Visit Us At The Museum - The Buffalo History Museum
Source: https://www.buffalohistory.org/visit-us
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:19
Visit Us At The Museum - The Buffalo History Museum
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Visit Us At The Museum
Experience Buffalo and Erie County's history with a visit to The Buffalo History Museum.
Guest Services and Retail
Kelsey Reed
Guest Services and Retail Manager
kreed@buffalohistory.org
(716) 873-9644 ext. 309
Plan Your Visit to The Buffalo History Museum, The Resource Center, or Waterway of Change
The Buffalo History Museum: Museum & Shop Hours and Admission Rate
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday:10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Museum and all facilities are closed on national holidays.
The Museum is offering Pay What You Wish admission, recommended admission is $12 per person.
The Buffalo History Museum: Museum Map and Parking Information
Download a map of the Museum
here
.
Also, as part of our commitment to being a welcoming space for all, complimentary parking is available in the Museum’s public lot.
Located just steps from our historic building, the lot is open to all guests during Museum hours and for special events. Whether you’re here for an afternoon, a quick visit, or a stroll through the Japanese Gardens, we want your experience to begin with ease.
If you’re planning to visit via public transit, the museum is served by the Elmwood Bus #20, with a stop at the southeast corner of Elmwood & Nottingham
We look forward to welcoming you—without parking fees and without barriers to experiencing the stories that shape Western New York.
The Buffalo History Museum Research Library: Hours and Appointment Rate
The Research Library is accessible by appointment only.
As part of The Buffalo History Museum’s multi-year Master Plan, the Research Library has been operating at a limited capacity as we carefully implement a staffing transition to strengthen collections care and future access.
However, limited in-person library hours will be available throughout the months of April and May. These appointments will be available on Fridays at 10:00am and 1:00pm.
To book your appointment,
please use this link
. Please take a moment to review the policies for library research visits on the booking page.
These temporary changes to our Research Library reflect the next steps in expanding access and strengthening collections care. Our team remains available to assist you during this period, at a limited capacity, and we appreciate your patience as we continue this process to enhance the collections for future generations.
All library appointments cost $15 per visit and remain free for members.
Waterway of Change: Hours and Admission Rate
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: Sensory Hour is from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and General Admission is from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Entry into Waterway of Change is FREE! We recommend reserving your
timed entry spot
to ensure availability. A typical visit takes 30–45 minutes.
Waterway of Change: Parking, Directions, Amenities, and Accessibility
Located in downtown Buffalo, Canalside is an area of the waterfront that can be accessed through entrances off Marine Drive and Main Street. It’s also accessible by the NFTA-Metro rail (Erie Canal Harbor stop). For GPS navigation, enter “Canalside Buffalo” or use “44 Prime St., Buffalo, NY 14202” as the destination address.
The Buffalo History Museum and Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation are committed to making our exhibits, public programs, and other offerings inclusive and welcoming for all visitors.
Service animals:
Service dogs specially trained to assist a person with a disability are welcome.
For visitors with limited mobility:
All exhibits, including Waterways of Change, are wheelchair and mobility device accessible.
For visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing:
All exhibition films are open captioned.
For visitors with sensory sensitivities or anyone who prefers a calmer museum experience, we are offering a Sensory Hour every Sunday from 10-11am with limited crowd size, muted audio components and dimmed lighting. Additionally, we have sensory kits available at all times that include noise cancelling headphones, sunglasses, and various fidget and texture toys.
If you have accessibility needs or questions about any of our visitor experiences, please reach out to guest services at eriecanal@buffalohistory.org or call (716) 873-9644 ext. 501.
Wheelchair-accessible public and family restrooms are available inside the Longshed building and Gateway building.
Membership
Become A Member
Education & Tours
Schedule a Tour
Accessibility
Accessibility at the Museum
Research Library
Book Appointment
Our Locations
The Buffalo History Museum’s Pan American Building
1 Museum Ct, Buffalo, NY 14216
(716) 873-9644
Directions
|
Museum Map
The Buffalo History Museum’s Resource Center
459 Forest Avenue
(716) 873-9644 ext. 402
Directions
Canalside: Waterway of Change in the Longshed Building
44 Prime St., Buffalo, NY 14202
Directions
Directions
From Interstate 90
From Interstate 90, take Route 33 west to Route 198 (Scajaquada Expressway) west. Exit the 198 at Elmwood Avenue, turn right from the off-ramp onto Elmwood Avenue. Turn right onto the first street on your right, Nottingham Terrace, and turn into the parking lot at your right which is 1 Museum Court. The Museum is located on your left from the parking lot.
