frank Lloyd Wright
The Darwin D. Martin House Complex was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and constructed between 1903 and 1905. Its considered one of his most important Prairie School works.
Which art gallery in Buffalo is known for its contemporary and modern art collection?
Albright-Knox Art Gallery
Burchfield Penney Art Center
Buffalo Fine Arts Academy
Buffalo Museum of Science
The Albright-Knox Art Gallery is famed for its outstanding collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by Picasso, Warhol, and Pollock. It was founded in 1862 and has been expanded several times.
What is the name of the historic Art Deco train station in Buffalo?
Exchange Street Station
Lackawanna Station
Union Station
Buffalo Central Terminal
Buffalo Central Terminal, opened in 1929, is an iconic Art Deco structure once serving as the citys main passenger rail hub. It was designed by Fellheimer & Wagner.
Which major canal terminates at Buffalos Outer Harbor?
Champlain Canal
Oswego Canal
Erie Canal
Schenectady Canal
The Erie Canal, completed in 1825, stretches from Albany to Buffalo and ends at the Outer Harbor on Lake Erie. It was critical to Buffalos early growth and commerce.
What is the flagship campus of the State University of New York located in Buffalo?
Buffalo State College
University at Buffalo
Canisius College
Erie Community College
The University at Buffalo (UB) is the largest and flagship campus of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, established in 1846. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.
Who served as Buffalos first mayor after its incorporation?
Ignatius Losche
Grover Cleveland
Henry H. Sprague
Ebenezer Johnson
Ebenezer Johnson was elected Buffalos first mayor in 1832 when the city was incorporated. He served two nonconsecutive terms and was instrumental in early city development.
What exposition, held in Buffalo in 1901, showcased the citys prominence?
St. Louis Exposition
Pan-American Exposition
Sesquicentennial Exposition
Worlds Columbian Exposition
The Pan-American Exposition ran from May to November 1901 in Buffalo, highlighting Western Hemisphere culture and industry. It drew millions of visitors and featured the electric illumination of buildings.
The Richardson Olmsted Complex in Buffalo was originally built to serve as what type of facility?
Public library
City hall
Psychiatric hospital
Train station
Designed by H.H. Richardson and landscaped by Frederick Law Olmsted, the complex opened in 1880 as the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane. Its design was revolutionary for mental health care at the time.
Approximately how many inches of lake-effect snow does Buffalo average annually?
62 inches
45 inches
93 inches
120 inches
Buffalo is famous for its heavy lake-effect snow, averaging about 93 inches per year. Proximity to Lake Erie and cold winds create localized snow squalls.
The Guaranty Building in Buffalo, designed by Louis Sullivan, is an iconic example of which architectural movement?
Chicago School
International Style
Gothic Revival
Beaux-Arts
Completed in 1896, the Guaranty Building is one of the best early examples of the Chicago School, showcasing steel-frame construction and Sullivans intricate ornamentation. It influenced skyscraper design nationwide.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Buffalo NY historical facts -

    Summarize major events and figures that have shaped the Queen City's past.

  2. Identify iconic Buffalo landmarks -

    Recognize and name key sites like Canalside, the Electric Tower, and Buffalo City Hall.

  3. Analyze the origin of Buffalo wings -

    Explain how this signature dish became a culinary symbol of Buffalo's food culture.

  4. Describe Buffalo's winter climate and traditions -

    Outline the city's snowfall patterns and their influence on local festivals and lifestyles.

  5. Connect with hidden Western New York gems -

    Highlight lesser-known attractions and cultural quirks unique to the Buffalo region.

  6. Evaluate your Buffalonian expertise -

    Assess your mastery of Buffalo NY trivia and identify areas for further exploration.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Erie Canal Terminus and Economic Boom -

    The Erie Canal reached Buffalo in 1825, slashing transport costs from roughly $100 per ton to under $10 per ton (a 90% reduction) and transforming Buffalo into a bustling port city. This massive economic uplift is often summarized by the formula ΔCost = $100 - $10 = $90 savings per ton, fueling population and industry growth. (Source: Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, University at Buffalo History Dept.)

  2. Pan-American Exposition of 1901 -

    The Pan-American Exposition drew over 8 million visitors and showcased cutting-edge electric lights and machinery, marking Buffalo as a center of innovation. Tragically, President William McKinley was assassinated on its grounds, a pivotal event remembered with the mnemonic "Expo Ends in Tragedy." (Source: Buffalo History Museum, National Park Service.)

  3. Birth of the Buffalo Wing -

    In 1964, Teressa Bellissimo at the Anchor Bar first served deep-fried chicken wings coated in hot sauce, creating what we now know as Buffalo wings. Try remembering "WORSE to FIRST" to recall how a leftover snack became a worldwide phenomenon. (Source: Anchor Bar official history, Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society.)

  4. Lake-Effect Snow Dynamics -

    Lake-effect snow occurs when cold air (below 0 °C) moves over warmer Lake Erie water, picking up moisture and dumping snow on leeward shores; a temperature difference ΔT ≥ 13 °C often triggers heavy bands. Use the simple rule "13 Degrees for SNOW" to remember this critical threshold. (Source: National Weather Service, SUNY Buffalo State Meteorology Dept.)

  5. Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House Complex -

    Completed between 1904 and 1907, the Darwin D. Martin House exemplifies Wright's Prairie Style with hallmark horizontal lines and integrated furnishings. Think "19(04) Prairie More" to lock in the construction dates and style influences. (Source: Darwin D. Martin House Study Center, National Register of Historic Places.)

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