Canalside for Kids: Free Family Walking Tour

Looking for a fun, free way to discover Buffalo's waterfront with your little ones? Explore Buffalo's Canalside for Kids Walking Tour is the perfect adventure for families! This tour takes kids and their families through Canalside and ends with a free ride on the Buffalo Heritage Carousel!

This is a 45-60 minute walking tour for parents and children which includes a view of the Naval Ships, the memorial Park, Shark Girl and much more. This tour is stroller friendly as well as 100% handicapped accessible. Canalside for Kids tours are FREE for the 2026 Tour Season due to the generous support of our Give716 Education Program Donors and sponsored by Highmark. It is a kids and family-focused tour, geared towards children aged 5 to 10. All guests must be registered and parents are required to be with their children. Space is limited to 15 guests.

The maximum number of tickets that can be booked for Canalside for Kids public tours is 8 tickets. For groups of 8+ people, including school groups and summer camp groups, please call our office at (716) 245-3032. 

This tour meets at the Waterway of Change Museum, at 44 Prime Street. Street parking is available along Erie Street or there is a paid parking lot on Commercial Street.

Adults without children will not be accepted for this tour.

Tour Procedures & Policies: 

• Reservations are required for all tours, including for Explorer Pass members. Walk-ups without reservations cannot be accommodated. Tours are generally limited to a maximum of 15 people per group. 
  • Reservations close two hours before the tour's scheduled start time (for example, reservations close at 8am for a 10am tour). 
  • The Explore Buffalo docent for your tour will have a list of tour reservations for their tour; you do not need to print or bring any tour confirmation. 
• Accessibility: This tour is stroller friendly as well as 100% handicapped accessible. Please contact us at explore@explorebuffalo.org or (716) 245-3032 if you plan to attend this tour and will require accommodations or if you have questions about accessibility. 
• Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Tours generally proceed rain or shine. In the event of weather that requires a tour cancellation, we will contact registered tour guests in advance of the tour. 
• See our FAQs page for our refund policy and answers to other questions.
• By confirming your reservation for any Explore Buffalo tour, you acknowledge and accept Explore Buffalo's tour policies.