Q. What is Doors Open Buffalo?
A. On Saturday September 25, 2021, Explore Buffalo will present Doors Open Buffalo. This event grants FREE public access to the interiors of downtown Buffalo’s most significant buildings. Whether it’s your first time touring downtown or you’re a seasoned Explore Buffalo tour-goer, this will be a unique occasion to see downtown as you’ve never seen it before: beyond the doors! Behind the scenes tours and buildings you may not have known that you can visit: it’s all free! Explore Buffalo will be following CDC, New York State and Erie County Covid-19 safety guidelines. We will continue to post Doors Open updates throughout the summer!
Click here to learn about the buildings open for touring on Saturday September 25!
Click here to learn more about additional offerings at local museums for Doors Open visitors on Sunday September 26!
3,800 visitors attended the inaugural Doors Open Buffalo in 2019 with 34,000 visits across all 40 participating locations.
Q. When is Doors Open Buffalo?
A. Saturday September 25, 2021.
Public hours: 10am – 4pm*
*Be sure to check each building’s event guide listing for specific hours and final admittance times. Not all buildings will be open for the entirety of the event.
Q. Where is Doors Open Buffalo? How do I navigate the event?
A. Doors Open Buffalo is a self-guided and self-paced tour of 30+ downtown Buffalo buildings. Visit 3 buildings or visit all 30! Free registration is required to attend this event. Begin your day at our main information hub at the Central Library or choose any of the participating buildings as your starting point! You can pick up a map at any of these locations, or you can use the Buildings On Tour section of this website as your guide! All participating buildings are within a one-mile radius of the Central Library. Be sure to check our Buildings On Tour page to learn about parking and different options for getting around downtown.
2021 Event Program (PDF)
The event program can be picked up at any participating location on September 25!
Q. Do I need to register for this event?
A. Yes. Free registration is required for Doors Open Buffalo. Details on how to check in when you arrive at the event are provided on the registration page.
Q. What is the Doors Open Buffalo VIP Ticket?
The Doors Open Buffalo VIP Ticket provides exclusive access to a lounge experience at SoHo at 64 West Chippewa St. Your VIP ticket grants you access to the lounge at SoHo any time from 10am to 4pm on September 25. Relax and unwind between visiting Doors Open Buffalo locations on the second floor balcony, complete with private restrooms specifically for VIP ticket holders. Light refreshments and assorted appetizers including quesadillas and sliders will be provided throughout the day – perfect for a quick bite between visiting buildings. Complimentary iced tea and water are available throughout the day, and best of all, your first drink at the bar is on us! Tickets are limited, so book your VIP Doors Open Buffalo experience today!
Click here to buy VIP Tickets!
Q. What is the Doors Open Buffalo Photo Contest?
A. Doors Open Buffalo 2021 will feature a photo contest to engage the public and give professional and amateur photographers a chance to win a Family-Level Explorer Pass Membership or walking tour passes. Through August 31st we are collecting submissions of exterior building shots. Simply choose a building from our Doors Open buildings list and enter your photo through our submission form or email olivia@explorebuffalo.org. Learn more about contest rules and check out the other contest categories. All category winners and honorable mentions will be announced and celebrated in October following Doors Open Buffalo but submissions will be featured as they come in!