The "Tonawandas" are also known regionally as "the Twin Cities", because of the City of Tonawanda and City of  North Tonawanda, which sit across from each other on the Erie Canal.  The Cities benefit from being an early port for the Erie Canal, and having the Herschell Carousel Museum, near Wurlitzer Park (NE corner of North Tonawanda).

The City of Tonawanda also is part of the larger Town of Tonawanda, a moderately priced, safe suburb to stay in.