Take to the Skies on the Buffalo RiverWorks Zipline
Craving a little adventure? Look no further than the zipline course at Buffalo RiverWorks. Set amongst the giant silos and grain elevators of Buffalo’s industrial hey-day, this urban playground is an experience like nowhere else on the planet.
The course, which has been up and running since the summer of 2018, includes four ziplines and a suspended rope bridge straight out of “Indiana Jones.” It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, but luckily there are plenty of places at RiverWorks, like the riverfront beer garden, for your less thrill-seeking friends to sit back and enjoy a cocktail or two while you zip past overhead.
Photo by Grant Taylor
It all begins, once you’re helmeted and harnessed up, with a climb up inside the famous Labatt Blue 6-pack to get to the first zipline—164 stairs in total (feel free to check off cardio for the day, because your legs will be on fire by the time you get to the top).
Our guides, Brett and CJ, were courteous, informative, and reassuring as they explained the harness system and how to ensure a smooth ride. Each zipline was unique—the first is the highest, the second is the slowest (although it still doesn’t feel “slow,” by any means), the third is the fastest (up to 25 mph), and the fourth allows you to race a companion to the finish. Each ride comes with amazing views of the Buffalo skyline, Lake Erie and a rush of adrenaline you’ll want to repeat the minute you’re done.
Photo by Grant Taylor
The zipline course costs $35 on weekdays, $45 during the weekends and is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. They can accommodate groups up to eight people. Online reservations are encouraged, though walk-ins are welcome as well.
Plan on the experience taking at least an hour to an hour and a half from signing the waiver to shrugging off the harnesses after your last ride—it might not take that long if it’s a solo adventure or a small group, but better to give yourself a cushion instead of feeling rushed if you’ve got something lined up for afterward.
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You don’t have to go far to make some more summertime memories. Kick back with your crew on the riverside patio with some food and drinks, go rock climbing or kayaking, or take on the two-level ropes course—all on the Buffalo RiverWorks campus.
Buffalo RiverWorks | 359 Ganson Street | Book at BuffaloRiverWorks.com | Facebook | Instagram
