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Where is North Tonawanda located?
- The city of North Tonawanda, New York in Niagara County is part of the state’s Buffalo-Niagara Falls area and is a great place for visitors to spend a day while in the region.
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What does the name North Tonawanda mean?
- The name means "swift running water" in the Seneca language, named after Tonawanda Creek, which runs along its southern border.
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What are the nicknames for North Tonawanda?
- North Tonawanda is known by locals as the “Lumber City” and the “Home of the Carousel”.
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What activities can visitors enjoy in North Tonawanda?
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The city offers a variety of things to do, ranging from:
- Exploring unique museums
- Attending theatrical productions
- Taking chocolate factory tours
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The city offers a variety of things to do, ranging from:
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1. Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
Housed inside of the historic Allan Herschell Company Factory Building on Thompson Street, the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is a one-of-a-kind museum that celebrates the production of band organs, carousels, and several other amusement rides. Visitors can watch demonstrations, explore several exhibits, ride antique carousels, or attend special events. The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum also includes a rather extensive gift shop, the Kiddieland Testing Park where kids can “test restored company rides,” and a family-oriented Children’s Gallery with interactive learning activities. The unique museum in North Tonawanda first opened in 1983 featuring a fully operational carousel dating back to 1916.
180 Thompson St, North Tonawanda, NY 14120, Phone: 716-693-1885
Driving Times:
| City | Driving Time |
|---|---|
| Rochester, NY | 1-2 hours |
| Cleveland, OH | 4-5 hours |
| Boston, MA | 7-8 hours |
| Washington, D.C. | 7-8 hours |
| New York, NY | 6-7 hours |
| Albany, NY | 4-5 hours |
| Philadelphia, PA | 7-8 hours |
| Portland, ME | 8-9 hours |
Map:
2. Riviera Theatre
The Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda, New York is a 1,100-seat, historic venue for live music and entertainment. Built back in 1926, the theatre featured a Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ that has been fully restored and still sits in the historic Riviera Theatre today. The “Mighty Wurlitzer” organ is famous as being one of just two original Wurlitzer demonstrator organs. Listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the New York State Register of Historic Places, the theatre regularly hosts a variety of performing arts events throughout the year, such as live concerts, movies, dance shows, and theatrical productions.
67 Webster St, North Tonawanda, NY 14120, Phone: 716-692-2413
Driving Times:
| City | Driving Time |
|---|---|
| Rochester, NY | 1-2 hours |
| Cleveland, OH | 4-5 hours |
| Boston, MA | 7-8 hours |
| Washington, D.C. | 7-8 hours |
| New York, NY | 6-7 hours |
| Albany, NY | 4-5 hours |
| Philadelphia, PA | 7-8 hours |
| Portland, ME | 8-9 hours |
Map:
3. The Ghostlight Theatre
Also known as the Starry Night Theatre, The Ghostlight Theatre is a theatre company in North Tonawanda that performs in a building that was formerly used as a Methodist Church. Able to accommodate a little more than two hundred guests, the theatre runs its productions year-round, with each season including a spring comedy, a summer musical, a fall thriller, a winter drama, and a holiday classic. Past performances at The Ghostlight Theatre have included Little Women and A Christmas Carol. The theatre is run by playwright L. Don Swartz, who has written many of the plays performed at the theatre.
170 Schenck St, North Tonawanda, NY 14120, Phone: 716-743-1614
Driving Times:
| City | Driving Time |
|---|---|
| Rochester, NY | 1-2 hours |
| Cleveland, OH | 4-5 hours |
| Boston, MA | 7-8 hours |
| Washington, D.C. | 7-8 hours |
| New York, NY | 6-7 hours |
| Albany, NY | 4-5 hours |
| Philadelphia, PA | 7-8 hours |
| Portland, ME | 8-9 hours |
Map:
4. Carnegie Art Center
The Carnegie Art Center acts as an advocate for art organizations and artists in the area and offers classes in a broad range of creative art disciplines, as well as hosts a variety of art exhibitions for visitors to view. Formerly the North Tonawanda Public Library, the center was constructed back in 1904 through funds provided by well known philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. After more than seventy years of operating as a library, the building was transformed into an art center in 1974 and has since provided artistic programs for the local North Tonawanda community and the surrounding area.