From Interstate 190
From Interstate 190, exit at Route 198 (Scajaquada Expressway) east and continue to the exit at Elmwood Avenue. Bear right and continue to the intersection with Elmwood. Turn right onto Elmwood Avenue and turn right on to the first street, Nottingham Terrace. At the first right turn into the parking lot which is Museum Court. The Museum is located on your left from the parking lot.
By Bicycle
The Museum is reachable from the east and west by the
Jesse Kregal Pathway
.
By Public Transit
The Museum is served by the
Elmwood Bus #20
on the southeast corner of Elmwood & Nottingham.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to tour the Museum?
The Museum is self-touring and self-paced, so visiting times will vary. For those interested in a quick visit to the Museum, some galleries can be viewed in as little as an hour. For visitors wishing to spend an entire morning or afternoon exploring the history of our region, the artifacts, information, narratives, hands-on activities, stories to be discovered in our Research Library, and shopping all combine to a longer experience.
On average, most spend between one to two hours in the Museum.
Is the Museum appropriate for young children?
Yes! The Museum welcomes children of all ages with galleries that include a number of hands-on activities for children, from historic props, interactive displays. Scavenger hunts are available at Guest Services.
Am I able to leave the Museum and return later that same day?
Yes! Your admission is valid until the Museum closes and allows reentry to the Museum any time on that same day.
View all events
Featured Events
04/23/2026
Trivia Night
Event Details
04/25/2026
13th Annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival
Event Details
04/26/2026
13th Annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival
Event Details
04/26/2026
13th Annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival
Event Details
04/28/2026
Tea Tasting with Tea Ceremony 2026
Event Details
For preservation of our collection, contact us for inquiries relating to image reproduction and artifacts.
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Search
Visit Us At The Museum
Experience Buffalo and Erie County's history with a visit to The Buffalo History Museum.
Guest Services and Retail
Kelsey Reed
Guest Services and Retail Manager
kreed@buffalohistory.org
(716) 873-9644 ext. 309
Plan Your Visit to The Buffalo History Museum, The Resource Center, or Waterway of Change
The Buffalo History Museum: Museum & Shop Hours and Admission Rate
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday:10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Museum and all facilities are closed on national holidays.
The Museum is offering Pay What You Wish admission, recommended admission is $12 per person.
The Buffalo History Museum: Museum Map and Parking Information
Download a map of the Museum
here
.
Also, as part of our commitment to being a welcoming space for all, complimentary parking is available in the Museum’s public lot.
Located just steps from our historic building, the lot is open to all guests during Museum hours and for special events. Whether you’re here for an afternoon, a quick visit, or a stroll through the Japanese Gardens, we want your experience to begin with ease.
If you’re planning to visit via public transit, the museum is served by the Elmwood Bus #20, with a stop at the southeast corner of Elmwood & Nottingham
We look forward to welcoming you—without parking fees and without barriers to experiencing the stories that shape Western New York.
The Buffalo History Museum Research Library: Hours and Appointment Rate
The Research Library is accessible by appointment only.
As part of The Buffalo History Museum’s multi-year Master Plan, the Research Library has been operating at a limited capacity as we carefully implement a staffing transition to strengthen collections care and future access.
However, limited in-person library hours will be available throughout the months of April and May. These appointments will be available on Fridays at 10:00am and 1:00pm.
To book your appointment,
please use this link
. Please take a moment to review the policies for library research visits on the booking page.
These temporary changes to our Research Library reflect the next steps in expanding access and strengthening collections care. Our team remains available to assist you during this period, at a limited capacity, and we appreciate your patience as we continue this process to enhance the collections for future generations.
All library appointments cost $15 per visit and remain free for members.
