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.