"Off the Beaten Track" Tour Schedule

From ForgottenBuffalo.com:

Lurkin’ Round the Larkin District: Saturday, February 21st - 5pm

With the conversion of the former Larkin Terminal Warehouse into high-end office space, a little known area of Buffalo near Seneca & Fillmore Avenues has come back to life. Known for many years as the “Hydraulics,” the neighborhood in and around John D. Larkin’s sprawling factory complex was one of Buffalo’s earliest manufacturing districts. Join Forgotten Buffalo as we tour the Larkin District, learn about this unique urban landscape, visit the famous “Our Lady of Seneca Street” shrine and experience the neighborhood through the windows of classic Buffalo taverns.

Tim and Jim’s Irish Buffalo: Friday, March 6th - 6pm

Forgotten Buffalo remembers two of South Buffalo’s most famous native sons, Tim Russert and Mayor Jimmy Griffin. Walk in the footsteps of these bigger than life Irishman as we visit some of the best Irish pubs in the City. Our journey will begin in the historic First Ward where thousands of Irish congregated after the completion of the Erie Canal. See the grain elevators where Griffin worked as a scooper and railroad engineer. It’s then on to the “Valley” and South Buffalo to visit the childhood stomping grounds of Tim Russert. Along the way we will toast our departed friends, join in on an Irish sing-a-long and taste artfully poured pints of Guinness.

Polonia Pride: Saturday, April 18th - 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. This post-Dyngus Day 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 on our Dyngus Week celebration!

Black Rock-n-Roll: Saturday, May 9th - 5pm

Although the village of Black Rock lost its battle to become the terminus of the Erie Canal, was burned to the ground by the British and was eventually annexed by the City of Buffalo, this unique are of the City has never lost its individual identity. Join Forgotten Buffalo as we explore this unique neighborhood that hosts a treasure trove of classic taverns and “off the beaten path” historic sites.

Steel Mills & Gin Mills - A Centennial Celebration: Thursday, June 25th - 6pm

Celebrate the centennial of Lackawanna 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 future may hold for the “Steel City.”

Forgotten Buffalo tours cost $40 per person and include a meal and transportation. Visit www.ForgottenBuffalo.com, e-mail ForgottenBuffalo@aol.com or call 716-833-5211 for details and availability.

Founded in 2007, Forgotten Buffalo acts as an urban explorer's tour guide to the Buffalo-Niagara region specializing in unique aspects of our region’s history. Tours are created and led by television personality Maxwell Truth, host of Off Beat Cinema and trained Buffalo architecture and history docent Marty Biniasz. Each tour is specifically researched and crafted to give patrons a sense why Buffalo-Niagara is one of the most unique urban communities in the world.