When we first travelled from Australia to western New York for the International Junior Masters golf tournament at East Aurora Country Club, I had very little idea what to expect.
In my mind, New York meant skyscrapers, yellow taxis and a relentless pace. Instead, we found rolling countryside, quiet roads, welcoming communities and one of the most memorable small towns we’ve ever visited.
Getting There
Like many good travel stories, ours didn’t begin particularly smoothly.
We flew from Sydney to Dallas before connecting through Charlotte, where everything seemed to unravel. We missed our flight to Buffalo, our luggage disappeared somewhere along the way, and the airline somehow allocated just two hotel rooms between six exhausted travellers – including a group of Australian teenage golfers we were helping to supervise.
After more than a day of travelling, nobody had clean clothes, everyone was exhausted, and we found ourselves ordering pizzas to the hotel while trying to make the best of the situation.
At the time, it felt like a disaster. Looking back, it’s one of those travel stories that still makes us laugh.
First Impressions
By the time we finally arrived in Buffalo and drove into East Aurora the following day, the stress had already started to disappear. We’d booked a beautiful holiday home surrounded by trees, gardens and open countryside, and in the middle of summer, everything felt incredibly green compared to Australia.
I was fascinated by the wildlife. Woodchucks wandered through fields, squirrels seemed to be everywhere, and every evening we’d spot skunks making their way across quiet country roads.
It felt exactly like the small-town America I’d only ever seen in films.
Learning to Drive in America
The trip also marked my first experience driving on the “wrong” side of the road. To say I found it stressful would be an understatement.
One evening, I was the designated driver and somewhere along the way completely forgot to switch on the headlights. An ambulance pulled alongside us to let me know.
I remember gripping the steering wheel, desperately concentrating on staying on the correct side of the road while convincing myself I wasn’t about to destroy the rental car.
Thankfully, everyone survived – including the car.
More Than Just a Golf Tournament
Although the International Junior Masters was the reason we travelled to East Aurora, it quickly became much more than a sporting event.
Families from around the world had gathered to support the young golfers, but what stood out most was the generosity of the local community. We were invited into people’s homes, included in family dinners and made to feel genuinely welcome.
One of my stepsons stayed with a local host family in a beautiful home, while the other, who was younger at the time, stayed with us. What started as a tournament connection soon became a genuine friendship. We stayed in touch long after returning to Australia, and when we came back the following year for the tournament, we stayed with the same family again.
It’s one of my favourite reminders that some of the best parts of travelling aren’t necessarily the places themselves – they’re the people you meet along the way.
Discovering East Aurora
While many visitors to western New York head straight to Niagara Falls, some of my favourite memories came from East Aurora itself.
There was something wonderfully nostalgic about summer in a small American town. Children rode bikes through quiet streets, golf carts wandered slowly around neighbourhoods and neighbours chatted from front porches on warm evenings. Life simply felt unhurried.
As Australians, we also found it fascinating listening to locals casually talk about the enormous snowfalls that arrive each winter. Standing there in the middle of a lush green summer, it was almost impossible to imagine those same streets buried beneath metres of snow.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, this trip became about far more than a golf tournament. It was about navigating travel mishaps, discovering a completely different side of New York and being reminded just how generous people can be.
East Aurora gave us something I hadn’t expected to find. It wasn’t about famous landmarks or bucket-list attractions, but the feeling of being welcomed into a community that, for a little while, made us feel less like visitors and more like neighbours.
Despite the missed flights, lost luggage and driving mishaps, it remains one of the happiest summers we’ve spent together.
Mrs Globetrotter Tips
Best for: Families, golf enthusiasts and anyone looking to experience small-town America.
When to visit: Summer, when the countryside is beautifully green and you can really enjoy the town and surrounding area outdoors.
Where to stay: I’d choose accommodation in or close to East Aurora rather than staying in Buffalo if East Aurora is the focus of your trip. We loved having a holiday home surrounded by trees and countryside, particularly when travelling as a family. A house or apartment also gives you more space if you’re staying for several days.
Don’t miss: Spend time exploring East Aurora itself rather than treating it simply as a base. Leave room for wandering around town, enjoying the surrounding countryside and, if you have time, making the trip to Niagara Falls.
Getting around: I’d recommend renting a car. It gives you much more flexibility to explore East Aurora, the surrounding countryside and Niagara Falls. Just remember to switch on the headlights.
Good to know: Buffalo Niagara International Airport is the easiest gateway to the region, with East Aurora roughly a 30-minute drive away.
Would I return? Absolutely. East Aurora reminded me that some of the most memorable places aren’t always the ones on everyone’s bucket list.
