Welcome to Buffalo, New York! I’m so glad you’ve joined us for this drive through one of America’s most surprising cities — a place where big history, bold architecture, and vibrant neighborhoods all come together along the waters of Lake Erie. Before we hit the road, let’s talk a little about Buffalo itself. The origins of the city’s name go back to the late 1700s, when settlers first arrived at the mouth of a small creek flowing into the Niagara River. That creek became known as Buffalo Creek, and the community that grew up around it took the same name. No one knows for certain how it got that name — some say French explorers called it Beau Fleuve, meaning “beautiful river,” which over time morphed into Buffalo. Others argue it was simply named after the American bison, or buffalo, though no buffalo ever actually roamed this area. Whatever the true story, the name stuck, and by the early 1800s, Buffalo was officially on the map. The village of Buffalo was incorporated in 1813, but it really came into its own after the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825. That canal connected the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, turning Buffalo into a booming gateway for goods, people, and industry. In just a few decades, Buffalo went from a small frontier outpost to one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. By 1900, it was the eighth-largest city in the country — bigger than Washington, D.C. or San Francisco at the time. Buffalo also earned the nickname “The City of Light” in the early 1900s, thanks to its pioneering use of electricity from nearby Niagara Falls. It became the first U.S. city to be fully illuminated by hydropower — imagine the impression that made on visitors to the 1901 Pan-American Exposition, when the entire fairground glowed with electric lights. And through it all, Buffalo has lived up to another of its nicknames: “The City of Good Neighbors.” From its early immigrant communities to the proud Buffalonians who live here today, this city has always been defined by its warmth, resilience, and sense of community. Over the course of this tour, you’ll see landmarks that tell the story of Buffalo’s rise, its challenges, and its exciting revival. From theaters and art museums to parks, neighborhoods, and the mighty waterfront, Buffalo has more to share than most people realize. So buckle up, relax, and get ready to experience Buffalo — its history, its surprises, and its pride. We’ll start right where the city has come full circle: on its revitalized waterfront, at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park.
