Overview
North Tonawanda is a city in Niagara County, New York.
2 sights · 2 things to do · 7 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about North Tonawanda
Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
North Tonawanda is a former lumber port on the Erie Canal that, in 1915, became home to the Allan Herschell Company, America's largest producer of amusement park rides, particularly carousels. Though the company closed i…
Riviera Theatre
Railroad Museum of the Niagara Frontier
The Niagara Frontier chapter of the National Railway Historical Society operates this facility to show off their collection, but as it's all run by volunteers it's only open very limited hours.
Canal Fest
Held on the third full week of July in the twin cities of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda a short distance north of Buffalo, Canal Fest is the largest annual festival held along the banks of this historic waterway. The liv…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Sep and Oct. (climate data from nearby Buffalo)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- IAG Niagara Falls International Airport, Niagara Falls — 6 mi away. Directions
- BUF Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Buffalo — 10 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $25 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, Riviera Theatre
- Lunch Submaster
- Afternoon Railroad Museum of the Niagara Frontier, Canal Fest
- Dinner Canal Club 62
- Evening Woodcock Brothers Brewery
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
See
See Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
North Tonawanda is a former lumber port on the Erie Canal that, in 1915, became home to the Allan Herschell Company, America's largest producer of amusement park rides, particularly carousels. Though the company closed in 1970, the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum lives on in the former factory buildings, providing 15,000 visitors annually with exhibits and demonstrations on the history of the Herschell Company and amusement rides in general. An original Allan Herschell carousel from 1916 is the centerpiece of the museum's collection. Special programs offered by the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum include beginner and advanced woodworking courses, and a short walking and biking trail leads from the factory complex through historic downtown North Tonawanda to the banks of the old Erie Canal.
Do
Do Canal Fest
Held on the third full week of July in the twin cities of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda a short distance north of Buffalo, Canal Fest is the largest annual festival held along the banks of this historic waterway. The live music performances the festival holds yearly at Gateway Harbor are legendary; additionally, the eight-day run of Canal Fest 2011 boasted a parade, a boat-building competition, a sack race and other activities for kids, boat races along the canal, and a fireworks finale.
Buy
Shop Old Editions Book Shop
Now semiretired, in 2018 owner Ron Cozzi moved Old Editions from its former location in downtown Buffalo to the much smaller building on Oliver Street that used to be home of Platter's candy store. But the stock in trade is the same as always: still one of the largest antiquarian bookstores in the United States, with a treasure trove of rare books, original art and prints, historical documents, collectible magazines and other memorabilia.
Eat
Eat Pane's Restaurant
Pane's has been providing homestyle Italian-American classics to the area since the late 1950s, so they must be doing something right. The menu is extensive and goes beyond just pasta and chicken parmesan, though the Italian dishes are the specialties. Service is friendly and familial. Enjoy the fish tanks in the walls for dine-in, or get takeout. Popular for banquets as well as catering.
Drink
Drink Woodcock Brothers Brewery
Sleep
Nearby
Tonawanda
City / town · 12 listings · 4 mi away
Grand Island
City / town · 5 listings · 5 mi away
Amherst
City / town · 29 listings · 5 mi away
Buffalo
City / town · 92 listings · 10 mi away
Lewiston
City / town · 9 listings · 10 mi away
Niagara Falls
City / town · 50 listings · 10 mi away
Cheektowaga
City / town · 27 listings · 11 mi away
Lockport
City / town · 14 listings · 13 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.