"After decades of decline, the rust-belt city- with its forgotten landmarks - has become a hip destination for those in the know"
THE TORONTO STAR, 1-10-08
ABOUT THE TOURS...
Forgotten Buffalo, the region's authority on unique landmarks, classic taverns, old world neighborhoods and "Nickel City" oddities presents Buffalo's original "Off the Beaten Track" tours. Tours allow "urban explorers" to eat, drink and laugh through history! Led by television personality Maxwell Truth, host of Off Beat Cinema and trained Buffalo architecture and history docent* Marty Biniasz, each tour will give you a sense why Buffalo-Niagara is one of the most unique urban communities in the world.
* Biniasz is a graduate of the University of Buffalo's School of Architecture and Planning's docent training program and is a former tour guide of Roam Buffalo. He also served as a Board of Director member of the Friend's of the UB School of A&P.
THE VIBE...
Friendly & fun, quirky & quaint, nostalgic & new.... ForgottenBuffalo Tours take you places that locals love. On our tours, you'll get to know the character.... and characters... that make us proud to call Buffalo home!
CULINARY TOURISM... BUFFALO STYLE
Buffalo Wings, Beef on Weck, Tavern Style Fish Fries, Family Cooked Ethnic Meals....Forgotten Buffalo Tours include some the finest culinary treats in Western New York. Experience Buffalo foods in authentic Buffalo settings...corner taverns, former clubs and "off the beaten track" restaurants. A meal during a Forgotten Buffalo Tour is part of the adventure. Eat, Drink and Laugh Buffalo History!
"It’s not bar-hopping if it’s done for educational purposes!"
Buffalo News, December 6, 2008
CURRENTLY SCHEDULED PUBLIC TOURS
NEW - SUMMER/FALL 2009 TOURS - NEW
WE ARE TAKING RSVPs FOR ALL TOURS - TOURS SELL OUT WITHOUT NOTICE
Thursday, June 25th, 6pm Steel Mills & Gin Mills: Lackawanna SOLD OUT Saturday, June 27th, 5pm Steel Mills & Gin Mills: Lackawanna Saturday, July 11, 5pm A Clinton Affair: Kaisertown & Beyond Saturday, August 22, 5pm Polonia Pride Saturday, September 26, 5pm Oktoberfest in Buffalo Saturday, October 17, 5pm Private Clubs & Secret Societies Saturday, November 7, 5pm Patriots & Pilsners: VFW & American Legion Posts Saturday, December 5, 5pm Celebrating the End of Prohibition Saturday, December 19, 5pm A Polish Tavern Christmas
RESERVATIONS & PAYMENT INFORMATION
E-mail ForgottenBuffalo@aol.com or call 716-833-5211 for details and availability. Current tours cost $40 per person. Price includes meal, transportation and guided tour. Must be 21 years of age to participate.
E-mail or phone reservations will be held for 48 hours only. A non refundable deposit of $25.00 per seat will hold your Forgotten Buffalo Tour reservation. Payment in full must be received no later than 4 business days prior to the requested tour date and can be made with check or money order. Please make all checks payable to Airborne Productions and send to:
Forgotten Buffalo
PO Box 828
Buffalo, NY 14215-0828
NOTE: Please download, complete and include with your payment our tour order form found below.
Steel Mills & Gin Mills - A Centennial Celebration
Thursday, June 25th - 6pm Saturday, June 27th - 5pm
Celebrate the centennial of the “Steel City” Forgotten Buffalo style. Steel mills, railroads, VFW posts, ethnic neighborhoods, a European style basilica and one-of-a-kind classic taverns…”Your gonna wanna, come to Lackawanna” with Forgotten Buffalo tours. During the tour we will be joined by Lackawanna Mayor Norman Polanski who will discuss the City’s colorful past and what the next 100 years may hold (Thursday only).
A Clinton Affair: Clinton Street - Kaisertown and Beyond
Saturday, July 11th - 5pm Join us as we explore the nooks and crannies of Clinton Street from Dowtown to outside the city limits. See the first pizzeria in town to offer "takeout", step inside the most hidden watering hole in the city, find out why a very "Polish" neighborhood has a "German" name. Join Forgotten Buffalo as we explore one of the last classic neighborhood business districts and surrounding historic sites.
