Spirit of Buffalo - Buffalo Sailing Adventures
Spirit of Buffalo - Buffalo Sailing Adventures
Spirit of Buffalo - Buffalo Sailing Adventures
4.5
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About
Sail back in time aboard the schooner Spirit of Buffalo. Rediscover old world sailing on a classic 73 foot coastal sailing vessel.Join the crew and hoist the sails, or just sit back, relax and take in the experience. Revel in the moment as our magnificent red sails capture the wind and the Spirit sails off to a place time forgot.
Buffalo, New York
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Spirit of Buffalo - Buffalo Sailing Adventures
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
973 reviews
Excellent
815
Very good
95
Average
38
Poor
16
Terrible
9
Rosecounselor
Buffalo, NY24 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
I live in Buffalo and wanted something fun to do with our out of town guests. I looked at boat tours available in Buffalo and decided on the Spirit of Buffalo . I had seen this ship at canal side previously , and thought this would be something fun and different . We chose the late night cruise from 8:30-10:30. It was very easy to book online and a pleasant night . I would not recommend getting the pre-dinner package ; they only allow you certain choices at the restaurant . You are better off finding your own dining option prior to the cruise . The crew was so friendly and very helpful . There is a full bar on board ; and this particular cruise is 21 +. Very clean and well run operation . As a resident enjoying my city , I highly recommend this and would do this again .
Written August 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandra
13 contributions
Sep 2023
What a nice night on the water! The boat was intimate, so you really got a chance to get to know some of the other people on the boat (if you wanted to). The crew was very personable, and funny! The price for the evening was very reasonable, and we even had the opportunity to have a wine or whiskey tasting while sailing. Will definitely go back and do again!
Written September 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorraine N
Middletown, NY114 contributions
Aug 2023
This was our first time on a sail boat n I loved it. The captain n his mates worked well together. It was a time-of watching and enjoying the scenery. They picked a few volunteers to help put up the sail. If you had a question of what something was they would give you the information. I definitely would go back again. We did the sail and dinner. I got charged $40 but at the restaurant they said it was $20 so not sure what happen there.
Written August 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly B
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
There were too many people booked on the boat for how many seats are available. We were plenty early for the boat and still could not get seats because people were saving seats for other people. By the time my preteen son and I got on, we were told that we would have to sit on opposite ends of the boat because that was the only seating left. I asked to get off because I booked this boat ride to spend time with my son, not to wave at him from the other side. They were able to convince a few people to squish together so we could sit together. And the people behind us were stuck sitting on the floor for a while so I guess we were lucky.
Written July 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janine
Buffalo, NY13 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
We went for the “Wine in the Wind” cruise. We enjoyed every minute. The wine was served with individual charcuterie boards and was very nice. We saw great views of the city on the way out and a stunning sunset on the return trip. The crew was extremely professional. It was a beautiful and relaxing evening reminding us all of the beauty in our own backyard.
Written September 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mjm
1 contribution
Jul 2023
Spirit of Buffalo is a historic Buffalo icon. The ship is beautiful, the crew is friendly and very competent. We have gone on several of their cruises, and each was perfect: 2 hours on the inner & outer harbors, great weather, signature red sails flying, plenty of room even when the boat is full, a bar below deck, views of the harbor, Naval Park ships, light house, Lake, city, breakwalls, and all sorts of craft (including the well-known Edward M. Cotter and Moondance). The Craft Brew and Wine cruises are very relaxing. Highly recommended.
Written July 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doompere
Buffalo25 contributions
Aug 2022
It wasn’t a sunset cruise. The Spirit of Buffalo set sail at 8:30, seven minutes after the sun dropped below the horizon. It wasn’t much of a sunset anyway, very little color on a cloudless sky. We weren’t all that far out of the inner harbor when the moon, a super moon, huge and orange, rose in the east over the city. It was a truly spectacular sight, worth the price of admission alone. As darkness descended the lights of the city came up, a gorgeous, illuminated cityscape.
And that was the first hour.
