Buffalo Naval & Military Park

Three historic ships rise above Buffalo’s Canalside, where the Erie Canal once met Lake Erie. At Buffalo Naval & Military Park, visitors can board a guided-missile cruiser, a destroyer, and a submarine while learning about service at sea from World War II through the Cold War.

The park opened in 1979 and has grown into the largest inland naval park in the United States. Its collection includes four decommissioned vessels, a museum building, military exhibits, a maritime simulator, and a waterfront garden filled with monuments honoring veterans and military service.

Tour the Historic Ships

A self-guided tour includes the museum and the park’s three primary vessels. Allow at least two hours for the visit, and consider setting aside more time if you enjoy reading exhibit panels and examining the ships’ working spaces.

USS Little Rock

Commissioned as a Cleveland-class light cruiser in 1945, USS Little Rock was later converted into a guided-missile cruiser. Today, it is the world’s last surviving Cleveland-class light cruiser.

The tour route reveals the scale of life aboard a large naval vessel. Depending on which compartments are open, you may pass through crew quarters, the mess deck, sick bay, missile spaces, the bridge, and the pilothouse. The ship’s Cold War-era equipment provides an interesting contrast with the two World War II vessels moored beside it.

USS The Sullivans

USS The Sullivans is a Fletcher-class destroyer commissioned in 1943. The ship was named for George, Francis, Joseph, Madison, and Albert Sullivan, five brothers who died together when USS Juneau sank during the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942.

The destroyer served in World War II and the Korean War and participated in the naval quarantine during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Exhibits aboard the ship interpret both its military service and the Sullivan family’s story.

Preservation work continues throughout the park’s fleet. The current admission information notes that areas below deck on USS The Sullivans are closed while maintenance is underway. Check the park’s website before traveling, as ship access can change.

USS Croaker

USS Croaker is a Gato-class submarine commissioned in 1944. Its narrow passageways, compact sleeping quarters, torpedo rooms, control room, and machinery spaces illustrate how closely sailors lived and worked beneath the surface.

The submarine completed six World War II patrols in the Pacific before later serving as a training vessel. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Museum and Monuments Garden

Before or after touring the ships, spend time in the museum building, where exhibits and artifacts broaden the story beyond the vessels moored outside. Displays interpret the branches of the United States military and the experiences of people who served.

The Monuments Garden is open to explore along the waterfront. Its memorials recognize veterans, military units, Gold Star families, and people connected with conflicts throughout American history. This part of the park offers a quieter place for reflection and doesn’t require navigating the ships’ ladders and passageways.

What to Expect Aboard the Ships

Touring historic naval vessels is physically different from walking through a conventional museum. Routes may include steep ladders, raised thresholds, narrow openings, low overhead clearances, metal decks, and confined compartments. Wear secure, closed-toe shoes and keep both hands available when climbing.

Access aboard the vessels is extremely limited for people with mobility challenges. The museum building, grounds, and portions of the outdoor park offer alternatives, but visitors with specific access questions should contact the park before arriving.

Ship interiors can also become warm during summer. Bring water, take breaks, and watch the weather. The park may close individual ships or outdoor areas when conditions create a safety concern.

A virtual tour provides 360-degree views of USS Little Rock, USS The Sullivans, and USS Croaker. It can help visitors preview the spaces—or explore areas they cannot access in person.

Tours

Self-guided admission allows visitors to move through the museum and available ship spaces at their own pace. Staff members and docents stationed along the route can answer questions.

The park also offers guided tours, limited behind-the-scenes curator tours, school and group visits, special events, and overnight youth encampments. Guided and specialty tours may require reservations. Review the park’s tour options when planning your visit.

Hours and Admission

Operating days and closing times vary by season. The park is generally open daily from May through October, with a reduced schedule from late fall through early spring. During winter, access is limited to guided tours on select weekends. The last ticket is sold one hour before closing.

Active-duty military members, Blue Star and Gold Star families, and veterans who served aboard the park’s three primary ships receive free admission. Prices, schedules, and available tour routes can change, so confirm the details on the park’s hours and admission page before leaving home.

Parking and Arrival

The Buffalo Naval & Military Park is beside Canalside at:

1 Naval Park Cove
Buffalo, NY 14202

The former parking lot on Marine Drive directly across from the park closed permanently in 2025. Parking is available in nearby surface lots, on surrounding streets, and in the LECOM Harborcenter and KeyBank Center ramps. Accessible parking is available on Lloyd Street and in the nearby ramps, with a drop-off area at Marine Drive and Commercial Street.

Because waterfront construction and event schedules can affect parking, consult the park’s current parking information before your visit. Sabres games, concerts, festivals, and other downtown events may increase both traffic and parking rates.

Make It a Buffalo Waterfront Day

The Naval Park sits along the Canalside boardwalk, making it easy to combine the ships with other waterfront experiences. Nearby possibilities include the Buffalo Heritage Carousel, Explore & More—The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum, seasonal boat tours, the Erie Canal Commercial Slip, and restaurants around Canalside.

For a longer outing, continue to Buffalo’s Outer Harbor for trails, public art, Lake Erie views, and green spaces. Treat the waterfront as a flexible itinerary: focus on the Naval Park for a half-day visit, or pair it with one or two nearby stops for a full day in Buffalo.

Buffalo Naval & Military Park

1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, Erie County
716-847-1773
BuffaloNavalPark.org

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