Raintree Island - Tonawanda, NY

Bearing the namesake of a plant that thrives in Europe, Raintree Island was established shortly after Buffalo was incorporated as part of New York in 1801. The dawn of the 21st century brought the benefit of hydroelectric power with the help of the Niagara River, which in turn created jobs, bringing in young professionals and families statewide.

Despite brimming with buildings and local architecture, Raintree Island remains lush with vivid greenery that overshadows rural roadsides. Situated a short drive from the neighborhood, River Art Gallery & Gifts doubles as the area museum and tribute to local artisans.

Painters and photographers display their artwork in an exhibit for a limited period of time, allowing art-lovers to come through and critique their masterpieces. You can learn more about the artists with plaques detailing the name of both the artisan and artwork. Prints, wine bags and light switch plates dominate the gift shop.

Dining options abound in the Raintree Island area, featuring a cultural combination of American, Italian, Korean, Greek, and Chinese cuisine. Dozens of restaurants cluster alongside Niagara Falls Boulevard, giving locals their pick of the litter.

Considered a dive-style sports bar, Raintree Bar & Grill doubles as a dinner option and entertaining nightclub for neighborhood nightlife. During lunch and early dinner hours, the casual atmosphere remains family-friendly and relatively quiet. A modern jukebox keeps customers grooving to popular tunes, and you can snag good beer off-tap or bottled. The best menu meals include handmade pretzels with queso, bourbon chicken wings, margherita pizza and homemade chicken noodle soup.

Striving to become a major chain restaurant, Ted’s Hot Dogs originated in Buffalo, making it a New York staple for travelers and locals alike. The Loganberry, a drink with a fruity punch flavor, no caffeine and zero carbonation, serves as a trademark for this restaurant. A slew of other must-tries include jumbo hot dogs covered in relish, onions, cheese, pickles, chili and ketchup, as well as fried onion rings, Loganberry milkshakes, chili-cheese fries and classic cheeseburgers.

Fat Man Pizza cooks up deep-dish pies that make New York famous. The plentiful toppings range from pepperoni, salami and anchovies, to a mixture of fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as gobs of gooey cheese and your choice of sauces. While specializing in pizza, this restaurant also serves meaty chicken wings, homemade brownies, chicken wraps and hand-rolled garlic bread. Closed on Mondays, this local favorite runs on delivery or take-out only.

Raintree Island prides itself on supreme walkability throughout the housing communities. Major roadways, including Niagara Falls Boulevard, brim with traffic leading to hot spot attractions around New York; therefore, walkers and cyclists should steer clear of these avenues. For drivers, the majority of Raintree Island conveys reliance on cars and public transportation. However, the aforementioned major roadways, including Ellicott Creek Road and Youngmann Memorial Highway, can become congested with stop-and-go traffic patterns on weekdays during rush hours. Bicyclists should stick to the designated trails around Ellicott Creek Park and alongside Tonawanda Creek. Public parking consists of park-and-ride bus stops along Fillmore Avenue to Moonwalk and Colvin Boulevard. Uber services the Raintree Island area, as well as surrounding Toronto neighborhoods. You can also call-ahead for a ride from Liberty Yellow Cab, Buffalo Airport Taxi Cab or AA Falls Taxi Tours.

Subjected to harsh winters, New York parks commonly close during snowstorms, and reopen closer to spring and summer. Most of them remain free, and they provide the perfect place for the exercise-centric, as well as being dog-friendly and family-friendly.

For those who don’t let a little snow disrupt their fun, Ellicott Creek Park plays host to an array of winter sports, such as sledding and snowshoeing, when the weather dips. Summertime boasts free walking trails, children’s playgrounds and plenty of open fields for dogs, picnicking and kite-flying. These activities vary in cost, and you can find updates on the numerous plaques around the park.

Niawanda Park, nudging next to the Niagara River, features a stretch of grassy lakeside terrain for lounging, picnicking and feeding summer ducks. Yoga classes also take place alongside the lake in the warmer months, and you can expect to see roller skaters, bicyclers and joggers year-around.

Considered quite affordable with a cost of living less than the New York average by 28 percent, Raintree Island features housing opportunities for around $860 per one-bedroom accommodation. However, that price could either plummet to around $600 or skyrocket to closer to $1200, depending on amenities.

Commuters can expect to shell out 11 percent more for gas than the national average, while public transportation into Buffalo sets you back $2 per ride. Unwind at bars around the area with a pint of beer for $6 to $7.

Shopping lovers have an extensive selection of small shops, major chain stores and themed boutiques to choose from in the Raintree Island area. Prevalent shopping centers, such as Youngmann Plaza, provide lines of top-notch stores where something exists for both bargain shoppers and high-end enthusiasts.

Within 15 minutes worth of driving from Raintree Island, Martinsville Soapworks specializes in an assortment of homemade, organic sugar scrubs, lotions, fragrant body sprays, lip balms and, of course, soaps. Unusual, best-selling lip-balm flavors include almond, bacon, pizza, and pickles.

Cats Like Us, another local favorite, features handmade vintage apparel for both men and women. Accessories and clothing draw inspiration from the 1950s and 1960s with a strong pin-up, rockabilly influence.

Your weekly groceries can come from Boulevard Produce or Tops Friendly Market on Colvin Boulevard. Stop in at the nearby 7-Eleven for a slushy and a few quick dinner essentials, such as milk, eggs and bread.

The North Tonawanda Farmer’s Market, open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday year-around, sells seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as free-range eggs, homemade doughnuts and an array of other fresh, home-grown foods.