Upper West Side, Buffalo facts for kids
The Upper West Side is a lively neighborhood located in Buffalo, New York. It's a place where many different cultures come together.
Contents
Where is the Upper West Side?
This neighborhood has clear borders. To the north, you'll find the Scajaquada Expressway. Porter Avenue forms its southern edge. Richmond Avenue is on the east, and the Niagara River is to the west.
Other neighborhoods are close by. The Black Rock Neighborhood is to the north. To the south are the Lower West Side and Allentown. The Elmwood Village is located to the east.
Cool Streets to Explore
Lafayette Avenue: Schools and Landmarks
Lafayette Avenue runs from east to west. It connects the Upper West Side to the Elmwood Village. This street meets Richmond Avenue at Colonial Circle. This circle is a well-known spot in the neighborhood.
Several important places are on Lafayette Avenue:
- Lafayette High School
- Our Lady of Hope Parish
- West Buffalo Charter School
- The former Annunciation School
West Ferry Street: Bridges and Parks
West Ferry Street also runs east to west. It crosses a large part of Buffalo. A special feature here is a lift bridge. This bridge goes over the Black Rock Channel. It leads to Unity Island (once called Squaw Island) and Broderick Park.
West Ferry Street meets Richmond Avenue at Ferry Circle. This circle was rebuilt in 2002. Its design came from famous landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.
Grant Street: An International Market
The Grant-Ferry Commercial District is a very important area. It used to be one of Buffalo's busiest shopping spots. Today, it's still the heart of the West Side.
You can find many unique stores here. The West Side Bazaar is one example. It helps small businesses grow. It has many different international food vendors and shops. This area is now known as the "International Marketplace." It's a main center for the city's growing Burmese community. Many Burmese shops are located here.
Niagara Street: A Busy Roadway
Niagara Street is a major road for businesses and factories. It runs next to the Niagara Thruway. This street goes through much of the West Side.
A Neighborhood with a Rich History
The Upper West Side has always been a place for new people. Many immigrants have made it their home. Around the early 1900s, many people from Sicily moved here.
Today, the area is home to many different groups. These include people from Somalia, Sudan, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. There are also large communities from Mexico, Central America, Puerto Rico, and Southeast Asia.
The neighborhood has faced some tough times. But it is now getting a fresh start. New people and recent immigrants are helping to make it better. For example, between 2002 and 2016, 4,665 Burmese refugees came to Buffalo and settled here.
Colleges Nearby
Two colleges are located near the Upper West Side. Buffalo State University is close to the northern border. It is part of the State University of New York.
D'Youville College is near the southern border. It is located along Porter Avenue and Connecticut Street. Many students from these colleges choose to live in the Upper West Side neighborhood.
Places to See
- St. Johns Grace Episcopal Church
- Push Community Vegetable Gardens
- International School #45
- Connecticut Street Armory
- Grover Cleveland High School
