Explore Buffalo, the popular nonprofit organization providing tours and other opportunities where guests can discover Buffalo’s great architecture, history and neighborhoods, has announced its January tours and events.
Winter Speaker Series Session 2
January 26, 7 to 9 p.m.
Meet: First Presbyterian Church, 1 Symphony Circle, Buffalo
Cost: $10, Explorer Pass Holders Free
Trains: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Although Buffalo was always known to be an important Great Lakes shipping port, it is less well known that Buffalo became the second largest railroad hub in America. The story of the importance of railroads to Buffalo and the great railroad stations built here to serve them is a fascinating one. The story may have yet another interesting chapter as we will also examine the very topical issue of the future of rail travel in Buffalo. All aboard on Jan. 26 at 7 p.m.
History of Buffalo Aviation: People, Places & Planes
Did you know that Buffalo was once the center of United States Aviation? In a Casey Kasem countdown-style format, this talk will introduce the top five people that influenced Buffalo’s aviation history. Come hear about the manufacturing centers existing and long gone that created the industry. Listen to stories and facts about Buffalo-built planes that affected the world. Let your knowledge soar to new heights!
Parking is available in the church parking lot or on neighboring streets. Please do not park in the Kleinhans parking lot.
Inside Downtown – North
January 27, 10:30 a.m.
Meet: Spot Coffee, Delaware Avenue & Chippewa Street, Buffalo
Cost: $15, Student $5, Explorer Pass Holders Free
Join Explore Buffalo for a winter tour of downtown landmarks, focusing on interior spaces to stay warm! This tour covers a variety of architectural styles and successful adaptive reuses of buildings in the northern part of downtown Buffalo. Buildings featured on this tour include Goldome Bank, Market Arcade and the Electric Tower. There are short outdoor walks to get from building to building, with the tour designed to allow guests to spend most of the time indoors.
Two-hour metered parking is available on Delaware Avenue and other nearby streets, or private parking lots are available; the closest is on Delaware Avenue next to Spot Coffee. The nearest MetroRail station, Fountain Plaza, is three blocks away.
Inside Tri-Main
January 27, 3:30 & 5:30 p.m.
Meet: Tri-Main Center, 2495 Main St., Buffalo. Please note the main entrance to the building lobby is on Halbert Street, adjacent to the building’s parking lots.
Cost: $15, Student $5, Explorer Pass Holders $10
Join Explore Buffalo for a tour inside one of Buffalo’s most historic industrial buildings! The Tri-Main Center’s history encompasses four different eras, beginning with Ford in 1915, and continuing through Bell Aircraft and Trico to the present day as a mixed-use facility housing over 100 different companies on six floors covering 575,000 square feet. This tour will highlight the past, present and future of this massive building. As you wind your way through the Tri-Main Center, you’ll learn about the building’s history and see some of the current tenants. The tour will end at the Buffalo Arts Studio, which you are welcome to explore on your own at the end of the tour as part of their free Fourth Friday event.
This tour is approximately one hour in length. The tour is indoors (in good weather, a small amount of the tour may be outside). This tour is approximately one mile of indoor walking within the building. Stairs are typically used, but an elevator is available if needed. Cameras are encouraged!
Advance reservations are encouraged but not required for tours and the speaker series. All credit card payments must be made in advance. Advance reservations with a credit card can be made online until the tour starting time. Cash or checks are accepted at the start of the tour. If you make an advance reservation, please print your confirmation email or be prepared to show it on your phone.
Unless specified, most tours are between 90 minutes and two hours in length. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather! Winter weather cancellation policy: Tours will be cancelled if there is a travel advisory in place in the City of Buffalo.
Reservations may be made online at explorebuffalo.org or by calling (716) 245-3032.
