Canalside

The ice skating was super fun and the rink is gorgeous! I went at a popular time, so the ice was chewed to Hades and therefore rough to skate on for the last 30 min of a period until it was cleaned up, but that is to be expected. I love the heated tent with cubbies and lockers so you can get your skates on and off in warmth, and thaw out if you need a break while skating. I didn’t need any breaks though, could have skated there all night happily!

Tried to get a gift certificate from Ice Bikes of Buffalo but for the Paddle Boats in summer. The website says $ 10/​person and the owners hand wrote on their advertisement a higher price which you only see when you go downtown to get it. I brought the exact amount of cash and had to walk away because I didn’t have additional money. This is false advertisement, bad business, and clearly an opportunity to rake in more money during the holidays. Very shady.

This place has drastically improved in such a short amount of time. Once they got the ball rolling it’s been nothing but good things ever since. This place had been so deserted for years. But the recent upgrades and installs make it a target spot to spend time with friends and family. The ice rink doubles as a small water way where you can go boating in the warmer months. But whatever you do get there early bc the crowds come packing it out! They have food options and play areas for youth also.

Canalside has evolved in the last two years pretty remarkably. There are now plenty of winter activities including ice skating, some winter bikes (which I haven’t yet got a chance to ride). It is a really nice outdoor space to meet friends with beer flowing in the summer, a plethora of kayaking adventures and waterfront dining.
They have built up a great thing with the free Thursday concerts at Canalside, but I’ve heard there maybe changes coming up where the residents have complained and the outdoor concerts may move (noooo!).
Either way, Canalside is a must to walk through on a nice day in Buffalo when showing off the city. The grandeur of the naval ships and the nice boardwalk and space to hang out is fun to show off!

Who doesn’t love coming to canal side?! If you are ever looking for a fun activity to do any time of the year just stop by canal side!
I recently went to the silo light show they had last night, although I did not stay because there was over 8,000 people there.
They have a website with all of the activities and events so certainly take a look at that. I personally like the Thursday concerts they offer but I hear through the grapevine that they are looking for a new location for that, if it’s true I will certainly be disappointed along with the rest of Buffalo.

I can’t say much that hasn’t already been said. I’m thrilled this came to be in our city and that everyone is embracing it.

Love it here, They did a great job developing this area of downtown Buffalo, There’s alot of fun things to do and see, Happy to see it blossoming into a fun place to be, Beautiful view by the water also some good stores and restaurants in this area, Great place for a walk with the whole family.

Unless you plan on going there for a specific reason, say Zumba on Tuesdays during the summer, or taking part in activities such as kayaking and the water bikes, there’s really not much to do down here.
Don’t get me wrong, all of those things are incredibly fun. Canalside has so many events going on during the summer months, and there’s good food to eat in the area. But if you’re just looking to go to see what it’s all about, or just want to take a walk on the boardwalk, there really isn’t all that much to do.
All the times I’ve come down to Canalside are usually unplanned, your simple «oh, let’s go check out what’s going on down there, because there’s nothing else going on!» I always seem to end up walking to the boardwalk, which comes to an abrupt end along the river right where the overpass is stationed. I kind of think it was bad planning, just sort of ending it right there. While there is a sidewalk beside the old train car station that you could keep walking down if you wanted to, it’s not really a part of Canalside.
So, we walk the short distance down the boardwalk, and then walk back. I could read the signs about Erie Canal history as I already have dozens of times, go take my selfie with Shark Girl, and then go. Or, I can sit around in the dozens of lawn chairs they put out, and bake in the sun on a really hot day because there isn’t a lot of shade to be found.
I haven’t tried the water bikes before, but they seem like fun. Too expensive for me to be even remotely interested in it, however. People in my family own kayaks too, so I don’t really need to rent them when I could just go with my family whenever I wanted. The boat tours do seem really fun though, and I’m longing to try the Bike Ferry out when I finally get my bike down there.
Only go to Canalside if you specifically plan on doing something. It’s really only fun here if you want to spend the money to do it. I just wish the area was bigger, and that there was more to explore.

I love this place! It’s great to see Buffalo introducing fun activities to the public. In the winter they have an ice skating rink that is super fun where you can give ride a bike on the ice!
In the summer they have a ton of fun activities as well. I went there last week with my mom and went kayaking and water biking. It was a great work out and a fun activity. We were able to pass by the Labatt Blue Towers and the General Mills Building (it smelled like Cheerios!)
You are also able to walk around the area and see the famous shark girl or sit in the extra large lounge chair. They also have a couple of places you are able to eat and many normal sized lounge chairs to sit on and relax as well.
It’s a great place to bring the family or have a date night. I love coming here when I’m home and look forward to see what else they add next!

Canalside Concert Events are really great.
They have free concerts on Thursdays during their summer series.
They have food trucks, lots of space to walk on the dock before the headliners come on, and it is a very lively place to be.
If you shell out a little extra for VIP tickets ($ 40), you get 3 free drinks, free food, unlimited soda and waters, and a premium viewing. That forty bucks paid for itself with the perks we were offered. They also have VIP bathrooms that are not as gross.
The acoustics are good, and it is easy to park in the garage right next to the venue.

Relaxing at canelside in great weather. Saw a wedding on the Cotter Fire Boat. Down by the paddle boats was another wedding. Nice place for a wedding. So much to do and see.

There is plenty to do here with the Naval ships, kayaking, yolo-​boards (standing paddle boards) & water bikes, vendors, restaurants, ferries, and outdoor ice-​skating (winter) & water activities (summer)! I love this place! This Texan is impressed.

