Forbes Capretto Homes builds communities of new homes in Western New York. We choose locations that deliver plenty of appeal. We asked the Forbes Capretto Homes team for their top choices of things to do in WNY. Here’s what we love about the Southtowns of WNY.

Our Operations Manager, Alex Miller, spent most of his life living in the northtowns of WNY. When he moved to Orchard Park, he discovered the many reasons people love living in the Buffalo suburb.

“Moving to Orchard Park meant I had the opportunity to explore somewhere new, ask locals for recommendations, and experience a town with fresh eyes,” explains Alex. “First and foremost, I love the people.  As a region, WNY has the greatest people I have ever met.  With Orchard Park being in the heart of Bills country, it's a community that bonds over everything from sports to snow storms. The people I have met since moving to OP are genuine, welcoming, good people to call your neighbors.”

Alex has three young children, so he also appreciates the wide variety of resources in OP. From art supplies to hockey equipment, it’s easy to find the things they need. Alex counts on the locally-owned shops and specialty stores in the village as well as the big box stores in OP’s many shopping plazas.

Stacey Spokane, Forbes Capretto Homes’ Vice President of Sales and Design, says that shopping in the Village of Orchard Park has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for something for yourself, your kids, your pets, your home, or the hardest-to-please person, a trip to the Village of Orchard Park makes it fun and easy to get exactly what you want…and more.

Orchard Park is home to the Buffalo Bills. The Bills Mafia is a powerful force here, whether it’s game day or not. Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Von Miller, and the rest of the crew have sparked great pride in WNY.

And with that pride comes the need to show it off. Stacey Spokane says Research and Design is the absolute best place to get your red, white, and blue Buffalo Bills gear.

“There’s nothing even close to this gem of a store in the Northtowns!”

Are you looking for outdoor fun? It’s as easy to find in Orchard Park as everything else. Alex says that the park system here is “the crowning jewel of Orchard Park.”

Green Lake and Yates Park is the go-to destination on a summer day. The park’s splash pad, beach, baseball field, basketball and bocce courts, playground, hiking trails, and picnic area give visitors a wide variety of activities.

Orchard Park’s Chestnut Ridge Park is a four-season attraction. During the snowy months, the hill is perfect for sledding, tobogganing, downhill and cross country skiing, and even snowmobiling on designated trails. For the rest of the year, Chestnut Ridge Park invites visitors to enjoy the new playground, tennis courts, disc golf course, baseball diamonds, and the very unique Eternal Flame Falls,

“The view of the city skyline and lake is perfect for sunsets and 4th of July fireworks,” Alex says. “The hike to the Eternal Flame Falls is a family favorite for my kids because they love walking the creek bed after the hike through the woods.”

Then, there’s Birdsong Park. The nature trail system here includes a half-mile paved walking loop that circles an open green space. There’s a mile and a half of other trails from here, some with boardwalks and bridges, plus wooded trails that circle the Birdsong Park’s four ponds.  Forbes Capretto Homes has a community in this region, appropriately named Birdsong Estates.

There’s so much to love about living in Orchard Park! Its proximity to what lies beyond the town is one more reason. If you want to go to Downtown Buffalo, Buffalo Niagara International Airport, or the Northtowns, you’re just a 20-minute drive to your destination.

“Now that I have lived in Orchard Park, I understand why so many other people love OP,” Alex Miller says. And we wholeheartedly agree!

Not far from Orchard Park is Hamburg, NY. Locals know there’s a difference between “The Village” and “The Town”. The Village is tucked in the southeastern corner of the town of Hamburg, where it occupies less than three square miles that includes an historic downtown area. Hamburg Town proclaims it to be “The Town That Friendship Built.”

For a step back into history, head to The Palace Theatre in Hamburg Village. Opened in 1926, this classic theatre has been lovingly preserved so today’s moviegoers can enjoy new productions with the elegance of old world entertainment.

Julie Rauscher, Forbes Capretto Homes’ Closing Coordinator, loves Main Street in Hamburg Village, because you can explore a tempting array of options. “There’s lots of great shops and restaurants there, including Coyote Cafe, Buteras, Juicy Burger, Mammosers, and L'isola Doro.”

The Village of Hamburg also hosts events throughout the year that bring people together: BurgerFest, Hamburg Holidays, Oktoberfest, Summer Concerts in the Park, and the Hamburg Music Festival are a few annual events that always draw a crowd to the streets of the Village.

The Town has its own special attraction. Hamburg Town Park and Beach. Only Hamburg residents can use the beach, boat launch, a fitness center, making it a popular place for locals.

Forbes Capretto Homes is also fond of Hamburg. Our community of single family homes, Pleasant Creek, is expanding with a new phase bringing new homesites and new home designs.

The Southtowns of WNY offer many advantages—convenient location, a wide array of amenities, great schools, recreation, entertainment, culture, and much more. If you’re interested in finding your way home here, look at our available homes for sale in Orchard Park and Hamburg, as well as Forbes Capretto Homes communities in other WNY locations.