Hertel Avenue Murals for Kids: Free Family Walking Tour

Get ready to see Buffalo through a very colorful lens! Explore Buffalo’s Hertel Avenue Murals for Kids Walking Tour takes families on a 45-minute adventure through one of the most vibrant and surprising hidden gems in all of North Buffalo: the Hertel Avenue mural alleyway. Hertel Avenue Murals for Kids tours are FREE for the 2026 Tour Season due to the generous support of our 716 Education Program Donors and sponsored by Highmark. 

What was once just an empty back alley behind a few local businesses is now a beautiful outdoor gallery and kids absolutely love it. Floor to ceiling, wall to wall, the alley bursts with color, creativity, and stories waiting to be discovered. Every turn brings something new to spot, point at, and talk about.

Your Explore Buffalo guide will bring the art to life, sharing the stories behind the murals and the artists who created them. Kids will learn that art isn’t just something you see in a museum it’s something that can transform an entire neighborhood.

The tour is free, stroller friendly, and designed specifically for families with children aged 5 to 10. Adults without children are not accepted, keeping the pace and the storytelling perfectly suited for young art explorers.

Space is limited to 15 guests, so reservations are required. The maximum number of tickets that can be booked for Hertel Avenue Murals for Kids is 8 tickets. For groups of 8+ people, including school groups and summer camp groups, please call our office at (716) 245-3032. 

The tour meets at the corner of Traymore Avenue and Hertel Avenue, at the entrance of Hertel Alley. Use 1225 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo NY 14216 for GPS. There is street parking available on Hertel Avenue and other nearby streets, and street parking on Saturday is free. 

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). 
  • 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: This tour is stroller friendly as well as 100% handicapped accessible. 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.