North Tonawanda & Niagara Region Attractions and Tourism

NORTH TONAWANDA

The quality of life in the City of North Tonawanda is bolstered by the many cultural institutions and entertainment options available. Some of the many points of interest include:

 

Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
The only museum in the world housed in an authentic, original carousel factory building. The building and 1916 carousel are listed on both the New York State and National Register of Historic Sites. Exhibits include: operating 1916 carousel, kiddie carrousel, and 20 hand-carved carousel characters.

 

Hours
Apr. - Dec. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Easter.

Admission
Adults $4; children $2.

Address
180 Thompson Street
North Tonawanda, NY 14120-0672
(716) 693-1885
http://www.carrouselmuseum.org

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Riviera Theater

Billed as the "Showplace of the Tonawandas", the Riviera Theatre was built during the year 1926, by the Yellen Family. The architects Leon H. Lempart and Son drew the plans, which were patterned after the Italian Renaissance. The interior artwork was painted at the Rochester Studio of Willard M. Lusk, by Ferdinand Kebely.

 

The Wurlitzer Organ to be installed in the new Theatre, Opus 1524 was shipped from the Wurlitzer Factory on November 19, 1926. Listed as a Model 235 Special, the organ differed from a standard 3 manual 11 rank Model 235, by substituting an Oboe Horn rank of pipes from the standard Salicional pipes usually found on this model. Other differences included the omission of the standard remote Piano, and a 5 H.P. blower instead of the 7-1/2 H.P. The console was painted and decorated to harmonize with the Theatre's interior, by Wurlitzer's Band Organ Artist.

 

Address
67 Webster Street
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
(716) 692-2413
www.rivieratheatre.org

 

 

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Railway Museum
The Niagara Frontier Chapter NRHS is one of the oldest chapters of the National Railway Historical Society, receiving its charter on February 1, 1942. On June 1, 2003 our long anticipated opening of a Railroad Museum of the Niagara Frontier was celebrated. Housed in the historic Erie Railroad Freight Depot in North Tonawanda, New York, the museum contains various railroad artifacts which celebrate the rich heritage of railroading in the Niagara Frontier Region.

Address
111 Oliver Street
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
(716) 694-9588
http://www.railroadniagara.com

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Suzuki Strings
Bringing music to kids for over 30 years
Buffalo Suzuki Strings is a not-for-profit music program dedicated to providing comprehensive music instrument training utilizing the Suzuki method pioneered by the late Dr. Shinichi Suzuki.

Address
4 Webster Street
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
(716) 743-8728

 

 

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Now on Display
Carnegie Art Center is a catalyst for cultural, economic and community development. A multi-disciplinary arts space, it challenges the community with exhibitions of contemporary art, engages children and adults with vibrant art and dance classes, develops professional workshops for artists and organizations, and supports regional cultural tourism efforts. It was originally built in 1904 as the City of North Tonawanda's public library, funded by philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie.
http://www.carnegieartcenter.org

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Art Galleries
Downtown North Tonawanda boasts a number of other cultural resources including multiple art galleries that offer art instruction for all ages in addition to a wide variety of local and International exhibits.

More information on North Tonawanda is available on-line at http://www.the-tonawandas.com
Also, check out information on Canal Fest and the summer Canal Concert Series that draw tens of thousands of visitors to North Tonawanda annually.

http://www.canalfest.org
http://www.canalconcerts.com

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BUFFALO NIAGARA

At the end of the workday, it's our low cost of living, hassle-free transportation and highways, four distinct seasons, cultural and recreation amenities and friendly citizens that makes people fall in love with Buffalo Niagara.

Already home to fourteen professional theaters, Buffalo's reputation as an emerging national center for the arts continues to grow. You'll find touring Broadway musicals at Shea's Performing Arts Center, a European-style opera house of real grandeur in the heart of downtown comedies, dramas and mysteries at Studio Arena Theatre, Buffalo's nationally recognized producing theatre; the greatest works of comedic and dramatic literature at the Irish Classical Theatre Company; plays by African-Americans and people of color at Ujima Theatre; a new work by up-and-coming playwrights at the Alleyway Theatre; and eclectic menu of musicals, comedies and drama at the lovely and intimate Kavinoky Theatre on the Campus of D'Youville College; and entertainment for young audiences at Theatre of Youth in the meticulously-restored Allendale Theatre in the historic Allentown neighborhood.

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Buffalo Chamber Music Society are both at home in the acoustic and architectural perfection of the internationally-acclaimed Kleinhans Music Hall. The BPO's summer home at Artpark in nearby Lewiston overlooks the magnificent Niagara Gorge, where a series of concerts and plays - from Broadway to bluegrass and the blues - is held between June and September.

HSBC Arena on the city's waterfront regularly reverberates when the monsters of rock come to town. The University at Buffalo's Center for the Arts in suburban Amherst also hosts a full schedule of concerts, dance performances and lectures. You'll find jazz at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery as part of its Microsoft Jazz Series; country, blues and rock at the Tralf on Main Street downtown; and experimental and avant-garde music at Soundlab.

