Tonawandas, NY Visit / Back to Buffalo Voyage

Get ready, Tonawandas! The historic Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief will be docking in town as part of the 2026 Back to Buffalo Tour, and the Buffalo Maritime Center invites you to experience canal history up close.
8:30 AM Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief Departs Medina
4:00 PM Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief Arrives at Tonawandas
4:30 PM Welcome Ceremony
5:00 PM Visitor Experience Open to the Public
7:00 PM Visitor Experience Public Hours End
The Back to Buffalo Tour is a statewide, education-first initiative running from May through October 2026, bringing the story of the Erie Canal to life through hands-on learning, boat tours, community events, and festival appearances. Wherever the Seneca Chief stops, people of all ages are invited to step aboard and explore the maritime heritage that helped shape New York.
The highlight of the tour is the Back to Buffalo Voyage (June 6–27, 2026) — a 22-day journey west along the Erie Canal, returning to Buffalo - back to the community of volunteers that built the vessel. Along the way, the Seneca Chief and its fleet will visit 16 ports, welcoming families, visitors, and students for an immersive exploration.
While the canal boat is in your town, you can:
- Step aboard a full-size replica of the original 1825 Seneca Chief.
- Speak to the crew and volunteers who built the canal boat.
- Experience life on the canal through demonstrations and storytelling.
- Learn about traditional wooden boatbuilding and craftsmanship.
- Explore the environmental, economic, cultural, and Indigenous history of the Erie Canal.
Learn More
Visit BuffaloMaritimeCenter.org/backtobuffalo
Download the Back to Buffalo Tour Guide featuring event dates, port stops, history, classroom resources, and more!
Follow Along
@BuffaloMaritimeCenter on social media!
Catch real-time updates and Virtual Voyage episodes!
This event is FREE, family-friendly, and open to the public. Donations are welcome and directly support BMC's programs!
Dates and times are subject to change.