Buffalo Architecture Tours

Tour Buffalo’s cultural and historic landmarks through the eyes of Henry-Russell Hitchcock, the dean of American architectural historians. These four themed tours were inspired by the museum’s photography exhibition Buffalo Architecture, 1816–1940, which was organized by Hitchcock and Director Gordon Washburn in 1940. Use the Historypin website to take a virtual tour on your computer, or walk, bike, or drive along the route using a mobile device.

Cultural Buildings Tour

This tour highlights the sites of 21 cultural and residential buildings throughout Buffalo, including the Albright-Knox, the Richardson Olmsted Complex, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin D. Martin House Complex, Wilcox Mansion (home to the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site), and the Central Terminal.

By Car: 16.9 miles (1 hour, 10 minutes)
Not recommended for walking or biking

Delaware Park Points of Interest Tour

This tour highlights ten sites in and around Delaware Park, including the Albright-Knox, the Richardson Olmsted Complex, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin D. Martin House Complex, and the Blocher Monument in Forest Lawn Cemetery. 

By Car: 6.4 miles (25 minutes)
By Foot: 5.5 miles (1 hour, 50 minutes)
By Bike: 6.1 miles (37 minutes)

Downtown Buildings Tour

This tour highlights the sites of 16 buildings in downtown Buffalo, including Daniel H. Burnham’s Ellicott Square Building, Louis Sullivan’s Prudential (Guaranty) Building, Hotel Buffalo (now Hotel Statler), St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buffalo Savings Bank (now M&T Bank), and City Hall.

By Car: 3.4 miles (27 minutes)
By Foot: 1.8 miles (38 minutes)
By Bike: 2.2 miles (30 minutes)

Industrial Buildings Tour

This tour highlights the sites of eight industrial buildings throughout Buffalo, including the Pierce-Arrow Plant, the site of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Larkin Administration Building (no longer extant), and various grain elevators.

By Car: 21.5 miles (50 minutes)
Not recommended for walking or biking