Estates Along Delaware Avenue Tour

Delaware Avenue’s northern section was predominately farmland throughout much of the nineteenth century, but began to be developed as family estates. Discover how some of Buffalo’s wealthiest families came to dominate this section of Delaware Avenue in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. While many of their former homes remain, most have been reused by businesses and institutions. Join us on this walking tour of one of Buffalo’s most beautiful streets to admire classic homes of the Gilded Age and learn about the families who built them.

This tour is approximately ninety minutes in length. The tour meets on the front steps of Blessed Sacrament Church at 1035 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14204. Parking is available in the Blessed Sacrament Church parking lot (note: the church parking lot is separate from the Catholic Academy parking lot). The entrance to the parking lot is on Linwood Avenue, north of West Utica Street.

Walking Tour Prices: 

• General Admission: $15
• Children & Students: $7
• Explorer Pass Members: FREE

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).
  • Reservations can be made online; please email explore@explorebuffalo.org or call (716) 245-3032 if you need assistance.
  • If you have an Explore Buffalo walking pass (orange or blue), please email explore@explorebuffalo.org to reserve your 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.
• Children & Student Admission is for children ages 6-18 or college students with a valid student ID. Children ages 5 and under are free and do not require a reservation.
• Accessibility: 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.
• If you feel ill or suspect you may be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please do not attend any Explore Buffalo tours. We will be happy to refund your reservation or welcome you to join us at a later date.
• 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.