Love what this area has become! I grew up on the area and saw what it used to be. This is such an amazing upgrade and what they have in store is even better.
I cannot get enough of the Canalside

I truly enjoy our nights out at Canalside.
They are still working out the «kinks» of how to handle thousands of people in the space as far as how to set up tents/​toilets/​tickets but each week they seem to have it better laid out than the week before.
It’s a great place for concerts or just a walk around on the boardwalk. Parking is pretty easy for the most part and it’s kept clean.

I have only been down here twice since they started making improvements, and both were within the last month. Once was on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, and the other was the first night of the free concert series on Thursdays.
On the Sunday during Memorial Day weekend, I arrived coming from a boat and was amazed by the transformation of the area. There was a big carnival going on, and for a brief millisecond it almost reminded me of the Santa Monica pier. It seemed like so much fun was being had, and I could tell that there was a lot of potential for future events to be held! There is a lot of room for things to be set up, and I cannot wait to come down for more. I wish I would have been able to make it in the winter when the ice rink was set up!
When I came for the first concert of the summer, Matt & Kim, I was instantly impressed by the large crowd that had gathered. There were food trucks lining the road which was nice in case you wanted to grab a bite to eat. It was VERY crowded and sort of hard to maneuver your way around, and a lot of the crowd seemed to be underage teens that were there to drink/​smoke pot (I expected this to be the case, as it was the same when the concerts were in Lafayette Square). If you are not willing to put up with that for a free show, I would not recommend going. The line for the port-​a-​potties was also pretty atrocious; I think I waited for about 35 – 40 minutes. The VIP are was not very crowded for this show, so depending on the price, that may be a better option for some people.
Overall, I cannot wait to go back for future events, and I can see that there is a lot of potential! I want to try and make it down for the yoga and other exercise things that they do.

Buffalo is doing great things canalside! It’s getting better every year. Every Friday during the summer the East Aurora Explore and more museum of play sets up tents with different activities for all ages. They have their staff there to assist and monitor.
They also have the giant sandbox behind the ice cream and food hut. They do provide some toys and chairs.
They are doing kayaking for $ 20 a person or paddle biking $ 15 a person! The kayaking is so funny and a great work out!!!
You can borrow yard games so bring your ID they hold it for collateral!
Summer concerts every Thursday! If you haven’t yet check out canalside soon!

It wouldn’t be hyperbolic to say I’m in love with Canalside.
It’s like skating in Rockefeller center except bigger, cheaper, and prettier. The staff is AMAZING. Literally just hangin’ around to answer questions or help you learn curling. The skates are incredibly comfortable and easy to put on.
You can also check out a can jam set for the cost of your drivers license (which you get back upon game return). You can stroll, run, bike, kayak, canoe, or just stare off into space. If you can dream it, you can do it (at canalside).
Buffalo wins.

Having just visited Ottawa and Manhattan’s Bryant Park in the same week, I stared in disbelief at Buffalo’s latest creation of bridges and an ice rink just steps from the waterfront. This was the most exciting venue of the three.
Although the city is infamously known for its often-​exaggerated levels of snow, in years past you’d be hard-​pressed to find folks downtown actually enjoying the stuff.
Magic seems to be taking place here as throngs of people stood in line in the cold temperatures for the pleasure of skating. As twilight descended and the lights turned the scene into a true holiday postcard, I had a hard time believing I was in Buffalo. There was such joy on the faces of everyone that I was easily and instantly cajoled into the spirit of the holiday.
If the city is truly in a renaissance, this is the most tangible manifestation of it I have seen to date. If the momentum continues, I may soon recommend that folks plan vacations in cold, grey, January to enjoy winter here.

We, along with I think half of the city, decided to check out the new ice rink at Canalside.
It was crowded. Really really crowded. The lines weren’t really incredibly long, but things were a little too chaotic for my desire to try skating and falling down, so instead we did a lot of walking around and people watching.
Some minuses that prevent me giving it five stars: There were only a few heaters, and they didn’t seem to really be putting out any heat, when they were running at all. Also they need to give some training to the Zamboni guy, we watched what had to have been the most inefficient ice cleaning job ever. All of this stuff is just minor nitpicking though, so don’t let my complaints turn you off of this place, I’m sure in a month or so it’ll be like a well-​oiled machine.

Scout it, Shout it, and Unilocal all about it!
Clutch the pearls, how this place has changed and how it feels so sudden!
Growing up in Kenmore my family never came to the waterfront unless we were going to an event at the Memorial Aud or later Marine Midland a/​k/​a HSBC Arena a/​k/​a First Niagara Center and at two different times I once worked at HSBC Arena and then later HSBC (LOL). It’s simply amazing how a parking lot has turned into a complex and the dead buildings around the corner have come alive again. I one time remember writing someone about the derelict building across the street from the Buffalo News and since then it has become a bustling and gorgeous hotel!
Over these last few years I’ve made my down here a number of times for a variety of events or just a walk to kill some time and it’s great to see that in the Shadow of Industry Buffalo’s Renaissance is coming to LIFE! Haters are gonna hate, hate, hate but Buffalo just needs to shake it off, shake it off, shake it off. We are coming around to the times and trends and I think Canalside is a prime example.
I recently came down here for the opening of the new outdoor ice rink and I was taken aback, I haven’t been here since the summer when this area was still a pit being worked on so to see such a large rink out in the open with paths leading around it and bridges to walk over, take a seat and enjoy was amazing scenery. One of my favorite things is that there are places to sit, although the Adirondack chairs need a little love, some screws tightened and a bit of glue there are folding chairs with tables on the new bridges. While taking my mother out to explore these areas, being older she needs a seat from time to time so the fact that there are regular seats is extremely helpful and valuable for her comfort and enjoyment. I also like that this seems to be one of the few places the food trucks are welcomed to without any annoyances
I can’t wait to see how this area continues to grow and improve and how this cornerstone of development feeds out to the community around it. Canalside truly is all season experience.