THE 2026 BACK TO BUFFALO TOUR
About the 2026 Back to Buffalo Tour
After traveling east to New York City to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal’s opening in the fall of 2025, the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief will travel westward along the canal to return to the city of Buffalo, where it all began.
The Back to Buffalo Tour is a statewide education and community engagement initiative led by the Buffalo Maritime Center, designed to connect students, educators, and canal communities with New York’s living maritime heritage. From May to October, the tour invites learners of all ages to explore the Erie Canal through guided boat tours, hands-on demonstrations, public events, festival appearances, and a homeward voyage along the canal. The Seneca Chief serves as a moving symbol of shared history and a platform for statewide learning.
You can also join the Back to Buffalo Tour virtually by following us on Facebook and Instagram. Each episode of our Virtual Voyage series will feature real-time updates, educational spotlights, and behind-the-scenes moments with our port partners and crew.
Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief Tour Timeline:
MAY 15: Guided Tours, Waterford
MAY 16: Waterford Canal Festival, Waterford
JUNE 6: Voyage Departure Event, Waterford
JUNE 6 - JUNE 27: Back to Buffalo Voyage, Along the Erie Canal
JUNE 27: Back to Buffalo Homecoming Event, Buffalo
JUNE 28 - SEPTEMBER 27: Guided Tours & Demonstrations, Buffalo
OCTOBER 3: Locktoberfest, Lockport
OCTOBER 4 - OCTOBER 15: Guided Tours & Demonstrations, Lockport
The Back to Buffalo Voyage | June 6 - 27, 2026
Building on the momentum of the 2025 Bicentennial Voyage - a defining event for Buffalo Maritime Center and New York State - the Back to Buffalo Voyage serves as the centerpiece of the tour, shifting from a commemorative journey to an education-first program.
Over 22 days, the boat will visit 16 ports along the Erie Canal, delivering NYS curriculum-aligned programming and public engagement opportunities expected to reach more than 5,000 students and thousands of community members statewide.
Student and Community Programming
The tour features longer port stays that allow for schooltime visits and deeper, place-based learning experiences.
Students and visitors will learn traditional boatbuilding skills and explore the Erie Canal’s environmental, economic, cultural, and Indigenous history. The on-board experience lets people interact directly with the historic replica boat, life on the canal, and the importance of community.
Please click here to fill out the Field Trip Interest Form. Buffalo Maritime Center’s Education Director will contact you to schedule your visit to the canal boat and you will be added to a mailing list for future educational opportunities. Due to limited capacity, the field trip schedule will be developed on a first come first serve basis.
Support the Back to Buffalo Tour
The Back to Buffalo initiative builds on the success of the 2025 Bicentennial Voyage, positioning the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief as a traveling ambassador for New York's canal heritage and a hands-on educational resource for learners across the state. To be a part of making this possible, click here to Donate Today.
The Buffalo Maritime Center is seeking partnerships and sponsorships for this season-long program. To become an official Sponsor, click here or contact Brian Trzeciak, Executive Director, at 716.881.0111 or via email at brian@buffalomaritimecenter.org.
Advertise in our Tour Guide!
The Back to Buffalo Tour Guide is the central information hub for the 2026 tour, and the official companion of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief. This interactive publication features tour itineraries, port stops, public events, Erie Canal history, classroom resources, sponsor spotlights, boat construction highlights, and Buffalo Maritime Center’s season-long programming. The guide will remain online beyond the 2026 tour as a lasting archive and year-round resource for educators, visitors, and canal communities.
For advertising rates, specs, or to reserve an ad, click here or contact Whitney Creighton, Marketing Director, at 917.817.1538 or via email at whitney@buffalomaritimecenter.org.
