Buffalo's Best: Self-Guided Driving Tour of Iconic Landmarks & History
About this English self-guided 2h:57m driving tour in Buffalo
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.
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
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) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
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Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Marine Drive Marine Drive Apts East, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA
This park opened in 1979, when three retired naval vessels were towed up the Buffalo River and docked permanently. Today, you’ll find the USS Little Rock, the only guided missile cruiser of its kind still in existence, the USS Croaker, a World War II submarine, and perhaps the most famous ship here, the USS The Sullivans.
That destroyer is named for the five Sullivan brothers from Iowa, who all enlisted together during World War II and refused to be separated. Tragically, when their ship, the USS Juneau, was sunk in 1942, all five were lost. Their story moved the nation, and it changed U.S. Navy policy so that siblings could no longer serve together in combat zones. Today, the USS The Sullivans is a National Historic Landmark and a powerful reminder of sacrifice and service.
Beyond the ships, the park also features tanks, aircraft, and memorials dedicated to those who served in every branch of the Armed Forces. One of the most visited is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which honors Western New Yorkers who never made it home.
And while this site honors history, it’s also part of modern Buffalo’s rebirth. Just steps away is Canalside, where concerts, skating, and festivals bring thousands of people to the waterfront every year.
This spot blends Buffalo’s past with its present — a city of service, resilience, and reinvention.
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Pierce Lawn, Canalside, 44 Prime St, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA
The name “Canalside” comes from Buffalo’s role as the western terminus of the Erie Canal, which opened in 1825. That canal transformed Buffalo from a small frontier village into one of America’s fastest-growing cities, connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean and fueling the city’s rise as a major shipping hub. If you stand here, you’re standing right where the canal once bustled with boats carrying grain, timber, and goods bound for the world.
After decades of decline when industry moved out and the canal was filled in, the area has been reborn. Today, Canalside is alive with summer concerts, outdoor yoga, boat rentals, and winter ice skating. It’s also home to festivals, food trucks, and public art — making it the kind of place where Buffalo shows off its new energy.
And if you look around, you’ll see the old and new side by side — historic grain elevators on one side, the modern city skyline on the other. That mix of heritage and renewal is what makes Canalside the perfect symbol of Buffalo itself.
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Place 1
Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park
Place 2
Canalside - Vibrant Waterfront Hub
Place 3
KeyBank Center - Home of the Sabres
Place 4
Sahlen Field
Place 5
Guaranty Building
Place 6
Buffalo City Hall - Art Deco Masterpiece
Place 7
McKinley Monument
Place 8
Lafayette Square
Place 9
Downtown Icons – The Gold Dome, the Electric Tower, and M&T Bank
Place 10
Shea's Performing Arts Center
Place 11
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
Place 12
Allentown – Buffalo’s Bohemian Charm
Place 13
Kleinhans Music Hall - Acoustic Masterpiece
Place 14
Symphony Circle
Place 15
Buffalo Stories and Fun Facts
Place 16
Soldier's Circle
Place 17
AKG Art Museum - World-Class Art Museum
Place 18
Buffalo History Museum
Place 19
TP’s Bench
Place 20
Delaware Park
Place 21
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House
Place 22
Forest Lawn Cemetery
Place 23
Buffalo Museum of Science & Martin Luther King Jr. Park
Place 24
Ralph Wilson Park & Peace Bridge
Place 25
Farewell