Two hundred years ago, the only inhabitants of what Western New Yorkers now know as “The Tonawandas” were Iroquois Indians and a few traders. Located in between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, at the junction of the Erie Canal and the Niagara River, the Twin Cities of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda are the self-branded “Western Gateway to the Erie Canal.”

As for the name, which sounds funny in an unfamiliar mouth, and can get a laugh (when Dame Edna, the cross-dressing British comedian was here, she deliciously mocked it: “You’ve got a place called ‘Tonny-wanda’!”), it was the Iroquois who dubbed it thus; it means “swift running water.”

Settlers and an immigrant workforce arrived in the early 1800s, with the birth of the Erie Canal, and the region grew rapidly. By 1890, the towns were home to the country’s largest lumber port. Cut to the 1970s, when they experienced a significant economic decline.

Now, with existing historic structures, and a strong community base, plus the river, creek and canal creating all kinds of waterfront access and views, the Tonawandas have started to turn things around, and the economy is reawakening.

Enterprising volunteers and preservationists have brought back some of the dormant historic elements, and entrepreneurial developers have reimagined some of the architecturally significant buildings into loft living. Today, residents and visitors enjoy a multitude of local attractions, restaurants, summer concerts and festivals, and year-round activities.

Parks and parklands abound; Niawanda Park, on the Tonawanda side, is directly on the Niagara River, and affords wonderful views of such. A riverside path invites visitors to walk, roller-blade or jog; picnic tables are available for your enjoyment, or to lounge on as you watch the sunset. During the more temperate months, the city offers bandshell concerts and special events.

Canal Fest is a popular eight-day, family-friendly festival held in July along the banks of the Erie Canal. The event starts with a vintage fire truck muster. Over the course of the week, it includes bands, food vendors, rides, a two-day craft show featuring over 250 vendors, and a bike cruise that draws nearly 3,000 motorcycles from Western New York and surrounding states.

A few great dining and drinking options include Yummy Thai, and the ever-popular Webster’s Bistro & Bar an upscale French bistro. The Canal Club 62 is an American tap and eatery. Its 4 p.m. dinner start time is a boon for many diners who are trying to make an early theater curtain at the nearby Riv—more on this below, as well as a few additional highlights.

67 Webster St.

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

Billed as the “Showplace of the Tonawandas,” the Riviera is a preservation success story. The “Riv,” which was built in 1926 on this main strip of NT, has been lovingly restored over several decades by volunteers. The theater is now a regional point of pride and a destination for frequently sold-out entertainment events, echoing its former popularity as an entertainment venue. Silent films, vaudeville and musical events were the order of the day. Back then, an organist accompanied the films on a Mighty Wurlitzer organ (procured at the time from the nearby Wurlitzer Organ Factory). Amazingly, that same organ is still in use today.

Current programming includes musical acts as diverse as Frankie Avalon, Travis Tritt, and The Temptations. And a steady stream of tribute bands and revues—from Abba to Zeppelin—are mainstay entertainments.

Modern classic movies like “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Ghostbusters,” “Planet of the Apes,” and “West Side Story” are frequently shown. And of course, Mighty Wurlitzer concerts and events, including silent movies with organ accompaniment, are a huge draw. There are dining and drinking choices within walking distance, so even if this is your one Tonawandas experience, you can enjoy a complete evening’s entertainment at one go.

180 Thompson St.

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

(716) 693-1885

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is listed on both the New York State and National Registers of Historic Sites. It’s a series of seven interconnected structures which once housed all the manufacturing components of the carrousel manufacturer Allan Herschell Company. The museum celebrates the history of carrousel and ride production in Western New York, as well as the history of band organ production, which took place nearby.

The colorful setting houses two antique carrousels. The ​1916 #1 Special has 36 hand-carved horses from two separate eras, and over 580 lights. The Kiddie Carrousel houses a small 1940s aluminum carousel, created for small children to ride alone without adult accompaniment. The horses are child-sized and move slower than the full-size carrousel. Both carrousels operate daily during the museum’s hours.

The museum, now runs as a non-profit, includes a children’s gallery, gift shop, archives, artifacts, and an educational center. Other restored rides operate during the summer season in the outdoor Kiddieland.

40 E. Niagara St.

Tonawanda, NY 14150

(716) 525-1260

Located along the Erie Canal, Prescott’s opened in 2018, adding to the ever-growing New American cuisine and farm-to-table movement in Western New York. They’ve remodeled a former garage into a stunning open space that still manages to feel intimate and homey. In warmer weather months, boaters can pull up to their dock and cyclists or pedestrians can swing by for a snack and a drink.

Lunchtime offerings tend toward the casual, with a variety of salads, wraps, and pizzas from their wood-fired oven. In the evenings, a more adventurous, seasonally revolving menu is presented. Recent offerings include roasted chicken served with Kabocha squash, Swiss chard cannelloni and black truffle jus; braised pork shank with BBQ lentils, kohlrabi, ají dulce (a variety of sweet Latin American/Caribbean peppers) and pear; and the Sakura Farms Wagyu Beef with marble potato, allium, and béarnaise sauce.

184 Sweeney St.

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

(716) 362-2802

Also situated along the canal, on the NT side, is long-time Buffalo chefs Paul Jenkins and Mark Hutchinson’s Remington Tavern—a spacious, fun venture that offers upscale dining with a casual feel. Arrive by car, bike, or even boat. The huge central bar houses a raw seafood bar. Happy hour food and drink specials at the bar are an enticing option if you’re looking for a quick drink and snack. Tasty sandwiches like the Chimichurri chicken with provolone cheese are a good bet. And if you’re feeling hungrier, dive into one of their “steakhouse” preparations ($29-$42) or a lovely seafood offering, like the Faroe Island stuffed salmon, with crab and a lemon butter caper sauce. There are vegetarian and lighter options, as well. A few days a week, there’s live music—including Monday’s popular “Beatles, Burgers & Beer” night featuring local musicians Geno McManus and Frank Grizanti playing Beatles classics. Burgers and fries are $14 and craft beers are on tap for five bucks.

908 Niagara Falls Blvd.

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

(716) 260-1284

History AND craft beer in one venue. How can you go wrong? Woodcock Brothers Brewing Co. is located within the historic North Tonawanda Barrel Organ Factory—or Wurlitzer Building as it’s more commonly known. The site was an organ manufacturing company, founded with backing from amusement-ride mogul Allan Herschell (see above: Herschell Carrousels…). The company was later purchased by the Wurlitzer Company, and that’s when the building received its more generally known name.

Wurlitzer once employed over 3,000 people on this massive site. The repurposed industrial building is now an office, retail and banquet complex set against this interesting historical backdrop. High ceilings are enhanced with exposed ductwork, industrial lighting. Oversize windows overlook landscaped green space.

Brothers Tim and Mark Woodcock—who along with their wives, Debbie and Andrea—opened the business here in spring of 2019. The $1.3 million Woodcock project occupies 5,500 square feet in the historic venue. It’s the second location for the family, whose popular Wilson, NY brewery (in nearby Niagara County) has been earning raves since 2012.

The brewery, known for its Niagara Lager, Red Head Amber Ale, Woodcock Porter, and their Woodcock IPA (all available here) is using the site to present more experimental and one-off beers. A well-curated tap menu is constantly changing and updated online.

While beer is definitely in order, the restaurant does have a family-friendly vibe. A menu of traditional American pub fare is available, with the increasingly popular Canadian plate, poutine, showing up in several iterations. They also offer wood-fired pizzas.

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