Polonia Pride
Saturday, August 22nd - 5pm For over 136 years, the neighborhood near the intersection of Broadway & Fillmore on Buffalo’s Eastside has been home to some of the region’s most important cultural, ethnic and architectural landmarks. With the founding of St. Stanislaus Parish in 1873, the area became one of the largest Polish-American colonies in the world outside of Poland. Forgotten Buffalo Tours will shine the spotlight on century old churches, an old world public market and art-deco masterpieces. With all the fun and energy of Dyngus Day, this tour includes stops at friendly, family owned neighborhood taverns and a home cooked Polish meal. Grab your pussy willows and squirt guns and join in!
Oktoberfest in Buffalo Saturday, September 26th - 5pm The 2000 census reported that 1/4th of Western New Yorkers claimed German heritage, making themselves the largest single ethnic group in the region! Forgotten Buffalo celebrates Oktoberfest as we explore why German immigrants became one of Buffalo's most prosperous ethnic groups flourishing in the areas of brewing, flour milling, meat-packing industries, banking and politics, Roll Out the Barrel during our one of a kind "Um Pa, Pa Party!"
Private Clubs & Secret Societies
Saturday, October 17th - 5pm From quirky ethnic enclaves to fraternal organizations shrouded in dark mystery, many of Western New York's most spectacular spaces can be found inside non-assuming private clubs. Forgotten Buffalo provides "insider access" to four of these hidden gems normally open to club members ONLY. During the "Secret Societies & Clubs" tour, urban explorers will experience old world craftsmanship & architecture, sample Buffalo libations at "member only" lounges and learn about why these clubs were founded in the first place. Don't know the password or clandestine handshake? Not a problem. But you will be sworn to secrecy.
Patriots & Pilsners - VFW & American Legion posts Saturday, November 5th - 5pm
For decades, they were the places our fathers and grandfathers found comradery among fellow veterans. For the rest of us civilian, VFW posts were the site of family parties and the occasional bingo game. Unfortunately, as their membership ranks gray and thin, many of these longtime posts are beginning to close. Join Forgotten Buffalo as we salute our hometown heroes with a tour of some of the best "hidden" VFW & American Legion clubrooms in Western New York.
Repeal of Prohibition Saturday, December 5th - 5pm
Join Forgotten Buffalo as we celebrate the anniversary of the 1933 repeal of the 18th amendment, the governmental act banding sale and consumption of alcohol. Travel to some of the oldest taverns and pubs in Buffalo as we salute our forefathers who had to endure 13 years without the right to a legal drink. Limited space available on one of our most popular tours. Reserve your seats today!
A Polish Tavern Christmas Saturday, December 19th - 5pm
Forgotten Buffalo Tours will partner with area polka musicians for our 2nd annually evening of "polka caroling" at taverns in Cheektowaga and the Historic Polonia District. The night recreates a classic Polish tavern tradition of polka musicians caroling acoustically from tavern to tavern. The evening will include a "Wigilia" style dinner before we hop aboard the bus and visit some of the best family owned taverns in Buffalo. Proceeds of this special Forgotten Buffalo Tour benefit the work of Sister Johnice and the St. Adalbert's Response to Love Center located at 130 Kosciuszko Street in Buffalo. Response to Love operates one of the area’s largest food pantries and is staffed by volunteers and supervised by Felician sisters. A perennial favorite. Reserve your seats now.
Tour Buffalo like a native!
If you’re a lifelong Buffalonian or a new arrival to the city, Forgotten Buffalo Tours can get you acquainted with the one-of-a-kind, fun, and friendly places that make our city special.
Hosting a visit with friends and family?Our Forgotten Buffalo Tours make it easy to plan activities for guests.
Planning a wedding? Contact Forgotten Buffalo Tours for customized outings for your out-of-town guests.
Researching your family history or planning a family reunion? Our tours take you to the historic places where Buffalo got its start. Explore the neighborhoods and discover your family’s roots.
Looking for something new to do? Break out of your rut and discover your new favorite restaurant, tavern, or historic site art gallery, theatre, or shopping excursion. Our neighborhood itineraries will take you there.
Are you a member of the Travel Media? Looking for stories of urban adventures? Forgotten Buffalo can help you uncover novel story ideas and assist in your Buffalo neighborhood trip planning. Contact Forgotten Buffalo at ForgottenBuffalo@aol.com.
CLICK IMAGE ABOVE TO SEE PICTURES FROM RECENT FORGOTTEN BUFFALO TOUR: Eat, Drink, and Laugh through Buffalo History! Don't miss the next Forgotten Buffalo Tour!
