Delaware Park & Frederick Law Olmsted in Buffalo by Bike

The father of the public park movement in America, Frederick Law Olmsted (FLO) was brought to Buffalo in 1868 for his far-sighted belief that parks, parkways, and residential communities were essential social institutions with great humanistic appeal. With his partner, Calvert Vaux, he left an indelible mark on our city that is still, today, the most historically complete parks and parkway system in the USA.

On this approximately 4-mile, 2-hour bike tour we visit the first park Olmsted designed in Buffalo (Delaware) and the parkways and circles that Olmsted designed as the grand entranceways into the Park. The tour also covers several of Buffalo’s cultural centers (Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Buffalo History Museum, Burchfield Penney) in the Delaware Park district.

Our tour begins outside the Richardson Hotel on the grounds designed by FLO for the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane (later the Buffalo Psychiatric Center). Meet outside the north entrance of the hotel, facing the campus of Buffalo State University, by the parking lot. Please note that this tour is some bike lane and some on street cycling. There is one hill to climb in Delaware Park and a pedestrian overpass. Otherwise, the route is relatively flat. 

Bike Tour Policies: 

• Helmets are required for all bike tour participants. 
• Each tour participant must have a bicycle in good working condition. Please check your tire pressure and bike chains before the tour, and bring a water bottle. 
• Participants are required to agree to our Bike Tour Waiver & Release of Liability as part of the online reservation process.
• The minimum age for bike tours is 14 years old.

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 15 people per group. 
  • Reservations close two hours before the tour’s scheduled start time (for example, reservations close at 8am for a 10am tour). 
  • To redeem an orange Explore Buffalo tour pass, please email [email protected] at least 24 hours in advance to reserve your 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 [email protected] 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. 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.