Buffalo has so many stories to tell, but if you’ve lived here any length of time, it can feel like you’ve heard most of them. Explore Buffalo begs to differ.
With dozens of walking tours to choose from and even more available via bus or bike, even longtime Western New Yorkers can find a nook or cranny of Buffalo’s culture that they’ve never considered.
While Explore Buffalo’s downtown art, architecture and history tours are well known and always worth revisiting, there’s plenty of others you might not have heard of. From special interests to fascinating historical tales concerning areas well beyond Buffalo’s borders, here’s a selection of tours to pique the interest of, well, pretty much anyone.
For the…
Thrill Seeker: Silo City Vertical tour ($39)
Head up, up, up and check out Buffalo from a bird’s eye view as you climb 10 stories worth of stairs to the top of a grain elevator and hear all about its history and mechanics. This experience isn’t recommended if you have a fear of heights and isn’t allowed for the under-14 crowd. But if you’re looking for a tour with a healthy dose of adrenaline, this is our pick.
True Crime Aficionado: Mob & Scandalous Buffalo tours ($10)
Take a walk on Buffalo’s wild side with one of these tours, which highlight some of the city’s more illicit moments. Learn about the hotbed of Mafia and other organized crime activity in Allentown and on the West Side, or you could also dig into some of the other headline-worthy happenings and people from Buffalo’s past, including a triple hanging, an anti-prohibition mayor and the assassination of US President William McKinley in 1901.
Think you’re well versed in all there is to know about Buffalo’s sports teams? Even the biggest fan is bound to learn something new here. Trivia abounds as you walk through some of the lore and history of the Queen City’s major league, minor league and college teams, plus local stadiums and well-known players. Upgrade to the bus tour and enjoy admission to “Icons: The Makers and Moments of Sports” exhibit at The Buffalo History Museum in addition to the 16 stops around the city.
Urban Explorer: Neighborhood tours ($10-$18)
Head out beyond the same old, same old streets of your usual haunts and check out the other fascinating neighborhoods Buffalo has to offer. From the past riches on display in the mansions of Delaware Avenue and the stately beauty of Lincoln Parkway to the storied histories of Hertel Avenue and the Broadway-Fillmore area, there’s a lot to be discovered.
Homebody: Village tours ($10-$17)
Aren’t up for a trip to the city? There might be a tour available right outside your door. From Lockport to East Aurora and pretty much everywhere in between, learn more about the historic villages that dot Erie and Niagara counties and take in their most memorable sites. If you live within Buffalo city limits, these tours are a great chance to explore someplace new.
