Millard Fillmore served as the 13th president of the United States from 1850 to 1853. Initially built in 1826 for his bride Abigail, it is one of only 10 National Historic Landmarks in Erie County. Besides the White House, it is the only remaining house of the 13th President, not to mention he built it. If you decide to go on the tour, you’ll find the house furnished with pieces that belonged to the Fillmore family from their East Aurora White House and Buffalo years, as well as a full tour of the premises, which includes the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, playroom, Victorian library, and the carriage barn. If you are a history buff, this tour is a no-brainer. To my knowledge, they haven’t invented time machines yet so what’s the next best thing? Make sure to reserve your tickets 24 hours in advance because this is one hot tour!

In 1905, the Roycroft Inn was opened to accommodate visitors and artisans looking to experience The American Arts and Crafts Movement in East Aurora, NY. The Arts and Crafts movement originated as an international trend in decorative and fine arts that developed in the British Isles and subsequently spread across the British Empire and to the rest of Europe and America. Elbert Hubbard, is credited as bringing it to East Aurora as well as being its figurehead during his lifetime. In 1986, The Roycroft Inn, as part of the Roycroft Campus, received National Historic Landmark status. Think of the Roycroft Campus as an eternal artisan hotspot where anyone with artistic aspirations or anyone just looking for a lovely historical setting can lay their head and possibly soak up some of that creative energy from years past.

Have you ever gone to the mall and thought to yourself, “Everything here is just adhering to trends. None of these stores have any items with a timeless quality, everything is of the now” (which means it’ll probably be broke or ripped and unusable as soon as you take it home. Don’t you know nothing’s built to last anymore?). If you’re tired of the trend-chasing that’s ever-present at your local mall, give the Antique Mall a shot! Imagine fine china at your fingertips (nobody cares about fine china anymore, but that means it’s extra special to someone out there, Don’t ask me who though). Old lamps from the 1940s, even old-time radios. The possibilities are endless, but the East Aurora Antique Mall isn’t just about antiques. It also triples (yes, you read that right, it’s not a typo) as a flea and farmers market. So, from Antique glassware to fresh produce, The East Aurora Antique Mall is your one-stop shop for pretty much anything you can imagine (with the exception of buying a pet, you can’t have everything in one place, I’m sorry to say).

Who doesn’t love riding their bike and the incredible freedom it provides? Who doesn’t love Mother Earth, because without her, where would you be? What if a bike shop combined the two? Recyclable materials meet awesome bikes! Does that sound exciting to you? Because that’s exactly what Kickstand Culture does. They use upcycled as well as recycled materials and partner with a wide array of talented artisans to provide unique goods for bicycle enthusiasts. So, if you’re looking for more than a bike, if you’re looking for a piece of craftsmanship to ride away the hours on, you can’t go wrong with Kickstand Culture.

Are you ready for a beer hall like the ones in the fabled Valhalla? (That was a rhetorical question because I know you are). If you’re ready for a quality brew (or a few, as long as we drink in moderation or have a designated driver) then head on over to East Aurora’s premiere brewery that has great beers from East Aurora as well as its surrounding cities, which just mean more choices and a better chance for a good time.

First and foremost, I have to thank you, dear reader, for going on this journey of discovery with me (you are indeed a great companion when visiting new places. You never ditch me in unfamiliar areas, and you always pay your half of the bill– you are golden in my eyes!) I had no clue East Aurora had such a wide variety to offer. From cool bikes made of recycled parts to antique malls. I’m sure a lot of the readers of this piece are slightly nodding their heads in approval as if saying, “yeah we know,” and that’s because you are a lot more traveled then I am. Regardless, enjoy these highlights of East Aurora!