Waterfront Guide

From paddle boating and ping-pong to a delicious meal and watching the sunset, there's always something to do at the Buffalo Waterfront! Ride your bike, unpack your picnic basket, unfold your chairs, unload your kayak, serve up a volley and bask in the serene glow that this public space has to offer. Bike and water sport rentals are available. The diversity and ongoing evolution of this space is sure to grab your attention.

Canalside

Canalside is at the heart of downtown Buffalo's waterfront revitalization. Located at the 1825 terminus of the Erie Canal, the site's storied history is just as exciting as its future! Canalside hosts hundreds of events throughout the year, many of which are free or low cost to the public. You'll find concerts and festivals, fitness classes and ice skating presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, children's programming, history tours, and outdoor winter activities.

Dine. Workout. Concert. Skate. Revel. Chill. At Canalside, fun happens here!

Outer Harbor

Explore a natural side of the city at the Outer Harbor. This respite features more than 200 acres of green space, including the Independent Health Wellness Trail, Wilkeson Pointe, and the Lakeside Bike Park. The Outer Harbor also hosts events and festivals, free fitness classes presented by Independent Health, and offers kayak and bicycle rentals.

Walk. Run. Bike. Boat. Picnic. Play. At the Outer Harbor, your options for adventure are wide open or you can just relax and take in spectacular waterfront sunsets.

Canalside
Many people think the Naval & Military Park and Erie Basin Marina are the only places to park at Canalside. While they are great options, their lots fill up fast! If you arrive via Washington Street or Michigan Avenue, you can find ample parking in surface lots and ramps. There also are hundreds of parking spaces in the historic Cobblestone District, only a short 2 blocks from Canalside. Specifically, check out the lots along Perry Street and the parking ramps at KeyBank Center and Harborcenter, all of which have wheelchair-accessible parking. On-street and metered parking also is available on many of the surrounding streets.

Park & Ride: Canalside is conveniently located at NFTA-Metro's final inbound stop (Erie Canal Harbor Station).

Canalside has wheelchair-accessible parking spaces on-site as well as wheelchair ramps and accessible restrooms.

Accessible parking is also available inside the Harborcenter parking ramp at 100 Washington St. if Canalside parking is not available.

Outer Harbor
There is plenty of free parking along Wilkeson Pointe, at the Lakeside Complex, and the Outer Harbor Event Space along Fuhrmann Boulevard. Wilkeson Pointe also has a small parking lot with wheelchair-accessible parking spaces.

Please note: Specific locations at the Waterfront may have their own site-specific rules, including the Ice at Canalside and the Lakeside Bike Park. Please review all posted safety signage when visiting the Waterfront!

Buffalo Waterfront invites you to:

• Visit from sunrise to sunset
• Enjoy the gardens without entering flowerbeds or picking flowers
• Bicycle, rollerblade or skateboard at low speeds without jeopardizing the safety of other patrons
• Launch non-motorized watercraft (less than 8 feet long) at designated areas
• Fish at designated areas within the site
• Use open areas, including the lawns
• Use a Buffalo Sunset chair or one seat on a bench designed for sharing
• Bring your dog, providing you keep it leashed, keep it from watering trees and plants, do not allow it in the replica canals and clean up after it; dogs are not permitted at Canalside concerts and special events

Site guidelines prohibit:

• Entering the park after sunset
• Use of motorized vehicles on pathways, lawns or outside designated parking areas
• Smoking, drug use or carrying/discharge of firearms
• Alcohol use outside of the designated areas, as well as bringing in any alcohol not purchased from designated vendors
• Disruption to plant and wildlife
• Barbecuing, cooking, commercial activity, performances and erecting of tents, except by special permit
• Organized ball games, except by permit
• Littering
• Panhandling
• Wading, bathing or entering the canals
• Sitting or standing on fences or railings, or standing on chairs, benches or tables
• Feeding birds
• Rummaging in trash receptacles
• Amplified music, performances or commercial activity, except by permit
• Obstructing entrances
• Use of plastic tarps on the lawns
• Erecting tents or other enclosures, except by permit
• Inserting flags or poles of any kind into the ground
• Defying actions from management and staff

Grain Elevator Illumination
The Connecting Terminal Grain Elevator Illumination is every night from sundown-11pm and can be viewed from anywhere at Canalside

Shark Girl
A selfie favorite! Our most famous piece of public art (and darling of Buffalo social media feeds) is located at the canals near the Commercial Street Bridge

Shark Girl was created by artist Casey Riordan-Millard and is here courtesy of Albright-Knox Art Gallery and Erie County! Visit albrightknox.org/collection/public-art/piece:shark-girl for more information.