Waterway of Change: Hours and Admission Rate
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: Sensory Hour is from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and General Admission is from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Entry into Waterway of Change is FREE! We recommend reserving your
timed entry spot
to ensure availability. A typical visit takes 30–45 minutes.
Waterway of Change: Parking, Directions, Amenities, and Accessibility
Located in downtown Buffalo, Canalside is an area of the waterfront that can be accessed through entrances off Marine Drive and Main Street. It’s also accessible by the NFTA-Metro rail (Erie Canal Harbor stop). For GPS navigation, enter “Canalside Buffalo” or use “44 Prime St., Buffalo, NY 14202” as the destination address.
The Buffalo History Museum and Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation are committed to making our exhibits, public programs, and other offerings inclusive and welcoming for all visitors.
Service animals:
Service dogs specially trained to assist a person with a disability are welcome.
For visitors with limited mobility:
All exhibits, including Waterways of Change, are wheelchair and mobility device accessible.
For visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing:
All exhibition films are open captioned.
For visitors with sensory sensitivities or anyone who prefers a calmer museum experience, we are offering a Sensory Hour every Sunday from 10-11am with limited crowd size, muted audio components and dimmed lighting. Additionally, we have sensory kits available at all times that include noise cancelling headphones, sunglasses, and various fidget and texture toys.
If you have accessibility needs or questions about any of our visitor experiences, please reach out to guest services at eriecanal@buffalohistory.org or call (716) 873-9644 ext. 501.
Wheelchair-accessible public and family restrooms are available inside the Longshed building and Gateway building.
Membership
Become A Member
Education & Tours
Schedule a Tour
Accessibility
Accessibility at the Museum
Research Library
Book Appointment
Our Locations
The Buffalo History Museum’s Pan American Building
1 Museum Ct, Buffalo, NY 14216
(716) 873-9644
Directions
|
Museum Map
The Buffalo History Museum’s Resource Center
459 Forest Avenue
(716) 873-9644 ext. 402
Directions
Canalside: Waterway of Change in the Longshed Building
44 Prime St., Buffalo, NY 14202
Directions
Directions
From Interstate 90
From Interstate 90, take Route 33 west to Route 198 (Scajaquada Expressway) west. Exit the 198 at Elmwood Avenue, turn right from the off-ramp onto Elmwood Avenue. Turn right onto the first street on your right, Nottingham Terrace, and turn into the parking lot at your right which is 1 Museum Court. The Museum is located on your left from the parking lot.
From Interstate 190
From Interstate 190, exit at Route 198 (Scajaquada Expressway) east and continue to the exit at Elmwood Avenue. Bear right and continue to the intersection with Elmwood. Turn right onto Elmwood Avenue and turn right on to the first street, Nottingham Terrace. At the first right turn into the parking lot which is Museum Court. The Museum is located on your left from the parking lot.
By Bicycle
The Museum is reachable from the east and west by the
Jesse Kregal Pathway
.
By Public Transit
The Museum is served by the
Elmwood Bus #20
on the southeast corner of Elmwood & Nottingham.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to tour the Museum?
The Museum is self-touring and self-paced, so visiting times will vary. For those interested in a quick visit to the Museum, some galleries can be viewed in as little as an hour. For visitors wishing to spend an entire morning or afternoon exploring the history of our region, the artifacts, information, narratives, hands-on activities, stories to be discovered in our Research Library, and shopping all combine to a longer experience.
On average, most spend between one to two hours in the Museum.
Is the Museum appropriate for young children?
Yes! The Museum welcomes children of all ages with galleries that include a number of hands-on activities for children, from historic props, interactive displays. Scavenger hunts are available at Guest Services.
Am I able to leave the Museum and return later that same day?
Yes! Your admission is valid until the Museum closes and allows reentry to the Museum any time on that same day.
View all events
Featured Events
04/23/2026
Trivia Night
Event Details
04/25/2026
13th Annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival
Event Details
04/26/2026
13th Annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival
Event Details
04/26/2026
13th Annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival
Event Details
04/28/2026
Tea Tasting with Tea Ceremony 2026
Event Details
For preservation of our collection, contact us for inquiries relating to image reproduction and artifacts.
SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT
SKIP TO MAIN MENU
SKIP TO FOOTER