The sunsets and night skies of Lake Erie are nothing short of spectacular and there is no better way to enjoy them than aboard the majestic Spirit of Buffalo. Enjoy a sail while sampling wines from the Niagara region as well as from around the world. This relaxing wine tasting sail includes a cheese and cracker buffet.
Sample some of Buffalo's best craft brews while taking in a scenic cruise aboard the Spirit of Buffalo. An adventure your children will not forget. You're entertained with pirate stories, face painting, a treasure hunt, music, and loads of swashbuckling family fun! Sail back in time aboard the Spirit of Buffalo and discover traditional sailing on a classic 73 foot topsail schooner.
Sample some of Buffalo's best craft brews while taking in a scenic cruise aboard the Spirit of Buffalo. An adventure your children will not forget. You're entertained with pirate stories, face painting, a treasure hunt, music, and loads of swashbuckling family fun! Sail back in time aboard the Spirit of Buffalo and discover traditional sailing on a classic 73 foot topsail schooner.
Services
Buffalo Sailing Adventures is a family-owned and operated company established in December of 2008 operating out of Buffalo, New York. The Spirit of Buffalo is a 73-ft. Ric and Kathy Hilliman started their passion for sailing as teenagers. Weekends were spent at Sherkston Beach, where they rented small sail boats.
Plan your event with us. A cruise along the Buffalo River, Buffalo Harbor and Lake Erie makes for an unforgettable experience. We can help you plan for every imaginable occasion. What an exciting time! This beautiful tall ship, with its magnificent red sails, is the perfect setting for your very special day.
Our private charters in Buffalo include the rental of the boat and all the crew (captain, deckhands, etc.). Our charter rates are based on a total of two hours. If your event requires more or less time we can work with you to make it happen. Catering and bar packages are not included in the price of the charter.
Reviews (22)
Webmjmweb Webmjmweb
Sep 15, 2021
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Ej Cruz
Aug 29, 2021
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Elisabeth Wasson
Jul 17, 2021
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Jessica Tills
Jul 05, 2021
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Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Value
We took the family friendly pirate cruise and it was amazing. They take all the kids on the front of the ship for fun and games while the parents can relax and enjoy the cruise in the back half. The staff was wonderful. My daughter wanted to on it again as soon as we got off the ship.
We took the family friendly pirate cruise and it was amazing. They take all the kids on the front of the ship for fun and games while the parents can relax and enjoy the cruise in the back half. The staff was wonderful. My daughter wanted to on it again as soon as we got off the ship.
Dominique Woods
Jun 19, 2021
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Lovely boat and friendly professional staff and crew! Took the evening 2 hour tour for my sister’s birthday. Full bar with wonderful drink options and a great price! Just keep in mind they say boarding is 5:30 for the 6:00 PM sail, and they will leave without you so don’t be late! I appreciate they will call and confirm with those who are not there 15 minutes prior. Would definitely recommend!
Pat M.
May 24, 2021
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Went on an evening cruise on a Saturday. The cruise loads from canalside in a slip adjacent to the USS Little Rock. After a short introduction explaining the boat and general rules we motored out into the River where they had guests raise the sails. There was a limited bar on board and the staff was very friendly and attentive. Masks were not required for vaccinated guests.
The cruise went into the outer harbor towards Lackawanna. The weather was calm and the ride fairly smooth. We returned after two hours, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Not a thrill ride, but a great way to cool off on a
The cruise went into the outer harbor towards Lackawanna. The weather was calm and the ride fairly smooth. We returned after two hours, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Not a thrill ride, but a great way to cool off on a
Kelli S.
Sep 06, 2020
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I have to say that this captain and crew were superb. Very friendly, just the right balance of attentive & absent, and extremely punctual. We started and ended the sail right on time allowing us to get to our reservation for dinner at Pearl Street without being latw. Unfortunately, what was forecasted (for days!) to be a gorgeous night in the low 70's turned out to be cold, windy, rainy and cloudy. The captain made the decision to keep us off the lake and to take us down the Erie Canal. Still a great trip and he got us to the end of the canal where it met the lake in just enough time to
Laura D.
Mar 30, 2020
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Went on a Wednesday Wine Tasting Cruise with 25 women friends. We all had a great time and "nobody fell overboard" AMAZING!! Lol
I guess you must know the group to understand. The crew was so nice and everyone had plenty to drink and the snack plate was yummy! We did go for dinner before hand so I suggest a light dinner inorder to thoroughly enjoy this escape!
I guess you must know the group to understand. The crew was so nice and everyone had plenty to drink and the snack plate was yummy! We did go for dinner before hand so I suggest a light dinner inorder to thoroughly enjoy this escape!
Eileen S.
Aug 01, 2019
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Yes the sunset was beautiful, yes the boat was great but..... it was advertised and the price included a wine tasting from a specific winery that never showed and they had no explanation as to why. They did give us two free drink coupons to make up for it. But it was $42 a person for two drinks and a small
Plate of cheese and crackers.
The staff were very nice and the captain gave us a very smooth ride
They tried to accommodate but it was advertised as something totally different.
Plate of cheese and crackers.
The staff were very nice and the captain gave us a very smooth ride
They tried to accommodate but it was advertised as something totally different.
Bill H.
