Take a Historic Journey Through Buffalo and the Erie Canal
With 2025 being the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Erie Canal, Buffalo is a great place to see the canal and enjoy celebrations honoring its legacy. The celebration will culminate with the 2025 World Canals Conference in Buffalo, September 21-25, and the departure of the Seneca Chief, Buffalo Maritime Center’s replica vessel that will reenact Governor Dewitt Clinton’s 1825 inaugural cross-state journey along the Erie Canal to New York Harbor.
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Enjoy These Great Attractions and More:
- Walking Tour of Buffalo
- Duende Cantina
- Buffalo Lighthouse
- Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruise
- Buffalo History Museum
- Hen House Hot Chicken
Day-to-Day Buffalo Niagara Itinerary
Day 1: Take a walking tour of Buffalo
Start your visit in Buffalo with a walking tour. Stretch those legs and enjoy a walking tour of Silo City with Explore Buffalo. Buffalo was the largest grain port in the world in 1901, (thanks to the Erie Canal), so come learn how they work. After the tour, hit the cantina known as Duende. Duende is a tavern and jazz, Americana folk, string ensemble venue in an old flour company office, surrounded by grain silos more than a century old. Buffalo has one of the largest, if not the largest, collections of intact silos. If the timing works out, stay for a meal and keep an eye out for the man in a white cowboy hat! He may have some stories to share with the group.
Visit The Buffalo Lighthouse. Climb the stairs and get the history of the site. It was finished in 1833 to assist ships coming in and out of the canal harbor. The lighthouse is surrounded by a park with maritime relics, nice for walking and water views even if you don’t climb inside. This evening, take a ride north to the Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruise. Enjoy dinner canal side before enjoying an evening cruise on the Erie Canal, including the only set of double locks along the canal
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Day 2: Learn about Buffalo’s impressive history
Begin your day at The Buffalo History Museum. Here you will enjoy the exhibit featuring the Pan American Exposition. Buffalo hosted this Worlds Fair in 1901 when it was the 8th largest city in the nation (thanks to the Erie Canal). Tour The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural & National Historic Site where TR was sworn in as President of the United States after McKinley was assassinated during the Pan Am Exhibition. A unique lunch spot is Buffalo River works. This one-of-a-kind location is located inside a grain elevator complex. This afternoon will be spent at Canalside Buffalo.
View the original canal terminus, see foundations of old Erie Canal buildings and historic signage by the commercial slip waterfall, walk the boardwalk, tour the Buffalo Military & Naval Park, go back in time on the restored Heritage Carousel, enjoy commentary on the canal from a local step on guide. Learn about the canal style boats at the Longshed and save some time for an ice cream too. Try The Barrel Factory for dinner and music bingo-you can even dress in themed canal era clothes for a fun and memorable evening.
Day 3: Take a Buffalo River History Tour
Enjoy the Buffalo River History Tour aboard the Harbor Queen ship. This is a fully narrated tour high lighting Erie Canal history and our place in history as the largest grain port due to the canal.
Visit Brier Brothers Brewing for one last unique brewery built into a grain elevator. Enjoy some Hen House hot chicken before heading out of town.
For more great travel stories, Read the Full Leisure Group Travel Magazine and Subscribe to the Newsletter for FREE
