1. Buffalo Zoo
2. Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
3. Martin's Fantasy Island
4. Niagara Power Project Power Vista
5. Butterfly Conservatory
6. Old Fort Niagara
7. Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours

HERE COMES THE FUN: A TOUR FOR FAMIILIES

Start your day at the Buffalo Zoo, (300 Parkside Avenue, North Buffalo) 23 acres of exotic and domestic animals, including a thriving gorilla troop, Indian rhinoceros, Asian elephants and the interactive World of Wildlife Center. During the summer months, Zoo guests have the opportunity for interactive fun at the Giraffe Feeding Station, WILD Place and Lorikeet Landing.

From the zoo parking lot, go right on Parkside Avenue to the Scajaquada Expressway (Route 198) West. Take Route 198 to I-190 North. Follow I-190 to River Road (last exit before the Grand Island Bridge). Follow River Road to Thompson Street in North Tonawanda to the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum at 180 Thompson Street. This is the only museum in the world housed in a carousel factory building. The building and the 1916 carousel are listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Exhibits include two carousels and numerous hand-carved carousel characters.

Go back on to River Road to I-190 North. Proceed over the Grand Island Bridge to the Whitehaven Road exit. Go right on Whitehaven to Grand Island Boulevard. Take a left to 2400 Grand Island Boulevard and Martin's Fantasy Island. Experience more than 100 rides, shows and attractions in a clean, park-like setting. Of special interest is the Wild West Shoot-out.

Return to I-190 North and proceed across Grand Island to Lewiston and the Niagara Power Project Power Vista. Get off at Exit 25B and follow the signs to Route 104 West (Lewiston Road). At the Power Vista (5777 Lewiston Road) you'll find 50 interactive exhibits about hydroelectricity and the historic role it has played in Niagara. Visit the Electric Lab where you can learn about the basics of electricity and tour a replica of a Victorian-era house that combines period architecture with information on energy efficiency and safety. A large terrain map demonstrates how Niagara River water is diverted to generate electricity. The Observation Deck provides visitors with a birds-eye view of the Gorge.

Return north on Lewiston Road to I-190 North. Follow the signs to Canada and the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge. After clearing Canadian Customs (be sure to bring birth certificates or passports) take an immediate right and then another right onto the Niagara Parkway. Go south along the Niagara River Gorge to the Butterfly Conservatory. The Butterfly Conservatory is home to one of North America's largest collections of free flying butterflies. This year-round exhibit showcases a wide variety of butterflies from around the world living in a lush, rain forest-like environment.

Take the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge back to the United States and follow the signs to the Robert Moses Parkway North. Follow the Parkway to Youngstown and Old Fort Niagara. Step back in time more than 300 years to a day when England and France vied for control of North America. Costumed reenactors bring history to life on the battlements of the oldest structure on the Great Lakes. If time allows, return to Lewiston for a ride on the Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours.
Take the Robert Moses Parkway South to I-190 South to return to Buffalo.