Christine Smycznski

When Christine Smycznski, mother of three, began writing an article about kid friendly museums for WNY Family magazine several years ago she never dreamt that it would lead to a book idea.

“I had written an article about kid friendly museums and felt like ‘this is interesting--I’d like to do some more travel writing.’ I went to the bookstore to look for a travel guide and realized there really wasn’t a guide for the area,” Smycznski said.

Smycznski contacted the editors at the “Explorer’s Guide” series because she liked the way their travel books were laid out and her book, “An Explorer’s Guide to Western New York” was born.

Now in it’s second edition the Explorer’s Guide to Western New York is a must have for visitors and natives alike. For native Western New Yorkers Smycznski describes the book as the perfect “staycation” guide. 

The book offers something for everyone; art, history, parks, day-trips, in addition to descriptions of many of Buffalo’s many festivals.

“My family loves the Chicken Wing Festival,” she says, “My oldest son (a 19-year old Junior at Canisius College) said he looks forward to that as much as he looks forward to Christmas.”

The Explorer’s Guide to Western New York can be found online and in local bookstores.  Smycznski also offers descriptions of local places to visit online at her website (www.wnyexplorersguide.com) and at her regularly updated blog (www.explorewesternnewyork.blogspot.com

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