Hamburg, NY

The area south of Buffalo retained the rough-and-tumble character of the frontier even after the completion of the Erie Canal turned Buffalo into a boom town. Small farms and hamlets dotted the region, and even in modern days, the population of the Southtown communities remains low. One moment in area history stands out with notoriety: The murder of money-lender John Love and subsequent hanging of the three Thayer brothers, who conspired to kill him rather than repay their debts. The triple hanging in 1825, the only public execution in Buffalo history, attracted as many as 30,000 spectators. Small museums and historic sites dot the region, including the original American Kazoo Company museum in Eden, where the squawking children's instrument began, and the site, in Boston, of a well that caused a local typhoid outbreak in 1843, and ultimately led to a vaccine.

Aside from the ubiquitous chain sub and doughnut places, dining out in the Southtowns region means going to a family run, local restaurant. The small population discourages big-chains from setting up shop, leaving room for plenty of creative local entrepreneurs.

Brunner's Eatery opened in 1978, and this family-owned pizza joint has been a beloved part of the Hamburg-Boston community ever since. A tasty pizza recipe, an extensive menu of burger and sandwich options, and a fun atmosphere that includes a ceiling sky mural makes it a unique dining experience. A full bar and patio extends the appeal beyond families.

The Colden Mill Restaurant, an 1880s grain mill transformed into a charming restaurant, specializes in elegantly prepared comfort foods like short-rib poutine, chicken pot pie, and shrimp and grits. Fancier appetizers, like the ricotta gnocchi with fresh peas and country ham, and lovely cocktails help set the scene for a special meal.

On the casual end, the Three Girls Cafe in Boston serves a mean stack of pancakes, or a plate of home fries with eggs, toast and bacon, if that's your thing. This warm, friendly breakfast place has home cooking, reasonable prices and a friendly vibe that turns locals into regulars.

In East Eden, Schunk's West Hill Grill keeps the kitchen open all night long. The bar closes at 4 a.m., and until then, you can order ribs, fried fish, steaks and other bar food done with care. Good cooking plus daily drinks and appetizer specials keep the place busy despite its rather remote location.

This rural, spread-out area lacks good public transportation, making a car nearly essential to those who don't live in a centralized part of town. North Boston does have the southern-most park-and-ride facility on the Niagara Frontier Transporation Authority system, so Southtown residents who work in the metro can get a bus into the big city. Public transportation between hamlets doesn't exist, though.

Interstate 219 runs north-south through this region, connecting it to the Buffalo metro area and the northern edge of the vast Alleghany National Forest. The Rural Transit Services runs a non-profit shuttle to elderly and disabled people in the region.

In Boston's historic districts, concentrated amenities and original community planning that favored pedestrians make it possible to walk to some destinations. Cyclists have access to several bicycle-friendly roads in the region.

With the northern edge of the Appalachian Mountains within reach, scenic ridges, secluded valleys and densely forested lands give the area a touch of nature's grandeur. Those hills also make this a popular ski region, and several small ski resorts draw those in search of powder. The Kissing Bridge ski area in Glenwood, Buffalo Ski Club in Culden and the Colden Tubing Company, a downhill snow tubing facility, provide fun a fun day out.

Other area destinations include Boston County Forest Park, a 700-acre conservation area in Boston with an extensive trail network that gives hikers and cross-country skiers mountain views, wildlife sightings and solitude.

The 1,200-acre Chestnut Ridge Park, in Forest Park, originated as a casino in 1925, and a classic 1938 structure serves as a meeting place today. The park features a high hilltop observation point to admire the Buffalo skyline and Canada. Hiking, skiing, boating, bicycling and sports facilities keep this park busy year-round.

The Hamburg Dog Park, in the town of Hamburg, northeast of North Boston, provides a friendly place for dogs and their owners to socialize.

The cost of living in Buffalo comes widely regarded as being among the nation's most affordable, but the picture in the Southtowns area becomes complicated when factoring in vacation homes, not to mention the relative scarcity of jobs. Average rental rates are $733 for a standard one-bedroom apartment. Gas prices hit high here, running about 25 percent above the national average. Beer comes cheap, though. Expect to pay about $2 to $4 a pint in local watering holes.

This agricultural region takes great pride in the fresh produce, honey, maple syrup, eggs and meat grown on small farms throughout the area, and the Southtown Farm Trail allows visitors to take a scenic tour of the farms, stopping and shopping along the way. The tour includes farm stands, working farms, orchards, country markets, historic sites and special events, such as the Bona Fide Barn Dance and the Corn Festival in Eden every fall. Aside from farmers' markets and a few convenience stores, the best grocery shopping in the area can be found in Hamburg, an area large enough to support a Tops, Aldi and Save-a-Lot supermarkets.

Hamburg's business district has several fun local shops. Embraceable Ewe sells yarn, wool and crafting products, and showcases locally grown wool. What a Woman Wants has a large selection of jewelry, accessories and wearable art made in the region. Highland Hearth and Fireplace stocks wood-burning stoves, which remain in widespread use in this area. The Fresh and Fluffy Shop introduces modern baby gear, such as high-tech cloth diapers and backpack carriers, to a new eco-friendly generation of parents. Crazy4Books, housed in a rambling old house, has a big collection of used books. Antique shopping, a popular activity for tourists and leaf peepers, keeps many small towns in the region busy with bargain hunters, collectors and pickers. The largest place in the area, A Gently Used Home Store in Hamburg, sells vintage and modern consignment items, ranging from art, furniture and collectibles, in a huge warehouse. Numerous smaller shops operate out of homes and small storefronts across the region.