Although sails were up, we really didn’t sail, none of that exhilarating flying over water. Instead, we dilatorily meandered around in the outer harbor. Hour two turned sorta boring. We, a large group of friends, fifteen or sixteen of us, mostly stood around chatting. All very nice but we coulda just as easily been in someone’s backyard. And it got cold. Some of us are hip the temperature drop at night out on Lake Erie. For the others the crew handed out blankets. I was ready to head back long before the boat turned back.
Would I do it again? Maybe, but differently. I’d go earlier in the season when the sun sets so much later. It might be a great ride on the Fourth of July. If you’ve ever watched Independence Day fireworks from a West Side rooftop, you know what an amazing evening it can be.
And that was the first hour.
Although sails were up, we really didn’t sail, none of that exhilarating flying over water. Instead, we dilatorily meandered around in the outer harbor. Hour two turned sorta boring. We, a large group of friends, fifteen or sixteen of us, mostly stood around chatting. All very nice but we coulda just as easily been in someone’s backyard. And it got cold. Some of us are hip the temperature drop at night out on Lake Erie. For the others the crew handed out blankets. I was ready to head back long before the boat turned back.
Would I do it again? Maybe, but differently. I’d go earlier in the season when the sun sets so much later. It might be a great ride on the Fourth of July. If you’ve ever watched Independence Day fireworks from a West Side rooftop, you know what an amazing evening it can be.
Written August 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy A
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Family
We took our grandchildren on one of the pirate cruises. It was wonderful from start to finish. I had to change my reservation from one day to another and the staff were so very accommodating. When we checked in at the dock, the booth staff, similarly, were welcoming. Then, there was the trip itself: "Pirate Penny" (I think that was her name) was our main "host" - boy, does she know how to work an audience of kids! They were lapping up her pirate tales! The rest of the crew, including the captain, were similarly fun and engaging. And so nice to the kids. :-) Of course, it didn't hurt that it was a beautiful summer day out on the lake!
Written July 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rel818
1 contribution
Aug 2024
I was with a group of 6 total. One of the young guys on the boat hung around our group nearly the entire sailing. He seemed to be trying to flirt with one person in our group and would not leave. He made very inappropriate conversation with the group, and also gave the one person in the group 5 of the free welcome aboard (alcoholic) beverages. Would not recommend.
Written September 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
webmjmweb
New York9 contributions
Sep 2021
We set sail for two hours in perfect evening weather on Spirit of Buffalo, sampled excellent craft beers from OFW Brewery Co., sailed into Lake Erie with main, fore and stay sails flying, the sun setting, the moon rising. Captain Angela and crew are pros at handling the 73 foot two-masted square-rigged topsail schooner. Great views of Buffalo Naval Park, the Outer Harbor, Lake Erie, the Buffalo skyline. Highly recommended.
Written September 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What’s the cost? Is it still happening with Covid ?
Written July 19, 2020
Still happening (1/2 capacity) $32/person
Written July 19, 2020
Trudie B
Rochester, New York
How much is the cruise per couple and does that include food and drinks
Written August 21, 2017
Depends on the Cruise. The Brew Cruise includes beer samples and a snacks. I wouldn't call it a meal. The Brew Cruise is $89 per couple. You are paying for the experience. Not dinner and drinks. The Captain encourages you to help with the sail. It's a fun time but plan on eating something before or after. Try 716 for great bar food!
Written August 22, 2017
I would like to purchase sunset cruise tickets for july 23 2016. I want to see actual sunset. Which is best one to see rhe full one st this time of year?
Written May 19, 2016
Hi and thank you for contacting Spirit of Buffalo, on Saturday July 23 the sun will set in Buffalo at 8:45 your best chance to see the sun set is on our 8:30 to 10:31 cruise. Please keep in mind that we have no control over the weather if it is cloudy that evening we may not have a great sunset.
Thanks again,
Captain Ric
Written May 20, 2016
What months do you start offering cruises
Written April 17, 2015
Thank you for your interest if Spirit of Buffalo, our first sail for the 2015 season is scheduled for May 16th. (weather permitting) and our last sail for the season is the first week in October. The schedule for our other boat Buffalo River History tours is from Memorial Day to Labor Day
Ric Hilliman
Spirit of Buffalo,
Buffalo River History Tours
Written April 17, 2015
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