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Parks and Participant Sports

Niagara Falls may be the one of the most famous destinations in the world, but the region offers many other natural sites and wonders. The Buffalo Parks System was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed New York City's Central Park. A bike path parallels the Niagara River from Lake Erie all the way to Niagara County where it meets with the Erie Canal. The Niagara Scenic Parkway, which runs from Fort Erie, Ontario to Niagara Falls is breathtaking. Eight different ski areas dot the hillsides south of Buffalo. The region boasts more than 35 public golf courses and many private country clubs. Fresh water fishing on Lake Ontario and in the Niagara River below the Falls is among the best in the world.

 

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 Sports Teams

Buffalo Niagara is the proud home of both a national football and hockey team. Regional support for the NFL's Buffalo Bills, who play in Orchard Park is legendary. The Buffalo Sabres have been one of the most successful franchises in the NHL over the last 30 years. The Sabres are at home in the HSBC arena that was completed just three years ago along the waterfront in the city of Buffalo. A few blocks away from the Arena, the AAA Buffalo Bisons play baseball in Dunn Tire Park, one of the most picturesque ballparks in all of North America. Buffalo is also home to other professional sports teams including indoor lacrosse and soccer, with the Bandits and Blizzard and arena football with the Destroyers. On a collegiate level, the region boasts four different NCAA Division I college basketball programs, as well as a score of smaller college programs and the recently upgraded University at Buffalo football program that is competing in Division IA.

 

 

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Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
Come take a stroll through the most intact Frederick Law Olmsted landscape and arboretum in the country. Exotic horticultural treasures from different climates can be found in the Victorian Tri-dome glass conservatory. Visit our annual flower shows. We have the largest collection of ivy in the world.

Hours
10 am-5 pm Tuesday through Sunday, with additional hours Thursday until 7pm. Closed Monday, Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.

Admission
Adults $4, students (with ID) and seniors (55+) $3, families $10 (defined as parent or grandparent with dependent age children.) Children under 14 and Gardens members will be admitted free of charge.

Address
2655 South Park Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14218
(716) 827-1584
www.buffalogardens.com

 

 

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Buffalo Zoo
Visit the Wildest place in town! Located in 23.5 acres of beautiful Delaware Park, the Buffalo Zoo exhibits a diverse collection of wild and exotic animals. Open year- round, the Buffalo Zoo is the perfect place for families to explore their wild side!

Hours
Jun 1 - Sep 6, 10am-5pm; Sept 7 - May 31, 10am-4pm. Grounds remain open one hour after gates close. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Admission
Adults $8, children (2-14) $5, seniors (63+) $5, under 2 admitted free. Group rates available.

Address
300 Parkside Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14214
(716) 837-3900
www.buffalozoo.org 

 

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Artpark
A National Historic Landmark Site, Artpark is a picturesque 150 acre performing and visual arts park located in a New York State Park along the historic Niagara River Gorge on land rich in both Native American history, pioneer and early American history.

Artpark's main theater opened in July of 1974 on land that was once the Lower Landing of the nine mile Niagara Portage that skirted the unnavigable Gorge and Falls. Designated as a National Historic Landmark (in 1998), Artpark includes several archeological sites, including a Hopewell Mound from one of the earliest Native American mound building cultures and the remnants of the much more recent Oak Hill Mansion.

Artpark is also a National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat, National Audubon Society birding site (along the Niagara River Corridor), and a popular destination for hiking, picnics, and fishing.

Self guided walking tours are available at the Information Centers or at the Artpark Security Desk.

Address
450 South 4th Street
Lewiston, NY 14092v (716) 754-4375
Fax (716) 754-2741
www.artpark.net

 

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 Chautauqua Institution
The Chautauqua Institution is a center for the arts, education, religion and recreation in a lakeside Victorian village situated in a beautiful, secure setting. The full program takes place during the nine-week summer season, Jun 25-Aug 28, 2005.

Hours
Daily 7am-11pm.

Address
1 Ames Avenue
Chautauqua, NY 14722
(716) 357-6200 or (800) 836-2787
www.ciweb.org

 

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 Old Fort Niagara
Three-hundred years of history...just minutes from the Falls via Robert Moses Parkway North. Original French and British buildings and fortifications from the 1700s, living history demonstrations and historical exhibits. Great family fun!

Hours
Daily, 9am - late afternoon. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day.

Admission
Adults $8, children (6-12) $5.

Address
Fort Niagara Historic Site
Youngstown, NY 14174-0169
(716) 745-7611
www.oldfortniagara.org

 

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 Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
Historic house museum where Theodore Roosevelt was inaugurated as our 26th President in 1901. The Site is the only National Park location in Western New York.

Hours
Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm; Sat & Sun, noon - 5pm. Closed holidays.

Admission
Adults $5, children (5-12) $1, seniors/students $3, family $10.

Address
641 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 884-0095
www.nps.gov/thri