240 Goundry St, North Tonawanda, NY 14120, Phone: 716-694-4400
Driving Times:
| City | Driving Time |
|---|---|
| Rochester, NY | 1-2 hours |
| Cleveland, OH | 4-5 hours |
| Boston, MA | 7-8 hours |
| Washington, D.C. | 7-8 hours |
| New York, NY | 6-7 hours |
| Albany, NY | 4-5 hours |
| Philadelphia, PA | 7-8 hours |
| Portland, ME | 8-9 hours |
Map:
5. Webster's Bistro and Bar
Webster's Bistro and Bar, opened in 2013 and situated less than twenty minutes away from downtown Buffalo and Niagara Falls, is a fine dining, yet casual restaurant combining classic American favorites with traditional French cuisine to offer an intriguing menu featuring a wide array of options for guests. Popular dishes on the menu at Webster’s Bistro and Bar include the Bouillabaisse, the Beef Bourguignon, and the Chicken Francaise. As a complement to the bistro’s French-American fare, the eatery also offers an extensive wine list featuring several French wines, along with a number of wines from New York, Washington, and California.
102 Webster St, North Tonawanda, NY 14120, Phone: 716-264-4314
Driving Times:
| City | Driving Time |
|---|---|
| Rochester, NY | 1-2 hours |
| Cleveland, OH | 4-5 hours |
| Boston, MA | 7-8 hours |
| Washington, D.C. | 7-8 hours |
| New York, NY | 6-7 hours |
| Albany, NY | 4-5 hours |
| Philadelphia, PA | 7-8 hours |
| Portland, ME | 8-9 hours |
Map:
6. Platter's Chocolate Factory
Platter’s Chocolate Factory is a family-owned and operated chocolate company in the city of North Tonawanda. While the chocolate manufacturer makes a variety of fine chocolates, Platter’s specializes in sponge candy and orange chocolate. Visitors can take a walking tour of the chocolate factory, which highlights the art, production, and history of chocolate making. During the tour, guests will be able to view each step in the process of chocolate making, chat with the Platter’s chocolate experts, and of course, taste some of the company’s famous candy. There is also a factory store and coffee cafe with local ice cream.
908 Niagara Falls Blvd, North Tonawanda, NY 14120, Phone: 716-693-5391
Driving Times:
| City | Driving Time |
|---|---|
| Rochester, NY | 1-2 hours |
| Cleveland, OH | 4-5 hours |
| Boston, MA | 7-8 hours |
| Washington, D.C. | 7-8 hours |
| New York, NY | 6-7 hours |
| Albany, NY | 4-5 hours |
| Philadelphia, PA | 7-8 hours |
| Portland, ME | 8-9 hours |
Map:
7. Sawyer Creek Restaurant
The Sawyer Creek Restaurant is located at the history Sawyer Creek Hotel in North Tonawanda, New York. In December of 1984, the local eatery was taken over by Rick Cassata, Grey Cup champion and former CFL Quarterback. He ran the restaurant with the help of his three children, turning the Sawyer Creek Restaurant into an area landmark and a dining mainstay for the city, featuring a menu focused on American fare. Rick’s son, Brett, took over the restaurant in 2001, continuing the tradition of Sawyer Creek serving tasty food and providing a great place for friends to gather over a meal.
3264 Niagara Falls Blvd, North Tonawanda, NY 14120, Phone: 716-694-2168
Driving Times:
| City | Driving Time |
|---|---|
| Rochester, NY | 1-2 hours |
| Cleveland, OH | 4-5 hours |
| Boston, MA | 7-8 hours |
| Washington, D.C. | 7-8 hours |
| New York, NY | 6-7 hours |
| Albany, NY | 4-5 hours |
| Philadelphia, PA | 7-8 hours |
| Portland, ME | 8-9 hours |
Map:
Driving Times to North Tonawanda, New York
| City | Driving Time |
|---|---|
| Rochester, NY | 1-2 hours |
| Cleveland, OH | 4-5 hours |
| Boston, MA | 7-8 hours |
| Washington, D.C. | 7-8 hours |
| New York, NY | 6-7 hours |
| Albany, NY | 4-5 hours |
| Philadelphia, PA | 7-8 hours |
| Portland, ME | 8-9 hours |
Map:
Plan Your Trip
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