Toss aside everything you ever thought about the city of Buffalo, New York. A nearby neighbour to our lovely Toronto, Buffalo isn't the place you visited in the past. As a major source of arts and culture, there is so much to explore in Buffalo beyond the Walden Galleria Mall.

Art, architecture, music, food — Buffalo has it all. And unlike Toronto, Buffalo's hotspots are much more accessible without huge crowds or guest lists. With everything you love in an active city, Buffalo promises adventure, culture, and a wicked good time.

Grant Taylor/Visit Buffalo

Don't believe me? That's ok because I actually got the chance to visit Buffalo and planned out the ultimate 24-hour trip to the City of Light, which is just about 2.5 hours driving from Toronto.

Here's a glimpse of what a mini trip across the border has in store for you.

11 a.m. - Kick off the day with the Buffalo AKG Art Museum

Start your day off in beautiful Buffalo with a morning trip to the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, the sixth-oldest public art gallery in the U.S. After a massive renovation last summer, the AKG now has an additional 30,000 square feet of space to host its vast collection of modern and contemporary artworks.

As you meander through the AKG's some 7,500 pieces, you'll see some impressive works, including mesmerizing artworks by Frida Kahlo, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, and Salvador Dali.

Sharon Cantillon/Visit Buffalo

Be sure to give yourself enough time to check out the AKG's newest addition, housing contemporary works and even pieces from local Buffalo artists. For a more hands-on experience, check out Creative Commons, a free interactive space created with the LEGO Foundation, where you can make your own LEGO art pieces and explore the world of play.

Pro tip: Wrap up your AKG tour with a final stop at Cornelia, the museum’s own restaurant and cafe, for some excellent breakfast sandwiches and pastries. If you're looking for a more relaxed vibe, you can purchase food at Cornelia, use their blankets and pillows, and have a picnic at (gorgeous) Delaware Park — directly behind the AKG!

12:30 p.m. - Driving tour of public art and downtown architecture

Now that you've got a healthy dose of contemporary art, it's time to visit some of Buffalo's gigantic murals. With a self-guided (or Explore Buffalo-led) tour, you can witness some inspiring, bright, and moving art pieces and reacquaint yourself with the city's charm.

Drew Brown/Visit Buffalo

While there is no specific path to view the murals, I recommend checking out the psychedelic Noodle in the Northern Lights on Main Street, (right in the middle of the Theatre District), the mesmerizing Wildflowers for Buffalo on Washington Street, and the trippy Optichromie at Town Ballroom.

It's not just the murals you should be focusing on; downtown Buffalo has other architectural feats that deserve the same recognition. Whether you travel to the top of the 32-storey Art Deco tower home to City Hall or gaze up at the many windows on the Chicago School-style Guaranty Building, downtown Buff is full of fascinating buildings honouring the city's history and future.

1:30 p.m. - Lunchtime at West Side Bazaar

All of this touring has surely worked up an appetite, but don't fret, you're about to enjoy an incredibly unique Buffalo dining experience.

Welcome to the West Side Bazaar, a local incubator focusing on helping the city's immigrant population start their own businesses with guided help and training. Here, small food stalls act as mini restaurants for each business owner, giving Buffalo a taste of some hot international cuisines.

Sharon Cantillon/Visit Buffalo

Housed in a historic Prohibition building, food stalls include Congolese, Jamaican, Korean, Malaysian, Egyptian, and more to come. I went for the pillow-soft, authentic Egyptian falafel but would also recommend the Egyptian-style shawarma which comes dressed in ketchup and mayo.

2:30 p.m. - Tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House

With a full belly, you're ready to visit one of Buffalo's most iconic architectural feats. If you know Buffalo, you'll know that Frank Lloyd Wright had a long relationship with the city, where he designed eight incredible structures. The most famous is the Martin House, designed by Wright for his friend and Buffalo business tycoon Darwin Martin in the early 1900s.

Ed Healy/Visit Buffalo

Giving Wright full artistic control, the gigantic Martin House features horizontal lines, a stark contrast to the Victorian-era houses in the neighbourhood. Martin House also features signature stained glass windows that shimmer yellow and blue as the sun strikes. Wright was so strict with his horizontal line design, even the downspouts on the house stretch out horizontally.

3 p.m. - Check into the historic Richardson Hotel

The first half of your Buffalo day is done, can you believe it?! With all this sightseeing it's time to wind down for a second and recharge for a night of fun, cue the Richardson Hotel.

I guarantee there is not one single hotel in Toronto that lives up to the mysterious yet charming vibe of the Richardson, aka The Richardson Olmsted Campus, the former "Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane."

Ed Healy/Visit Buffalo

Designed by acclaimed architect Henry Hobson Richardson, the 19th-century Richardson Hotel landmark is a sprawling complex featuring long, winding hallways and tons of large windows. From the outside, you could say the building is reminiscent of a mysterious castle, while inside gives off the chic, boutique-hotel vibe.

6:30 p.m. Dinner at Casa Azul

A nap has done us good and now it's time to eat! Welcome to Allentown's Casa Azul, which combines traditional and modern flare for one-of-a-kind Mexican taqueria.

Sharon Cantillon/Visit Buffalo

Take it from me, you simply must order the Queso Fundido Dip and Charred Caesar Salad. While the dip satisfies your craving for ooey-gooey cheese pulls, the latter uses brussel sprouts and cauliflowers as the base for a crunchy and creamy salad.

You can't skip out on drinks here either, with a truly massive listing of tequila and mezcal, I opted for the summery sweet Honeydew Margarita with a sugar rim.

8 p.m. - Night cap at Saint Neri

Just a quick trip around the block lands you at the acclaimed Saint Neri, a cocktail lounge reminiscent of the 1920s with a groovy 1970s flare. I'm talking long curtains, leopard carpets, velour coaches and a bathroom that stocks single cigarettes. Take in your Buffalo day with a round of drinks or if you're feeling extra bougie, a little bit of caviar.

Michael Clifford/Visit Buffalo

To finish off your 24-hour trip, you'll have to order the perfectly-named Toronto cocktail, featuring Fernet and bitters for a tangy orange taste. It's a delicious and refreshing way to end our Buffalo day.

Visit Buffalo for something unexpected

And there you have it folks. This simple, single-day itinerary is the perfect vehicle to explore Buffalo's bountiful arts and culture scene. Whether architecture, theatre, or culinary environments are your vibe, Buffalo has it all - and without the busy lines, large crowds, or impossibly long reservation lists that Toronto has.

With all of this inspiration, now is the time to plan your next visit to the City of Good Neighbours. Your next arts and culture vacation is awaiting you in Buffalo!