
Central Wharf at Canalside, Buffalo
Central Wharf at Canalside is the vibrant hub of Buffalo’s waterfront, where history, recreation, and city pride meet. Stretching along the north side of the Buffalo River from Main Street to the historic Commercial Slip, this revitalized district has transformed Queen City’s shoreline into one of its top year-round destinations.
At the Wharf, you’ll find a dynamic mix of attractions: a boardwalk for riverfront strolls, an urban beach perfect for relaxing in the sun, and wide lawns hosting everything from fitness classes to outdoor concerts. Among the recurring highlights is Canalside Caricatures, where visitors can take home personalized artwork drawn live. Food and drink options are plentiful—grab a quick bite or ice cream at Clinton’s Dish, or head over to the Outer Harbor Beer Garden for a taste of local craft brews. You’ll also find breakfast spots, healthy eats, and pizza, all within easy reach.
In the summer, Central Wharf comes alive with concerts featuring local bands and national headliners, as well as outdoor yoga sessions and children’s games. In winter, the energy doesn’t slow down. The Ice at Canalside—a massive 35,000-square-foot rink on a recreated Erie Canal—offers skating, curling, pond hockey, and even ice biking.
Just steps away, LECOM Harborcenter draws hockey talent from around the globe, while sports fans gather at Southern Tier Brewery, a two-story hotspot featuring more than 70 screens, including a towering 38-foot display.
For a deeper dive into local history, visit the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, or climb the Erie Basin Marina’s observation tower for panoramic views. Nearby, the Buffalo Lighthouse stands as a beacon of the city’s maritime past.
Whether you're there for a festival, to kayak along the river, or simply to take in the lakeside views, Central Wharf is Buffalo at its best—active, inviting, and proudly rooted in its waterfront legacy.
At the Wharf, you’ll find a dynamic mix of attractions: a boardwalk for riverfront strolls, an urban beach perfect for relaxing in the sun, and wide lawns hosting everything from fitness classes to outdoor concerts. Among the recurring highlights is Canalside Caricatures, where visitors can take home personalized artwork drawn live. Food and drink options are plentiful—grab a quick bite or ice cream at Clinton’s Dish, or head over to the Outer Harbor Beer Garden for a taste of local craft brews. You’ll also find breakfast spots, healthy eats, and pizza, all within easy reach.
In the summer, Central Wharf comes alive with concerts featuring local bands and national headliners, as well as outdoor yoga sessions and children’s games. In winter, the energy doesn’t slow down. The Ice at Canalside—a massive 35,000-square-foot rink on a recreated Erie Canal—offers skating, curling, pond hockey, and even ice biking.
Just steps away, LECOM Harborcenter draws hockey talent from around the globe, while sports fans gather at Southern Tier Brewery, a two-story hotspot featuring more than 70 screens, including a towering 38-foot display.
For a deeper dive into local history, visit the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, or climb the Erie Basin Marina’s observation tower for panoramic views. Nearby, the Buffalo Lighthouse stands as a beacon of the city’s maritime past.
Whether you're there for a festival, to kayak along the river, or simply to take in the lakeside views, Central Wharf is Buffalo at its best—active, inviting, and proudly rooted in its waterfront legacy.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Buffalo. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Central Wharf at Canalside on Map
Sight Name: Central Wharf at Canalside
Sight Location: Buffalo, USA (See walking tours in Buffalo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Buffalo, USA (See walking tours in Buffalo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Buffalo, New York
Create Your Own Walk in Buffalo
Creating your own self-guided walk in Buffalo is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Buffalo Introduction Walking Tour
Buffalo is the largest city in Western New York and the state's second-largest city. Because of its location on the Niagaras River and the western end of Lake Erie, it has been a center of commerce for generations. The earliest settlers were members of the Iroquois nation and French settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries.
In the 19th century, the Erie Canal's construction brought in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
In the 19th century, the Erie Canal's construction brought in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Buffalo's Historical Churches
Be it for the British and French colonialism or the result of missionary work, today Christianity remains the prevalent religion in Buffalo, New York. The city itself, home to some of the most famous Gothic churches in the US, is long considered a great destination to admire religious architecture and its magical spiritual beauty.
Among the notable landmarks here is Saint Paul's Episcopal... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Among the notable landmarks here is Saint Paul's Episcopal... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles