Buffalo River History Tours
Buffalo River History Tours
5
9:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Full view
About
Take a cruise through history and join us for a 90-minute narrated Buffalo River History Tour! Hear the story of the Erie Canal, Buffalo’s history as the largest grain port in the world and experience the nation’s largest collection of standing grain elevators from just a few feet away. Come travel along the waterway that made Buffalo one of the biggest and richest cities in the world.
Buffalo, United States
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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Buffalo River History Tours
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(52 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
2,219 reviews
Excellent
2,037
Very good
145
Average
20
Poor
9
Terrible
8
Jim K
Saint Paul, MN54 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Family
Was lucky to get in on the last Buffalo River History Tour of the season for 2023. Because it was the end of their season, the tour company had already put away their normal tour boat for the season. This meant that our tour was on their Tiki party boat, which was a bit disappointing. We had been looking forward to sitting on the top deck of the normal tour boat.
While the information provided by the tour leader/narrator was interesting, his "dad" jokes were a bit much and his "shtick" was a bit annoying after a while. In addition, he also spent quite a bit of time joking around with two women who were drinking by the bar on board. Plus, there was an issue with the sound system, so that if the guide did not have his microphone right by is mouth, it was difficult to hear him at times.
But the thing that turned us off was that as the captain was getting the boat docked, he started talking about a couple of past tours where they had gotten some large tips, specifically mentioning some people that had given them each $100 because they had enjoyed themselves so much. While we realize that tipping is normal and appreciated by people providing tours, we thought it was really tacky to be dropping specific tip dollar values. We felt it was an attempt to guilt us into giving a tip. Needless to say, we did not give a tip.
While the information provided by the tour leader/narrator was interesting, his "dad" jokes were a bit much and his "shtick" was a bit annoying after a while. In addition, he also spent quite a bit of time joking around with two women who were drinking by the bar on board. Plus, there was an issue with the sound system, so that if the guide did not have his microphone right by is mouth, it was difficult to hear him at times.
But the thing that turned us off was that as the captain was getting the boat docked, he started talking about a couple of past tours where they had gotten some large tips, specifically mentioning some people that had given them each $100 because they had enjoyed themselves so much. While we realize that tipping is normal and appreciated by people providing tours, we thought it was really tacky to be dropping specific tip dollar values. We felt it was an attempt to guilt us into giving a tip. Needless to say, we did not give a tip.
Written 16 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zig13zig
Alden, NY9 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Family
I had taken this tour in the past, it frankly was looking at old grain factories with a lot of history. However we had a very talented tour guide who made the trip enjoyable for the myself and our out of town friends. The history mixed the humor made the tour very enjoyable. Thank you Bruce for an enjoyable day in Buffalo!
Written 15 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BuffManh
1 contribution
Oct. 2023
This tour had been good in past visits. This time I brought friends from out of town and was embarrassed. The guide kept interrupting the narrative of Buffalo's wonderful history with stupid jokes and blather. I found myself explaining to my friends what we were seeing -- luckily I knew. If this guide thinks history and Buffalo's resurgence are too boring to talk about, he shouldn't be doing this tour. The boat ride itself was pleasant on a beautiful day. Too bad the sound track was ridiculous.
Written 7 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph L
1 contribution
Sep. 2023
We brought 120 high school students on the tour and we couldn't be more pleased. From the moment we arrived the crew was very welcoming and provided our students with a top notch field trip. The knowledge of the docent and owner was outstanding. They bounced back and forth intermingling the history of Buffalo along with how their business began and runs to this day, The owner of the company even made it a point to visit each group of students to chat with them about their goals as a business student. We intend to make this an annual trip for our students. If you get a chance to take this trip, you will not be disappointed.
Written 6 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cdudich
1 contribution
Sep. 2023
Our group of 25 people from Chicago were on a study tour in Buffalo to visit all of the amazing art, architectural, and historic sites that Buffalo has to offer and we included the Silo City Tour as part of our experience, and we were not disappointed!! The tour was interesting, and our guide was extremely knowledgeable!! Thank you so much for contributing to our wonderful visit to your city!!
Written 2 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roger W
1 contribution
Sep. 2023
Very informative. Interesting history presented to us during a beautiful day on a river that is making an ecological comeback.
Written 27 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ABearcroft11
Johnstown, NY1 contribution
Sep. 2023
Had a wonderful Silo City Tour on the boat and walking. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable and really led to an enjoyable day. Would definitely suggest to friends and family.
Written 25 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
czirnheld77
1 contribution
Sep. 2023
Our guide was very good - knew the history and had lots of stories about the history - Throughly enjoyed the trip
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Narinder Mohan
4 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Family
Very boring. They showed ancient ruins and old buildings. Guide was talkinf non stop and bored a lot.
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John G
Orchard Park, NY15 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Couples
We had friends visiting from out of town so we booked this cruise. We all absolutely loved the tour. It was a very informative tour of the Buffalo River and all of to history that it has. Another great thing is the crew on board, they were the friendliest people that we’ve ever had on a tour. We would definitely do this again. A++++
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CLOWNnFLOWNroundTOWN
Atlanta, GA162 contributions
Are infants required to wear a life preserver?
Laurie K
West Seneca, NY701 contributions
Not sure but they have plenty of them on the boat all sizes the kids would enjoy boat ride but would be bored on tour depending on their age it’s a lot of information
Paradise67455466301
Wellsville, NY
Is the Buffalo river history boat tour wheel chair accessible for the entire boat ride? Also do you stay on the boat for the entire 1.5 hours?
SpartaBrian
Sparta, NJ165 contributions
To add to the above. There is a ramp from ground level down to the boat. However I don't recall how you actually got on the boat itself from the dock. Depending on the person's ability to be helped a couple steps off the chair I suggest you call the operator to be 100% sure.
Tim C
Des Plaines, IL293 contributions
When in spring do the river tours resume? I’m planning on being in Buffalo at the end of April, first day of May.
TonawandaMike
Tonawanda, NY26 contributions
Tours usually start the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend, this year May 10. This is depending on weather. Docks go in the first week of May
Hi. Is there a promo code please
Martha C
Fort Collins, CO29 contributions
Not that I know of.
wendygrace106
1 contribution
Is casual attire acceptable?
Nicole P
Buffalo, NY578 contributions
Yes, dress comfortably and casually.
Lenoremarie
Cortland, NY55 contributions
Is there air conditioning on the boat?
GJM83
Buffalo, NY41 contributions
No, the breeze on the water is cooler then areas more inland. They also offer the tours at multiple times during the day when it could be cooler for your group. Can choose to sit on top where it would be usually more air/wind or on the first level where the bar is with large sliding Windows and less sun.
Mary I Lepkyj
2 contributions
Does the buffalo river tour have a bathroom?
Spa-Foodies
Buffalo, NY327 contributions
Yes- 2 bathrooms!
GigiBuffaloNY
Buffalo NY
My class is having a reunion this summer in July and we are making preparation for the occasion. What is the price of your afternoon historical cruises and how do we book it.
Thanks,
Jeanette.
Reffinej
Clovelly, UK25 contributions
It was answered by the person above.
justmeinsanjose
San Jose, CA72 contributions
We plan to visit Buffalo April 1-5, 2018. I just tried to call this tour company and found that nobody answers the phone, and the recording says that the voice mail is full. Could it be that this tour is not available during April?
Jeffreyb20
Lakeville, PA26 contributions
Well buffalo can get snow until end of March and into April so I would assume it does not operate until the weather is cooperative and warm. J becker