Jul 22, 2019
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I highly recommend this trip. It has wonderful history. The narrator does an excellent job. The boat is clean. The captain does a wonderful job. And all the staff is professional. Bonus points for having a bar on board! I guarantee if you take this trip you'll learn more about the area that you ever thought you knew!
Colleen M.
Jun 09, 2019
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We went on the 1pm Pirate Cruise 6/8. From start to finish it was well worth the money. The Pirates come up and start in with the kids right away. The kids get a hat and can get some pirate beards. Families are then led to the Spirit of Buffalo and it was a nice surprise to learn that parents are sent to the upper part and all of the young Buccaneers stay with the pirates. I will say that the Pirates never stopped with their high-energy. I could hear my sons laughing the entire time. One of my sons is missing a lower leg and he was able to participate in everything thanks to the help of the wonderful
Heather B.
Aug 27, 2018
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Three friends and I went on the 8/18 sunset sailing. From the reservations, to when we got off of the boat, we were greeted with very friendly people. It was a great day for a sailing and was a very nice experience. I think we all expected that we would be traveling a bit out more into the lake, but it was only a 2 hour cruise. The captain played our request (Rio by Duran Duran). The drinks for purchase were good and the service was very friendly and accommodating. We would go again but also want to try some of the other boats at the harbor.
Deborah L.
Jul 05, 2018
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Michael M.
Jun 21, 2017
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Buff A.
Oct 03, 2016
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Denise B.
Sep 10, 2016
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Why would you own your personal boat, when you can go out on THIS and not have to worry about a thing except your drink selection? This is one of my favorite things to do in the summer and everyone i tell about it (and i tell ALOT of people) has raved after their experience. Depending on the weather, you will sail the inner harbor, or if the winds are right you will tack, and gib (it sounds good right?) , and all that stuff.... right on out to the lake itself. The spirit only takes something like 35 people max, so you are guaranteed a great seat. The crew are all fantastic (think of Bravos below
Jamie T.
Jul 15, 2016
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Why has it been so hard to meet a man with a boat? Every summer I put forth an effort. I join the dating sites, I list boating as an interest, I contact anyone who has a pic of themselves on a boat or even near water--all to no avail.
Thankfully, there are people who allow you to pay them to take you out on their boat.
I LOVED THIS! - just a fantastic experience and well worth the money. I can't wait to do it again. The pictures will really tell the story better than anything I can write. However, I took 90 of them so I need to go through and choose only the best to upload.
Some friends
Thankfully, there are people who allow you to pay them to take you out on their boat.
I LOVED THIS! - just a fantastic experience and well worth the money. I can't wait to do it again. The pictures will really tell the story better than anything I can write. However, I took 90 of them so I need to go through and choose only the best to upload.
Some friends
Allie S.
Jul 16, 2015
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This is a great part of Buffalo's Canalside! We took the 6pm wine in the wind cruise on Wednesday and it was a blast!! The crew was excellent and incredibly friendly! We had perfect weather for the evening and the crew were very knowledgable not only about the vessel but about what was going on down on the waterfront. You could tell they took great pride in their work. The winery we sampled from was great! It was nice to have a local winery to complete the evening. If you are looking for a unique experience this is it. The price may seem a little steep at first but it was totally worth the
Jenna A.
Jun 18, 2012
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We took our family (6 tickets) on the boat ride for Father's Day. I had never gone sailing before and unfortunately I still don't think I can say I have ever been. Once on board the beautiful ship we started out to leave the harbor for open water... and never made it. The most exciting part of the excursion was passing the break wall only to proceed to circle it! In the two hour "adventure" we circled the break wall two times at a very low safe speed and also floated in the harbor.
We now understand why there has never been a man overboard before- although from boredom
We now understand why there has never been a man overboard before- although from boredom
Christina H.
May 21, 2012
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Docked right in the inner harbor, this beautiful, stately sailboat is a great feature in the Buffalo waterfront. They offer many events, including chartered private parties, wine tasting, kid events and others.
I was first introduced to the Spirit of Buffalo and its amazing crew when I did one of their sunset wine tasting events. It does not get much better than this ... a beautiful, well-kept sailboat, a warm summer breeze, the sunset over Lake Erie, endless wine samples and free cheese with crackers.
The $38 might seem a little steep, but in my opinion it is completely worth it. It&apos
I was first introduced to the Spirit of Buffalo and its amazing crew when I did one of their sunset wine tasting events. It does not get much better than this ... a beautiful, well-kept sailboat, a warm summer breeze, the sunset over Lake Erie, endless wine samples and free cheese with crackers.
The $38 might seem a little steep, but in my opinion it is completely worth it. It&apos
Cindi B.
May 21, 2012
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This is a fantastic summer activity. My first time being on the Spirit of Buffalo was for their Wednesday Wine in the Wind cruise. It is $38 per person and includes wine samples from wineries in the Niagara region as well as a complementary cheese and cracker buffet. The experience was incredible. You might think 2 hrs. is a long time to be on a boat but when you're on one of their cruises, time is the last thing you'll be thinking about. Gorgeous views of the city and the staff is so friendly and comedic. I love the relaxing music that is played and there is nothing like being on the
Theresa R.
May 20, 2012
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Great summer outing. I have been on it twice - once for a work party and once with a group of great people that love trying new things in Buffalo! Both times were great! For 2 hours you go sailing, drink, eat, and relax! They offer private charters as well as regular events you can join on. If you are looking for a fun unique thing to do this summer - try this!
