Buffalo Double Decker Bus Tour: Naval Park & City Highlights

A walking tour of warships, then a bus ride through Millionaires Row, City Hall and the city's architectural story

This two-hour bus and walking tour of Buffalo starts aboard the USS The Sullivans at the Naval Park, America's largest inland naval facility, then moves to an open-air double decker bus for stops at Millionaires Row, City Hall, the Hotel Lafayette (designed by the world's first female architect), and the sprawling former Psychiatric Hospital. Your guide is a costumed Irish police officer who blends history with wit and audience participation. Naval Park admission is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Buffalo Naval Park and City Highlights

• Walking tour aboard ships at Naval Park
• See one of the world's first skyscrapers
• Pass by Hotel Lafayette
• Stop at former psychiatric center
• Visit Niagara Square landmarks

The Experience

The tour opens at the Buffalo Naval Park with a 25-minute walking tour aboard the ships, including the USS The Sullivans. From there you board the open-air double decker bus for the rest of the route—a format that lets you see the city without glass between you and the landmarks. The guide, dressed as an 1860s Irish police officer with brogue intact, narrates the stops with a mix of historical detail and humor that regulars describe as "where the History Channel and Comedy Central meet."

The bus route covers the architectural and civic heart of Buffalo. You'll pass one of the world's first skyscrapers, the Hotel Lafayette (built by the world's first female architect), City Hall and the Federal Court House in Niagara Square, the McKinley Monument, and the sprawling former Psychiatric Hospital. The stops are chosen to show how Buffalo's industrial wealth and civic ambition shaped the city's skyline and streets. The guide's storytelling and willingness to take questions from the group is part of what sets this tour apart from a standard narrated ride.

The whole experience runs two hours. Children five and under ride free, and infants can sit on an adult's lap or in a stroller. The upper deck seats require navigating a few small steps, so if stairs are a concern, the lower deck is an option. Public transportation stops are nearby if you need to get to the tour start or leave from a different point.

What’s included

• Admission to the Buffalo Naval Park and a 25-minute walking tour aboard the ships including the USS The Sullivans.
• the two-hour open-air double decker bus ride through Buffalo's downtown and historic neighborhoods.
• a live English-language guide in costume.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Buffalo Double Decker Bus Tours

Is this one for you?Start with a walking tour of the Naval Park's ships, then hop on the bus to hear Buffalo's industrial story told by a costumed 1860s Irish cop—history and comedy rolled into one.

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Top questions

What exactly do I see aboard the ships at Buffalo Naval Park?

The Buffalo Naval Park walking tour includes the USS The Sullivans and other vessels moored at America's largest inland naval park. The walk lasts about 25 minutes and is part of the full two-hour tour; admission to the park is included in your ticket.

Is the double decker bus open-air the whole time?

Yes, the bus is open-air, which means you're exposed to the weather. The upper deck is fully open; the lower deck has some weather protection. If weather is a concern, you can request lower deck seating when you board.

How long does the bus portion last after the Naval Park?

After the 25-minute walking tour at the Naval Park, you board the bus for the rest of the two-hour tour. The bus covers multiple stops including Millionaires Row, City Hall, the Hotel Lafayette, and the former Psychiatric Hospital, with the guide narrating throughout.

Can I bring my young child or baby on this tour?

Yes. Children five and under are free. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or ride in a stroller or pram. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though the upper deck does have a few small steps to navigate.

What makes this tour different from other bus tours in Buffalo?

The guide is a costumed Irish police officer character who uses humor and storytelling alongside historical facts. The tour includes a walking section aboard actual naval ships at the park, and the open-air double decker bus gives you an unobstructed view of the city's landmarks and architecture.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the Buffalo Naval Park to start?

Public transportation options are available nearby the Naval Park. You'll need to arrange your own transportation to the tour start, though the park is accessible by bus and other local transit.