Adoption STAR is a not-for-profit adoption agency in New York, Ohio and Florida. The agency firmly believes that post adoption contact (open adoption), when appropriate, is what’s best for all parties involved, especially the children.
Open adoption visits between adoptive families and birth families should be a time to celebrate the adoption journey and create relationships. These visits can be as simple as a picnic in the park or going swimming at a local pool, to theme parks and adventures. On this page you will find an extensive list of open adoption visit ideas that have been suggested by Adoption STAR clients and staff members in the Buffalo area.
This list can be updated regularly, so if you have any suggestions that you do not see on the list, please email [email protected] with the subject “Open Adoption Visit Project” and we will work to add your idea.
Below are all of the “outdoor activities” that can be done in Buffalo during an open adoption visit. There are many more ideas on the complete list, which you can download as a PDF here. Stay tuned for lists from more cities, including Rochester, Cincinnati, Albany, New York City and more!
Outdoor Activities
– Erie Canal Cruise – Lockport
- Sightseeing cruise that shows off history of Erie canal
- Phone: (315)717-0350
- Location: 800 Mohawk St. Herimer, NY
- Website: www.eriecanalcruises.com
– Maid of the Mist
- Boat ride through Niagara Falls
- Phone: (716)248-8897
- Location: (US shipping address)151 Buffalo Avenue. Niagara Falls, NY 14303
- Website: www.maidofthemist.com
– Go down to the river in Tonawanda for ice cream (Old Man River)
– Participate in the Ronald McDonald House 5k run and Fisher Price Place Space
- There is a 1k walk for children usually and the play space is set up next door at Canisius and always looks like lots of fun (MM)
- Race takes place Wednesday, July 25 at 6:30 pm
- Contact Maureen Wopperer for more info: (716)883-1177
– Sledding at Chestnut Ridge
- Phone: (716)662-3290
- Location: 6121 Chestnut Ridge Road, Orchard Park, NY 14127
– Feed the ducks at Glen Falls/Ellicott Creek
– Sweet Jenny’s
- Ice cream and desert shop
- Phone: 631-2424
- Location: 5732 Main St. Buffalo, NY 14221
– Town of Amherst Pool/Clearfield Splash Park
– Ice skating downtown at Fountain Plaza
- Outdoor ice rink, open through February 24
- Phone: (716)856-3150
- Website: www.buffaloplace.com/rotary-rink-fountain-plaza
– Botanical Gardens
- Phone: (716)827-1584
- Location: 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14218
- Website: http://www.buffalogardens.com
– Old Fort Niagara
- Right on the Niagara River, For Niagara played important roles in the battles between France, Great Britain and the US in their quests to control the Great Lakes. Is a Historic landmark. Great place to visit, and has several events each month.
- Phone: (716)745-7611
- Website: http://www.oldfortniagara.org
– Buffalo Zoo
- Phone: (716)837-3900
- Location: 300 Parkside Ave. Buffalo, NY 14214
- Website: http://www.buffalozoo.org
– Shakespeare in the Park
- Outdoor performances of famous Shakespeare plays in Delaware Park
- Phone: (716)856-4533
- Location: Delaware Park, Buffalo
- Website: www.shakespeareindelawarepark.org
– Erie Basin Marina
- Phone: (716)851-6501
- Location: 329 Erie St. Buffalo, NY, 14202
- Website: http://www.eriebasinmarina.org
– LaSalle Park
- Has “Off leash Dog Park”
- Location: 101 Dart St. Buffalo, NY 14213
- Website: http://www.thebarkyard.org
– Martin Luther King Park
- Intersection of Best Street and Fillmore Avenue in downtown Buffalo
– Shopping on Elmwood Strip and Allentown strip
– Free movie nights on lawn at UB North and South campuses in summer
– Glenn Falls
- Great place for hiking and picturesque ponds and landscaping
- Location: Village of Williamsville
- Website: http://www.nyfalls.com/glenfalls
– Old Home Day
- Tuesday, July 12 – Saturday, July 16
- Family fun at Williamsville fair.
- Location: Main St. Williamsville, NY
- Website: www.oldhomedayrs.org