Buffalo is a city in Western New York with a claim to fame that is its Buffalo wings, crazy yet loyal sports fans, Cheerios aura and lively atmosphere among its many other attributes. What many Buffalonians do not realize is that Buffalo actually has a pretty diverse cultural history. The Queen City of the Great Lakes region has a total of 17 sister cities.

1. Dortmund, Germany

Known for its soccer team, steel industry and beer production, this blue-collar town iscould pass as the European Buffalo. I am glad to call Dortmund my second home.

2. Kanazawa, Japan

The capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa is home to the famous Kenrokuen Garden, considered one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Kanazawa is also acclaimed for its preserved Japanese architecture.

3. Lille, France

Half an hour from the border to Belgium as Buffalo is to Canada, Lille is one of France’s top tourist destinations. If you happen to be in France around Christmastime, try to make your way north to the famous Lille Christmas Market.

4. Rzeszów, Poland

Southeastern Poland’s biggest city. this city offers a breadth of theatres, libraries, universities, and industries. Rzeszów is the archaeological site of the first Paleolithic Age humans and survived a strong Nazi presence during the Holocaust.

5. Siena, Italy

With its medieval architecture and cuisine, this World Heritage Site brings in a plethora of tourism.

6. Torremaggiore, Italy

Not incredibly popular as a tourist destination, Torremaggiore is famous for its production of wine and olives, and has castles and churches from the 17th century. A couple glasses of wine later, and the tourists become locals.

7. Tver, Russia

Located halfway between St Petersburg and Moscow, Tver lies on the banks of the Volga River. Basically the Russian version of Buffalo’s Canalside (equal in beauty, but lacking free concerts). Tver retains a rustic look with its renowned carved wooden buildings and facades.

8. Drohobych, Ukraine

Unfortunately the site of a large ghetto during the Holocaust, Drohobych’s Jewish population was reduced from just under 50 percent in 1939 to only 2 percent by 1959. However, Drohobych is the birthplace of many famous Jewish artists such as the Gottlieb brothers.

9. Aboadze, Ghana

Located on the southern flank of Ghana in Western Africa, Aboadze boasts Ghana’s only thermal plant for producing electricity.

10. Bursa, Turkey

With a population of just under 2 million residents, Bursa is known for its monuments and mosques from the Ottoman Empire. Summers here are known to be hot and humid, while winters can be cold and damp. Sounds familiar? (Obviously, to a negligible extent.)

11. Cape Coast, Ghana

Cape Coast is an interesting city with a history of notable pioneers and civil rights activists. Also known to be the first Ghanaian city to play soccer, Cape Coast lies just south of the incredible Kakum National Park.

12. Changzhou, China

Home of the amazing China Dinosaur Park and the new amusement park, CC Joyride, Changzhou offers its share of thrills (it’s no Darien Lake, I get it. Changzhou is also known for the contemporary architecture of its comb district and houses one of the largest Zen Buddhist temples, the Tianning Temple.

13) Horlivka, Ukraine

Know in Russia as Gorlovka, this Ukrainian city is still undergoing a revitalization from the War in Donbass, which damaged much of the city. The city’s main economic drive is predominantly the mining industry, although there has been a decrease of active mining camps in recent years.

14) Kiryat Gat, Israel

Located only 35 miles from Tel Aviv, if you visit Kiryat Gat, you must also visit Noam’s artichoke farm.

15) St. Ann Parish, Jamaica

Pulling in adventure-seeking tourists with white water rafting, grottos, caves and coves, St. Ann is home to the late but great Bob Marley.