Nerd Out at the Buffalo Museum of Science

 Like many cities of its size, Buffalo has incredible museums that offer people of all ages fun day trips right in town. I live a few miles from the Buffalo museum of Science, and even though I don't have any kids of my own yet, it is a fun place to visit when my cousin is in town with her kids. Her family has a pass which allows them free visits for up to 5 people all year long (a perk of through her husbands employer), so sometimes I tag along with them to see what new exhibits are going on.  On our last visit, we explored a lot of the different rooms with her kids, who span in age from 5-11. For the most part, her kids are too cool to pose with us for pictures, but her 5 year old Lily snapped this photo of Katie and I posing in front of the Megalodon. 

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One of the coolest parts of the science museum is how interactive it is: There are hundreds of old artifacts that cannot be touched, of course, but there are plenty of rooms like this shopping center which teaches kids how to pick out groceries and cash 'customers' out. The balance between learning and play is evident at the museum, and it truly makes what might be a dry and boring museum experience for kids much more fun. 

When I left the Buffalo Museum of Science, I wanted to learn more about its history and did a little research to find out some interesting facts about how the museum 'evolved' (pun intended). Turns out, the Young Mens Association (YMA), which was founded way back in 1836 in the city of Buffalo, was responsible for all cultural activities in the city such as the public library and literature and art. The YMA became owners of numerous artifacts, insects, and plants and they began to save them and display them properly. Over time, it turned into the Buffalo of Museum and Science. 

I am truly proud of my city, and talk about Buffalo fondly to literally everyone I meet. The fact that our town has managed to revitalize such incredible old buildings, keep its exquisite architecture, and preserve historical treasures is truly something to be in awe of. As an avid traveler, I am often struck by how much Buffalo has to be proud of: not only do we have new and exciting new builds going up around the city, but we have more old art deco architecture than a lot of other cities can even imagine. The vibrancy I see all around Buffalo is something that is getting better and better each year, and I am proud to call it my adopted city.