Gardening Tour

The conservatory and botanical gardens were created from the visions of extraordinary people. David F. Day, Frederick Law Olmsted, John F. Cowell, Frederick A. Lord and William A. Burnham of Lord & Burnham Co.. Each of these talented individuals contributed to the inception, design and success of the South Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. In the 1860s, David F. Day, a Buffalo city attorney and judge, and later Parks Commissioner, was instrumental in including botanical collections in the City of Buffalo and continued to support a south park conservatory project with great enthusiasm. Distinguished for his creativity in designing New York City’s Central Park and Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, Frederick Law Olmsted was called upon by the Buffalo Parks Commission in 1868 to design parks for Buffalo. His unique design included not one but three parks, The Park (Delaware Park), The Parade (Martin Luther King Jr. Park), The Front Park, connecting parkways and circles. As Buffalo expanded, Olmsted was called upon to enlarge the park system by adding additional parks including Cazenovia Park and South Park. South Park was constructed between the years of 1894-1900 from 156 acres of farmland. Olmsted’s final design of South Park included a conservatory and surrounding formal gardens. In 1894, Professor John F. Cowell was appointed as the first Director of the conservatory and to oversee plantings in South Park. He was considered a genius in botany and horticulture and his passion was deep rooted in his mission to expand and diversify the soon to be park and conservatory’s collections. He gathered plants, trees and flowers from every corner of the world and his expertise and guidance allowed for many successful years for the conservatory. While South Park was being constructed, Lord & Burnham Co. was busy designing the South Park Conservatory. The design was modeled after the beautiful Crystal Palace in England and was built by a Buffalo construction company, George P. Wurtz & Son for a total cost of $130,000. Upon opening in 1900, the conservatory was the third largest public greenhouse in the United States and was ranked as the ninth largest in the world. The 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo helped to spur the success of the South Park Conservatory by providing trolley rides from downtown Buffalo to the conservatory. Tens of thousands of people visited the breathtaking conservatory and delighted in the exotic collection of plants and flowers. Find out more at buffalogardens.com!

Established in 1849, Forest Lawn stands as one of America's first purposefully designed rural cemeteries, encompassing 269 acres of resting space for nearly 170,000 permanent residents of all faiths. This non-profit landmark, listed on the State and National Registries of Historic Places, is a pivotal part of Western New York’s cultural tourism. Visitors are drawn to its exquisite natural beauty—rolling hills, serene lakes, and abundant trees—as well as its artistic treasures, including the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Blue Sky Mausoleum. Forest Lawn's history is as rich as its landscape, with notable figures such as a U.S. President, foreign royalty, veterans from every American conflict since the Revolutionary War, and people like us who have quietly built the community that we and our families enjoy. Their stories are preserved in the expansive archives of the Margaret L. Wendt Archive and Resource Center and brought to life through our award-winning tours and events.

Blue Sky Mausoleum is located in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York – the cemetery for which it was designed. This venerable yet vital organization owns a distinctive place in American history and has long been regarded as a visionary leader among its peers.

Sail back in time aboard the Spirit of Buffalo. Discover traditional sailing on a classic 73 foot topsail schooner. This beautiful schooner with its magnificent red sails is available for private and corporate charters, public cruises, children’s pirate adventures and educational excursions. Join the crew and hoist the red sails, or sit back, relax and see the city in a new (old?) way. Seasonal May through October; Call for reservations and availability.

Take a narrated sightseeing cruise and travel through four bodies of water, passing through the historic Black Rock Lock and Canal. Party cruises and private charters also available. Public cruises are available July 1st through Labor Day; call or book online. Private charters are available May through September; call for more information.

Buffalo and Niagara's only dinner cruise! Lunch, dinner and sightseeing cruises available to groups and individuals. Perfect for private charters for every occasion including weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and corporate events. Call or visit website for rates.

Theodore Roosevelt began his presidential journey here. All new state-of-the-art exhibits and a dramatic guided tour offer a museum experience unlike any other. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and emotions surrounding this pivotal moment in our nation's history and learn how the enduring legacy of one of America's greatest presidents affects our lives today. Built in 1837, the former Wilcox mansion stands today as a vital part of Buffalo's historical heritage. The site features restored Victorian rooms and period gardens. The site accommodates 100 for banquets and 150 for cocktails.