2026 Back to Buffalo Tour | Become a Sponsor!

Align yourself with hands-on learning, craftsmanship, and New York's maritime heritage.

The Back to Buffalo Tour is a statewide education and community engagement initiative led by the Buffalo Maritime Center, designed to connect students, educators, and canal communities with New York’s living maritime heritage. From May to October, the tour invites learners of all ages to explore the Erie Canal through guided boat tours, hands-on demonstrations, public events, festival appearances, and a homeward voyage along the canal. The Erie Canal Boat "Seneca Chief" serves as a moving symbol of shared history and a platform for statewide learning.