Forgotten Buffalo Tours
BEST OF FORGOTTEN BUFFALO NEIGHBORHOODS
Friday, September 10 - ON SALE
Buffalo is a city of neighborhoods. Built primarily by hardworking blue-color immigrants, some of Western New York's greatest landmarks, architectural treasures and colorful personalities can be found in places named Kaisertown, Black Rock, The Hydraulics, Polonia, the Valley and the First Ward. Learn about the ethnic, religious, and industrial histories of these neighborhoods as we explore forgotten sites, "Nickel City Oddities" and a number of historic, families owned taverns.
ForgottenBuffalo.com is an urban explorer's guide to the Buffalo-Niagara region. Learn about unique landmarks, classic taverns, old world neighborhoods, historic 20th century sites and Nickel City oddities!
Forgotten Buffalo hopes to provide visitors with an uniquely Buffalo experience. Visit sites that have been left behind, or perhaps clandestinely left in place, providing clues as to what was there before. In an age where life continually looks at renewing and reinventing itself every few decades, Forgotten Buffalo takes pride in the Niagara Frontier's triumphal past.
Look beyond predictable tourist sites...Discover treasures in historic neighborhoods with unique names like Polonia, Black Rock, Kaisertown and the First Ward. Tour relics from the regions mighty industrial past and strongholds of the American ethnic experience.
More than just a nostalgic trip through time, Forgotten Buffalo allows you to better understand why Buffalo is one of the most unique urban communities in the world. It's definitely a city worth exploring! Enjoy!
OKTOBERFEST IN BUFFALO
Saturday, September, 25 - ON SALE
The census reported that 14% of Western New Yorkers claimed German heritage, making themselves the largest single ethnic group in the region! Forgotten Buffalo celebrates Oktoberfest as we explore why German immigrants became one of Buffalo's most prosperous ethnic groups in the areas of brewing, flour milling, meat-packing industries, banking and politics. Roll Out the Barrel during our one of a kind "Um Pa, Pa Party!"
T-N-T: THE TONAWANDAS
Saturday, October 2 - ON SALE
An ALL-NEW Forgotten Buffalo Tour! With the opening of the Erie Canal in 1820s, the Tonawandas exploded with development. Raw materials and immigrants soon landed in what would become one of the largest ports in the Great Lakes system. Tour the Tonawands the Forgotten Buffalo way. Travel down the fabled Oliver Street in North Tonawanda...once proclaimed as having more bars per mile than any other street in Western New York. Industrial sites, private clubs and a few surprises.
SOCIETIES & CLUBS
Saturday, October 16- ON SALE
From quirky ethnic enclaves to fraternal organizations shrouded in dark mystery, many of Western New York's most spectacular spaces can be found inside non-assuming private clubs. Forgotten Buffalo provides "insider access" to four of these hidden gems normally open to club members ONLY. During the "Societies & Clubs" tour, urban explorers will experience old world craftsmanship and architecture, sample Buffalo libations at "member only" lounges and learn about why these clubs were founded in the first place.
JIM & TIM's IRISH BUFFALO
Saturday, November 6 - SOLD OUT
Celebrate the lives of two of South Buffalo's most famous native sons, NBC "Meet the Press" host Tim Russert and former Mayor Jimmy Griffin during this unique tour of Irish Buffalo. Learn about their lives and the history of the Irish in Buffalo. Landmark's associated with Russert's & Griffin's lives will be visited during the tour. Along the way we will toast our departed friends at some of the most colorful Irish pubs in Buffalo."
PATRIOTS & PILSNERS: VFWs, AMVETS, LEGIONS
Saturday, November 13 - ON SALE
For decades, they were the places our fathers and grandfathers found camaraderie among fellow veterans. For the rest of us civilian, VFW posts were the site of family parties and the occasional bingo game. Unfortunately, as their membership ranks gray and thin, many of these longtime posts are beginning to close. Join Forgotten Buffalo as we salute our hometown heroes with a tour of some of the best "hidden" VFW & American Legion clubrooms in Western New York.
PROHIBITION REPEAL DAY CELEBRATION
Saturday, December 4 - ON SALE
Join Forgotten Buffalo as we celebrate the 77th anniversary of the 1933 repeal of the 18th amendment, the governmental act banding sale and consumption of alcohol. Travel to some of the oldest taverns and most unique pubs in Buffalo as we salute our forefathers who had to endure 13 years without the right to a legal drink. Discover Forgotten Buffalo neighborhoods and the characters that keep the noble profession of tavern keeping alive.
A POLISH TAVERN CHRISTMAS
Saturday, December 18 - ON SALE
Forgotten Buffalo Tours will partner with area polka musicians for our 4th annual evening of "polka caroling" at taverns in the Historic Polonia District. The night recreates a classic Polish tavern tradition of polka musicians caroling acoustically from tavern to tavern. The evening will include a "Wigilia" style dinner before we hop aboard the bus and visit some of the best family owned taverns in Buffalo. Learn about Polish holiday customs, visit extravagantly decorated Polish churches and rekindle family memories. LIVE MUSIC. NOTE: December 11th tour is SOLD OUT. Seats NOW OPEN for December 18th.
See You On A Future Forgotten Buffalo Adventure!