Welcome to Buffalo Central Terminal

Welcome to one of Buffalo’s most beloved sites! Founded by New York Central Railroad, the historic site opened as the New York Central Terminal in 1929. It stands separate from Buffalo’s downtown skyline but remains one of the city’s most iconic buildings. It closed in 1979 after 50 years of service to the city, region, and the country, but its importance to Buffalo and the nation remains. In 1984, the 61-acre New York Central Terminal site was placed on the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places to honor it as a historic place worthy of preservation.

Today, this living landmark is known as the Buffalo Central Terminal. In front of you, through the fence, you can see the Entry Plaza and the Main Terminal Building. Behind the Main Terminal Building, out of sight from where you are, stands the Train Concourse and the massive concrete Train Platforms. To your right, at a 90-degree angle adjoining the Main Terminal Building, you can see the Mail & Baggage Building and the neighboring former Post Office building. Beyond the former Post Office, not quite visible from your vantage point, are the remains of the Railway Express Building. Today, we’ll be taking a look at most, but not all, of these buildings.

This audio tour is designed to allow you to experience this historic site in a way that is as comfortable as possible. If you want to walk around, please do so in the indicated areas, while remembering this is an active construction site. For your safety, please respect all fences and posted signs. With that said, if you’re more comfortable where you are, or if you have any mobility challenges, please feel free to enjoy listening to the history and stories of this special place from right where you are. Many of the buildings can be seen from your current location, and we’ve included pictures for you as well.

The tour is also arranged in a way that allows you to explore only the aspects you want most. The primary tour is about 45 minutes. Optional “side stories” add additional time, bringing the tour to a maximum of 90 minutes. 

By the way: Our narrators are all from Buffalo. You might find a few familiar voices among them. Don’t worry, they’ll introduce themselves at the beginning of each section.

Let’s get started! Please move to the top left side of Paderewski Street, near the fence.

Photo courtesy of the Collection of the Buffalo History Museum. General photograph collection, Buildings - Transportation & Storage - Depots - Plaza Approach.