Tonawanda Harbor & the Erie Canal Walking Tour

Join us for a tour of the Erie Canal waterfront in the “Twin Cities” of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda! This tour will explore the canal waterfront area of both cities, highlighting the impact the canal had on this community, eventually giving the “Twin Cities” the title “Lumber Capital of the World” in the late 19th century. The tour will include some historic buildings and review the original route of the canal through the Tonawandas as created in 1825, and how that route was changed in the early 20th century to what it is today. Note that Explore Buffalo’s Tonawander walking tour is a separate tour in the City of Tonawanda that does not include this harbor area.

This tour meets at Gateway Harbor Park in the City of Tonawanda at the corner of Niagara and Main Streets. This tour is approximately ninety minutes in length. There is a public parking lot at Niagara and Main (surrounding an old McDonalds restaurant), and street parking is available along Niagara and Main Streets in downtown Tonawanda.

Check in 9:45am

Tour Procedures & Policies: 

• Reservations are required for all tours, including for Explorer Pass members. Walk-ups without reservations cannot be accommodated. Tours are generally limited to a maximum of 18 people per group. 
  • Reservations close two hours before the tour’s scheduled start time (for example, reservations close at 8am for a 10am tour). 
  • The Explore Buffalo docent for your tour will have a list of tour reservations for their tour; you do not need to print or bring any tour confirmation. 
• Accessibility: Please contact us at explore@explorebuffalo.org or (716) 245-3032 if you plan to attend this tour and will require accommodations or if you have questions about accessibility. 
• Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Tours generally proceed rain or shine. In the event of weather that requires a tour cancellation, we will contact registered tour guests in advance of the tour. 
• See our FAQs page for our refund policy and answers to other questions.
• By confirming your reservation for any Explore Buffalo tour, you acknowledge and accept Explore Buffalo’s tour policies.