Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Dockside, there is a museum and an outdoor collection of decommissioned tanks, jets,
and helicopters that saw action in conflicts from World War II to Vietnam. Some of the
displays and educational materials seem dated. Use caution when navigating the bowels of
these great ships—stairwells are steep, bulkhead openings are shin-knockers, and there are
low clearances.
Plan on at least two hours to tour the ships, museum, and grounds. Chat up some of
the volunteer military veteran tour guides stationed throughout the naval park. Their stories
bring to life the sacrifices, hardships, and camaraderie of the men and women who joined
the armed services.
The
Erie Basin Marina
(329 Erie St., 716/851-6501,
www.eriebasinmarina.org
,
24 hours
daily May 1-Oct. 15, free) is a wonderful place for a relaxing walk or romantic sunset.
Downtown workers often dash out for a quick lunch or snack along the break wall. The
marina's beautiful sunsets and cityscapes are best enjoyed by foot or bike. The road to the
marina can become congested with vehicles, so park outside the marina; it's free.
Stroll through the gardens, where different flowers and plants are tested each year for
theirabilitytosurviveBuffalo'sclimate.Walktotheendofthemarinaforabird's-eyeview
of the waterfront from the lookout tower.
The mostly abandoned
grain elevators
of Buffalo's waterfront are often referred to as a
concrete Atlantis. Plans are under way for one of the grain elevators to be used for rock
climbing.Someentrepreneursarepurchasinggrainelevatorswithaneyeoncreatingwater-
front entertainment areas with restaurants, bars, and concert spaces.
You can access the area by car via the bridges of Michigan and Ohio Streets. You may
walk around some of the elevators that are not fenced off, but it is not advisable to enter
any of them. The structures are not open to the public because they are dangerous—some
people exploring the silos have been injured or killed. A good driving guide to the grain
mills is online (
www.buffalohistoryworks.com
)
.
The infrequent, but informative Whole Grain Tour of the grain elevators offered by
Preservation Buffalo Niagara
(617 Main St., 716/852-3300,
www.preservationbuffaloniagara.org
,
$20) occurs about once a month, May-October. The
tour takes you inside the massive concrete grain silos that are called Silo City by locals.
